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New Horizons in Shaving
- Thread starter HMan
- Start date
HMan
Doften Savant
Shave:
Paladin 26mm Chief
JR Torrey Striaght
Gillette Slim
Nacet
Declaration Grooming Chaipre Soap + AS
Great shave, the part of straight shaving that I am managing it getting more comfortable. The part I'm not, i.e. upper lip and chin and the nice on pass one, I'm not even thinking about yet.
I wind up getting more nicks with me DE now than with the straight.
When I bought the straight on the Yard Sale @CBLindsay threw a beat up one in to season the deal, well I'm glad he did because I just get on with it much better. One the Easy Aces is just a bit too flexible for my skill level, it makes me pretty uncomfortable when I feel it flex under my course masculine stubble. But it's also shorter. I have osteoarthritis in my left elbow and due to joint deterioration, it doesn't bend all the way. This really makes getting the left side of my neck a challenge and that extra length comes in handy. I've got @Dagwoodz Ern on the way, should be here Monday, and it's apparently quite long, really looking forward to giving that a go.
By the way, seriously @dangerousdon it's not big deal to run a straight down your cheek once and then move over to the DE to finish your shave.
Ok Chaipre, holy crap, I really love this stuff. Wasn't sure going in if I should get it or not, but I think it may be my favorite of the new batch of soaps I picked up. The scent is one of those grow on you type scents that I seem to gravitate towards. Smells like a big bowl of over ripe tropical fruit. I know, that sounds horrible, but I love it, though I really don't see it being for most people. Actually when I first smelled it I told my wife, 'it smells like India'.
Nothing but good to say about the Icarus formula. Elite for me and I can honestly say between it B&M and CBL my former favorite Tallow and Steel has been displaced. At least when using a straight, where the slickness really differs.
Rest of the Day
I woke up early and thankfully finished the last bit of our last release. And had a very productive meeting with my partner. Really set the tone for a great Friday.
One of the big things being away on holiday got me to realize is, just relax, and help the other guys to as well. The job's getting done, people like it. Let's also like doing it and accept our limitations....
Hit the gym, just getting going on a new cycle of training. I run a program that lasts about 20 weeks, split into various phases. So right now just dialing the workouts and will up the intensity over coming weeks. That along with starting the first diet ever in my life. Thankfully I've got good tools to help so I'm not too worried about it, it's more a follow the numbers thing to me. I guess that's one plus of years of being a poor yoga teacher, not a big deal to do without a little for me.
The wife also picked up a new bike today a beautiful Pelago in Salmon. It really is a beautiful city oriented bike and I'm happy she finally replaced that 30 year old clunker of hers with something light and modern.
Ok, now I realize why I'm in such good sprits today @Cvargo finally made a call without those horrible .gifs!
Paladin 26mm Chief
JR Torrey Striaght
Gillette Slim
Nacet
Declaration Grooming Chaipre Soap + AS
Great shave, the part of straight shaving that I am managing it getting more comfortable. The part I'm not, i.e. upper lip and chin and the nice on pass one, I'm not even thinking about yet.
I wind up getting more nicks with me DE now than with the straight.
When I bought the straight on the Yard Sale @CBLindsay threw a beat up one in to season the deal, well I'm glad he did because I just get on with it much better. One the Easy Aces is just a bit too flexible for my skill level, it makes me pretty uncomfortable when I feel it flex under my course masculine stubble. But it's also shorter. I have osteoarthritis in my left elbow and due to joint deterioration, it doesn't bend all the way. This really makes getting the left side of my neck a challenge and that extra length comes in handy. I've got @Dagwoodz Ern on the way, should be here Monday, and it's apparently quite long, really looking forward to giving that a go.
By the way, seriously @dangerousdon it's not big deal to run a straight down your cheek once and then move over to the DE to finish your shave.
Ok Chaipre, holy crap, I really love this stuff. Wasn't sure going in if I should get it or not, but I think it may be my favorite of the new batch of soaps I picked up. The scent is one of those grow on you type scents that I seem to gravitate towards. Smells like a big bowl of over ripe tropical fruit. I know, that sounds horrible, but I love it, though I really don't see it being for most people. Actually when I first smelled it I told my wife, 'it smells like India'.
