"Method Shaving" approach for Carbon Blades

[mullard]

I have used many carbon blades over the years. I have found all I have tried to pull unpleasantly during my first pass even if I prep my face thoroughly beforehand. However, during my final pass they provide a smooth and close shave. I have found the Gillette Blue Blade King Gillette’s to be the best carbon blade I have tried. This is the blade that shows a distinguished gent on the box cover and reads Gillette Blue Blade King Gillette on the cover. I use a 3 pass “method” shaving approach that consists of with the grain and 2 passes across the grain in different directions. I have found that if a use for example a Personna 74 or Feather for my first 2 passes the whiskers shave off easily and comfortably. I then wait to use the carbon blade for my final pass. By waiting until my third pass I have found that I am able to get a remarkably close/smooth shave with a carbon blade while at the save time avoiding the unpleasant pulling feeling that can result by using a carbon blade during my first pass. There is something very unique about the way a carbon blade pulls the whickers more so than a stainless/chromium blade that results in a surprisingly close and smooth final shave. In fact, I have a difficult time matching the closeness/smoothness with modern blades. In conclusion, this discovery has allowed me to use carbon blades to receive close, smooth, and comfortable shaves. I hope this information will provide you with the same results. Have a great shave…Mullard

[man00ver]

Thanks mullard, interesting thought! I have often thought about trying out my blued Gillettes and Schicks, and will keep this in mind for that adventurous day.

[diamondtim]

I have used many carbon blades over the years. I have found all I have tried to pull unpleasantly during my first pass even if I prep my face thoroughly beforehand. However, during my final pass they provide a smooth and close shave. I have found the Gillette Blue Blade King Gillette’s to be the best carbon blade I have tried. This is the blade that shows a distinguished gent on the box cover and reads Gillette Blue Blade King Gillette on the cover. I use a 3 pass “method” shaving approach that consists of with the grain and 2 passes across the grain in different directions. I have found that if a use for example a Personna 74 or Feather for my first 2 passes the whiskers shave off easily and comfortably. I then wait to use the carbon blade for my final pass. By waiting until my third pass I have found that I am able to get a remarkably close/smooth shave with a carbon blade while at the save time avoiding the unpleasant pulling feeling that can result by using a carbon blade during my first pass. There is something very unique about the way a carbon blade pulls the whickers more so than a stainless/chromium blade that results in a surprisingly close and smooth final shave. In fact, I have a difficult time matching the closeness/smoothness with modern blades. In conclusion, this discovery has allowed me to use carbon blades to receive close, smooth, and comfortable shaves. I hope this information will provide you with the same results. Have a great shave…Mullard

I have also found that the first pass with a vintage carbon blade is the most "challenging". I've experimented with skin stretching, but have not found the perfect solution to get comfort on that first pass.

My next experiment is to try shaving with the razor at an angle.

[mullard]

You never know until you try.