Friday is my day. It is my day-off, a day for new and for firsts. Today was that day. After spending the morning walking through antique stores, looking for a variety of elements I would like to add to my shave experience, I ran across a few interesting things here and there. From the first store:
What I have read about the GEM terrifies me(not really, but I have read some butchery stories). The Curve-Rite just wasn't my style. Not knowing enough about any of these, I went on to the next shop. Still on the hunt.
Here I found 2 razors I recently read up on:
Both SS's seemed pretty servicable and looked like they might be able to be cleaned up, however, not knowing the price-points on these, I left thinking they were not going anywhere over the weekend. Oh, and there was the Sheaffer...
When I went into the final place, one straight razor stood out, but knowing absolutely nothing, I quickly snapped this pick and headed home for my "first" shave.
My Set-Up
AoS Pre-Shave Oil, Unscented
Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
AoS Escali Badger Brush
Old Coffee Mug
Van Der Hagen DE Safety Razor
Merkur Platinum Coated DE Razor(sample from AoS)
Pre-Shave Prep
As I prepped for the shave, I place my brush in the mug I planned to use for the JB Cream, and filled it with hot water. I took a hot shower, toweled-off and headed to the sink.
Pre-Shave Application
After drying off, I applied and messaged in the pre-shave oil from AoS. I then dumped the hot water out of the mug, shook off most of the water out of the brush and added approximately .5 tsp of the JB shave cream. I spend about 2 minutes working the cream around in the mug. It never frothed, however it did work into a lather that would more than cover my face 3 times. After letting it set for approximately 1 minute, I felt like it was time to get to work.
The Shave
After reading a post here related to technique trumps tool, I reminded myself to not treat this like my Mach 3(I shave really, really fast and aggressively), and to first, go slow as well as trust the feel more than the mirror. Armed with a newly purchased Van Der Hagen Safety Razor and a sample Merkur Blade, it was time to fish or cut bait.
Down my cheek I went. Then down my neck. Shaving like I had my Van Dyke, or Goatee, I followed the contours of my face, downward. I also read that these DE's really like XTG and ATG, so XTG was my next move. Working little tricks I've picked up over time with my "speed-shaving", XTG went well too. All was good, except I had not yet gotten to my jaw-line, my chin, lips, or under my nose.
Shelving my confidence, I slowly did the jawline. No problems. Chin, well that felt like and seemed like it was going to take forever. I don't know that my chin has been as smooth as it is this evening since I was a kid. I would say the same thing about my upper lip. Bottom line, closest shave I've had in a long, long time. But the real question was how did I do?
The Results
No Blood! After looking at a few pictures online related to people not knowing how to shave and the blood spilled from shaving with DE's, SE's, and Straight Razors, I was determined not to be that guy. What this also meant was there could have been a greater likelihood that I would be a bleeder. I've been shaving regularly since I was at least 15 and probably more likely 14. So, after 32-33 years of shaving, this is the first time in a long time that I have felt a sense of accomplishment with shaving.
Post-Mortum
Looking back a few hours later, I have a couple of thoughts, questions, and comments. A few days ago, I used the Pre-Shave Oil before using my canned shaving cream. The cream did not want to stick at all. Using it this afternoon, the cream, while it did stick, I think 1.5 day of beard growth helped the cream attach and that the oil was less-helpful than helpful. I wonder if I am (1)fouling up the application process, or if (2) the cream and oil don't mix as well as cream and soap do, or (3) something else. The AoS Pre-Shave Oil has proven to be nice when shaving after-the-fact, but I think I am using it incorrectly.
As I worked with the Shave Cream, the brush was an absolute asset. From what I read about the JB Cream, it works a little differently than many expect it to, but worked like I read it was supposed to work. I did not add water to the cream, but wonder if I should have added a little more. Again, I also wonder if my pre-shave oil effected the cream. But I have to say, I really like the JB Cream. Over the years I have tried a ton, but this was different than anything else I've ever used. I should also add that just about everything folks here use is different than what I have tried. Shoot, I thought I was stepping out by buying Neutrogena Shaving cream in a tube and/or can. Again, I like the JB Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
There are too many razors to choose from when I comes to shaving with a DE Razor. I don't think I am saying anything new here, but I realize that we all need something a little different than the other guy uses. So where do we start? CCPastorK has been kind enough to send me a Fatboy Razor, as an extension of of Christmas Charis, and it has left me speechless. MacfromMichigan is sending me some sample razors, again not because I've done anyting to warrant it, but because it is who they are and I didn't know where to even begin. So, in the meantime, I picked up a $10 clearanced Van Der Hagen Premium Set(Mug, Puck, & Brush) and the $9 clearanced Van Der Hagen Razor at Walgreens. I inserted an extra Merkur Razor I have had for 3 years or so and went to work. The razor worked well, but differently than my Mach 3. I really think and it feels like the shave is significantly better than my cartridge shave. I do wonder about DE shaving techniques that cross-over from cartridge techniques and those that don't, how my NOT sensitive skin plays a role in the positive experience I had, and if I have found my razor sweet-spot by accident. The razor did need to be cleaned under running water more than swished in still soapy water. I also rinsed the razor, with the crown opened, and cleaned the other side of the razor too. Is that necessary or over-kill? The razor was good, but it was the first DE I have used. The bar has been set.
