Issues with DE shaving

[agent80]

Hello.

I've been trying to DE shave on and off for almost a year now. My reasons for wanting a DE shave are cost and general feeling of manliness!

Unfortunately I keep going back to my gillette fusion as I seem to get a closer shave without any cuts. When DE shaving I will always get cuts particularly on my upper lip if I go against the grain.

What I'm wondering is, could the problem be the equipment?

I'm using a cheap plastic wilkinson sword DE razor. Have tried both the wilkinson blades that came with it and some persona blades. I don't see much difference between the blades. I also have an Edwin Jagger Super Badger brush and use this (http://uk.loccitane.com/FO/Shaving-Bowl-with-Cade-Soap,pPPLSHVBWL.htm) shaving soap. Pre shave I shower and wash my face with this (http://uk.loccitane.com/FO/cade-juniper-bark-scrub.htm). Post shave I use this (http://uk.loccitane.com/FO/cade-after-shave-balm.htm) shave balm.

Any input appreciated :)

[KM-instructor]

!:thumbup1:B&B ot emoclew

Less pressure, nice lather , good blade could be a starting point to achieve those nick free shaves

[jasterixstrange]

I wouldn't waste your time going ATG or XTG tbh.
Try and get 2-3 WTG passes per shave and you'll get the hang of it. You shouldn't be doing ATG until you've nailed WTG and XTG for 3 months plus.
I'd also consider spending £20 ($30) on a decent razor like a Parker or Muhle or even a vintage Gillette from the bay.
I also recommend geofatboy's videos on YouTube ... they helped me loads when I got started.

[Gissy]

I've found ATG to be immpossible on the mustache area so I only go WTG and XTG there. I found ATG on the rest of my face was quite achivable as soon as I got som egood blades, and I'm only about two months in to this thing.

[AlanL]

What I'm wondering is, could the problem be the equipment? I'm using a cheap plastic wilkinson sword DE razor.

Plastic could definitely be a problem. For the most cost effective trial investment, I'd recommend a vintage Gillette. Perhaps a Tech for ~£5.

[Greyfox]

You have to master your technique.

[ackvil]

Welcome. Some good advice above.

To summarize:


Get a better razor as suggested.
Stick to one WTG pass and two XTG passes in opposite directions.
Don't put pressure on the razor. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you. I use two fingers and my thumb to hold the razor with another finger resting on the tip of the handle. This results in holding the razor very lightly with no pressure on the razor. You want to hold the razor as lightly as you can without it falling from your hand.
Blade angle is critical. Here (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=130110) is a good post that will help you on
Keep on practicing. It will get better.

[mblakele]

Welcome to B&B!

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Getting_started_wetshaving may help too.

[Go West Young Man]

"Doctor - it hurts when I do this!"
"I suggest you stop doing that."

Seriously, if you get cut going ATG, stop going ATG.
And, yes, I know, you're so manly that without that ATG pass you actually end up HAIRIER than if you hadn't done it, etc etc, but it's called a learning curve. Accept slightly sub-perfect results while you hone your skills, in time you'll get where you want to be.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

agent80:
I would have a re-look at the 3 P's of De shaving....practice, patience and process (i.e., technique). :yesnod:

I would also suggest purchasing a better razor (say like a Merkur 23C (http://badgerandblade.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=6044) which is moderately priced, 3 piece & light (2.1oz), long handled (3¾in), and great for those who have 'bear claws' http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/booboo1960/Bear_Claw-icon.png for hands and in my opinion...this razor is fairly mild and very smooth (I use Shark Super Chrome blades), straight bar/closed combed razor which is perfect for normal beards and sensitive skin. :thumbsup:

"Merkur; Solingen quality, Time-tested Tradition with Modern Design". http://www.italianbarber.com/images/merkur%20logo.jpg


Also, I would invest in a blade sampler to see what blade would be a good fit (mild, moderate & aggressive, ect...), for your face and Razor(s).


http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/booboo1960/NewPicture.jpg "A razor can't be sharpened on a piece of velvet." Author Unknown

[Solomonwisearse]

If you want a closer shave you may have to stretch your skin. When I shaved with my old Gillette fusion I could pretty much dry shave so stretching my skin was easy, but it can be more difficult wetshaving since your skin always has to be lathered. Try rubbing your fingers on an alum block which makes them stick to your face. Makes stretching the skin much easier. If you are getting cuts take shorter strokes and less pressure as was mentioned already in this post.

