About LeisureGuy
Sign: Aquarius
Computer: Dell
Cat: Megs, a British Blue
Disposition: Affable
Appetite: Healthy
Interests: Varied: Go, shaving, movies, jazz, reading, cooking, writing, …
Punctuation: Exemplary
Location: Monterey CA
Game: Go (12 kyu on KGS,
and AGA rating of 11 kyu)
Old blog: Later On v. 1.0
email: leisureguy.wordpress at gmail.com
About the blog
This blog reflects my interests of the moment, so over time it changes and mutates and (I hope) evolves. Right now it seems to be mostly about cooking, politics, books, shaving, music…
maggieland said,
26 December 2007 at 2:11 pm
Dear Leisure Guy -
You have an interesting blog. But what I checked out ws your e-book “Cooking Compendium”. Have you had good success working with LULU?
I am starting an e-commerce business designed for new cooks. I am going to purchase your book.
Please check out my website at http://www.journeythruthekitchen.com
Maybe we can talk about exchanging links, etc.
Thanks.
Maggie
LeisureGuy said,
26 December 2007 at 3:37 pm
Lulu’s great. So far I have done one print book, one download book, and one free download with them. Somewhat to my chagrin, the free download is far and away the most popular (so far just over 14,000 downloads).
You may find the Cooking Compendium of interest—it seems to have some overlap with parts of your site.
Best wishes for your success.
doubleboiler said,
8 January 2008 at 5:07 pm
Hi- I am new to your blog, and I’ll definitely be back. I spend most of my culinary energy baking and candy making, but I think it’s about time I practiced cooking some real food.
So far your Cooking Compendium is a nice read. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts!
LeisureGuy said,
8 January 2008 at 5:24 pm
Thanks, Kaitlyn. I just had the chipotle ribs again. They get better every time I cook them. Adding the Penzey’s Bicentennial Rub to the mix (an amount equal to the cumin) was a good idea.
Let me know of any changes, additions, etc., needed in the Cooking Compendium.
Mike Rosenberg said,
10 January 2008 at 9:39 pm
LeisureGuy,
Your hobbies intrigue me as I am a rising chef, jazz enthusiast, and primarily just excited to experience single blade DE shaving (not sure the exact name/jargon used for this type of shaving yet).
The past years of shaving have proven to be a disaster. I have terrible razor burn and rarly leave the bathroom feeling satisfied with outcome.
I need your advice on how to deal with my initial introduction into single blade shaving, especially regarding razor burn.
With such terrible razor burn, do I need to wait a month till all bumps have disappeared?
Will proper preparation and lather reduce razor burn (even with a multi-blade razor)?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers.
LeisureGuy said,
11 January 2008 at 6:43 am
I put into the book just about everything I know and can recommend to help the beginning single-blade shaver. I highly recommend that you get the book.
The razor burn may have several causes. Most probably, you’re using too much pressure. In addition, you may be using too steep a blade angle, so that you’re scraping your face instead of cutting the stubble. Finally, as you suggest, your prep may be lacking, though the previous two possibilities are more likely.
Slack off for a few days to let your skin recover, then resume, using VERY light pressure and paying careful attention to blade angle. You might also want to try a different brand of blade, in case the blade is part of the problem.
More in the book.
Jason Crane said,
19 January 2008 at 4:45 pm
Hi,
My new Merkur Futur arrived in the mail today. My first-ever shave with a safety razor comes tomorrow morning. I can’t wait!
Did I just type “I can’t wait!” about shaving? Wacky!
All the best,
Jason
LeisureGuy said,
19 January 2008 at 5:50 pm
I shaved with the Futur just this morning. Watch blade angle and pressure and you’ll do fine. Make sure the top is snapped into place. Put the head of the razor against your cheek, then pull the razor down, slowly inclining the handle toward your face. As soon as the blade starts to the cut the stubble: that’s the right angle.
Take your time during your prep. You want the stubble soaked and soft. And do recall that you’ll eventually have to find the brand(s) of blades that will work for you.
Enjoy! It’s quite a bit of fun, and daily practice means that you improve rapidly.
Jason Crane said,
20 January 2008 at 7:56 pm
Thanks for the tips … and the great site! The results are in:
http://jasoncrane.org/2008/01/20/the-futur-of-shaving-day-1-with-a-safety-razor/
Chris Partridge said,
1 March 2008 at 2:54 pm
Hi,
I’m in the market for a new shaving brush, since the AoS one I’ve been using for 2 years snapped right off the base this morning as I was rinsing it out.
