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Steve's Journal: The Saga Continues....

From the sounds of it, I think there's going to be a trade off, at least in the short term, for you between shaving daily with fewer passes or shaving every other day with the full three passes. I know for me, I'm lucky enough to have facial hair that is apparently scared of my shaving implements and refuses to come out to play too quick, so I have gone to every other day shaves. Once I did that, (I was shaving daily for the first 2 years), the amount of irritation I experienced went way down (barring poor technique), and I started seeing much closer shaves that lasted longer.

If shaving daily is a must for you, consider cutting out one of the passes and altering the two remaining passes to hybrid WTG/XTG and XTG/ATG. It might give you a little relief, irritation wise, and still give you a decent enough shave on a daily basis so that you aren't sporting a 5'oclock shadow the entire second day.

Your facial skin might end up becoming more accustomed to the new regimen and eventually you'll be able to go back to a full three-pass shave.
 
SteveChuckFrank said:
...I'd really hate to have to go back to using a cartridge razor, but in the last 5 months I've had maybe 2 or 3 shaves that have been really good. And more bad shaves than good. I suppose it's all part of the journey, but tonight my raw neck is not enjoying it!

I'll probably be taking tomorrow night off to heal.
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Good to take tomorrow off. And if you're not enjoying the DE's, there's nothing wrong with going back to a cart if it works for you. I can only think that the irritation you're getting is due to too much angle and pressure. Also, get rid of the alum. And at night, before hitting the rack, take a little Polysporin (or Neosporin) and mix with some unrefined shea butter and put on your neck - it'll help tremendously.
 
SteveChuckFrank said:
And no Doug, it wasn't condescending at all. I appreciate everyone's advice. That's what this place is all about. Helping each other out. Maybe one day I'll figure it out and be able to help out another new guy haha! Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming, God knows I need them hahaha!
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My wife was reading over my shoulder last night and commented, so I thought I should make sure I am not being offensive. Thank you.

I keep thinking the same thing. One day I will figure this all out. There will always be something to learn in this hobby, or to re-learn.
Sometimes I find inspirational quotes... well, inspirational. So, I thought I would post a couple. I hope you don't mind.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." --Thomas A. Edison
"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing." --Socrates
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." --Albert Einstein
 
I'd really hate to have to go back to using a cartridge razor, but in the last 5 months I've had maybe 2 or 3 shaves that have been really good. And more bad shaves than good. I suppose it's all part of the journey, but tonight my raw neck is not enjoying it!
I'll probably be taking tomorrow night off to heal.
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Steve...if I might add...and others may have told you this already...but maybe for a while don't chase the BBS. Honestly, if I do a two pass shave, three pass, or even (not often) a four pass shave...the only person that call a difference in closeness is me. Maybe for a while just stick to a two pass north/south shave and let things heal up a bit. Every now and then change things up. Go back to what you were doing inn a couple of weeks. There are a lot of variables that you can introduce for now and then go back to chasing the BBS later. Anyway...just my two cents...that evidently is only worth a quarter of a penny nowadays.
 
Ahhh, GTB. It is a fantastic scent, and CF soaps are very good performers. Some great advice here, and I'll reiterate that taking a day to heal can often be a good idea. No shame in going back to carts. They often take a lot of flak, but the most important thing is finding a regimen and set up that works best for you.
 
dkeester said:
My wife was reading over my shoulder last night and commented, so I thought I should make sure I am not being offensive. Thank you.