[agent80]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and the friendly welcome. Definitely going to start out by getting a better razor and take it from there. Think I will try to the Merkur 23 as suggested.

[El-a-Menthol]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and the friendly welcome. Definitely going to start out by getting a better razor and take it from there. Think I will try to the Merkur 23 as suggested.

I would go with a Edwin Jagger L89.
Merkur is a bit of a gamble now, they were pretty good once.
Now is has shotty quality control and sometimes shotty quality.
You can get lucky, you can get a bad product.
Even if it is good it is not as good as the EJ.
I suggest reading up a bit about EJ and it's Mühle head (it uses) and the Merkur problems they have lately.
A lot of people have without a doubt a great Merkur razor, but lately it's a bit of a gamble.

[Blade Boy]

What's a few nicks, it's part of that whole manliness thing.

[agent80]

Merkur is a bit of a gamble now, they were pretty good once.


Too late! Oh well hopefully I get lucky.

[Banjoman]

Welcome. Some good advice above.

To summarize:


Get a better razor as suggested.
Stick to one WTG pass and two XTG passes in opposite directions.
Don't put pressure on the razor. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you. I use two fingers and my thumb to hold the razor with another finger resting on the tip of the handle. This results in holding the razor very lightly with no pressure on the razor. You want to hold the razor as lightly as you can without it falling from your hand.
Blade angle is critical. Here (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=130110) is a good post that will help you on
Keep on practicing. It will get better.


+1 Great advice and welcome to B&B!

[DOLLARBILL]

try try try again ...with a better razor !
Enjoy Your Shave !

[El-a-Menthol]

Too late! Oh well hopefully I get lucky.
You're probably ok, they are not complete garbage or anything.
If their should be problems (don't expect them but do check your razor thoroughly),
contact them as soon as possible, keep all your emails regarding the sales/receipts/warranty's,
and include detailed pictures of the flaw.
Again, you're probably ok, it's not like they are all bad now. And they still have customer service but they want to be absolutely sure it is covered in the warranty and not own fault/misuse/abuse/risk.
They just became much stricter when it comes to sending new parts or razors.

[chado006]

I do WTG, XTG both ways and then an extremely light blade buffing ATG. And I mean extremely light, I was having problems with my upper lip no matter what I did until I saw it explained as thinking about shaving the top of the whisker off and then the rest. Here's the thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/255674-Tip-for-shaving-Under-the-Nose-Mustache-area It helped me out so much! Again, almost no pressure, use your thumb and forefinger only.

[Bob Famularo]

I can't go ATG on my upper lip. Can go ATG at the corners of my mouth, and just about everywhere else if it is the 3rd or 4th pass, but only WTG or XTG on the upper lip.

[jsj_297]

Try the EJ89 series razor, and a WCS blade sampler pack. I think you will find your answer in that...Also, try a solid performer soap/cream, like a Proraso Sensitive skin, Arko, or DR harris quality products.....Just my .02 cents.

[agent80]

Just thought I'd update you all. I got my Merkur 23c a couple of weeks ago.

Initially I was getting much the same result as with the cheap plastic Wilkinson Sword however my last 3 shaves have been far better, so much better in fact that I would say better than I was getting with the fusion and also less irritation.

Not sure exactly what has changed recently except I've spent more time building up the lather, so I'm attributing it to that and just practice is general.

Thanks for all the suggestions, seems like my biggest issue was just impatience!

[Gammon]

I may be a day late and a dollar short.. My advice is to avoid falling back on the cartridge razor.

I can't even imagine using a plastic razor! But then, memory says I have in the distant past and didn't have any problem back then..

[blademen]

Welcome to Badger and Blade.

I would recommend a good soap like Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap, and a Edwin Jagger . I used to use a Merkur and hate it.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Mitchells-Wool-Fat-Shaving-Soap-Refill_p_64.html

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Edwin-Jagger-Double-Edge-Safety-Razor-Blue_p_1276.html