Thread: Worst shave ever!!!

I really like the Proraso line! I have the white, green, and red in the bowls, and the blue in the tube. The Red is my favorite, Sandalwood and Shea butter - excellent. I also really like the green post / pre shave, I used to use it all the time, now maybe once in awhile after a shave.

My first more designer soap, the Mitchells Wool Fat, has turned out to be really, a complete step above. The lanolin base and the overall soap quality is amazing. It took me a few shaves to get used to lathering it and liking it, now I have to resist not using it every shave.

One thing you're missing from your cart it looks like though is the Alum Block. Aside from it's healing properties, it simply feels awesome on your skin after a shave. I use it every time, that really nice stinging clean feeling it gives! One of my favorite parts of the shave!

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Phrank

I really like the Proraso line! I have the white, green, and red in the bowls, and the blue in the tube. The Red is my favorite, Sandalwood and Shea butter - excellent. I also really like the green post / pre shave, I used to use it all the time, now maybe once in awhile after a shave.

My first more designer soap, the Mitchells Wool Fat, has turned out to be really, a complete step above. The lanolin base and the overall soap quality is amazing. It took me a few shaves to get used to lathering it and liking it, now I have to resist not using it every shave.

One thing you're missing from your cart it looks like though is the Alum Block. Aside from it's healing properties, it simply feels awesome on your skin after a shave. I use it every time, that really nice stinging clean feeling it gives! One of my favorite parts of the shave!

Good luck!

Cheers Phrank, sounds like you've got quite a collection of products. How do you ever choose what ones to use?! Lol
Or do you have a rotation for them.
I'll probably get an alum block too, to be honest I'd never heard of them before I started researching straight shaving.
How do you use it? Wet the stone and rub directly on the skin?
I've never seen it used on any of the online videos

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

Cheers Phrank, sounds like you've got quite a collection of products. How do you ever choose what ones to use?! Lol
Or do you have a rotation for them.
I'll probably get an alum block too, to be honest I'd never heard of them before I started researching straight shaving.
How do you use it? Wet the stone and rub directly on the skin?
I've never seen it used on any of the online videos

Hi - the Proraso soaps are really a huge bang for the buck, a nice tub of nice soap for under $10 - you can't go wrong, so I bought one of each over a couple of months. The Red and Blue one's are awesome IMO.

First off, I'm one of the no preparation cold shave types...splash on some cold water, work a layer of lather into my beard, lather again, and away I go. Usually done in under 10 minutes. After I shave, again, rinse with the cold water, then wet the alum block, and wipe the block all over the area you shaved. Sometimes I wonder if I only get a nice soothing sensation, I did everything right, and if I get a bit of stinging, or a lot of stinging, maybe maybe my technique wasn't that great this time or I need to spend some more time stropping.

Either way, just wet the alum block and rub on your face...for me, it's a genuine part of shaving that most don't know about and it's one of the most enjoyable parts. Sounds crazy, but everybody has favorite parts....YMMV.

Cheers!

I could do without a lot of things when it comes to shaving but alum is not one of them.
Just be careful not to drop it or it can explode into a thousand little jagged pieces,...not that I know first hand.
And I've been warned that alum can cause problems with my razor if they are introduced to each other.
Meaning don't store together as the alum can discolour metal. I am even watchful of rinsing my hands after handling it before stropping my razor.

Cheers guys,
I've got a feeling my list to Santa could be all shave paraphernalia! Lol

Here,.....lets start your list alphabetically

A - Alum
B- Belgian Coticule
-Badger
C- Cella
- CroX pasted balsa board

B for Badger Brush

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

Cheers guys,
I've got a feeling my list to Santa could be all shave paraphernalia! Lol

...and then to drive you totally crazy...also get a CroX pasted balsa board or the equivalent so you can refresh your razors!

Seriously, don't want to send you down a spending spiral of doom, we've all done it.

Many members here, including myself, would advise you to learn how to shave with your straight first, pay particular attention to the technique of learning to strop (you can easily roll the edge of your blade or cut/nick the strop), watch the videos and do it slowly, remember speed kills! Also, take the time to learn how to properly make a lather. Decide what type of soaps you like. Whether you prefer to face lather or use a bowl or scuttle.

And after awhile, you can bring your edge back quite easily with a few laps on a pasted strop or balsa board.

There's lots to learn just with the fundamentals before you consider whether or not you want to get into honing.

Doh! I did it again...sorry, you can spend a lot of money on that too...but take your time learning how to use and care for your straight.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Raol

Here,.....lets start your list alphabetically

A - Alum
B- Belgian Coticule
C- Cella

What the hell is Belgian Coticule??
Also cella??
Feel like I'm learning a new language lol

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

B for Badger Brush

i'll add that to the list......