I keep thinking the same thing. One day I will figure this all out. There will always be something to learn in this hobby, or to re-learn.
Sometimes I find inspirational quotes... well, inspirational. So, I thought I would post a couple. I hope you don't mind.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." --Thomas A. Edison
"I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing." --Socrates
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." --Albert Einstein
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Love the quotes Doug. The Edison quote is one of my favorites!
 
dangerousdon said:
Steve...if I might add...and others may have told you this already...but maybe for a while don't chase the BBS. Honestly, if I do a two pass shave, three pass, or even (not often) a four pass shave...the only person that call a difference in closeness is me. Maybe for a while just stick to a two pass north/south shave and let things heal up a bit. Every now and then change things up. Go back to what you were doing inn a couple of weeks. There are a lot of variables that you can introduce for now and then go back to chasing the BBS later. Anyway...just my two cents...that evidently is only worth a quarter of a penny nowadays.
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Don, I'll definitely be taking your (and a lot of others') advice of taking a day off. I'm also considering going to an every other day schedule for a little while. You're 2 cents is always appreciated, so feel free to throw it in at any time.
 
Smattayu said:
Ahhh, GTB. It is a fantastic scent, and CF soaps are very good performers. Some great advice here, and I'll reiterate that taking a day to heal can often be a good idea. No shame in going back to carts. They often take a lot of flak, but the most important thing is finding a regimen and set up that works best for you.
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Definitely don't want to go back to spending all that money on carts. I'd rather spend it on soaps. And aftershaves. And balms. And blades. And new razors. And vintage razors. And....lol

I get irritation from carts as well, just not as bad. I've been told once I figure out a routine that works for me, the DE will be a little better on my skin. Just have to find the right tricks to use that's all!
 
Backing off a bit sounds like sage advice. Patience, practice, and a little frustration are all part of it!

It may get some groans, but pre shave oil hid my less than great technique while learning. Not much need for it after a while, but it did give me a little freedom to learn with a little less consequence.

We all want the the same result, but have a million and a half methods to get there haha.
 
No shave tonight. Taking the night off to let the face recover. Then hopefully back at it tomorrow with some better results.

I don't like to take days off from shaving for 2 reasons. My stubble is dark, coarse, and think. It's pretty noticeable.

The second reason being, now that I'm DE shaving, I actually enjoy it. Even when I get sub-par shaves I still enjoy the process. I just don't always enjoy the results!

But on a positive note, I got my veggie garden all done tonight after work. Jersey Tomatoes, sweet peppers, green beans, snap peas, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, even threw in some carrots for fun. Always a lot of fun and very rewarding once the veggies start sprouting.

Also watching the Phillies spank the Giants again tonight. So that's a plus!
 
SteveChuckFrank said:
Also watching the Phillies spank the Giants again tonight. So that's a plus!
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Bah, I knew you’d say something about that! C’est la vie!

Good stuff on the garden. The missus started one a year ago almost. When she isn’t hurting herself pulling weeds or digging, she’s growing some mighty fine veggies!
 
SteveChuckFrank said:
But on a positive note, I got my veggie garden all done tonight after work. Jersey Tomatoes, sweet peppers, green beans, snap peas, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, even threw in some carrots for fun. Always a lot of fun and very rewarding once the veggies start sprouting.
Click to expand...

Gardens are always fun...and yes, very rewarding. I slacked this year and it's a little late for a garden here in Louisiana. I might plant some mid summer tomatoes but I will probably wait until fall or next year. I need to rebuild my garden boxes anyway...
 
GearNoir said:
Bah, I knew you’d say something about that! C’est la vie!

Good stuff on the garden. The missus started one a year ago almost. When she isn’t hurting herself pulling weeds or digging, she’s growing some mighty fine veggies!
Click to expand...

We weren't supposed to be this good this year so I'm taking advantage of it!

The weeds are the worst part, but the veggies are usually worth the work!
 
dangerousdon said:
Gardens are always fun...and yes, very rewarding. I slacked this year and it's a little late for a garden here in Louisiana. I might plant some mid summer tomatoes but I will probably wait until fall or next year. I need to rebuild my garden boxes anyway...
Click to expand...

I have 2 3x5 boxes. I might add a third next year. I keep wanting to add more every year and I'm out of room.
 
I hope your face recovers quickly and that your next shave is a good one with much less irritation. I am glad that you enjoy DE shaving even if the results are frustrating.

Congrats on getting your garden in.
 
Good call on taking the day off to recover and congratulations on getting the garden up and going!
 
