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Post by wchnu on Nov 2, 2018 12:33:37 GMT -6
As I got more into this hobby and my skill level grew I found that somethings changed. What is the biggest change for you?
I think prep is a big one for me. When I started I was all aboard the prep band wagon. Always a big recommendation to newer folks. Now I feel not as big a deal. Blade choice was another. This is specially true with unmentionables. I have moved beyond that one also
Anyone have this happen as they got better?
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Post by pisces0 on Nov 2, 2018 21:16:46 GMT -6
Post-shave routine has drastically decreased now that I've got a few years under my belt.
I used to apply alum, witch hazel, aftershave and finally balm. Took almost as long as the shave itself. Left my face feeling over-scrubbed and oily.
Now I'll splash on a bit of witch hazel or aftershave, sometimes both sometimes only one, depending on my mood at the moment. Leaves me feeling much more refreshed with clean and tightend skin. Ahh!
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 2, 2018 21:32:12 GMT -6
I have changed my technique along with my ideas about blades. Coming from the unmentionables to the SE, gave a much different feel to the shave. So, having said that, blades and technique go hand in hand for me. Less variety on SE blades, mean I have to nail my technique, and it also means that I can take the blade out of being an excuse that I didn't get a good shave.
Also, the way I shave. I am able now, to make longer strokes, and do less passes. That was not possible on the unmentionables. I was curious content to do as many passes as possible because I was trying to get the most out of those blades.
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Post by twhite on Nov 3, 2018 9:18:51 GMT -6
Interesting question. I had to think long and hard about this one. My routine has not changed since I started. It is always the same.
I shave directly after my shower.
I exit the shower and start the water in the sink. I then proceed to dry off and give my hair a quick comb. By this time I am ready to face lather and the sink is full of water. I prep my brush. If it is synthetic I just dip it and give 3 light shakes. Boar or Badger, submerge the brush and proceed to scrub my free hand palm. This seems to get them hydrated just fine for me. I do that maybe 30 seconds at most.
Then I load the brush and go to town. First pass is always North to South. Second pass is South to North. These are nice long strokes. I need to note that my beard grows in 10 different directions all over my face.
Third pass is short quick buffing strokes. My lower neck I go N to S. This is mainly to best get the whiskers in my deep neck creases. I then proceed to go across my face neck and chin, going from ear to center. My neck and under jaw is supplemented with a 30 degree upwards stroke.
My face and chin I go with a 30 degree downward stroke.
For my upper lip I try S to N first. Some razors will do it others no. So I will do across both directions.
I then rinse my face and apply the aluminum block. While that sits I clean my brush razor and blade. When I am done doing that. I rinse my face again dry it off and apply my AS.
Total time for this process when I started 25-30 minutes. I just checked this morning 12 minutes.
So if you have not figured it out yet. The only thing that changed for me is technic and confidence in my skills and tools.
I love my ritual.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Nov 3, 2018 23:40:24 GMT -6
An interesting question, indeed. Having come from cut-throat razors, which really are less forgiving than single edge razors, I have decreased the amount of preparatory steps and ointments. I am now down to shaving soap, a styptic pencil, and an aftershave. While not caused by the switch, I am, however, grateful for having found Meißner Tremonia shaving products. They are in a league of their own, both price and performance wise. I cannot say enough good things about them, but they have, for example, eliminated my need for a pre-shave balm. Also, the glide, and the post-shave care, of the shaving soap are so good that I have been able to shave faster, and with two passes instead of three. This has had a very positive effect on my skin (less irritation - or, truth be told, none). Not having to think about blades has also been very nice. I tried DE razors for a while, and it drove me insane. Overall, these small changes have been gradual, but I think I have found the perfect setup, and the fitting tools by now. And, hey!, it only took me five years...
