Second day same blade = Irritation

As you'll see from the survey the second day did not go as well for the same blade as I might of hoped. Had some irritation when focusing on the problem areas and the places I missed last time. This will be interesting information to use when trying adjuncts to shaving like shave oil and after shaving techniques. 

1.     Smoothness of Shave/Ease: 4 Easy to shave with but found each stroke more irritation then the last, I think with my tough beard 1 razor per shave is enough.

2.     # of Strokes per square inch: 2 to 3

3.     Skin smoothness – Upper Lip: 3 Some roughness near lip corners.

4.     Skin smoothness – Lower Lip:  4 much better than last time, focus more on areas that I seemed to miss last time.

5.     Skin smoothness – Chin: 4 Smooth with some bumps due to razor burn.

6.     Skin smoothness – Cheeks: 3.5 smooth with bumps from razor burn, not sensitive to the touch.

7.     Skin smoothness – Jaw Line: 4 No stubble some bumps from razor burn, somewhat irritated and sensitive to the touch.

8.     Skin smoothness – Overall: 3 Smooth with only some areas bumpy from razor burn, not much stubble if any, deficiency of smoothness due to razor burn not stubble

9.     Skin Irritation: Overall not much, there is some irritation under jaw line and neck areas. I found that during shaving I could feel the irritation from the lack of sharpness of the razor. Could be due to toughness of beard. Skin is sensitive to skin contact, i.e. hand, not as sensitive  to towel rubbing.

10.                         Nicks/Cuts: Small nicks under chin mostly and neck that bled in shower no redness after or bleeding. 

 Girlfriend survey to come later

First Shave

Shaved today, Finally! Used my Parker Safety razor with the Blue Bird stainless steel razor, this is the second time I used the blade which I had previously not had a lot of luck using blades twice. Used the green bottle King of Shaves oil and WOW what a first impression that has left. The blade glided across my face like it was jello! Had almost no irritation after.

I knew I needed to shave today, one for the blog and two for a presentation I am giving to a class at BSU. I had showered last night before bed but knew that I should shower even if it was just to shave.
So I got my parker and said hey lets try the green bottle today. After washing up I grabbed the bottle and read "Use 2 to 3 drops" and laughed. I squirted a nickle size of oil and rubbed it into my face.  i did not apply shaving cream or other products. I started on the right side of my face near my sideburns. (my usual spot for starting.) Using a long light handed diagonal stroke (a method I picked up from straight shaving) that ended at my jaw line I cut my 3 day stubble down to almost nothing. Smooth I thought but then again it always is in the beginning.

I continued across my face and then down eventually under my jaw line, where the most irritation occurs. I was amazed how little I had felt the blade. Even after the second pass going against the grain I still could not feel the usual irritation I get. When I got out of the shower there was no bleeding or pain. It was awesome and I am defiantly impressed by the product. Before I had used the Secret Shave oil which had little impression on me.

Partly the blog will be used to document stuff like this but also try a scientific approach, there are so many variables, in the shower, hot water, old blade, no cream, no shaving in three days etc I will try to control these and provide sound advice that can be used by everyone.