I'm new to the forum, and what drove me to this site was that after approximately 26 years of shaving, I'm fed up with razor burn and nicks, particularly on my neck.
My routine is to shave on Sunday morning with my father's old Gilette DE razor that's got a black handle (a Speedline I think), and use an electric shaver M-Th. I let my face rest on Friday and Saturday. My elec. shaver can only keep up with things for a few days anyway before I have to shave with a razor to get everything. It would seem that the Norelco can't handle the hair on my neck, and after a few days it looks like I'm a poor groomer because it's hit and miss on my neck. I would like to shave with a razor every day because it looks better, but the nicks are too numerous, even with those multiple blade Schicks that are way too expensive in my opinion.
If given choice, I'd use a blade every day, and my beard grows slow enough and it's light enough in color that I can get away with shaving every other day, but when it does come in, it's tough and wiry. I've decided to ditch the electric shaver and make a concerted effort to make shaving a pleasure (and not a dreaded chore to be avoided until my wife or my boss says something), so I popped in a new Gilette DE blade that I bought in bulk a few years ago, and I was surprised to find that it didn't feel like a new blade. Are there different qualities in blades, and do they have a limited shelf life?
Also, with the above information, would I be well-advised to buy a new razor? My father's razor is old, and in the last few days I've learned that new DE razors are still made, but there are so many on the market as to be overwhelming. Is there an industry standard? Lastly, I've read about shaving cream and was wondering, is that the same as the soap used to make lather with a brush?
Thanks much in advance for any and all assistance.
EDIT: found the Wiki on the cream/soap question.
My routine is to shave on Sunday morning with my father's old Gilette DE razor that's got a black handle (a Speedline I think), and use an electric shaver M-Th. I let my face rest on Friday and Saturday. My elec. shaver can only keep up with things for a few days anyway before I have to shave with a razor to get everything. It would seem that the Norelco can't handle the hair on my neck, and after a few days it looks like I'm a poor groomer because it's hit and miss on my neck. I would like to shave with a razor every day because it looks better, but the nicks are too numerous, even with those multiple blade Schicks that are way too expensive in my opinion.
If given choice, I'd use a blade every day, and my beard grows slow enough and it's light enough in color that I can get away with shaving every other day, but when it does come in, it's tough and wiry. I've decided to ditch the electric shaver and make a concerted effort to make shaving a pleasure (and not a dreaded chore to be avoided until my wife or my boss says something), so I popped in a new Gilette DE blade that I bought in bulk a few years ago, and I was surprised to find that it didn't feel like a new blade. Are there different qualities in blades, and do they have a limited shelf life?
Also, with the above information, would I be well-advised to buy a new razor? My father's razor is old, and in the last few days I've learned that new DE razors are still made, but there are so many on the market as to be overwhelming. Is there an industry standard? Lastly, I've read about shaving cream and was wondering, is that the same as the soap used to make lather with a brush?
Thanks much in advance for any and all assistance.
EDIT: found the Wiki on the cream/soap question.
