pantablo
08-11-2011, 02:03 AM
Just over a year ago I joined this forum in the interest of research for a DE razor I was going to give myself for my birthday. As my subsequent birthday just passed it also marks one year of DE shaving so I thought I'd come back on here and share my experiences. Honestly, I haven't been on in a very long time, mainly because my shaving has been issue free and very pleasant.
I started with this, bought used on the B/S/T forum here:
EJ DE razor, non-adjustable
Shark Super Chrome blades
C.E.Bigelow shave cream
Thayer After Shave Witch Hazel
muhle shaving brush
[all bought in B/S/T-thank you all!]
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs231.snc4/38884_1482678581443_1068194831_1373697_4554761_n.j pg
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=114128&stc=1&d=1279558717
It took me a while to get through the Super Chrome blades but then got two sampler packages of blades. I thought the Super Chromes were quite good, very smooth shave, little if any tugging (although I usually attributed any tugging to a dull blade from several days use) and frankly was not looking forward to the rest of the blades, both super sharp ones like Feathers or what I thought would be dull ones such as Derby's.
I've tried quite a few since then and was surprised at the noticeable difference in blades. Given that I started with the SC's I was afraid to try the Derby's as they would be too dull.
They were. Or I should say that they were not a good shave, bit of tugging and overall needed another pass to get a really close shave. I can see why they are suggested as a first blade though. Had I not gotten the SC's with the package I did I surely would have started with the Derby's as suggested.
After about a month of shaving I got the courage up to try the Feathers, having heard so much about how careful one had to be with them, how 'unforgiving' they were, etc...Best damn shave of the lot. I was reminded how good they are today actually. I've been working through all my various blades over the last year and today I used a Feather again and it had been a while. It even seemed quiet compared to the other blades, in that I didn't hear it cutting the hairs as much as I do with the others. Such a wonderful shave. These are my favorites.
The rest of the blades seemed okay but nothing great. The Feathers are my favorites with the Super Chrome's second choice.
Technique:
I'm a stickler for technique in many things I do, including this. However, I did not heed conventional wisdom and wait to do ATG passes. I wanted a close shave and doing WTG and XTG weren't close enough. I did against the grain from the get go. I suffered many nicks in doing that as well, especially and consistently around my mustache area. I still can't do a full ATG there but manage a second XTG that I do a bit diagonally to good effect. Also should be noted I have a goatee so never had to deal with my chin.
I do a 3 pass shave with occasional touch up on the jawline and very consistently manage a DFS with a few solid BBS shaves in the year.
I use the same blade for 5 shaves straight. I am realizing that is too much. I can tell the blade gets dull pretty quickly and will try to double blade use in that time. Seems the first couple or few shaves of any blade are the best.
Overall this year I've had a few bad nicks, one recently when my wife walked in the bathroom while we were arguing through the door...'nuff said. I've had a fair few really minor nicks that go away when I rinse with cold water.
I have not tried shaving soap, mainly because I really don't want yet another plate of something on my counter, lol. But I am interested in it in combination with shave cream to try my hand at super lather.
The Bigelow shave cream I first got is what I continue with, now on only my second tube, although its near its end. I do like this cream.
I still dont make great lather but am realizing I just dont use enough water, like I'm afraid it will go to far and be runny. Took me a long time to realize it was okay if it did, that I could just toss it and try again, lol. I'm much better at it now but still far from perfecting it.
I am glad I listened to advice and got a non-adjustable razor. Not knowing anything may have been detrimental to trying various settings in the vain attempt at fixing what would have likely been a technique problem, lol. I'm very happy with this razor and now that I am traveling with it I can see getting a second, travel razor, but otherwise happy to keep working with this one.
My brush has been great, although I think I might have easier time making lather if it were longer. Seems at 3.75" its smaller than standard. I think but don't know for sure if a standard brush would help me make better lather. I don't feel inadequate at all though, lol. I may upgrade to a different, better brush though and if I do it will be longer. I knock my knuckles on the bowl all the time. maybe its user error again too.
I am a cyclist and still shave my legs with a mach3 and canned shave cream. Man, I can't stand the canned stuff any more. The difference is astonishing, although not surprising. I'm usually in a hurry when I shave my legs so I'm not looking at taking a DE to my legs any time soon though. Having said that, there's no going back to shaving with any disposable shaver and/or canned shave cream for my face. Ever. The shave cream feels too good, the shaves too good and smooth.
I used the Thayers Witch Hazel until it recently ran out but also had some shave balm to try (De Vergulde Hand after shave balsem) and realized I like the astringent/aloe combination of the Thayers to the balm in how it made my face feel after a shave.
Also found out regular Witch Hazel smells awful to use as AS. God what a horrible mistake...
I still feel like a noob but I think I can pull it off now. Now I feel like I know what I'm doing and just working on getting it right as often as I can. I can definitely feel what the blade is doing on my face now. I can see what I do wrong when I do something wrong instead of just wondering.
I love the ritual of it. I love how I feel a small connectedness to my father, as this reminds me of seeing him shave with a DE. I love the incredibly close shave. I've even thought of trying my hand with a straight razor. Maybe another day, lol...
