I am starting a new thread to seperate what was going on in the other one. I will address in general what needs to be done. I will make a number of suggestions that I hope you will head if you wish to learn the framework for method shaving.
First see Joel's review it is a very nice guide to start the thought process. Second, please read the articles on my web site. You will find no better collection of information regarding method shaving. Next peruse the message board on my site, it does have tons of info and you will see how we helped people in similar situations and how the problems will be solved. I am not trying to draw people away from this site, but it would be foolish of you to ignore the wealth of concentrated info on that site. Now on to the dirty work.
First a few rules I think every one should keep in mind.
1. work the cube just a bit longer than you think you need to
2. work your cream just a bit longer
3. add a bit more water than you think you can
4. keep working the first form. cut 2,3,4 times if you need
5. use more tonic, really get that face wet
6. use a little less aftershave balm that you think you need. This goes with more tonic
7. move you grip to the very bottom of the razor
8. if using an adjustable razor... dial down, you will want to use more than you need
9. do not be affraid to lay the cutting balm on thick, and then thin it down.
10. change your blade frequently.
11. don't waste your time trying to stretch you skin, it is not needed and will cuase more irritation than it is worth.
Now for the basics with some info:
When building a wet mix, or releasing it from a brush, we use an open breech. Simply put press down on you bristles untill the splay out in a circle from the center of your brush. This is how you release the water into the cream and properly hydrate it. Next always remeber to use a pumping action throughout the building of this mix. This allows water to be loaded and released into the cream making it fully hydrated. When buliding a mix, start with the cube and do not stop untill it is thick, dense and very concentrated on your brush. If it is thin or runny or you use it for a second or two you have gained nothing. Next add some english cream to the palm of your hand, and work that cream untill it is fully mixed with the soap from the cube. Beleive me you can tell the difference between the two and you will know when it is mixed. Always remember to do these things open breech. Now it is time to actually hydrate this stuff, thats right this stuff is a dry mix, though it is probably thicker and denser than anything you have seen. So take the brush to the face and with an open breach scrub a layer of the mix on your face, then slowly pull the brush off you face. This will open a hole in the center of your brush, add water to it. Then go back and work this water on your face and start scubbing the face with your brush. Do this several times, and you will find a copious amounts of cream all over you face and building around the base of your neck. Scoop up that stuff put in in the brush add some water and scrub again. A good minute and half or two will be about the right amount of time. This will soften the beard without the need for hot towels, and will lay down a very wet mix to cut.
Now for the cutting. Again please look at the forms on my site, these are the basic tenants we will use. Cut your forms, the 1st form is the most important and like I said earlier cut this one as often as you need until you face is nearly smooth. You should have little to no stubble and be near clean shaven when you are finished with form 1, meaning you should see little to no stubble and feel almost none if you run you hand in the direction of the cut. The proceed on to the 2nd and then 3rd form. Remeber this when cutting, angle is important. The rule I use is if you elbow is not at the top of your head of above you are coming in to steep. Here is a nice trick that has worked for a lot of people. Put the center of the head of your razor flat against you face, the handle should then be parrallel to the floor. Now slowly drop the handle and pull the blade down untill you feel it grab on your beard. This is the angle you want to cut at. So while you are learning, cut small strips about 1" at a time and concentrate on your angle. Soon you will cut long fluid lines with a good sense of angle, but this is a nice training exercise. Always remeber this, only cut where there is cream to cut. No cream/water = no cut. So one pass of the blade per form over one area.
Cutting balm is easy to use and should be used to cut those few remaining patches of tough hard to see stubble that you find with your finger tips. Lay the cutting balm a pump at a time on to you very wet face. Keep the blade moving and use any of the 3 forms needed in small sections to wipe away these little buggers. For very difficult patches use a lot of cutting balm and thin it with the cube by working the cube in you hand.
When done, soak you face with tonic and lay on a small amount of aftershave cream, then spray again with tonic. Allow it to air dry, it only takes a few 30 seconds. Splash on some of you favorite scent and head on out for the day.
