I'd bet you're there.... or close enough.
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An Unexpected Journey: A Newbie's Walk In Wet Shaving
- Thread starter Blade-meister
- Start date
doing well, just remember it is not a sprint, but a marathon so take your time good things abound
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Nice progress Mike. If it's a pass along the jaw and not north and south. Try stretching your skin above or below that jaw line to have a smoother surface and less going over it that might be getting it irritated. If it's north and south your talking about ignore this thought.
Dave, great point. I'm going to try that with my XTG pass. I was talking about north/south in my post but it got me thinking about that XTG pass and how stretching might help the corner of the jaw/neck area. Looks like I have something to change tomorrow.
Yup Dave, but boy does it drive my neck crazy to not be smooth
I am sure someone has already mentioned it but trying a complete cold water shave, from beginning to end may be a good ticket to the anti-irritation parade. Of course, it is not as luxurious, but I was in the same boat and one I did it I never looked back.
Man, I’m impressed with how quickly you are noticing the little things that often hold a new guy back. The transition from face to jaw to neck is where a lot of guys get all wonky with the angles, noticing that now and correcting it will lead to great things.
i second Dave’s cold water shave suggestion, it’s all I do. If I dare to use warm or hot water after the shower I get prickly and irritated very quickly. I can stick warm the brush so the initial lather is a little warm but cool/cold is my thing. If you decide to do it and want a unique treat, soak the razor in hot water and rinse it in hot water so your lather and rinse are cold but the blade is hot, it feels pretty cool. I think Dagwoodz did this in one of his shaves last week.
i second Dave’s cold water shave suggestion, it’s all I do. If I dare to use warm or hot water after the shower I get prickly and irritated very quickly. I can stick warm the brush so the initial lather is a little warm but cool/cold is my thing. If you decide to do it and want a unique treat, soak the razor in hot water and rinse it in hot water so your lather and rinse are cold but the blade is hot, it feels pretty cool. I think Dagwoodz did this in one of his shaves last week.
Chris and Dave - Yup I'm sold on cold water shaving and have been doing it for a few weeks now. It helped knock-down the redness and irritation quite a bit. I'll try the hot blade tomorrow for sure. I've been rinsing it in cold water and that just doesn't feel right.
My hope Chris is that by being overly detailed with my journals, new guys will read through my struggles and learn all the more quickly.
My hope Chris is that by being overly detailed with my journals, new guys will read through my struggles and learn all the more quickly.
Ok, so today's shave was less than stellar feeling. I've decided to try new blades this week since I've been only riding the Astra and Gillette SB train since starting wet shaving. Today I pulled out a Voskod Teflon Coated blade.
Today's Shave:
Razor: Gillette Super Speed (1956) DE
Blade: Voskhod Teflon Coated
Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
Soap: Mystic Waters Sandlewood Coconut
Bowl: Walmart Salsa Bowl (plastic)
Pre Shave: Shower / wash with soap
Post Shave: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel (Walmart Brand), Cold rinse, leave face wet to dry on it's own, Nivea AS balm on face only.
I did my usual 2 1/2 pass shave starting WTG. XTG was followed by an ATG pass on the face only. The Voskhod blade for me felt like a Gillette or Astra on it's last shave before being pitched in the trash can. I noticed after my first WTG pass that my face didn't feel like it was much smoother. I got two weepers today too which if you read my journal you'll know I've not noted any weepers worth writing about yet. I had a weeper on the corner of my upper lip and under my chin. I employed some skin stretching on the corner of my jaw, but this blade seemed to just feel like it was going to scorch my skin so I decided not to do anymore skin stretching in those areas. I elected instead to pull out my cart and touch those areas up. A LOT of clean-up on the face got me to DFS+ on my right side and BBS on my left side. The cart got my neck nearly BBS and much more comfortable than my 2 pass shave in my problem area just below the corner of my jaw. Not much redness or irritation on the neck thanks to the cart work there. The Voskhod did horribly under my nose and on my top lip during my ATG pass. I had to modify an XTG pass in a diagonal direction just to get it close to where I like it, and that caused some slight irritation there.