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Post by wchnu on Nov 4, 2018 6:24:01 GMT -6
Interesting question. I had to think long and hard about this one. My routine has not changed since I started. It is always the same. I shave directly after my shower. I exit the shower and start the water in the sink. I then proceed to dry off and give my hair a quick comb. By this time I am ready to face lather and the sink is full of water. I prep my brush. If it is synthetic I just dip it and give 3 light shakes. Boar or Badger, submerge the brush and proceed to scrub my free hand palm. This seems to get them hydrated just fine for me. I do that maybe 30 seconds at most. Then I load the brush and go to town. First pass is always North to South. Second pass is South to North. These are nice long strokes. I need to note that my beard grows in 10 different directions all over my face. Third pass is short quick buffing strokes. My lower neck I go N to S. This is mainly to best get the whiskers in my deep neck creases. I then proceed to go across my face neck and chin, going from ear to center. My neck and under jaw is supplemented with a 30 degree upwards stroke. My face and chin I go with a 30 degree downward stroke. For my upper lip I try S to N first. Some razors will do it others no. So I will do across both directions. I then rinse my face and apply the aluminum block. While that sits I clean my brush razor and blade. When I am done doing that. I rinse my face again dry it off and apply my AS. Total time for this process when I started 25-30 minutes. I just checked this morning 12 minutes. So if you have not figured it out yet. The only thing that changed for me is technic and confidence in my skills and tools. I love my ritual. The ritual is very important I agree.
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9nein9
Lather Catcher
Posts: 796
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Post by 9nein9 on Nov 9, 2018 22:47:57 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess.
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Post by pisces0 on Nov 10, 2018 7:26:23 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. I'll second this motion. I've moved to a 2 pass shave, previously having done 3+ passes. One WTG pass and one ATG pass. Smooth and irritation-free now. Looking back, I spent a LOAD of time on those early shaves! Tried every trick and suggestion that came up on the forums. But, I guess that's how you find out what works for you and what doesn't.
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Post by wchnu on Nov 10, 2018 11:40:23 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. I agree with that. I for one enjoyed reading your post as you were coming along with your technique!! Keep at it my friend. I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. I'll second this motion. I've moved to a 2 pass shave, previously having done 3+ passes. One WTG pass and one ATG pass. Smooth and irritation-free now. Looking back, I spent a LOAD of time on those early shaves! Tried every trick and suggestion that came up on the forums. But, I guess that's how you find out what works for you and what doesn't. The only way to know for sure is to try things out. Keep on Keeping on.
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Post by twhite on Nov 10, 2018 12:43:20 GMT -6
I changed my underwear.
😂
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Post by jayaruh on Nov 10, 2018 16:06:19 GMT -6
I changed my underwear. 😂 I've been thinking about trying that, too. I have gone to a cold water rinse as the only prep, cold water shaves, face-lathering (no bowls), two passes, and I quit using an alum block or witch hazel. Although I still use unmentionables, I find myself reaching for some sort of SE razor most of the time.
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 10, 2018 20:30:03 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. Around here we call that technique! It's like I say, the better your technique the easier it is. When I first started, I had to have the latest and greatest, but as my technique got better, I realized I didn't need the high class stuff. Just stick to the fundamentals.
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Post by grassy on Nov 11, 2018 13:31:31 GMT -6
As for many I think improvements in technique have changed my routine. I have gradually found I prefer a more aggressive razor with longer strokes and less passes. I saw an advert for a modern plastic unthinkable unmentionable (OS was here) razor on Facebook the other day, showing a close up of a guy hacking at a few days growth with loads of pressure and 10mm strokes, an advert! It made me feel a little queasy, probably because that was me a few years ago.
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9nein9
Lather Catcher
Posts: 796
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Post by 9nein9 on Nov 11, 2018 19:40:22 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. Around here we call that technique! It's like I say, the better your technique the easier it is. When I first started, I had to have the latest and greatest, but as my technique got better, I realized I didn't need the high class stuff. Just stick to the fundamentals. Couldn't agree more my friend!
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9nein9
Lather Catcher
Posts: 796
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Post by 9nein9 on Nov 11, 2018 19:45:38 GMT -6
I do less passes now and stopped chasing the baby. Actually getting better shave with less passes....I'd call that experience I guess. I agree with that. I for one enjoyed reading your post as you were coming along with your technique!! Keep at it my friend. I'll second this motion. I've moved to a 2 pass shave, previously having done 3+ passes. One WTG pass and one ATG pass. Smooth and irritation-free now. Looking back, I spent a LOAD of time on those early shaves! Tried every trick and suggestion that came up on the forums. But, I guess that's how you find out what works for you and what doesn't. The only way to know for sure is to try things out. Keep on Keeping on. Yes , you are one who watched me from the start and also gave me some of the best advise . Thanks for your patience answering my many questions along the way! You are a great mentor my friend.
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