Whilst I realise that brush choice is a personal preference, do you have any recommendations on makers and vendors of decent brushes? Currently living in Norway, but as luck would have it, moving to the US in a couple of months and in the meantime can get items shopped to my brother-in-law in California.
Thanks,
Chris
LeisureGuy said,
1 March 2008 at 3:37 pm
My own personal favorites are the Rooney Style 2 and Style 3, Size 1 (small) Super Silvertip, the G.B. Kent BK4, and the Simpsons Emperor 2 or 3 Super. US vendors are Vintage Blades LLC for the Rooneys, Em’s Place for the Simpsons, and Auravita in the UK for the Kent.
Chris Partridge said,
1 March 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thanks, I’ll look them up!
Chris Partridge said,
13 March 2008 at 8:29 am
Follow up on the AoS brush. I dropped them an email and within 10 days had a free replacement delivered to me in Norway.
Kudos to AoS for having an excellent grasp on the value of good customer service, not only efficient, but extremely polite and regular updates on progress. I was extremely but pleasantly surprised!
David Wessell said,
5 May 2008 at 8:40 am
Hey Leisure Guy,
I just stumbled upon your website and am happy to see another wetshaver out and about..
I’m one of the admins over at http://www.straightrazorplace.com. Stop by and hang out with us some, and if we can ever offer anything for your blog, please let us know. The more wet shaving gets promoted (either with DE’s, or Straights) the better!!
Thanks
David
LeisureGuy said,
5 May 2008 at 8:48 am
Welcome. You’ll note that StraightRazorPlace is listed among the shaving links. Glad to see you here.
Alex G. said,
22 May 2008 at 9:49 am
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your note on the Projjex blog. Nice to have friends out there!
All the best,
Alex
pvp said,
18 June 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi Leisure Guy,
Thanks for a great reference and an enjoyable read! After years of using cartridges, DE shaving was a refreshing discovery.
Though I savor the overall experience, some problem areas do exist: between the lower lip and chin and between the nose and upper lip. I often get razor burn and I suspect blade angle is to blame. I get a scraping sensation. How can I correct this?
By the way, I’m using a Parker 91R (my first safety razor) with Merkur blades. I found them and the Almond scented Valobra shave cream/soap at Best Grooming Tools.com. Per the book, I had expected the cheeks to be easy and the neck to be challenging, but surprisingly the neck area has been easy as well. Now, if only I can manage the upper lip and chin without razor burn. Thanks for your suggestions.
pvp
LeisureGuy said,
18 June 2008 at 6:29 pm
Sounds to me as though it might be blade angle and/or pressure, coupled with a blade that doesn’t work well for you. Check out the post on blade sampler packs and try a different brand of blade. Pay close attention to angle and pressure, and don’t try to do too much with the first (with the grain) pass—use the second pass (across the grain, both ways) to clean up that area. Let me know how it works.
pvp said,
20 June 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hi Leisure Guy,
Two days of experimenting has led me to identify pressure as being the dominant cause of razor burn. For two days, I tried to minimize the pressure and to use multiple passes: one wtg, two xtg. My attempt at atg led to some unpleasant scraping. The blade feels sharp, even after a week.
Thanks for the pointers; my technique has definitely improved. Today, I enjoyed a close shave without a hint of irritation or razor burn. Thanks again.
pvp
LeisureGuy said,
20 June 2008 at 5:04 pm
Very good news. It’s interesting how little pressure is required. As I mention in the book, I think there are two primary reasons shavers new to double-edged shaving use too much pressure:
1. Shaving with a multiblade cartidge encourages pressure, and many shavers try to stretch the life of the (relatively expensive) cartridge by pressing down, which apparently works to some degree. But the result over time is using too much pressure all the time.
2. When you rinse after the first pass, you’ll feel stubble, and some shavers think, “Oh, no. Too much stubble. I need to press harder.” But in fact feeling stubble after one pass is right—shaving is progressive stubble reduction through multiple passes.
Against the grain is difficult because, with the razor held upside down, it’s initially hard to judge the pressure and angle. When you feel ready to try ATG again, just shave ATG on your cheeks at first. When you are fully comfortable with that, add the chin. Then, after a while, the neck, and finally the upper lip. All that while paying close attention to blade angle and pressure.
Your progress is heartening. If you do two XTG passes, one slanted this way, the other slanted the other way, you may find that provides as close a shave as you need. (On the upper lip, though, I shave XTG straight across—but I do go both directions.)
Thanks for letting me know how it worked out.
