I havent been using a DE for long, but before I started I made sure to watch the Mantic59, Geofatboy and PaulHfilms videos on youtube, reading up on the matter before I even put the blade against my skin.
The first few shaves where so-so, I had terrible trouble with the under the chin-area, the hairs there spent their time in blatant insubordination ignoring my every command and mocking me with their resistance.
Today, I took a long hot shower. I warmed up the mug and soaked the brush in warm water, like I always do. I got out of the shower, rubbed some American Crew Lubricating Shave Oil and then mixed up a lovely lather of TOBS Sandalwood and applied it and set to it with my EJ86 loaded with a wilkinson blade.
WTG, XTG, XTG from the other direction, then ATG above the chin and under the chin ATG at a diagonal (45 degree angle if that makes sense?) and then ATG again but from the other side. During this I made some faces at myself in the mirror and bullfrogged every now and then, anything to avoid those pesky angles that my face seems to me constructed of (I should have a talk with my father about this, why couldnt he be more round-faced so I'd have inherited that instead? Most uncooperative of him wouldnt you say?)
And then.... BBS. I was surprised and double and triple checked my face and neck, but not a stubble to be found! A sudden revelation, I didnt expect it to happen but suddenly, there it was. Now, I wont get cocky - when I ran the alum block across my face it was fine, under my chin it burned something fierce. This tells me I have a long way to go still, and maybe should look into some soothing items until I learn the technique better, but once the burn passed...
Granted, there are nicks. Three of them, on on my chin and two below it but nothing that will ruin my day.
Maybe this was a fluke, a 121212 thing? Or just one of those days when everything falls together perfectly? I cant tell yet, but today I got to enjoy a wonderful shave and perhaps have found a small step on the right path. I'd like to give my thanks to everyone who's made a shaving video on youtube, they are very informative and helpful, and of course everyone here at B&B, whos comments I have read before joining (sneaky of me I know) and that gave me many helpful advice. Without this site or the shaving videos, I'd using an electric still and not this lovely hobby. Thanks!
EDIT: Oops, posted this in the wrong forum, meant it for general shaving....
The first few shaves where so-so, I had terrible trouble with the under the chin-area, the hairs there spent their time in blatant insubordination ignoring my every command and mocking me with their resistance.
Today, I took a long hot shower. I warmed up the mug and soaked the brush in warm water, like I always do. I got out of the shower, rubbed some American Crew Lubricating Shave Oil and then mixed up a lovely lather of TOBS Sandalwood and applied it and set to it with my EJ86 loaded with a wilkinson blade.
WTG, XTG, XTG from the other direction, then ATG above the chin and under the chin ATG at a diagonal (45 degree angle if that makes sense?) and then ATG again but from the other side. During this I made some faces at myself in the mirror and bullfrogged every now and then, anything to avoid those pesky angles that my face seems to me constructed of (I should have a talk with my father about this, why couldnt he be more round-faced so I'd have inherited that instead? Most uncooperative of him wouldnt you say?)
And then.... BBS. I was surprised and double and triple checked my face and neck, but not a stubble to be found! A sudden revelation, I didnt expect it to happen but suddenly, there it was. Now, I wont get cocky - when I ran the alum block across my face it was fine, under my chin it burned something fierce. This tells me I have a long way to go still, and maybe should look into some soothing items until I learn the technique better, but once the burn passed...
Granted, there are nicks. Three of them, on on my chin and two below it but nothing that will ruin my day.
Maybe this was a fluke, a 121212 thing? Or just one of those days when everything falls together perfectly? I cant tell yet, but today I got to enjoy a wonderful shave and perhaps have found a small step on the right path. I'd like to give my thanks to everyone who's made a shaving video on youtube, they are very informative and helpful, and of course everyone here at B&B, whos comments I have read before joining (sneaky of me I know) and that gave me many helpful advice. Without this site or the shaving videos, I'd using an electric still and not this lovely hobby. Thanks!
EDIT: Oops, posted this in the wrong forum, meant it for general shaving....
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