Anything that can go wrong will happen while I'm shaving...

Ok. So I shaved with both PAAs. Got a bit of irritation with the Cavendish, but a good shave. The ck6 Scentsless was a little better, but still not my favorite.

So far, the Zingari Man may have been the best performer. So, my next shave will likely be something tallow. I'll ponder the choices over the next 36 hours and decide.

Have a good evening everyone.

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So, I've had a lot of mildly irritating shaves recently, nothing too bad. Included with that had been a lot of tiny blood spots. This has been the real issue.

I believe my skin is getting irritated, and inflamed through the shave. As it raises up around the hair shaft, I'm more prone to nick myself. So, I tried cutting back, giving it time to heal. I'm now shaving to every third day. While I have only done two so far, it's been a lot better. So, I'm going to continue at this glacial pace and see how it works in the long run.

Not sure why I posted this other than perhaps to see if anyone else feels this is sound thinking. I could try less passes ... No atg passes... etc. However, I would absolutely hate the shave if I'm not close to BBS.

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Sorry, I'm just catching up on this - I don't know if what youre describing is scent related irritation.  I had a reaction to a scent ingredient once - Merchandise 7X from T+S.  It was a great soap with a fantastic coca-cola scent but it lit me up like a Christmas tree. Every bit of my skin that came into c contact with it was flaming red and burning for about an hour or two.  Ryan was really good about the whole thing and I guess I wasn't the only one.  I think it may have been cinnamon or another scent ingredient that was the culprit.  What you describe sounds different.  You've probably already done this but what I do when I get excessive irritation occasionally is make sure I'm using a really slick soap, Use a mild razor/blade setup and ensure everything is clean clean then use the alum block on my whole face post shave and soothing, nurturing post shave product.  The alum block is the key.  I get irritation from generally trying to chase that dragon of the too perfect too close shave.  I know better but I still get sucked in. I think I may also have developed a little rosacea on one cheek.  I dont know but I do know that I wouldn't give up scent too easily.  I love scent.

So, I've had a lot of mildly irritating shaves recently, nothing too bad. Included with that had been a lot of tiny blood spots. This has been the real issue.

I believe my skin is getting irritated, and inflamed through the shave. As it raises up around the hair shaft, I'm more prone to nick myself. So, I tried cutting back, giving it time to heal. I'm now shaving to every third day. While I have only done two so far, it's been a lot better. So, I'm going to continue at this glacial pace and see how it works in the long run.

Not sure why I posted this other than perhaps to see if anyone else feels this is sound thinking. I could try less passes ... No atg passes... etc. However, I would absolutely hate the shave if I'm not close to BBS.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Sorry, I'm just catching up on this - I don't know if what youre describing is scent related irritation.  I had a reaction to a scent ingredient once - Merchandise 7X from T+S.  It was a great soap with a fantastic coca-cola scent but it lit me up like a Christmas tree. Every bit of my skin that came into c contact with it was flaming red and burning for about an hour or two.  Ryan was really good about the whole thing and I guess I wasn't the only one.  I think it may have been cinnamon or another scent ingredient that was the culprit.  What you describe sounds different.  You've probably already done this but what I do when I get excessive irritation occasionally is make sure I'm using a really slick soap, Use a mild razor/blade setup and ensure everything is clean clean then use the alum block on my whole face post shave and soothing, nurturing post shave product.  The alum block is the key.  I get irritation from generally trying to chase that dragon of the too perfect too close shave.  I know better but I still get sucked in. I think I may also have developed a little rosacea on one cheek.  I dont know but I do know that I wouldn't give up scent too easily.  I love scent.

I hear ya Mark... and I do love my scents.

It's tough to chase down, but I think it's general irritation brought on by certain ingredients. Soaps with lanolin seem to always cause this issue, others it's not as prevalent. What I believe is happening is:

The follicles are getting inflamed. So. Come pass #3 (atg), which is the closest, I'm nicking the edge of the risen, inflamed follicles. My best guess.

Additionally, when I apply the soap, Sometimes I get tingling. I'm finding it's not there for unscented (so far) - or at least so diminished I'm not noticing it. Usually, after pass 1 it's more pronounced. Makes sense, as I'm running a blade across the face. Even the most deft hand (which I don't have) the blade is still going to have minor contact with the skin. I think In my case, it's adding irritation. This is true with $40 Ethos as it is with a $10 Etsy soap.