All in all, it was a great day. Have a fantastic weekend!
What I have read about the GEM terrifies me(not really, but I have read some butchery stories). The Curve-Rite just wasn't my style. Not knowing enough about any of these, I went on to the next shop. Still on the hunt.
Here I found 2 razors I recently read up on:
Both SS's seemed pretty servicable and looked like they might be able to be cleaned up, however, not knowing the price-points on these, I left thinking they were not going anywhere over the weekend. Oh, and there was the Sheaffer...
When I went into the final place, one straight razor stood out, but knowing absolutely nothing, I quickly snapped this pick and headed home for my "first" shave.
My Set-Up
AoS Pre-Shave Oil, Unscented
Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
AoS Escali Badger Brush
Old Coffee Mug
Van Der Hagen DE Safety Razor
Merkur Platinum Coated DE Razor(sample from AoS)
Pre-Shave Prep
As I prepped for the shave, I place my brush in the mug I planned to use for the JB Cream, and filled it with hot water. I took a hot shower, toweled-off and headed to the sink.
Pre-Shave Application
After drying off, I applied and messaged in the pre-shave oil from AoS. I then dumped the hot water out of the mug, shook off most of the water out of the brush and added approximately .5 tsp of the JB shave cream. I spend about 2 minutes working the cream around in the mug. It never frothed, however it did work into a lather that would more than cover my face 3 times. After letting it set for approximately 1 minute, I felt like it was time to get to work.
The Shave
After reading a post here related to technique trumps tool, I reminded myself to not treat this like my Mach 3(I shave really, really fast and aggressively), and to first, go slow as well as trust the feel more than the mirror. Armed with a newly purchased Van Der Hagen Safety Razor and a sample Merkur Blade, it was time to fish or cut bait.
Down my cheek I went. Then down my neck. Shaving like I had my Van Dyke, or Goatee, I followed the contours of my face, downward. I also read that these DE's really like XTG and ATG, so XTG was my next move. Working little tricks I've picked up over time with my "speed-shaving", XTG went well too. All was good, except I had not yet gotten to my jaw-line, my chin, lips, or under my nose.
Shelving my confidence, I slowly did the jawline. No problems. Chin, well that felt like and seemed like it was going to take forever. I don't know that my chin has been as smooth as it is this evening since I was a kid. I would say the same thing about my upper lip. Bottom line, closest shave I've had in a long, long time. But the real question was how did I do?
The Results
No Blood! After looking at a few pictures online related to people not knowing how to shave and the blood spilled from shaving with DE's, SE's, and Straight Razors, I was determined not to be that guy. What this also meant was there could have been a greater likelihood that I would be a bleeder. I've been shaving regularly since I was at least 15 and probably more likely 14. So, after 32-33 years of shaving, this is the first time in a long time that I have felt a sense of accomplishment with shaving.
Post-Mortum
Looking back a few hours later, I have a couple of thoughts, questions, and comments. A few days ago, I used the Pre-Shave Oil before using my canned shaving cream. The cream did not want to stick at all. Using it this afternoon, the cream, while it did stick, I think 1.5 day of beard growth helped the cream attach and that the oil was less-helpful than helpful. I wonder if I am (1)fouling up the application process, or if (2) the cream and oil don't mix as well as cream and soap do, or (3) something else. The AoS Pre-Shave Oil has proven to be nice when shaving after-the-fact, but I think I am using it incorrectly.
As I worked with the Shave Cream, the brush was an absolute asset. From what I read about the JB Cream, it works a little differently than many expect it to, but worked like I read it was supposed to work. I did not add water to the cream, but wonder if I should have added a little more. Again, I also wonder if my pre-shave oil effected the cream. But I have to say, I really like the JB Cream. Over the years I have tried a ton, but this was different than anything else I've ever used. I should also add that just about everything folks here use is different than what I have tried. Shoot, I thought I was stepping out by buying Neutrogena Shaving cream in a tube and/or can. Again, I like the JB Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather
There are too many razors to choose from when I comes to shaving with a DE Razor. I don't think I am saying anything new here, but I realize that we all need something a little different than the other guy uses. So where do we start? CCPastorK has been kind enough to send me a Fatboy Razor, as an extension of of Christmas Charis, and it has left me speechless. MacfromMichigan is sending me some sample razors, again not because I've done anyting to warrant it, but because it is who they are and I didn't know where to even begin. So, in the meantime, I picked up a $10 clearanced Van Der Hagen Premium Set(Mug, Puck, & Brush) and the $9 clearanced Van Der Hagen Razor at Walgreens. I inserted an extra Merkur Razor I have had for 3 years or so and went to work. The razor worked well, but differently than my Mach 3. I really think and it feels like the shave is significantly better than my cartridge shave. I do wonder about DE shaving techniques that cross-over from cartridge techniques and those that don't, how my NOT sensitive skin plays a role in the positive experience I had, and if I have found my razor sweet-spot by accident. The razor did need to be cleaned under running water more than swished in still soapy water. I also rinsed the razor, with the crown opened, and cleaned the other side of the razor too. Is that necessary or over-kill? The razor was good, but it was the first DE I have used. The bar has been set.
All in all, it was a great day. Have a fantastic weekend!