I'd like to give the Voskhod another day of service, but I'm just not up to the torture so I'll try another blade brand tomorrow. I'm not sure if the teflon coating is what caused this blade to feel horrible on my face and neck, but there was definitely something off with it in terms of my shaving skill set currently. Adjusting back toward the cap and then toward the guard didn't seem to help. I really thought maybe my angle was off, but back toward the cap didn't even feel better.
What I Changed: Tried a Voskhod blade, and some skin stretching. I believe the skin stretching will be helpful in the future, but with this blade it would have just made for a worse shave. I used my cart for clean-up on the corner of my jaw / neck area right below it to get a smoother shave in that area in hopes of clearing up irritation from it being rough there from the 2 pass shaves I've been giving it.
Today's Shave:
Razor: Gillette Super Speed (1956) DE
Blade: Voskhod Teflon Coated
Brush: Maggard Razors Synthetic
Soap: Mystic Waters Sandlewood Coconut
Bowl: Walmart Salsa Bowl (plastic)
Pre Shave: Shower / wash with soap
Post Shave: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel (Walmart Brand), Cold rinse, leave face wet to dry on it's own, Nivea AS balm on face only.
I did my usual 2 1/2 pass shave starting WTG. XTG was followed by an ATG pass on the face only. The Voskhod blade for me felt like a Gillette or Astra on it's last shave before being pitched in the trash can. I noticed after my first WTG pass that my face didn't feel like it was much smoother. I got two weepers today too which if you read my journal you'll know I've not noted any weepers worth writing about yet. I had a weeper on the corner of my upper lip and under my chin. I employed some skin stretching on the corner of my jaw, but this blade seemed to just feel like it was going to scorch my skin so I decided not to do anymore skin stretching in those areas. I elected instead to pull out my cart and touch those areas up. A LOT of clean-up on the face got me to DFS+ on my right side and BBS on my left side. The cart got my neck nearly BBS and much more comfortable than my 2 pass shave in my problem area just below the corner of my jaw. Not much redness or irritation on the neck thanks to the cart work there. The Voskhod did horribly under my nose and on my top lip during my ATG pass. I had to modify an XTG pass in a diagonal direction just to get it close to where I like it, and that caused some slight irritation there.
I'd like to give the Voskhod another day of service, but I'm just not up to the torture so I'll try another blade brand tomorrow. I'm not sure if the teflon coating is what caused this blade to feel horrible on my face and neck, but there was definitely something off with it in terms of my shaving skill set currently. Adjusting back toward the cap and then toward the guard didn't seem to help. I really thought maybe my angle was off, but back toward the cap didn't even feel better.
What I Changed: Tried a Voskhod blade, and some skin stretching. I believe the skin stretching will be helpful in the future, but with this blade it would have just made for a worse shave. I used my cart for clean-up on the corner of my jaw / neck area right below it to get a smoother shave in that area in hopes of clearing up irritation from it being rough there from the 2 pass shaves I've been giving it.
Interesting, I had the same experience. Tried them early on and didn't like it. I was bummed about that because I thought the name was cool. Recently I Tried it again a few months ago and kinda liked them. Ordered a bunch to throw in the rotation.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Sorry the Voskhod isn't working. I get great shaves from them but everyone is different. Example, some love Treet Platinum and they tear me up every time. I'd set it aside for ones that work for now. You can always revisit them later. Nice entry Mike
My wife loves Treet Platinum in my '57 Flare Tip. I have used them also just for kicks and they are not bad but i have 4-5 more blades at least that i enjoy more. Never have tried the Voskhods that i got as part of a blade sampler i won at the other place.
All great feedback and with blades YMMV applies. I've read in places that sometimes blades have a rough first shave but find their mark between shaves 2-4 so I'm rethinking about tossing the Voskhod. Maybe it deserves one more shave to be fair. 2 bad shaves is about all I can take.
