My second DE shave...

My second wet shave.



I actually waited an extra day because I did have that much beard growth. But, I did have more experience and was brimming with confidence. I soaked the razor in warm water and not the brush. I actually ran into a issue when showering that the water never got cold. Normally, I would have taken that as a bad sign, I powered through and wetted the tip of the brush and dipped it into the shave butter directly and applied. It lathered ok, but I know other products would do much better. I decided to not do my head (I'll alternate days or decide to do that after more shaves). While I placed the razor where my sideburn end and tilted the razor, I still don't feel I've improved getting the best the angle from my first shave. I made to WTG passes, which resulted in patches of stubble still being on both cheeks and my lower jaw and chin (my problem areas) but they were better due to my first shave reducing the majority of the beard. I snapped to my senses and did a third pass ATG. I washed out my brush, razor and blade; I added coconut oil to the blade before storing it away. I rinsed my head with cold water under the shower spicket and patted my face dry with a face towel.



I noticed I had two weepers in the exact same spots just above the tops of the corner of my lips. But, that was all the damage done. My technique is still crap though. I will admit I have taken having a light touch to heart, which has been a godsend, but my strokes and hesitant, too long at times and I go back over the same areas too much from what I've seen in the videos (areas w/o shave foam). My other take away was the feeling I had looking forward to and after the shave. It was a mixture of confidence, as I earlier mentioned, and elation. Not, because I had another shave under my belt, but how great it felt, how I looked forward to the actual shave itself. I was pumped, like answering the bell for a prizefight. It was almost zen like during the shave itself. But, I left renewed, refreshed and feeling good. So, there's something to what several members said about shaving daily for the feeling. I'm starting to get it-it's very therapeutic. While not BBS, I was please with this second attempt.



I appreciate all of the positive feedback, well wishes, encouragement and advice. I feel a little stupid, every time I think, "why hadn't I done this sooner or where has this been all my life?"

Tom, you are so on the right track!  As you continue it will definitely get easier.  You have already noticed some things to work on, such as not constantly going over the same spot, especially when there is no protective lather there anymore.  When it comes to your trouble spots (lower jaw and chin) I think if we took a poll of where our members have their biggest problem getting a close shave, those two places would probably win.  Honestly, it's a common complaint.  Don't worry about it.  It will become smoother over time but it may never be perfect.  However, you'll be the only one who knows.

Keep at it and keep us posted.  You've already found out that with common sense wet shaving is not scary at all and that your second shave was better than your first so you're going forward, not backward.  You're doing great.

Well done! You are on your way to BBS. Before you know it, you'll be walking around smooth as can be with a grin on your face, just rubbing your cheeks, and feeling the smooooooth....

Keep up the good work!

Yup, and one day, one day. I'll move to a straight razor and see how that works for me, but baby steps.

I'm fairly new to this as well, and after the first week I felt far more confident in my angles and knowing how my hair grows. There's a saying that goes 'slow is smooth, smooth is fast', I feel like it's fairly appropriate for wet shaving. I hope you continue to enjoy your shaves!

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FulhamShaver

Thanks for those encouraging words. Ditto to you. Enjoying the ride so far and getting more comfortable with every shave.

Austin, at the corners of the mouth where you're getting the weepers try a different stroke. I can get them also, so instead of an up or down motion I only use a sideways motion to keep the blade above any creases and not allow the blade to grab skin.

The rest of it is just learning the proper angle, that is, technique. I know that you think that you understand what no pressure means. Maybe you do, but i'd wager that you don't. Everyone who comes to blades from cart's thinks lessened pressure means no pressure and that just isn't so. When we say no pressure, that's precisely what we mean. If the skin under the razor deforms inwards it's too much pressure. The blade should just caress the skin in the most gentle of ways. If you understand just how sharp even the worst blade is you'll treat your facial skin the way it needs to treated. :-)

The other skill that needs to be mastered is lather. Lather making is a critical skill as great lather is a good lubricant and protectant for the skin.

Hey, it's late and I need sleep. 'later!

I'm fairly new to this as well, and after the first week I felt far more confident in my angles and knowing how my hair grows. There's a saying that goes 'slow is smooth, smooth is fast', I feel like it's fairly appropriate for wet shaving. I hope you continue to enjoy your shaves!

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I am pretty familiar with that saying.......