Nothing but good to say about the Icarus formula. Elite for me and I can honestly say between it B&M and CBL my former favorite Tallow and Steel has been displaced. At least when using a straight, where the slickness really differs.
Rest of the Day
I woke up early and thankfully finished the last bit of our last release. And had a very productive meeting with my partner. Really set the tone for a great Friday.
One of the big things being away on holiday got me to realize is, just relax, and help the other guys to as well. The job's getting done, people like it. Let's also like doing it and accept our limitations....
Hit the gym, just getting going on a new cycle of training. I run a program that lasts about 20 weeks, split into various phases. So right now just dialing the workouts and will up the intensity over coming weeks. That along with starting the first diet ever in my life. Thankfully I've got good tools to help so I'm not too worried about it, it's more a follow the numbers thing to me. I guess that's one plus of years of being a poor yoga teacher, not a big deal to do without a little for me.
The wife also picked up a new bike today a beautiful Pelago in Salmon. It really is a beautiful city oriented bike and I'm happy she finally replaced that 30 year old clunker of hers with something light and modern.
Ok, now I realize why I'm in such good sprits today @Cvargo finally made a call without those horrible .gifs!
Anytime someone makes (or autocorrects) that typo, I always read the sentence in the voice of a pirate!
HMan
Doften Savant
I typed it with the voice of a pirate, so good job!Anytime someone makes (or autocorrects) that typo, I always read the sentence in the voice of a pirate!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Nice stuff Cole....................and just relax man. Have to tell myself that all the time !
Great post today! And good luck with the new workout routine and diet! As of late I am a big proponent of doing anything to make your life better and to live life longer!
I know, I know! I really do need to use those straights!
I know, I know! I really do need to use those straights!
Great reading, thank you. 
HMan
Doften Savant
Hey all!
I'd actually sort of planned to try to make a video (it's just so against my nature to do videos, I can barely get myself to take photos.) But had an unplanned mini-medical emergency which impaired cut into my shave time today.
You'll laugh at this, I started wearing earplugs when I sleep because of my petite Mrs. snores! Well, I guess a couple of years of doing it, and my ears became massively impacted to the point I was having pain. Then I tried one of those home earwax removing kits, with the little rubber bulb. Not a great idea, my ear was totally plugged up after that and wasn't going to get any better. So this Sunday the wife and I walked down the the clinic, and paid double to get the wax removed. I knew I should have just wanted till Monday and not done anything but it was driving me crazy....
As for the reason we're all here, the shaving.
It's all been about the straight. Turns out that the 5/8 Jernbolget Josh threw in for a steel is the razor I'm getting on best with right now. I've still been having a bugger of a time getting my left neck to go, and pretty much abandoned ship there on all shaves this week. But today, left ear totally plugged up and can't hear at all, I really am a by sound shaver, well I finally cracked the left neck and it's the first time I've gotten the majority of it on pass one. Woohoo!
Once I get into pass two, and those spiky hang up creating whiskers have been felt with on pass one, it's easy shaving and other than the circle of doom around the lips and chin, I did the entire pass with the straight today. For me that's the landmark I've been waiting for, and under crap circumstances too.
Pity I didn't have time to figure out the filming, but trust me it happened.
Oh besides the Jernbolaget the other stand out today was @CBLindsay's wonder Dragonsblood soap. I'll admit the more I use Chris' soap the more it makes sense to me. Frankly it just seems to be made for using a straight with, where it just shines, or rather glides, like no one's business. I just wish there had been a matching AS. Maybe one day, we can all dream.
Otherwise, lots of work stress, which I won't go into this time.
My diet is going well, I've lost about a kilo so far and my waist might not look better but it feels better.
I've always been a thin, well as a young man downright skinny person, so I just feel more right not having a lot there.
Well, that's about it for today. Thanks for reading!
I'd actually sort of planned to try to make a video (it's just so against my nature to do videos, I can barely get myself to take photos.) But had an unplanned mini-medical emergency which impaired cut into my shave time today.