I was excited to try the Canada Soap... That one is unscented and barely has any ingredients. The shave was good, but not as protective (the bane of less ingredients). Still, after pondering what I've experienced thus far, it's definitely top tier post shave feel.

Nonetheless, I think it's a gathering of multiple issues... IE, I can't just pin it on one and say 'all fixed'. Still, I'm actually (for the first time ever) considering the inconceivable notion of going scent free. I have a lot more testing to do first, though.

Ooh, and I can forget skipping the atg pass. I might as well grow a beard if I can't get a DFS level shave. I hate that newly trimmed, yet stubbly feel.

Appreciate your input. Have a great Tuesday!

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You should try the new Wholly Kaw base, not sure if Sri has given it an official name but I’m going with crème fraiche. I posted about it under soaps and added the ingredients list. I found it to be super slick and gentle on the skin. Nice scent in amber Bomba as well.

Too much water in my lather bowl. By the time I realized it I had lather running all over my hand and dripping off my brush. I hate it when that happens.

I guess I haven't posted in a little bit here... The unscented soap tests continue. I shaved with Sir Henry's, and then the Canadian Shave Co. (again). Both good, with the Canadian being a bit better (and more unscented). Im considering trying either the Ethos, or giving a second shave to Zingari.

One of the soaps I've decided I don't want to try is the Pedro A&E line. I had ordered a puck of their Coconut soap a while back and it was abysmal. It came in soaked by God knows what and just completely off / unappealing. It was so malformed, it practically "melted" by pressing my finger into it. I decided at that point, I'm skipping on this manufacturer... First Impressions are important, and they failed. I guess I'd reconsider if I'm ever in the market for a porn/shave soap mashup. As odd as that sounds, that's the vibe some of their label "art" gives. Some probably dig it... Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

Sorry folks, I'm kinda in a grumpy mood today. Nonetheless, I'm still experimenting and it's going well. Thanks for reading. Happy Saturday everyone!

I have "grumpy" days too. We're all entitled to one occasionally so buck up little camper. I tend to agree with the label art which has caused me to not replace tubs I had and enjoyed from them but didn't care for the new artwork change for the same soap so moved on.

I agree with your art thoughts, Paul. The art for this one is a guy, lather on his face, holding a stein of beer! My first shave was not stunning, so you may not be missing anything. I need to retry it but keep wanting to use known soaps more.

I agree with your art thoughts, Paul. The art for this one is a guy, lather on his face, holding a stein of beer! My first shave was not stunning, so you may not be missing anything. I need to retry it but keep wanting to use known soaps more.

Lol. Yeah, I had a puck of their Pedro soap... The art is quite 'safe'. It's more the quality of what I ended up buying that turned me off. Some of their other soaps are less nice, imo.

Still, looking at their site, it seems like there's less of these covers. I wonder if they decided to phase it out. Who knows?

So, at this point, i'm actually considering getting the Aspen Parkland soap. I didn't try it, but I know their soap is a great one for me. I'll probably ask my wife to get it for me for my birthday. Let me ask you Eric...

Is it scentless or just without added scent? For example, Sir Henry's has a lot of soap ingredient scents, whereas Canada soap is truly scentless (to my nose).

I agree with your art thoughts, Paul. The art for this one is a guy, lather on his face, holding a stein of beer! My first shave was not stunning, so you may not be missing anything. I need to retry it but keep wanting to use known soaps more.

Lol. Yeah, I had a puck of their Pedro soap... The art is quite 'safe'. It's more the quality of what I ended up buying that turned me off. Some of their other soaps are less nice, imo.

Still, looking at their site, it seems like there's less of these covers. I wonder if they decided to phase it out. Who knows?

So, at this point, i'm actually considering getting the Aspen Parkland soap. I didn't try it, but I know their soap is a great one for me. I'll probably ask my wife to get it for me for my birthday. Let me ask you Eric...

Is it scentless or just without added scent? For example, Sir Henry's has a lot of soap ingredient scents, whereas Canada soap is truly scentless (to my nose).

I just stuck my nose in the tub and didn't smell anything. But the lid had been off so I will try again. I test sniffed a few others and discovered what you mentioned in that some have no odor and some have soap ingredient smells. I never noticed that before other than with MWS Sensitive Skin.