I took a break from DE shaving tonight and went into full shavette mode, but there's a question I've been meaning to ask David (@never-stop-learning): I think you'd mentioned on a thread about "Tech clones" that there's a certain technique you like to use when shaving with a Tech . . . but I was hoping you would offer some further insight. Since this is on-topic in this thread, do you mind spending a few minutes explaining? Thanks for starting a really cool thread. Now, please excuse me while I go drool over that picture of @Mlee's Old Type. That thing looks incredible.
Focus on Vintage DEs for 2 Weeks: 4/1 - 4/15
- Thread starter never-stop-learning
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #162
There sure is a lot of vintage eye-candy on this thread.
Original Tech Technique: Before anything else, build a great lather! Then - 1) Start with the handle almost perpendicular to your face. 2) Move the handle down until you feel the blade engage with your beard. 3) No (or very minimal) pressure. 4) Short strokes. Aim for gradual beard removal, not trying to get everything with the first pass. 5. Be patient. Make sure you have lather on the area you are shaving.
Updated Tech Technique: Before anything else, build a great lather! Then - 1) Load a Kai or a Feather blade. 2) Go Steep - Ride the guard, start with the handle almost parallel to your face. 3) Minimal, but appropriate pressure to let the guard stretch the skin a very small amount. 4) Short strokes. You are still aiming for gradual beard removal, not trying to get everything with the first pass. 5. Be patient. Make sure you have lather on the area you are shaving.
I find myself going steep for the main shave and then, on my problem areas, going shallow for touch-ups and buffing.
As always, YMMV.
Hope this helps.
Vintage Gillette flat bottom oc made in England
Fresh Med Prep
Hudson river mahogany synthetic Graydog
Captain's choice
Mash up of last week's soap
Fresh Med Prep
Hudson river mahogany synthetic Graydog
Captain's choice
Mash up of last week's soap
Did you have this replated?! I was unaware the RFBs came in gold!
Gillette Slim / Gillette Rubie Plus
8/19/1942
8/19/1942
Yes I had it replated in Rose Gold 4 or so years ago,how ever it is not a RFB (raised flat bottom) it is a FB (flat bottom) and the most common type of plating was gold
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Thanks! This was a great explanation. I have found myself gravitating towards your "updated" method, using a steep angle at first and then a shallow one later for touch-ups. The steep angle early on helps promote a very light touch, and generates nice audio feedback. I appreciated the reminder to try a Kai blade--I have been meaning to do that.
This was a nice, compact summary of good shaving technique, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will benefit from reading it.
- Thread starter
- #168
Thanks! This was a great explanation. I have found myself gravitating towards your "updated" method, using a steep angle at first and then a shallow one later for touch-ups. The steep angle early on helps promote a very light touch, and generates nice audio feedback. I appreciated the reminder to try a Kai blade--I have been meaning to do that.
This was a nice, compact summary of good shaving technique, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will benefit from reading it.
Thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback.
- Thread starter
- #169
Monday 20210412
Vintage April
Razor: Barbasol Floating Head
Blade: Personna Israeli Platinum Red (4)
Brush: Ever-Ready 200 (26mm "Manchurian Finest" Knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Martin de Candre Nature
Moisturizer: Nivea Post Shave Balm + Hyaluronic Acid
Aftershave: RazoRock Unlabeled Project
A very efficient and effective DE, the Barbasol Floating Head requires your attention. Give it the proper respect and attention to detail and you will be rewarded with an excellent result.
Vintage April
Razor: Barbasol Floating Head
Blade: Personna Israeli Platinum Red (4)
Brush: Ever-Ready 200 (26mm "Manchurian Finest" Knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Martin de Candre Nature
Moisturizer: Nivea Post Shave Balm + Hyaluronic Acid
Aftershave: RazoRock Unlabeled Project
A very efficient and effective DE, the Barbasol Floating Head requires your attention. Give it the proper respect and attention to detail and you will be rewarded with an excellent result.
Tuesday's shave
B&M Le Grand Chypre
Simpson M7
Gillette Slim adjustable
Gillette 7 o'clock yellow
SV Cubebe ASL
B&M Le Grand Chypre
Simpson M7
Gillette Slim adjustable
Gillette 7 o'clock yellow
SV Cubebe ASL
Good morning my friend,Monday 20210412
Vintage April
Razor: Barbasol Floating Head
Blade: Personna Israeli Platinum Red (4)
Brush: Ever-Ready 200 (26mm "Manchurian Finest" Knot)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Martin de Candre Nature
Moisturizer: Nivea Post Shave Balm + Hyaluronic Acid
Aftershave: RazoRock Unlabeled Project
View attachment 1250648
A very efficient and effective DE, the Barbasol Floating Head requires your attention. Give it the proper respect and attention to detail and you will be rewarded with an excellent result.