First see Joel's review it is a very nice guide to start the thought process. Second, please read the articles on my web site. You will find no better collection of information regarding method shaving. Next peruse the message board on my site, it does have tons of info and you will see how we helped people in similar situations and how the problems will be solved. I am not trying to draw people away from this site, but it would be foolish of you to ignore the wealth of concentrated info on that site. Now on to the dirty work.
First a few rules I think every one should keep in mind.
1. work the cube just a bit longer than you think you need to
2. work your cream just a bit longer
3. add a bit more water than you think you can
4. keep working the first form. cut 2,3,4 times if you need
5. use more tonic, really get that face wet
6. use a little less aftershave balm that you think you need. This goes with more tonic
7. move you grip to the very bottom of the razor
8. if using an adjustable razor... dial down, you will want to use more than you need
9. do not be affraid to lay the cutting balm on thick, and then thin it down.
10. change your blade frequently.
11. don't waste your time trying to stretch you skin, it is not needed and will cuase more irritation than it is worth.
Now for the basics with some info:
When building a wet mix, or releasing it from a brush, we use an open breech. Simply put press down on you bristles untill the splay out in a circle from the center of your brush. This is how you release the water into the cream and properly hydrate it. Next always remeber to use a pumping action throughout the building of this mix. This allows water to be loaded and released into the cream making it fully hydrated. When buliding a mix, start with the cube and do not stop untill it is thick, dense and very concentrated on your brush. If it is thin or runny or you use it for a second or two you have gained nothing. Next add some english cream to the palm of your hand, and work that cream untill it is fully mixed with the soap from the cube. Beleive me you can tell the difference between the two and you will know when it is mixed. Always remember to do these things open breech. Now it is time to actually hydrate this stuff, thats right this stuff is a dry mix, though it is probably thicker and denser than anything you have seen. So take the brush to the face and with an open breach scrub a layer of the mix on your face, then slowly pull the brush off you face. This will open a hole in the center of your brush, add water to it. Then go back and work this water on your face and start scubbing the face with your brush. Do this several times, and you will find a copious amounts of cream all over you face and building around the base of your neck. Scoop up that stuff put in in the brush add some water and scrub again. A good minute and half or two will be about the right amount of time. This will soften the beard without the need for hot towels, and will lay down a very wet mix to cut.
Now for the cutting. Again please look at the forms on my site, these are the basic tenants we will use. Cut your forms, the 1st form is the most important and like I said earlier cut this one as often as you need until you face is nearly smooth. You should have little to no stubble and be near clean shaven when you are finished with form 1, meaning you should see little to no stubble and feel almost none if you run you hand in the direction of the cut. The proceed on to the 2nd and then 3rd form. Remeber this when cutting, angle is important. The rule I use is if you elbow is not at the top of your head of above you are coming in to steep. Here is a nice trick that has worked for a lot of people. Put the center of the head of your razor flat against you face, the handle should then be parrallel to the floor. Now slowly drop the handle and pull the blade down untill you feel it grab on your beard. This is the angle you want to cut at. So while you are learning, cut small strips about 1" at a time and concentrate on your angle. Soon you will cut long fluid lines with a good sense of angle, but this is a nice training exercise. Always remeber this, only cut where there is cream to cut. No cream/water = no cut. So one pass of the blade per form over one area.
Cutting balm is easy to use and should be used to cut those few remaining patches of tough hard to see stubble that you find with your finger tips. Lay the cutting balm a pump at a time on to you very wet face. Keep the blade moving and use any of the 3 forms needed in small sections to wipe away these little buggers. For very difficult patches use a lot of cutting balm and thin it with the cube by working the cube in you hand.
When done, soak you face with tonic and lay on a small amount of aftershave cream, then spray again with tonic. Allow it to air dry, it only takes a few 30 seconds. Splash on some of you favorite scent and head on out for the day.