My Life With The SE Kult

This is day two of the great single edge safety razor experiment.  I have discovered a few tid-bits and tips in regards to properly using SE razors which should make for a better experience.  I’m also moving on to the next SE razor in my arsenal, the Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf with the same Gem stainless steel blade that I used yesterday. I’ll also be trying out the TSD Lemons and Figs lanolin soap with my EMJ synthetic brush. I’m a little hesitant about this soap because the few TSD soaps that I have used in the past have not worked well for me, but none of them have been of the lanolin variety. The Lemons and Figs feels completely different from the the other TSD soaps I have tried and it smells great, so I have high hopes.

For this shave, because my skin is still a little tender from yesterday I only did a two pass with the grain/against the grain shave followed by a cold water rinse and some SAL Alum.

This shave was an improvement over yesterday, but it was still not quite where I need it to be quality wise.As my technique improves I hope to be able to pull of shaves with SE razors as effortlessly as I do with DE razors.  As of right now using an SE takes me almost as long as using a disposable blade straight razor and results in irritation and some slight frustration.

Even after loading my brush up fairly heavily, the TSD Lemons and Figs soap lathered up a bit thin, but it did the job and smelled nice through out the shave. I will experiment with it and see if I can’t get it to come out properly in the future.

I made sure to keep the Clog Pruf’s head flat against my skin, rather than using the guard as a land mark, and kept a closer eye on my angle, but I still got some moderate irritation and a small nick. My technique with SE razors still needs work, but I’m improving and I look forward to mastering these beasts.  I would not quite call this a damn fine shave, but it’s close.

Pre: Hot shower and warm water splash
Razor: Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf
Blade: Gem stainless steel
Brush: Every Man Jack synthetic
Soap: The Shave Den Lemons and Figs lanolin
Post: Cold water rinse and SAL Alum

An Easy Shave On A Gloomy Day

The day started off bright and sunny and a blazing 102°F, but it quickly turned grey and gloomy.  The clouds rolled in and the rain began.  Unfortunately this did little to kill off the heat, so while I sat in the A/C and waited for my daughter to return from her grandmother’s house I began rooting through my shaving gear and looking for something to brighten my day.  I eventually decided to go with some good old, time tested gear.  Sometimes it’s just nice to pull out gear that does its job without all of the extra flash.

For my soap I’m using my Van Den Hagen Deluxe/Glycerin blend.  I melted a puck of each and mixed them together in a Kingsley dark wood bowl.  It’s good, slick soap that works well and looks nice.

The razor is my spifftastic pre-war Gillette fat handle Tech.  The fat handle has some nice heft and feels good in my hand.  The pre-war Tech head is slightly more aggressive than the newer Tech, but its design makes it incredibly forgiving and easy to use.  I’m pairing a Super Iridium Extra Stainless blade with it.  The balde is smooth and efficient and works well in my Tech.

The brush for today is the Every Man Jack synthetic.  This brush only works well for face lathering, but it has a nice easy to hold handle and a tall loft that feels super soft.

Two and a half passes to perfection.  All it took was a with the grain/against the grain and a little clean up on my neck.  I finished up with a cold water rinse and some T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel.  Baby butt smooth skin with zero nicks and zero irritation.  The Tech is so easy to use that I could shave with my eyes closed, the VDH blend works great every time, the EMJ brush is perfect for face lathering, and the SI blade is smooth and efficient.  It was an excellent weekend shave.

Pre: Hot shower and warm water splash
Razor: Gillette pre-war fat handle Tech
Blade: Super Iridium Extra Stainless
Brush: Every Man Jack synthetic
Soap: Van Den Hagen Deluxe/Glycerin blend
Post: Cold water rinse and T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel

 

Product Links:

Every Man Jack Synthetic Brush:

http://www.drugstore.com/every-man-jack-shave-brush/qxp411981?catid=288501

 

Van Der Hagen Deluxe Soap:

http://www.drugstore.com/van-der-hagen-deluxe-shave-soap/qxp155184?catid=183790

Van Der Hagen Glycerin Soap:

http://www.drugstore.com/van-der-hagen-glycerin-shave-soap/qxp155183?catid=183790

Kingsley Dark Wood Bowl:

http://www.drugstore.com/kingsley-for-men-wood-shave-soap-bowl-with-lid/qxp75462?catid=183790