Anyway, I just wanted to also thank everyone here for their advice, kind words of encouragement and overall friendliness. Funny enough, when I started I posted some photos of the razor on my Facebook page and discovered a couple people I know who also shave with a DE.
Cheers!
Pablo-
I started with this, bought used on the B/S/T forum here:
EJ DE razor, non-adjustable
Shark Super Chrome blades
C.E.Bigelow shave cream
Thayer After Shave Witch Hazel
muhle shaving brush
[all bought in B/S/T-thank you all!]
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs231.snc4/38884_1482678581443_1068194831_1373697_4554761_n.j pg
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=114128&stc=1&d=1279558717
It took me a while to get through the Super Chrome blades but then got two sampler packages of blades. I thought the Super Chromes were quite good, very smooth shave, little if any tugging (although I usually attributed any tugging to a dull blade from several days use) and frankly was not looking forward to the rest of the blades, both super sharp ones like Feathers or what I thought would be dull ones such as Derby's.
I've tried quite a few since then and was surprised at the noticeable difference in blades. Given that I started with the SC's I was afraid to try the Derby's as they would be too dull.
They were. Or I should say that they were not a good shave, bit of tugging and overall needed another pass to get a really close shave. I can see why they are suggested as a first blade though. Had I not gotten the SC's with the package I did I surely would have started with the Derby's as suggested.
After about a month of shaving I got the courage up to try the Feathers, having heard so much about how careful one had to be with them, how 'unforgiving' they were, etc...Best damn shave of the lot. I was reminded how good they are today actually. I've been working through all my various blades over the last year and today I used a Feather again and it had been a while. It even seemed quiet compared to the other blades, in that I didn't hear it cutting the hairs as much as I do with the others. Such a wonderful shave. These are my favorites.
The rest of the blades seemed okay but nothing great. The Feathers are my favorites with the Super Chrome's second choice.
Technique:
I'm a stickler for technique in many things I do, including this. However, I did not heed conventional wisdom and wait to do ATG passes. I wanted a close shave and doing WTG and XTG weren't close enough. I did against the grain from the get go. I suffered many nicks in doing that as well, especially and consistently around my mustache area. I still can't do a full ATG there but manage a second XTG that I do a bit diagonally to good effect. Also should be noted I have a goatee so never had to deal with my chin.
I do a 3 pass shave with occasional touch up on the jawline and very consistently manage a DFS with a few solid BBS shaves in the year.
I use the same blade for 5 shaves straight. I am realizing that is too much. I can tell the blade gets dull pretty quickly and will try to double blade use in that time. Seems the first couple or few shaves of any blade are the best.
Overall this year I've had a few bad nicks, one recently when my wife walked in the bathroom while we were arguing through the door...'nuff said. I've had a fair few really minor nicks that go away when I rinse with cold water.
I have not tried shaving soap, mainly because I really don't want yet another plate of something on my counter, lol. But I am interested in it in combination with shave cream to try my hand at super lather.
The Bigelow shave cream I first got is what I continue with, now on only my second tube, although its near its end. I do like this cream.
I still dont make great lather but am realizing I just dont use enough water, like I'm afraid it will go to far and be runny. Took me a long time to realize it was okay if it did, that I could just toss it and try again, lol. I'm much better at it now but still far from perfecting it.
I am glad I listened to advice and got a non-adjustable razor. Not knowing anything may have been detrimental to trying various settings in the vain attempt at fixing what would have likely been a technique problem, lol. I'm very happy with this razor and now that I am traveling with it I can see getting a second, travel razor, but otherwise happy to keep working with this one.
My brush has been great, although I think I might have easier time making lather if it were longer. Seems at 3.75" its smaller than standard. I think but don't know for sure if a standard brush would help me make better lather. I don't feel inadequate at all though, lol. I may upgrade to a different, better brush though and if I do it will be longer. I knock my knuckles on the bowl all the time. maybe its user error again too.
I am a cyclist and still shave my legs with a mach3 and canned shave cream. Man, I can't stand the canned stuff any more. The difference is astonishing, although not surprising. I'm usually in a hurry when I shave my legs so I'm not looking at taking a DE to my legs any time soon though. Having said that, there's no going back to shaving with any disposable shaver and/or canned shave cream for my face. Ever. The shave cream feels too good, the shaves too good and smooth.
I used the Thayers Witch Hazel until it recently ran out but also had some shave balm to try (De Vergulde Hand after shave balsem) and realized I like the astringent/aloe combination of the Thayers to the balm in how it made my face feel after a shave.
Also found out regular Witch Hazel smells awful to use as AS. God what a horrible mistake...
I still feel like a noob but I think I can pull it off now. Now I feel like I know what I'm doing and just working on getting it right as often as I can. I can definitely feel what the blade is doing on my face now. I can see what I do wrong when I do something wrong instead of just wondering.
I love the ritual of it. I love how I feel a small connectedness to my father, as this reminds me of seeing him shave with a DE. I love the incredibly close shave. I've even thought of trying my hand with a straight razor. Maybe another day, lol...
Anyway, I just wanted to also thank everyone here for their advice, kind words of encouragement and overall friendliness. Funny enough, when I started I posted some photos of the razor on my Facebook page and discovered a couple people I know who also shave with a DE.
Cheers!
Pablo-