Also, is there any sin for me to hit those problem neck areas with the cart? I'm really feeling good in the neck area today having a smooth shave. Basically I'd be using the DE for a WTG, XTG, and then using the cart for cleanup in the problem neck areas. Or will I lose my man card
My only apprehension is that I'll never figure out that area if I keep going back to the cart.....but oh man, to be smooth is heaven!
Also, is there any sin for me to hit those problem neck areas with the cart? I'm really feeling good in the neck area today having a smooth shave. Basically I'd be using the DE for a WTG, XTG, and then using the cart for cleanup in the problem neck areas. Or will I lose my man card
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
I know, I'd hear good things about them and give them another go and they just shred me up literally. Only blade ever to do it to me and have no idea why........
All great feedback and with blades YMMV applies. I've read in places that sometimes blades have a rough first shave but find their mark between shaves 2-4 so I'm rethinking about tossing the Voskhod. Maybe it deserves one more shave to be fair. 2 bad shaves is about all I can take.
Also, is there any sin for me to hit those problem neck areas with the cart? I'm really feeling good in the neck area today having a smooth shave. Basically I'd be using the DE for a WTG, XTG, and then using the cart for cleanup in the problem neck areas. Or will I lose my man cardMy only apprehension is that I'll never figure out that area if I keep going back to the cart.....but oh man, to be smooth is heaven!
Depending on the blade I can get 7-8 shaves from them exception being the Gillette Rubie plus and i have one with 14-15 on it and it is still going. No sin in going back to the cart if you want to but i believe you are correct in that you never will figure the others out without at least some trial and error in the trouble spots.
All great feedback and with blades YMMV applies. I've read in places that sometimes blades have a rough first shave but find their mark between shaves 2-4 so I'm rethinking about tossing the Voskhod. Maybe it deserves one more shave to be fair. 2 bad shaves is about all I can take.
Also, is there any sin for me to hit those problem neck areas with the cart? I'm really feeling good in the neck area today having a smooth shave. Basically I'd be using the DE for a WTG, XTG, and then using the cart for cleanup in the problem neck areas. Or will I lose my man cardMy only apprehension is that I'll never figure out that area if I keep going back to the cart.....but oh man, to be smooth is heaven!
I have had people suggest running the blade through cork to mellow it, I am not sure i like that idea but its worth a try. I like to "strop" the blade by rubbing it over my towel or jeans while loaded in the razor, flip and do it again and it's ready to go. (*if you do this and shred your pants or towel you are required to share a photo)
As to the cartridge sinner... I say there is no sin in using the tools that give you what you are after. A year or so back a bunch of us did a sort of test, using different platforms several days and comparing the results. I found that with a proper prep and lather the 6 blade Dollar store razor was able to turn out 3 days worth of decent shaves. Excluding the straight or open blade razors the injector was one of the BEST. I think I have an extra schick injector and blades somewhere, if i do I will send it to you. It could eliminate the need for a cart altogether.
"Corking" as a concept makes sense. You are knocking off any stray bits of metal and sort of realigning the edge. But I've always felt that using actual corks for this purpose is way too harsh and if not done properly can do more harm than good to your blade. I always recommend using a foam packing peanut for the task, if anything.
I have a few packs of vintage blades Chris i could send one if you don't have the blades i only have one injectah though.
Oh I have the blades. I scored a huge amount as a result of an amazon mix up, I gave most away already but I definitely have a box of 20 that are very good quality.
I read about the cork trick yesterday and thought about trying it. My thinking is that for now, I need a comfortable shave. The DE gets me 90% there so if I have to use a cart to touch up 2 small areas, that's not so bad as I'm still 90% converted. I think I'll be 100 % soon enough once I figure the puzzle out of that pesky neck area that always seems to get red and irritated. It's my method for sure. I can't blame the equipment.