Thread: Second shave

All right, so I did my second shave, it went... better lol

I was actually able to cut some hair this time... but only on the side of my face... when it comes to to the area where the jaw bone starts, I can't get it to cut as well. I nicked myself at a few spots but it wasn't to bad. One thing though. The cream that I'm using is Col. Conk, and it's an actual bar of soap. But after like a minute or two of it being on my face it dries up and begins to harden, and I think this eventually lead to a very uncomfortable shave. It dried up my face and I was unable to pass the straight over my face at all anymore. I think next time I'm just going to use a regular foam. Or does anybody here have better tips to applying the soap?

That just sounds like a bad soap.

You really won't get the "straight razor" experience with anything less than a proper shaving soap.

Mike Ratlif of The Well Honed Razor just made a great shaving soap: http://thewellhonedrazor.com/bay-oil...love-soap.html

Ms. Hurley of The Gentleman's Quarter makes a number of top notch soaps and creams: http://www.thegentlemensquarter.com/shavingsoap.html
(Cavendish Black and Leatherneck are good ones)

Originally Posted by nitram

All right, so I did my second shave, it went... better lol

I was actually able to cut some hair this time... but only on the side of my face... when it comes to to the area where the jaw bone starts, I can't get it to cut as well. I nicked myself at a few spots but it wasn't to bad. One thing though. The cream that I'm using is Col. Conk, and it's an actual bar of soap. But after like a minute or two of it being on my face it dries up and begins to harden, and I think this eventually lead to a very uncomfortable shave. It dried up my face and I was unable to pass the straight over my face at all anymore. I think next time I'm just going to use a regular foam. Or does anybody here have better tips to applying the soap?

Col Conk shaving soap is a good quality glycerin based soap! I use the almond soap with great success! I would adjust the amount of water you are using! Keep practicing and you will get making lather down in no time!

Originally Posted by JMS

Col Conk shaving soap is a good quality glycerin based soap! I use the almond soap with great success! I would adjust the amount of water you are using! Keep practicing and you will get making lather down in no time!

Well this is how I go about making the shaving cream. I put my brush in hot water, and then I open the plastic container the soap came in, dump some hot water on it, enough to cover the surface, hop in the shower, when I get out of the shower, I take the brush out of the mug, shake it to get off any water that was on it, the start doing a circular motion on the soap. So what am I doing wrong, and how should I go about fixing this?

thanks!

Dump the water off of the soap and just lightly flick once or twice the brush. You want the brush full of water and the top of the soap soft but not underwater. While you are at it, re-apply lather if you feel it drying out. Generally, I find creams make good lather a little easier. You put an almond size dollop in a mug or bowl, (the exact measurement is 1 snurdle ) and lightly flick your soaked brush (again, the brush should still be heavy with water) and then go to work swirling, pumping, swirling again until you have what looks like soft peaks on egg white. If you get a chance, make some lather and post a pic. Might help everyone on giving you advice. Good luck!

Actually, I got some something else with my order that wasn't from col. conk
It came as a gift from the store I bought my set. It's two small(very small) containers with cream in them, not foamy like regular stuff, but not hard like the soap. Maybe I'll try that one next, so do I just put a little bit in the mug and start swirling with the brush?

Those are most likely samples of a certain cream.

For soaps and even creams, I generally shake out most of the water from my brush but I dont squeeze it. So its damp and I load soap on this for a minute or so. Then I lather it on my palm for a bit to get it creamy but not too lathery with air. I might add a couple drops of hot water if i need. I just want a layer of thick creamy slick lather and not peaks or foamy looking stuff with alot of water and air. Everyone is different so YMMV.

Originally Posted by nitram

Actually, I got some something else with my order that wasn't from col. conk
It came as a gift from the store I bought my set. It's two small(very small) containers with cream in them, not foamy like regular stuff, but not hard like the soap. Maybe I'll try that one next, so do I just put a little bit in the mug and start swirling with the brush?