First DE Leg Shave....Less than satisfying

**stephstier** · 12-09-2010, 08:35 AM

here's what I was working with:
Lady Gillette
Dorco Blades
KMF shave cream
cheap boar brush

So..... I've been practicing my lather with my cartridge until my lady gillette came in the mail. The KMF is really easy to lather and I get a rich thick whipped cream like lather. Overall, I think I am pretty sufficient there.

My first shave was disappointing. VERY disappointing. I had this great lather on my legs and i go to shave (ATG), it glides nicely, but when i finish my leg, not smooth. at all.

Then i think- OH! im being overly paranoid about cutting myself, not applying pressure... SO i lather again, shave, meticulously check my blade angle.... nothing. not smooth

So i give up and try the other leg. Lather, lather. OK shhhhhh, but I applied some pressure. Nothing.

Overall, I'd say less smooth than shaving with a cartridge. I think we can eliminate the lather quality and I've made myself a diagram, watched videos, the whole nine yards on blade angle, no pressure, etc. I'm thinking its the Dorcos? Anyone else?

I mean i even felt the blade edge and it doesn't feel sharp at all. Do any other women have this problem?? I have: Dorco, Derby, Red Personna, Gilette Bleue extra, Medical grade personna, and Timors to work with. What should I try next? Should i switch blades after one shave?

A little frustrated, instead of cutting myself on a first DE shave, I still have hairy legs.

Please help!

**bmc1979** · 12-09-2010, 08:41 AM

My wife made the switch and she's tried a few blades. Her blade of choice is a Feather. She's tried Red Personnas, Merkurs, Derby and Gillette Bleue Extra. She liked the Personnas and Gillette Extra Bleues but always goes back to Feathers because she says she gets the best and smoothest shave from those. Try different blades and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't you can look at things maybe with your technique. Also, she has a weird rotation with her blades she'll shave her legs and armpits once then shave her armpits again then put in a new blade to do her legs. So two pit shaves and one leg shave per blade. She finds it works the best for her but YMMV. Good luck.

**willyb** · 12-09-2010, 08:42 AM

hello!

My wife and teen daughter both use lady g's that I found for them and have had mixed results. Daughter loves it, uses cheap Lord Platinum or Derby blades that I buy online, wife will use the same brand blades in her lady G and get less than desired results. I think just like men using a DE on the face, it comes down to finding what combo works the best for you. Try a few diff types of blades, im sure if you posted in the WTB section, more than a few people would be willing to send you a blade of a few diff types so that you could give some diff brands a test run before buying packs of blades. just an idea.

Considering a differnt razor? Get a cheap Gem Micromatic, dont let single edge shaving scare ya, might just get some super smooth shaves......

**stephstier** · 12-09-2010, 09:00 AM

Also, forgot to mention i did shave my armpits with the same blade. Oddly got the closest shave on the armpits rather than the legs, even though armpits hair is more course like a beard. Do sharper blades like Feathers work better with softer leg hair? Just talking things out...

**jsrdrnr** · 12-09-2010, 09:01 AM

I think it is the blade. Dorcos did nothing for me. I personally like the derbies and the red personnas but as always, YMMV. I have heard great things about the medical grade personnas. Keep trying...you will get it.

**Hil's Lee** · 12-09-2010, 09:03 AM

Hello,
My wife uses a lady gillette with the red personna blades. She has tried my Astra SPs and Feathers, but she didn't like them. The red personnas are very forgiving and mild (to me). You might try Feathers next, just watch your technique.

I can't comment on KMF as I haven't tried them, the smells don't appeal to either my wife or myself. If you have Proraso or C.O. Bigelow, they are great and have a nice cooling effect, I would recommend giving it a try sometime.

Good luck finding what works best for you.