Dan said,
27 June 2008 at 8:30 pm
I just finished reading the second edition of your book “LeisureGuy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving.” I’m impressed by both the substance of the writing and your writing style. I’ll take your advice and first try to learn how to adequately prep my face for shaving. Later on, I’ll try my hands at using a DE safety razor. Including the hyperlinks you have to various sites is an excellent idea.
LeisureGuy said,
27 June 2008 at 9:57 pm
Dan, very pleased to read your comment. Let me know how it goes for you as you progress. Thanks for commenting—and for buying the book.
TampaTerry said,
24 July 2008 at 10:30 am
I just finished reading your post/article on chia seeds. Very, *very* well done! You’re an excellent writer with a good command of the facts. It’s obvious to me that you do a lot of research and self-education in the course of sharing what you know (or have learned) with others.
LeisureGuy said,
24 July 2008 at 10:37 am
Well, the chia seed post—which continues to get a great many hits—is valuable mainly from the comments of readers, not from what I wrote. But thank you—at least I served as a condensation point for comments to collect.
vivi said,
24 July 2008 at 5:11 pm
Dear Leisure Guy,
I accidentally came across your blog some time ago and really enjoy reading it. It’s a pity your book isn’t available in a German translation (yet), I would love to get it for my father. Since I can remember, he dreaded shaving, he even wore a full beard for many years because of it. I do not think anything similar is available over here, so maybe it does get translated one day.
Hope to read a lot more nice articles from you in the future.
Best wishes, vivi
LeisureGuy said,
24 July 2008 at 6:12 pm
Thank you very much. Interesting idea: a German translation. Maybe I should translate it into Esperanto.
Aliman Sears said,
17 August 2008 at 10:13 pm
I lived in Monterey in the late 80’s. Went to MPC. Lived off of Lighthouse by the Warf, then over on 4th st. near MPC. Met my wife there (she was from Seaside). We love Monterey. Probably if we didn’t live in Honolulu, we’d move to the peninsula again.
Aloha
Kris Kenderesi said,
20 August 2008 at 1:19 pm
This is a belated thanks, although I’m sure you were thanked effusively on my behalf.
Now to clear up the momentary confusion probably caused by that factory-assmbled-fantasy-novel-staple statement; I was given two safety razors, along with an assorted box of blades, a copy of Gourmet Shaving and a bottle or two of Thayers Witch Hazel Aftershave [which has since become an indispensable part of my morning shower] by my mother, who has eBay dealings with the Wife.
Possibly selling cat anecdotes.
Anyway. I was curious as to what your subjects your blog might encompass, besides shaving, and was delighted to find the pieces on sci-fi, cats, gadgets and marijuana legalisation.
It has probably become evident by now that I’m not very good at writing. So I’ll spare you the rest.
Kudos?
LeisureGuy said,
20 August 2008 at 1:32 pm
Kris, very good to hear from you! I think you’re getting a copy now of the Second Edition of the shaving book. A kudos to you as well!
Harry Sawyers said,
25 August 2008 at 1:01 pm
Hi Leisure Guy (and readers),
I’m compiling a list of clever reuses for safety razor blades around the house for Popular Mechanics. In researching and writing your book, did you come across any ideas that would fit in such a list?
Some of the types of things I’m seeking include using razor blades for:
Removing labels, stickers, and decals. A little WD-40 helps with tough jobs, such as stickers on car windows.
Removing paint. Don’t worry about wet drips or maintaining a clean line when painting windows or trim along wood floors. Let the paint dry, then scrape the excess away.
Trim edges of home-printed photos, using a metal ruler as a guide.
Any help you could give me with this research would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me in the next day or two. I’ll link to your website as the source on any ideas I’m able to use. Thanks in advance for your time.
–
Harry Sawyers
Popular Mechanics
hsawyers@hearst.com
LeisureGuy said,
25 August 2008 at 3:08 pm
[I sent an email to Harry, suggesting that he post in the shaving forums his request.]
goinglikesixty said,
29 August 2008 at 11:07 am
Hi,
New: found you via Google on the Zap post.
I added you to my reader and blogroll (because I feature geezers!)
Look forward to your stuff.
BTW: is your email listed on your site someplace? I’m not very patient when it comes to looking for things – like most guys! And I can’t yell at my wife to come find your email address.
LeisureGuy said,
29 August 2008 at 11:13 am
At the top of this page. It’s labeled “email”.
Terry Metcalfe said,
4 September 2008 at 4:43 am
Very interesting blog.
I never realised people were interested in shaving.
