I have no first hand experience with shave butter and don't plan on finding out.
Thank you for the suggestions
Thank you for the advice and suggestions. As far as the angle goes I don't think I realized that it matters, I stuck with the first angle that cut the hair and didn't cut the face, which I think was what the guide referred to as "cap riding". I will definitely have to try other angles.First off, two weeks is not really all that much time to get skilled shaving this way. So, maybe you just need to be patient as you gradually improve. Remember, cartridges pivot and automatically maintain the right angle, you have to do that manually with DE razors. If your angle is off, you won't get a comfortable, close shave.
Feathers are one of the most expensive blades and they tend to have a short life. I get a week's worth (6-7) shaves from a Personna Lab Blue blade that cost me $13.50 per hundred. I could get longer, but I like to use fresher blades. Some other blades I like are the BIC Chrome Platinum ($13/100) and the Perma-Sharp Super ($10/100).
I think the average cartridge life for Mach 3 is roughly fifteen shaves, call it two or three weeks for a frequent shaver. I'm amazed you could get over thirty weeks on average. How often do you shave? Once every two weeks?
First of all, lets look at your razors. This should stir a suitable sense of reverence to any potential DE shaver with any sense of soul. Razors are critically important, especially vintages. You seem to have got very lucky with your selection.
With all of these responses and the good information here, it is getting harder for me to keep up, I have already bookmarked the guide and this post so that should help. Usually with a forum post anywhere else I may or may not get a single response in a day or two. This seems like a really nice place.First of all, lets look at your razors. This should stir a suitable sense of reverence to any potential DE shaver with any sense of soul. Razors are critically important, especially vintages. You seem to have got very lucky with your selection.
The first appears to be a Fat Handled Tech. It may be a "Pre-war" as we call the type here. It looked like this new.
If it has the triangular drainage holes in the base plate it is. You may as well learn the terminology. If they are more narrow and less slotted, it's probably late 40's. This is one of the finest DE razors ever made.
The second appears to be a very late Flare Tip Super Speed, judging from the base plate outer shape, it's one of the last Super Speeds ever made, and is a step up in efficiency from the earlier black handles. Probably mid 1970's.
This is a wonderful razor. It's a TTO (Twist To Open) and belongs to the Super Speed family. It's lineage dates back to 1940 with models called the Gillette Milord and Milady. Production finally ceased in 1988 I believe.
There will be letter and number on the left and right of the bottom of the baseplate each side of the handle. If you give it to us we can date it to within 3 months.
These are both legendary razors. You are guaranteed of a superb shave with these two. It's all up to you.
I'm in the UK, so I can't recommend US suppliers who can offer sample razor packs. I am sure other members will chime in and give good suggestions.
Ditch this shave butter stuff. It's some kind of cheap brushless medium. Sell the surplus on the bay. Get yourself a tube of Proraso or another cream. Easy to use, just hydrate your face well using good old soap and water and smear about an inch length over your wet face. Then apply the wet, well soaked brush using circular and painting strokes. Aim for a watery lather. Avoid a pasty one. This is called face lathering. It's my exclusive method. Do this for about a minute.
I recommend you do not shave for 2-3 days, as you sound like you have thinnish whiskers.
On the appointed day or night, prepare lather and apply as above. I would recommend 2 passes to start.
The first WTG. Rinse razor frequently. use alternate sides of the razor head every 3-4 strokes.
Rinse face, feel face for whisker removal. It's a very tactile process, DE shaving.
Second pass XTG (Across The Grain. Effectively a left to right or right to left series of strokes across your face, jawline, moustache area and neck. Keep angle of razor at around 30 degrees. Don't worry if you get nicks. Your skin and skill will toughen. You will be aiming to feel the blade edge on your moustache area. Use minimum pressure and glide the edge along your skin. You will feel the stubble being cut. Concentrate. This is not a cartridge.
Rinse face thoroughly in cold water, and pat dry with towel. Get yourself some Nivea after shave balm and apply liberally to your face.
remove blade from razor and rinse under hottish water. Just put it back in it's wrapper. Turn the blade beforehand so you are using the other edge next shave. You should get 4-8 good shaves judging from your beard type and blade chosen. Discard when tuggy or uncomfortable.
Wash brush to remove remaining lather. Dry bristles on towel and leave to air dry, preferably upside down.
Clean your razor and peruse B&B while doing so. I talk to my vintages while cleaning them. This is optional.
You will notice a massive improvement in your facial skin condition as you progress.
Read, re-read and read again that link I gave you. Practice and enjoy.
Welcome to the wonderful world of DE shaving. And with two great vintages, I award you bonus points.
Congratulations! You have a Pre-War Tech. An efficient and much prized razor, arguably one of the finest Techs made. Gillette stopped date coding in the late 1920's and did not resume until 1951. Yours will be 1938-45 at the latest, though more likely 1938-41
Welcome to the forum. You are one tough guy. I get about 3 weepers (a dot of blood) a year. If cutting myself "worse than usual" was a thing I'd grow a full beard.
Thank you.
The good thing about DE is most of the cost is front loaded, as long as you settle on a system that works for you. Unlike cartridges most DE razors will hold their value pretty well and you can usually resell them to someone else if you decide you don't like it. I went pretty crazy the first couple of years. But other than stocking up on a few classic soaps that had formula changes and buying a few things at our annual charity auction, I haven’t purchased anything in about 4yrs.
