Forgot to mention I changed blades! Used an Astra for the first time. Seemed pretty sharp (definitely more compared to the Derbys). Sliced through my growth with no problem.
But I did try using an Alum block for the first time after the shave... WOOooo it stung in certain places but subdued relatively quickly. It felt like a good sting but not sure if that's normal yet.
Shaving Over Razor Bumps - turned in to a viscous cycle
bennay, the sting of the alum is of value, to me, by showing me the areas where I've been more prone to using a bit too much pressure or maybe going over an area a little too often, and when it tends to sting, I know it's doing what it was made for. Wendell's got a good point about taking a day off once in a while to allow the skin to adjust itself to the changing shaving conditions.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444