Okay here is my observations and 2 cents worth Steve.
1. You state that there is almost always some irritation and that you have only gotten a few "good" shaves in 5 months.
2. You are using a different soap, razor, and/or post shave for every shave.
3. Are you changing just one thing technique wise on each shave to improve or multiple things?
4. The irritation could be caused by something in the soap and/or after shave that your skin on your neck doesn't like and not be your technique at all.

My concern is that you are changing too much at a time and that makes it impossible to figure out what is causing the problem and what works and what doesn't work.

Another thought is that you may have ingrained a bad technique into your shave that has become habit. You may unconsciously be doing this every shave. Remember practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

Here is what I recommend. Go back to whatever setup it was the you got those "good" shaves with and stick with it until you can repeat the "good" results over and over and over and over and over and over. It may be boring, but I think worth it in the end.

Another approach would be while you are using the "good" setup really, really go back to basics. Just use the DE for the WTG pass, and finish with the cart or stop there. Was that a good shave? By good I mean no irritation and no seepage. Yes? Well then next shave add the XTG on the cheeks, was that a good shave? Yes? Next time add the XTG on the neck was that a good shave? No? Then there is the 1st place to work on. Did you press too hard, was the angle too steep, did you let your angle change? Did you buff to much? etc. Correct the problem, repeat several times with out said problem and move on. So forth and so on. With nothing but, technique as the variable you should be able to figure out the problem and correct it fairly quickly.

Find a pre and post shave routine that works and stick with it during this time also.

Lastly remember this is a marathon not a sprint.
 
Alright alright, I'll mention the elephant in the room. GTB with Sharp Dressed Man AS???? Come on people!! Someone get this poor guy the other half of the matching sets!
 
clyde72 said:
Okay here is my observations and 2 cents worth Steve.
1. You state that there is almost always some irritation and that you have only gotten a few "good" shaves in 5 months.
2. You are using a different soap, razor, and/or post shave for every shave.
3. Are you changing just one thing technique wise on each shave to improve or multiple things?
4. The irritation could be caused by something in the soap and/or after shave that your skin on your neck doesn't like and not be your technique at all.

My concern is that you are changing too much at a time and that makes it impossible to figure out what is causing the problem and what works and what doesn't work.

Another thought is that you may have ingrained a bad technique into your shave that has become habit. You may unconsciously be doing this every shave. Remember practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

Here is what I recommend. Go back to whatever setup it was the you got those "good" shaves with and stick with it until you can repeat the "good" results over and over and over and over and over and over. It may be boring, but I think worth it in the end.

Another approach would be while you are using the "good" setup really, really go back to basics. Just use the DE for the WTG pass, and finish with the cart or stop there. Was that a good shave? By good I mean no irritation and no seepage. Yes? Well then next shave add the XTG on the cheeks, was that a good shave? Yes? Next time add the XTG on the neck was that a good shave? No? Then there is the 1st place to work on. Did you press too hard, was the angle too steep, did you let your angle change? Did you buff to much? etc. Correct the problem, repeat several times with out said problem and move on. So forth and so on. With nothing but, technique as the variable you should be able to figure out the problem and correct it fairly quickly.

Find a pre and post shave routine that works and stick with it during this time also.

Lastly remember this is a marathon not a sprint.
Click to expand...

I know Craig, I know. I'm doing lot of things I shouldn't be doing lol.

I am getting irritation on every shave. Even the "good" shaves had some. And I do realize that a lot of people always get a little bit of irritation no matter what, but I feel like I get much more than I should on a regular basis.

I am going to start using the same setup for at least a week at a time. If something doesn't work I'll then be changing one thing at a a time (razor, soap, blade, etc.). I will be going back to the most successful set up first and going from there.

Technique wise, I've only been changing one thing at a time.

I don't have any skin allergies and haven't reacted to any soaps in the past. So I'm leaning towards this not really being an issue, but there is always that chance I guess.

As always I do appreciate the $.2 from those willing to throw it in!
 
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