Ah Sunday - a day to take real time over shaving, a day to experiment...
Face Wash - Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil Soap
Pre Shave - Proraso White
Soap - Valobra Menthol
Brush - Antiga Barbearia De Bairro boar bristle
Razor - Gem Contour SE
Blade - Personna Gem SE
After Shave - Fine Platinum
A totally new shave experience today

All the talk in this thread about SE shaving has been a burr under my saddle the last few days. Then every time I've opened the mirrored glass door on my bathroom cabinet, I've copped an accusatory look from the as yet unused Gem Contour SE. OK, high time to scratch this itch.. The usual silky smooth face wash from the Glyce Lime Oil soap was followed up with a moderate application of Proraso pre-shave. Then a wonderful, glossy and slippery smooth later from the Antiga Barbearia and the Valobra Menthol soap. Wow, this little boar brush has really impressed me ever since I got it - it's a serious member of the inner circle of shaving brushes now
Time for the main event - this is the first time I've ever tried a single edged shave. A few seconds groping for the right angle on the razor and away we go. Oh man, I can see why people get attracted by SE - lots of wonderful audio feedback. But in spite of the sound, it doesn't seem to be doing much. Then I ran my hand over my face to check - holy moses! Large swathes of BBS/DFS on the first suspiciously mild pass. Quick re-lather and a second pass concentrating on the usual culprit spots - under the jawline, parts of the neck and the point of the chin. An amazingly good result - very smooth everywhere and no blood at all. Applying the post-rinse alum was the next surprise - in spite of the shave seeming so incredibly close, practically no sting from the alum. A quick couple of drops of emu oil gently massaged into the face, then followed up with a liberal splash of the fantastic Fine Platinum, and my Sunday shave is done
I'm really pleased on reflection : I tried SE for the first time ever, and it was an unqualified success. I was really amazed that such an incredibly close shave could feel so comfortable. It certainly won't be the last SE shave. It seems from what experienced SE users say that the blades shave even better after the first use or two. Definitely looking forward to that...
Thanks to the SE guys for prompting me to have a go