It's been a long while since I have used the Reds, how do you compare them to the Med Prep blades?
Doesn't get much better than the Barbasol. Think I'll take mine out.
Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
Gillette Flare Tip / Ladas blade
8/19/1942
8/19/1942
- Thread starter
- #174
They are both excellent blades - both in my top tier. I reach for the Reds more often but the Med Prep never fails to please.
Brush: Parker silver tip?
Soap: Razorock inauguration
Razor: Gillette 1946-47 Aristocrat
Blade: 1948 Gillette thin
Post: Thayer rose
After: SW Tres Matreshttps://southernwitchcrafts.com/product/tres-matres-vegan-shave-soap/
the old thin blade was a bit draggy at first but I put that up to not showering before the shave. ATG 2nd pass was very smooth
inauguration, rose and Tres Matres made for a delightful flower forward spring shave.
Soap: Razorock inauguration
Razor: Gillette 1946-47 Aristocrat
Blade: 1948 Gillette thin
Post: Thayer rose
After: SW Tres Matreshttps://southernwitchcrafts.com/product/tres-matres-vegan-shave-soap/
the old thin blade was a bit draggy at first but I put that up to not showering before the shave. ATG 2nd pass was very smooth
inauguration, rose and Tres Matres made for a delightful flower forward spring shave.
- Thread starter
- #176
Tuesday 20210413
Vintage April
Razor: Personna "BBS-0" (England) (Evgeny Koshelev (rusdrunkbear) Ti Handle)
Blade: Feather (2)
Brush: Rudy Vey Persian Jar (Shavemac 24mm Finest)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Martin de Candre Nature
Moisturizer: Nivea Post Shave Balm + Hyaluronic Acid
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado
The Personna "BBS-0" is in my Top Tier of vintage razors and also definitely Runs With The Big Dogs in my Den.
Excellent shave!
Vintage April
Razor: Personna "BBS-0" (England) (Evgeny Koshelev (rusdrunkbear) Ti Handle)
Blade: Feather (2)
Brush: Rudy Vey Persian Jar (Shavemac 24mm Finest)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Martin de Candre Nature
Moisturizer: Nivea Post Shave Balm + Hyaluronic Acid
Aftershave: Bootlegger's El Dorado
The Personna "BBS-0" is in my Top Tier of vintage razors and also definitely Runs With The Big Dogs in my Den.
Excellent shave!
Gillette Flare Tip (TV Special) / Gillette Rubie Plus
8/19/1942
8/19/1942
I’m loving this challenge. Best I’ve done in a shaving challenge since the great cade challenge of 2009.
Well today is Wolfman Wednesday 
And it was My intention to follow the prescribed day and also honor the vintage journey of April , so I figured that I would just use two razors and kill two birds with one stone. So I started off with good intentions and everything set up
Rosie was first up and would have the first pass ........ well something happened algo the shave. Rosie was not going away , I could not help myself and she just kept going for all 3 passes . That Rosie what a selfish razor she is
So BBS in 3 and how could I complain
The wolf just sat off to the side and watched , sorry Wolfie
And it was My intention to follow the prescribed day and also honor the vintage journey of April , so I figured that I would just use two razors and kill two birds with one stone. So I started off with good intentions and everything set up
Rosie was first up and would have the first pass ........ well something happened algo the shave. Rosie was not going away , I could not help myself and she just kept going for all 3 passes . That Rosie what a selfish razor she is
So BBS in 3 and how could I complain
The wolf just sat off to the side and watched , sorry Wolfie
Brush: Shavemac synthetic
Soap: L'occitane lavande
Bowl: antique find made by alyson
Razor: Brit Gillette Aristocrat #16
Blade: 1948 Gillette thin
Post: Thayer rose
After: Avon Wild country from a train
even with a shower the blade was still a bit plucky, gonna strop it before it goes into the new LC for next shave. it's been fun to use a blade that is period correct for my aristocrats. the L'occitane lavande has since lost it's smell and the lather was full but not slick enough for my liking.
Soap: L'occitane lavande
Bowl: antique find made by alyson
Razor: Brit Gillette Aristocrat #16
Blade: 1948 Gillette thin
Post: Thayer rose
After: Avon Wild country from a train
even with a shower the blade was still a bit plucky, gonna strop it before it goes into the new LC for next shave. it's been fun to use a blade that is period correct for my aristocrats. the L'occitane lavande has since lost it's smell and the lather was full but not slick enough for my liking.
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