not sure i have the right razor

[phil82]

hi., i am new to this kind of shaving andi im not sure i have the right razor for me,i have a medium beard growth .therazor i have isa parker 99r.this is a heavy razor and hurts my neck,any advice wouldbe great..thanks

[alex2363]

Welcome to the B&B party. Try a Super speed or a Slim adjustable. They are good start up razors

[cwnidog]

If you're new, I'd wonder a little more about technique, especially as the 99r has a reputation for being pretty mild. YouTube has a bunch of how-to videos. Here's an example from Mantic:

[mistercitizen]

Welcome to the B&B party. Try a Super speed or a Slim adjustable. They are good start up razors

+1 I started out on an EJ DE89 and have worked my way up to a Muhle R41..... but just this week I bought two Super Speeds and a Slim and I can't believe how much milder they are compared to everything I had previously tried. I don't think I could cut myself or have irritation with any of them. Of course the Slim is adjustable so it depends a bit on how aggressive you have it set for, but all of those vintage Gillettes are smooth. I wish I had gotten these when I was first starting out.

Ben

[BBrad]

Welcome to B&B, Phil . . . lots of great guys hanging around here!

I would suggest that you are still using too much pressure on your neck. A heavy razor, even with a mild head, needs less than zero pressure. That is the one part of converting from cartridge shavers that seems to take the longest to master. It is almost like if you think you aren't using enough pressure, use even less!!!

Another thing to try along with reduced pressure is to shave only with the grain in that area, even on subsequent passes until you are able to get reasonably close shaves without irritation. Then progress to XTG and finally ATG passes.

Good luck with your journey and enjoy your shaves!

[turtle]

Welcome to B&B,

Technique and practice are going to help you more than jumping around trying to find something that works "better" All razors on the market are decent shaving products, otherwise they would not be there.

Go over Mantic59's youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Go through the shave wiki and read the articles on beard preparation, making lather, and blade angle.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/

Work to get a consistent shave. Keep everything the same as far as products (same razor, same blade, same soap) until you can get a consistent smooth, close, comfortable shave. Then you can try new things but until you can shave, there is little point in getting other tools that you will have the same problem with.

[Lamar]

Welcome aboard!

Don't give up just yet and the razor is probably fine. It takes a few days to stop shaving like a cartridge user. Watch the mantic59 videos and shave WTG for a few days while you work on your technique as the previous members sugested. Make sure you are properly prepped too. That's a really important step. Also, different blades work differently for people.

List your prep and what blades you are using. It might be helpful for us to further help you.

Once you get good and comfortable with it you will never go back to cartridges!

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[Doppelgaenger]

you're pushing too hard, you should barely be able to feel the razor on your skin and you should be able to hear the blade slicing off hairs, if you can't hear the blade you're likely putting too much pressure. Learning how to use a DE properly will take at least a month

[Copierguy]

Welcome to B&B Phil.

Good advice above. You most likely will get things to click sooner if you do not change things on yourself but when you do start changing things, try to just change one thing at a time so as to more clearly evaluate the results.
Soon you will be dialing in your best shave.

[ricardo9505]

hi., i am new to this kind of shaving andi im not sure i have the right razor for me,i have a medium beard growth .the razor i have is a parker 99r.this is a heavy razor and hurts my neck,any advice wouldbe great..thanks

that's a nice heavy razr. most of the weight being in the handle. u have to let the weight of the handle carry the stroke.
watch the video. work on the proper angle. honestly Ifound it real easy and shaved with two different razrs within a week. just be patient, don't over think it, and let the blade do the work. touch the razr at your face at 90 degrees, bring down, hold by the handle correctly and glide it down. you'll know whenthe hair is coming off and feel teh pressure. it's very instinctive as well.

[ricardo9505]

and in all honestly the razor doesn't matter much. it's all in your ability and skill practice

[KipNoxzema]

Welcome to B&B!

but all of those vintage Gillettes are smooth

+1

[andyr]

I also started with the Parker 99. I found it way to aggressive, and stopped using it.