So - it doesn't seem to be working out too well

[Install]

Hi there.

I've been using a safety razor/wet shaving method for a fair amount of time now, and to put it simply I had to use a mach 3 yesterday after a long time with the previous method. Although I did use my usual wet shaving prep. I really found the mach 3 "better", which astounds me due to the amount of people who put their faith in safety razors (note: I'm astounded since I believe it's something I'm just doing wrong, rather than a mistake of all those other folks) - I felt no pain at all, no slight nicks or cuts and ended up with a shave that was either slightly "worse" or on par with the safety razor, but with none of the aches that come with having to use one.

The above doesn't really formulate a question I suppose, though I gladly invite comments as to why I might have found this.

Thanks

[Easttexasman]

Tell us more about what you are using?Blade,razor and what are you doing to prep your face for the shave.

[Marco]

Welcome to B&B, mate. I think that, in order to properly use a DE razor, you have, first of all, to "un-learn" all the bad habits you probably had when using your M3. It does take a bit of time, practice and patience before everything goes right. Regarding nicks, cuts and facial redness, the best way to avoid them is using a light, very gentle touch with the razor. In other words no pressure at all on your skin, never. This is one of the main wet shaving rules to always keep in mind.

[N2theBreech]

How long is "a fair amount time"? It took me a lot longer than I thought it would, and I'm still fine-tuning.

[garyg]

Welcome to B&B, mate. I think that, in order to properly use a DE razor, you have, first of all, to "un-learn" all the bad habits you probably had when using your M3. It does take a bit of time, practice and patience before everything goes right. Regarding nicks, cuts and facial redness, the best way to avoid them is using a light, very gentle touch with the razor. In other words no pressure at all on your skin, never. This is one of the main wet shaving rules to always keep in mind.

This is the best advise you'll have, and something I recall from my own conversion back to safety razors from the Fusion .. it takes some discipline & patience, but if you can unlearn scraping like you are using a rasp on hardwood it will come. Took me a month to calm down I think, but a light hand & trying to find the right angle should help

[Mad Man]

Hey Install,

have faith mate - some of us are 6 months in and finally getting a daily shave with zero/very little irritation (the alum does not lie). However, when I do revert to a cartridge type razor if travelling with carry-on for work I get a superior shave due to the careful prep and lessons learnt with the DE.

Amazing how a no-pressure, 2-pass shave with a plastic multi-bladed monstrosity CAN deliver a great shave; great result, same amount of time invested but I just can't justify 20-odd bucks for a pack of carts.

As the lads above said, post your routine step-by-step and maybe the really experienced guys can help diagnose the prob.

[David T.]

Welcome to B&B, mate. I think that, in order to properly use a DE razor, you have, first of all, to "un-learn" all the bad habits you probably had when using your M3. It does take a bit of time, practice and patience before everything goes right. Regarding nicks, cuts and facial redness, the best way to avoid them is using a light, very gentle touch with the razor. In other words no pressure at all on your skin, never. This is one of the main wet shaving rules to always keep in mind.

As Marco and Garyg said, this is the biggest problem most people have. Slow down, very light touch, and short strokes. Plenty of Wiki's here to check out. And as others have said, post what you are using and your prep. Plenty of people here can and will help you out.

[RobAtSGH]

How long is "a fair amount time"? It took me a lot longer than I thought it would, and I'm still fine-tuning.

Honestly, it was nearly a year before I got to the point where I was getting a flawless shave every time. It's worse when you start with the acquisition disorders before you really get the basics down. Because every change in razor, blade, soap, cream, etc. is going to change the way you need to shave ever so slightly.

Now, I know how all my tools work, have a few favorite and dependable blades, and have used every one of my soaps and creams enough to know how they behave. Even then, I bought my first vintage single-edge and it took me almost two weeks worth of solid use before I "got it". Now, this morning, the GEM Micromatic and I got a near-BBS, very comfortable shave together with little difficulty.

My advice to the new wet shaver - pick a razor and stick with it, pick a decent blade and stay with it, and use one soap or cream. When you stop nicking yourself and scraping off epidermis regularly, then change it up a bit. And, if you're getting consistently irritating shaves with a safety razor, it's either your angle + pressure or your lather, almost every time.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[ackvil]

Welcome to B&B, mate. I think that, in order to properly use a DE razor, you have, first of all, to "un-learn" all the bad habits you probably had when using your M3. It does take a bit of time, practice and patience before everything goes right. Regarding nicks, cuts and facial redness, the best way to avoid them is using a light, very gentle touch with the razor. In other words no pressure at all on your skin, never. This is one of the main wet shaving rules to always keep in mind.

+1. Good comments from Marco. The two stumbling blocks many new shavers face is learning the correct blade angle and not putting pressure on the blade. Most new shavers have used cartridges and, as a result, have developed poor shaving habits. However, the one area that cannot be emphasized enough is NO PRESSURE on the blade. A cart does the work for you. When you take up a DE you have to set the correct blade angle and use no pressure.

[DFSDAILY]

Took me almost 6 months before I was finally able to figure out the lathering riddle and make great lather every time. The shaving part fell in right behind as expected. Lather making is the key to this whole thing.

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[Banjoman]

Welcome to B&B, mate. I think that, in order to properly use a DE razor, you have, first of all, to "un-learn" all the bad habits you probably had when using your M3. It does take a bit of time, practice and patience before everything goes right. Regarding nicks, cuts and facial redness, the best way to avoid them is using a light, very gentle touch with the razor. In other words no pressure at all on your skin, never. This is one of the main wet shaving rules to always keep in mind.

+1