My expereince only relates to the Mac 3 and other gillette razors. I enjoy a good shave but these razors seem to be the best available from the local high street shops. After looking at other articles it seems that for a really good shave i need to be looking for more traditional styled razors.
Any ideas where i can go to purchase such razors.
Dr. Lao said,
5 September 2008 at 10:48 am
Thought you might be interested in this article. Regards. Robert.
http://dynastyoflao.squarespace.com/journal/2008/9/5/book-banning-in-alaska.html
pvp said,
2 October 2008 at 5:23 pm
Hello Leisure Guy,
Per your earlier suggestion (in June), I obtained a blade sampler pack (from west coast shaving). So far, I have experimented with Korean and Greek blades. These definitely have an edge to them, compared with the standard German Merkurs.
The Greek blade was sharp yet comfortable on one edge, but sharp and uncomfortable on the other edge. Could that be just the blade or the way it was placed in the razor?
I have a chin with a cleft, and it’s a bit challenging to shave that spot, even with multiple passes. Do I need to change the blade angle, pressure, or something else?
As always, thanks for your words of wisdom.
pvp
LeisureGuy said,
3 October 2008 at 8:49 am
The problem with the Greek blade (brand?) sounds as though it’s a bad blade. Placement in the razor shouldn’t make much difference. What razor are you using?
The cleft presents a challenge. Can you pull the skin to one side to allow easier shaving? You can also post the problem on one of the shaving forums and see what other guys who have that problem have found to be a solution.
pvp said,
3 October 2008 at 10:20 am
Hi Leisure Guy,
The Greek blade was “Bic” branded. Honestly, I was a little surprised to find it in the sampler pack, in lieu of the Wilkinson blades (shown in the image online). I use a Parker 91R razor, which some forum partcipants had described as being as good or even better than the venerable Merkur HD barber pole. I have had no issues with Merkur blades or the Korean Dorco blades.
Thanks for your suggestion – I’ll browse through some forums and see what other clefties have to say.
pvp
Seamaster73 said,
17 November 2008 at 11:43 am
Hi Leisure Guy
I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I have appreciated your book, blog and forum contributions on the subject of shaving. I have recently begun my own adventure with DE razors and blades and have found your advice invaluable.
For the record, working my way through a blade sampler pack, I find myself almost always in agreement with your opinion, so your recommendations have proved very helpful. Our mileage doesn’t vary that much, I guess (!).
Thank you.
Seamaster73 (UK)
LeisureGuy said,
17 November 2008 at 12:03 pm
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment. I greatly appreciate it. Very pleased that the book has been helpful and that you’re progressing in your new hobby.
Mobin Haque said,
21 December 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hi LeisureGuy,
, its just that I’ve followed your blog for so long, thought about leaving a comment couple of times, always lazied out, ..and… you do good work here.
I’ve been reading your blog for almost 2 years now, stumbled upon your site when I googled reviews for the then new Gillette Fusion, read your gourmet shave article and was hooked on safety razors, haven’t used my mach3 since nor even looked at any iterations thereof. There was cosiderable bloodletting in the begining but I’ve gotten the hang of it now. Its strange how small trivial things can enhance your life, atleast that recurring moment when you experience it, life’s repetitious enough as it is, and the only time I truly spent focusing at my face everyday was lost to gillette convenience.
I am 35 now and things and new experiences don’t excite me or hold my fascination as well and long as they did 10 years ago, but you have helped make my life a bit better… permanently, Previously shaves were a chore which always left me wondering about razor burns, now its a pleasure, I wouldn’t know about classic shaving making me look good but it sure does make me feel great. Its amazing the number of variations you can try with a simple safety razor, the strokes, handling the grain and all within 10 minutes.
By the way I live in Pakistan, and its strange that I can find every single product by Schick and Gillette at the local convenience store (its not as bad as here as you might think, actually the most scared I’ve ever felt was one very late night in Manhattan) but not a single decent razor or shaving cream or soap, none, I have really looked, so I’m forced to use cheap generic razors, but luckily I can get the swedish gillette blades here which are pretty decent, also feather but they are a tad unpredictable. Well this has turned out to be some rant
Thank you
LeisureGuy said,
21 December 2008 at 2:32 pm
Mobin, you’ve made my day for sure. I’m delighted that you’ve been reading the blog so long.
Some of the very best blades seem to be made in Pakistan—weird that they don’t have good razors to go with them. I like several of the Treet blades and the Trig blades as well.