You'll laugh at this, I started wearing earplugs when I sleep because of my petite Mrs. snores! Well, I guess a couple of years of doing it, and my ears became massively impacted to the point I was having pain. Then I tried one of those home earwax removing kits, with the little rubber bulb. Not a great idea, my ear was totally plugged up after that and wasn't going to get any better. So this Sunday the wife and I walked down the the clinic, and paid double to get the wax removed. I knew I should have just wanted till Monday and not done anything but it was driving me crazy....
As for the reason we're all here, the shaving.
It's all been about the straight. Turns out that the 5/8 Jernbolget Josh threw in for a steel is the razor I'm getting on best with right now. I've still been having a bugger of a time getting my left neck to go, and pretty much abandoned ship there on all shaves this week. But today, left ear totally plugged up and can't hear at all, I really am a by sound shaver, well I finally cracked the left neck and it's the first time I've gotten the majority of it on pass one. Woohoo!
Once I get into pass two, and those spiky hang up creating whiskers have been felt with on pass one, it's easy shaving and other than the circle of doom around the lips and chin, I did the entire pass with the straight today. For me that's the landmark I've been waiting for, and under crap circumstances too.
Pity I didn't have time to figure out the filming, but trust me it happened.
Oh besides the Jernbolaget the other stand out today was @CBLindsay's wonder Dragonsblood soap. I'll admit the more I use Chris' soap the more it makes sense to me. Frankly it just seems to be made for using a straight with, where it just shines, or rather glides, like no one's business. I just wish there had been a matching AS. Maybe one day, we can all dream.
Otherwise, lots of work stress, which I won't go into this time.
My diet is going well, I've lost about a kilo so far and my waist might not look better but it feels better.
I've always been a thin, well as a young man downright skinny person, so I just feel more right not having a lot there.
Well, that's about it for today. Thanks for reading!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
I have worn earplugs for ions and never had ears get plugged up. Glad it's cleared up for you now. Nice job on the open blade shaves
HMan
Doften Savant
I never gave it a thought either until I got this pain. Then I did a trip to Google MD and found it can be a problem, I guess they can push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal where it compacts.
All I can say is something the size of a pebble came out of my ear, and it wasn't pretty! Took the nurse about 10 flushes with the horse syringe to get it out.
I use Comply ear tips on my headphones when I work out too. They are sort of are like a mini-ear plug, so maybe that compounds the problem.
Thanks for the encouragement on the open blades, it's really been enjoyable and I wouldn't have started if I hadn't found The Cadre.
What? No video of that?
HMan
Doften Savant
Whew, super beat today, heavy workout and summer ballet classes started. Totally fun, but rough on this diet.
My poor wife had a 'minor' bike accident today. Helsinki has poor bike paths and lots of trams. Rain, bike, and tram rails are a bad combo and my wife fell not once but twice today. Her legs look like she had a fight with a cheese grater.
As for the shaving, well thanks to @HandleBarberDave's video tutorials I managed to tackle my chin today. I'm hoping to get to the upper lip soon, but alas, Dave has something preventing showing how to do that, I'm not quite sure what that something is though.
One thing I'm noticing now that more of my shave is being done with a straight is my neck is less irritated, albeit the shaves aren't as close, they aren't bad either and I think it's a good trade off. This is wasn't something I expected but I'll take it.
Keeping it short today, have a good one Cadre!
My poor wife had a 'minor' bike accident today. Helsinki has poor bike paths and lots of trams. Rain, bike, and tram rails are a bad combo and my wife fell not once but twice today. Her legs look like she had a fight with a cheese grater.
As for the shaving, well thanks to @HandleBarberDave's video tutorials I managed to tackle my chin today. I'm hoping to get to the upper lip soon, but alas, Dave has something preventing showing how to do that, I'm not quite sure what that something is though.
One thing I'm noticing now that more of my shave is being done with a straight is my neck is less irritated, albeit the shaves aren't as close, they aren't bad either and I think it's a good trade off. This is wasn't something I expected but I'll take it.
Keeping it short today, have a good one Cadre!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Nice stuff Cole and hope the Misses heals up okay
Next time I do a video(probably next week) I will try to remember to get a good angle on the upper lip for you. There are a few ways to get at it but for the most part I just do 2 hybrid passes. Both are generally XTG but the first is slightly WTG and the second is slightly ATG.in tge very center I might do a fools pass(moving lip to nose) if I feel like it.
