This journal covers my journey rediscovering wet shaving and learning to shave my head. This includes getting new tools and matching them with soaps, blades etc. Also learning new techniques and methods for shaving the head.
I used to trim my head with a Wahl Balding Clipper to manage the bald spot. This was no longer enough. So a couple of months ago I decided to start shaving the dome. And have been doing so with a PAL Injecto-Matic Deluxe. For my face I used Gillette Rocket/Slim. As for brushes i used a cheap horse hair brush, RazoRock BC Silvertip Plissoft and Yaqi Butterscotch Tuxedo. For soap i used almost exclusively Haslinger Schafmilch (tallow).
Mediocracy had become norm. The shaves where at best just good enough. I did not enjoy the ritual anymore. During christmas I made up my mind to change this and formulated a simple plan.
Goals: Elevate the experience and get good results.
Method: Get good hardware and software. Learn how to head shave properly.
First, what is it with my current razors that's not good enough. Using vintage has it's drawbacks. The razors are often pressed sheet metal & plated which means they are susceptible to damage. The tolerances are not good in a world where 0,1mm can make a big difference. Mechanics and crimping makes the nooks and crannies inaccessible and thus hard to clean. Lack of customizability makes it hard to get the razor just right for my needs.
The solution seems clear; go modern. The criteria for new razors is as follows: Solid metal, no plating, no mechanics, tight tolerances, customizable base plate aggressiveness and guard type, not too expensive.
Second, better brushes. I enjoy natural bristles more. Solution, get a badger and horse brush of better quality.
Third, soap. As mentioned earlier I use Haslinger Schafmilch. The quality of lather is good but it has a cheap soap bar scent. They also transitioned away from tallow. Solution, try soap bases that are widely respected by the community and find out what scents I like.
Fourth, get better att head shaving. Watching a lot of different videos on the subject and trying different methods and techniques.
Fifth, everything else. Need a better lather bowl. Try out a spray bottle to apply water to skin & lather. Get pre shave soap. Try different perfumes. etc.
I used to trim my head with a Wahl Balding Clipper to manage the bald spot. This was no longer enough. So a couple of months ago I decided to start shaving the dome. And have been doing so with a PAL Injecto-Matic Deluxe. For my face I used Gillette Rocket/Slim. As for brushes i used a cheap horse hair brush, RazoRock BC Silvertip Plissoft and Yaqi Butterscotch Tuxedo. For soap i used almost exclusively Haslinger Schafmilch (tallow).
Mediocracy had become norm. The shaves where at best just good enough. I did not enjoy the ritual anymore. During christmas I made up my mind to change this and formulated a simple plan.
Goals: Elevate the experience and get good results.
Method: Get good hardware and software. Learn how to head shave properly.
First, what is it with my current razors that's not good enough. Using vintage has it's drawbacks. The razors are often pressed sheet metal & plated which means they are susceptible to damage. The tolerances are not good in a world where 0,1mm can make a big difference. Mechanics and crimping makes the nooks and crannies inaccessible and thus hard to clean. Lack of customizability makes it hard to get the razor just right for my needs.
The solution seems clear; go modern. The criteria for new razors is as follows: Solid metal, no plating, no mechanics, tight tolerances, customizable base plate aggressiveness and guard type, not too expensive.
Second, better brushes. I enjoy natural bristles more. Solution, get a badger and horse brush of better quality.
Third, soap. As mentioned earlier I use Haslinger Schafmilch. The quality of lather is good but it has a cheap soap bar scent. They also transitioned away from tallow. Solution, try soap bases that are widely respected by the community and find out what scents I like.
Fourth, get better att head shaving. Watching a lot of different videos on the subject and trying different methods and techniques.
Fifth, everything else. Need a better lather bowl. Try out a spray bottle to apply water to skin & lather. Get pre shave soap. Try different perfumes. etc.