Mobin Haque said,
21 December 2008 at 2:55 pm
LeisureGuy, thanks for the reply, yeah, the Treets are nice, they just launched a new black line, I might try them tomorrow.
Harry said,
4 January 2009 at 12:00 pm
I knew i’d read this somewhere before… http://www.safetyrazors.co.uk/how-to-use-a-safety-razor.asp
LeisureGuy said,
4 January 2009 at 12:06 pm
Thanks, Harry, for spotting that. They do now give attribution (and a link) at the end, so it’s okay with me.
Dave said,
13 January 2009 at 12:48 pm
Further to Harry’s comment – yes, the information is from the book, but we did indeed credit to Michael with a link to the book etc. We sell the gear, but thought it best to provide some good advice on how to use it.
I’ve put Michael’s book on my birthday wish-list too.
a-cut-above said,
19 January 2009 at 11:02 am
Michael,
I haven’t seen any posts on the shaving forums lathely, esp. SMF. I enjoyed your practical advice. Have you given up on the forums?
LeisureGuy said,
19 January 2009 at 11:18 am
Thank you for your kind comment. I’ve not been active in the forums recently, just dispensing advice as requested here in the blog. Probably I’ll drift back to the forums in time. But the blogging + movies + reading + cooking does take up most of my time.
Brian Wright said,
29 January 2009 at 4:31 am
Leisure Guy
I wrote about a month or so ago and took your advice regarding the Merkur HD for my first DE. Great stuff. Right now I’m switching between shave cream and Col Conk Shave Soap and am leaning toward the shave cream. What cream do you recommend? One problem I’m having is that my neck gets alot of razor burn. I go with the grain, then across, then finally against the grain. I rinse with warm water after every pass and lather back up. I also use as little pressure as possible. Finally, I am experimenting with blades and change them about once every four or so days. I’ve tried the Feather (I live in Sasebo, Japan, am in the Navy and buy them on the economy at a Japanese department store), the Merkur Super, and finally the store brand they sell in the base exchange. Can you point me in the right direction for a good sample pack?
Thanks for the help and I enjoy your site. Love the links also.
Brian
LeisureGuy said,
29 January 2009 at 9:34 am
As I mention in the book, Taylor of Old Bond Street Avocado is an excellent newbie shaving cream. Also, try a D.R. Harris shave stick: excellent lather.
You’re right to look at pressure as a possible cause of the razor burn on your neck. The other likely suspect is blade angle (since there are a lot of curves on the neck—and with the against-the-grain pass you’re holding the razor upside down). It might also be the brand of blade, but I would first suspect pressure and angle. Trying shaving your neck for a while with just two passes: with the grain and across the grain. That should reveal if the problem is in the against-the-grain pass.
The best price and greatest variety of blade samplers is found at Razor and Brush. He does ship abroad, and charges actual postage—but since you use an FPO, shipping will be no problem.
Note his instructions on how to order. It’s a little different, especially for the first order, but it actually works quite well.
Hope this helps. Let us know. And, of course, I do recommend the book.
pvp said,
3 September 2009 at 6:49 pm
Hi Leisure Guy,
I finally worked my way through the blade sampler pack, keeping the Merkur blades as my benchmark in between the trials. Wow! What an experience. Some blades were mediocre, some acceptable, and some were amazing! The top two were the Feathers and Gillette (swedes, I think – because of blue packaging).
A couple of observations: One, my razor seems to have a minute difference in blade exposure between the two edges. One side consistently feels better than the other. Is this a defect with the razor (Parker 91R)? Two, the Feather blades are very, very sharp – I got a couple of nicks without realization. However, I have no issues shaving the cleft area on my chin. I don’t have to contort my jaw to get a smooth shave.
Finally, do you have any opinion regarding Muhle Double Edge Safety Razor? I saw one here http://bestgroomingtools.com/muhle-double-edge-safety-razor-p-1061.html. Is it worth a try? Thanks.
pvp
LeisureGuy said,
4 September 2009 at 8:57 am
I’ve had no experience with the Parker razor, but the condition you describe certainly is a flaw. You might contact the vendor from whom you bought the razor to see whether you can exchange it.
I have not tried that Mühle, but I just ordered the open-comb version and will soon try it and blog about it. The Mühle I do have is just fine. Very good razor. I’ll shave with it tomorrow, so you can check the blog.
The Feathers were for a while my favorite blade, but I gradually noticed that they were too prone to nick. I found other brands that worked better for me, but as you know, with blades you have to find your own best brands.
Anthony said,
16 October 2009 at 8:27 pm
Blues>Jazz