HMan
Doften Savant
Today's Shave:
Torrey Straight
Gillette Slim + Prema Sharp
Arriana and Evans So Cal Hipster
Paladin Chief 26mm
Myrsol Aqua de Lemon
Arriana and Evans So Cal Hipster AS
D.R. Harris Sandlewood
I'm continuing to incorporate @HandleBarberDave's tutorial into my routine, with mods that work for where I'm at with this.
I think there is one thing I'm fairly good at in the shave game and that's a light touch. So I'm actually getting less irritation with the straight, at least in terms of blatant redness of the face. I need to add the alum thing soon.
So for me this means, I'm cool with doing as much of pass one as I can with the straight then following up with the DE. Today I just did a full pass with it.
Then from there I can do virtually all the rest now with the straight, though, I'm not anywhere near doing the strokes per 'pass' that Dave demonstrated. It's more like 6-8 depending.
One great tip that didn't really make sense was to do the area under the jaw like you were stropping, it clicked today, basically roll the blade on the spine, and made that are much easier to hit.
I wind up doing about 4 passes in total, the first the DE/straight combo,
2nd just straight expect under the nose and what I couldn't get of the chin,
3rd just straight, at this point the stubble is reduced enough for smooth work
4th, just the DE for clean up
It's taking a LONG time maybe 30 minutes but it's fine. The soap defo starts to dry so lots of dipping the brush in water and hitting it again.
Thankfully I didn't expect this to be a fast process and I suspect I'm going to be the guy well north of 100 shaves before I'm really getting no worry full straight shaves. I was slow with the DE and don't expect this to be different, however I'm really enjoying this journey it goes deeper than just being able to get a shave.
----
Ok it's time to get to the gym, back half of the week is lighter days, for the most part. Today anyway.
It's a holiday so I've got chicken teriyaki marinating, and the Mrs. is home, which is nice. The cuts and bruises from her fall are looking better, but now the delayed weirdness is popping up, sore neck and elbow, feeling off.
I hate seeing my wife banged up, that's my job dammit.
Torrey Straight
Gillette Slim + Prema Sharp
Arriana and Evans So Cal Hipster
Paladin Chief 26mm
Myrsol Aqua de Lemon
Arriana and Evans So Cal Hipster AS
D.R. Harris Sandlewood
I'm continuing to incorporate @HandleBarberDave's tutorial into my routine, with mods that work for where I'm at with this.
I think there is one thing I'm fairly good at in the shave game and that's a light touch. So I'm actually getting less irritation with the straight, at least in terms of blatant redness of the face. I need to add the alum thing soon.
So for me this means, I'm cool with doing as much of pass one as I can with the straight then following up with the DE. Today I just did a full pass with it.
Then from there I can do virtually all the rest now with the straight, though, I'm not anywhere near doing the strokes per 'pass' that Dave demonstrated. It's more like 6-8 depending.
One great tip that didn't really make sense was to do the area under the jaw like you were stropping, it clicked today, basically roll the blade on the spine, and made that are much easier to hit.
I wind up doing about 4 passes in total, the first the DE/straight combo,
2nd just straight expect under the nose and what I couldn't get of the chin,
3rd just straight, at this point the stubble is reduced enough for smooth work
4th, just the DE for clean up
It's taking a LONG time maybe 30 minutes but it's fine. The soap defo starts to dry so lots of dipping the brush in water and hitting it again.
Thankfully I didn't expect this to be a fast process and I suspect I'm going to be the guy well north of 100 shaves before I'm really getting no worry full straight shaves. I was slow with the DE and don't expect this to be different, however I'm really enjoying this journey it goes deeper than just being able to get a shave.
----
Ok it's time to get to the gym, back half of the week is lighter days, for the most part. Today anyway.
It's a holiday so I've got chicken teriyaki marinating, and the Mrs. is home, which is nice. The cuts and bruises from her fall are looking better, but now the delayed weirdness is popping up, sore neck and elbow, feeling off.
I hate seeing my wife banged up, that's my job dammit.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Nice thoughts Cole