Newbie shaving update.

[Brennain1]

Into my second week now and 5th shave using a Merkur 34c, Astra platinum blade, Palmolive stick soap. First 3 shaves were with a Merkur blade and I’ve now progressed to the Astra blade. Today’s shave was the first where I really thought I had a good lather on the brush but I’m always a little disappointed with the first pass of the razor WTG. Now wether that’s down to my technique or I’m expecting too much perhaps you guys can shed a little light. After a second and third pass across and against I end up with a very smooth and clean shave. Very satisfied and am really enjoying taking the time to have a proper shave.

What I’d really like to find now is a decent lathering bowl/cup but the prices for such seem ridiculous, not that I’m tight but I’d rather spend my hard earned on something else! So open to any and all suggestions. Do they need to have a texture inside or ridges to get a good lather?

Cheers,
Brendan.

 

[R181]

Any bowl about 5 inches in diameter and about 3 inches deep will do. You can, as an option, put dots of silicone all around the inside surface to texture it. Should be good to go after drying over night.

Bob

 

[Brennain1]

Any bowl about 5 inches in diameter and about 3 inches deep will do. You can, as an option, put dots of silicone all around the inside surface to texture it. Should be good to god after drying over night.

Bob

That’s an interesting idea and one I’ve not heard before.

 

[R181]

That’s an interesting idea and one I’ve not heard before.

You don't have to add the dots. Any ordinary bowl will do for a lathering bowl. You can get as fancy as you want for a lathering but it is not strictly necessary.

Bob

 

[Nishy]

You have good advice from Bob above. I would also be of the same trail of thought, as yourself, to spend your cash on something perhaps more 'involved'. But that's IMO and I know others would disagree. The hobby has so many facets that you naturally will be drawn to certain objects more than others.

With regards to disappointing first passes, it may be down to technique and as always, annoying as it is, remember the passes are stubble reduction rather than elimination on the first pass. Perhaps a different razor may increase the level of efficiency too.

 

[JayGee]

I bought a glass "ice cream" bowl from Tescos a few summers ago, it was a quid, clear glass & has pips on the inside to stop your ice cream skidding about. Works well, also have a wide mouthed stone wear soup cup bought from a charity shop. Have a look in home bargains if you have one nearby, they always have quality end of line crockery, its not like you need a set of 5.
Great news on your shave, I'd never go back to carts.

 

[Brennain1]

You have good advice from Bob above. I would also be of the same trail of thought, as yourself, to spend your cash on something perhaps more 'involved'. But that's IMO and I know others would disagree. The hobby has so many facets that you naturally will be drawn to certain objects more than others.

With regards to disappointing first passes, it may be down to technique and as always, annoying as it is, remember the passes are stubble reduction rather than elimination on the first pass. Perhaps a different razor may increase the level of efficiency too.

Probably a bit of both, poor technique and false expectations, but the technique is improving and expectations change with knowledge and experience. I’ll stick with the current razor until I’m confident I know what I’m doing, will just experiment with different blades for now.
Patience is what I need to work on , wanting all the gear straight away is all well and good but sometimes it’s better to wait for a bargain to pop up!

 

[R181]

Probably a bit of both, poor technique and false expectations, but the technique is improving and expectations change with knowledge and experience. I’ll stick with the current razor until I’m confident I know what I’m doing, will just experiment with different blades for now.
Patience is what I need to work on , wanting all the gear straight away is all well and good but sometimes it’s better to wait for a bargain to pop up!

That is a good plan. Just remember that spending money on shave gear will not likely get you a hugely better outcome when you are a beginner. The correct shaving technique and the ability to raise a proper lather are the most important pieces to the puzzle at that stage of the hobby.

If you have heard this before disregard it.

To find the right angle on a DE place the top cap flat on your face with the handle parallel to the floor. Then lower the handle till you just feel the blade contact your skin and that should be a good angle. If you lower the handle more you start to get into scraping you whiskers off more than cutting them. You have to try and maintain that angle while following the curves on your face. Also just use the weight of the razor to do the work and just guide the razor around adding no pressure to it. The blade is plenty sharp enough to cut the whiskers from the weight of the razor alone. Good luck.

Bob

 

[Brennain1]

Hi Bob thanks for the reply and I’ll try that method. Cheers.