Pre: P.A.A. Cube 2.0 w/Cube Dock
Razor: T.R. Cadman & Sons "Bengall"
Razor: Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf
Blade: Gem Stainless Steel PTFE
Soap: Pre de Provence No.63
Brush: Omega Boar 10005/80005
Post 1: P.A.A. Alum No-Slip Grip System w/ Dry Dock System
Post 2: Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Deep Cleansing Astringent w/ Menthol &Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Pre de Provence No.63 balm
Onward and upward... Shave number two with a straight razor.
I haven't use the amazing smelling PdP No.63 in what seems like forever, so it was my choice for today.
I face lathered after grating some of the puck on my whiskers using my seemingly indestructible Omega boar brush. I then drew my steel.
I again started on my right side as it's easiest. I pretty easily went over the entire side removing all I could see, in not much time. I then switched to my left side. This is clearly more of a challenge for me but not one that I won't best. I took it slowly and removed the whiskers in small batches. I'd say my technique is improving but still has a long way to go.
I couldn't shake this alarming sticking feeling I would sometimes feel though. It felt like the steel was kind of gluing itself to me cheek. The really issue here is that this feeling (with my lack of experience) gives the impression that I'm catching the edge on my actual skin. Yikes, right? Well, in reality my lather could have been a little more wet and less thick. I guess.
I suspect that slickness may in fact be the single most important quality in a shaving soap when using this format. This is not to say that the No.63 wasn't slick, but if you've used it, you may know that the lather can actually turn light and flaky if it dries out. I had to make sure to keep my lather moist.
I rinsed between passes and continued on using the Bengall to shave my lip, chin and neck. Once done I switched over to the Gem Micromatic.
I used the awesome Micromatic razor with its Gem single edge blade format to finish the shave. I did two across the grain passes and one final against the grain pass to achieve a sweet bbs shave.
All in all a much better shave than the first, with only one small weeper.
I'm going to continue practicing both stropping and shaving with this "thing" until I get it down. I want to get to the point where I can do a full shave, including against the grain, with a straight.
Alright my friends. Have a good Monday and enjoy your shaves.