And They're Off!

OK, so it's decided...I've got my Tsuyu Lineup.

The running was close...mostly because the stuff is all awesome. Really...it's like trying to decide which is better, beer or other beer. But in the end, totally irrelevant things like dates and stuff helped me decide. I mean you guys! You guys helped me out! Thanks for that. ;)

Ok, so let's meet our lineup:
On the razor front, I've got two winners--mostly out of maintenance concerns, but also because of the nature of the contest--if I were basing it purely on the weather/rusting aspect, there would only be one horse in the race and that's no fun!
First up is The Monster from Munster (not really, but close enough):
The 8/8 Henckels Friodur!



It's a beast, and we have...history...but it's undoubtedly a good shaver. And I want to be able to use it to its full potential!

The second blade was, of course, the one I had to think about--all the others are great, too, but...well...there were other concerns. So I went for The Genco Fluid Steel:



This 5/8 Half hollow American blade is a great little shaver (not THAT little, but next to the battleaxe I'm pairing it with it's downright WEE!) and it is close to my heart. But the real reason I chose it? Well, the 4th of July is coming up, and there's just a wee bit of patriotic spark in there. What can I say? Like the man said, "It's excellent and American." Just like me!

Now, I will be using some other razors, as I plan on doing some more honing and I need to test, but these will be my daily shavers for sure.

What about the lather?

Well...This was actually pretty easy. I believe Olafurson said it best when he said "Duh!". Penhaligon's in a landslide.


The reason it was so easy to decide in such a rich field of contenders ("It beat MWF? Come on!" I can hear you saying...) is the scent. Plain and simple. I keep my soaps next to my bed, and that scent wafts out over me morning and night, and I. Just. LOVE it. So here comes an English Fern Tsuyu.

My cream choice was a bit tougher, because 1.) I'm mostly a soap guy and 2.) I have only fantastic creams. I really do. They're all just lovely, and I could live with any one of them--because I don't keep any that are less than spectacular, for one reason or another.

But, in the end I had to choose, and Kodou had a good argument--what would Florena be like over the long haul?
So there it is! Florena, for the win!


Now, here's the deal with this. I am not only practicing fidelity with this. I have a real goal--I am going to focus hard-core on technique this month. Instead of testing blades and products, I'm testing myself, and my goal is true BBS. I'll start with the tough spots--my jawline, and the two patches to either side of my Adam's apple. Then I'll work on the pressure and angle to make sure that I'm eliminating hair, and NOT skin. And in the end, I hope to be getting consistent 9s or better on my daily shaves. I'll do my best to keep track of my progress here, and let you know how my goals are doing. I'll also be doing some more in-depth reviews of what I'm using, and some research into the history, mostly to satisfy my own curiosity. (BTW, I'm also doing some research on Japanese razor makers, but I'm running into some walls--if anyone has any leads, especially as pertains to straights, I'd REALLY appreciate some help!)

Now, who's with me?!

+4 Smoothness

Had my fourth DE shave this morning.

I think I leveled up!



I changed my Sword to a Derby. They have a reputation for being "mild", which means that they shouldn't slice off steak-like chunks of your face. Apparently, they're good for beginners like me.

I'm still using my "professional" shaving soap.


I don't even want to post the ingredients. It's not technically "soap", it's some kind of chemical soup...but it works well enough till I get some real soaps and creams.

It's come to me that shaving like this is like an RPG. Each daily shave is like fighting a nasty, hairy monster. Some days your stats just don't match and it eats your face alive. Some days you roll twenties.
Today was...a solid win. Some irritation, but no bleeding.
I think I hit level two.

My First Time

Everyone remembers it, don't they? The nervous tension beforehand...the trembling hands. The warm froth oozing down your face. The wetness. It's messy, and it can hurt if you're not careful, but in the end, it's worth it.

Wetshaving.


My first time was good. I loaded up my vintage Gillette Tech with a Wilkinson (Economie?) sword blade. I warmed up my Japanese scuttle and hopped in the shower.

I made sure to prepare my face as best I could, using a moisturizing exfoliating scrub in the shower to get my beard all nice and fluffy, and then I started up.

I used a professional barber's cream that I had gotten from, well...from my barber. He had also helped me get my brush. According to the guys at Shavemyface.com, it's probably boar hair.

Not as good as badger, but better than synthetic. I whipped up a bit of a lather which, in retrospect, I think was a little dry, as I felt a bit of tugging and drag when I shaved, but it worked out ok. The brush felt nice. There was some prickling (maybe because of the Boar hair?) but the warmth of the lather was very nice.

I was terrified before I started. Holding an intensely sharp metal blade against your face can do that to you. But I was careful, and I was slow, and I got her to do what I wanted like a good girl.

I did three passes: one with the grain, and two across the grain, in opposite patterns. No nicks, not cuts, and no razorburn. The shave wasn't the closest I've had, but it was far from the worst.

I look forward to the day when I can hit the legendary baby's butt...

How was your first time?