Just tried my sample of BBA Post Shave Balm. No exaggeration to say that it was my best DE shave ever so far and the best my face has felt afterwards. Felt like everything I've learned so far about DE shaving all came together at once, and I managed to not irritate the neck area, by just doing 2 light WTG passes and not trying to be too clever! My shaving priority right now is definitely to get avoid chasing BBS, and get an irritation free shave specifically around the neck and let my face heal. If this means only going WTG for a while and shaving only every 2nd or 3rd day, then so be it. Also I've noted from shaving videos about holding the razor towards the end which I believe helps in terms of letting the weight of the razor do the work. I've been holding mine along the length of the handle just like I would have done a c*rt handle so even though I've been trying not to apply pressure, I've probably done so a bit by default in the way I was holding it. It seemed easier than I expected to get through 3 days of stubble holding the razor by the tip alone. Perhaps the weight / balance of an EJ DE89 would help me even more (Santa, are you listening?)
I'm not kidding, compared to the 2 balms I've been using my face feels INCREDIBLE after using BBA PSB. No burning, irritation or itchiness after applying it and it is not greasy and absorbs quite quickly. Once I got over the feeling that I was rubbing chocolate spread onto my face, I soon realised what a superb balm it is! Face has not felt this good in ages. Consider me converted to DE shaving !
Thanks for the recommendation and tip off about the BBA Black Friday promotion.