SOTD - November 2021

[Old Sarge]

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gem Junior w/ Baton Handle
Blade: Gem SS PTFE (1st Use)
Brush: Semogue SOC Boar in Taj Resin
Lather: Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Face Lathered
Post: Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud After Shave, Nivea Sensitive Balm

So today was truly a successful two pass shave, compared to the previous three. I started with one foot in a hole as my face was still not happy with me about yesterday's shave. Combine that with a bit of harshness from a new PTFE blade and I drew a few weepers. I cannot give enough love to my Gem Jr. and it's wonderful baton handle. Overall I feel like I got back on the horse! (horse emoji here)

I noticed what might be an indicator that will help me know if I've hydrated my lather enough. I spent a good deal of time adding water to the lather by dipping the tips, painting it to my face and scrubbing it in with the splayed brush. When I started shaving and went to rinse my razor of lather/whiskers, the underside of the blade and tray cleared out easily. There have been times in the past where the lather/whiskers accumulate between the bottom of the blade and the tray to the point I had to remove the blade to clean it out. I think on those occasions I didn't properly hydrate the lather. Just a hunch that will become more obvious over time as I now have something to measure with.

If you haven't watched Wchnu's recent shave video, I highly recommend it. Particularly if you are a new/newer/newish shaver. He is speaking directly to us. I've heard it all before, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't revisit some of his preachings. While shaving today, I focused on the mantra of "pressure and angle" along with using short strokes. I also incorporated skin stretching more than I've done in the past. I could tell a noticeable improvement on one of my troublesome jawlines. I also got a much closer shave on my cheeks despite not going against the grain. Being a right handed shaver, it is natural to reach over my head with the left arm and stretch the right side of my head. A bit more difficult with the other side, but I made it mostly work.

As Bill Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." And on to tomorrow's shave!