1st week results with a DE

**vapor1** · 05-18-2008, 07:23 PM

I had been using a Fusion razor and the Gillette gel for a long time. One of the guys at work had me look on the net for a mug/brush/soap set for his dad and told me to get him one too. after finding them at a good price I thought "what the heck" I'll order me one too. I've watched all of Mantics videos, and they have really helped my lather building with my soap. I've been using the fusion with the mug/brush /soap for about a month and was amazed at the difference.

I've been lurking alot on here and bit the bullet and bought a Gillette adjustable last week. The first shave went fine with just going North -South on 2 passes.The second one went ok too. The last 3 have been a bloodbath with the last 2 using a new blade. I have the Razor set on 4 and I am thinking it has to do with the blade angle , but I'm not sure.

Would I be better to set the Adj. on say 1 for awhile until I get a better handle on this angle stuff ? I am trying the lather/hot towel/ lather again prep which seems to help. Am I just trying to rush things to much ? How long does it usually take to get a hang of the correct angle ?

Any thoughts would help.

Thanks.

**SMOKE** · 05-18-2008, 07:33 PM

Welcome!!!!

What blade are you using?? That could be a major part of the problem.

Try 2 or 2 1/2 for a bit. But you gotta get some good blades!

Blade angle comes with practice. Try this: With a blade loaded, place the head of the razor flat on your arm. Slowly lower the handle until the blade makes contact. You can even take a few light strokes to see how easy the blade cuts.

Most of all: NO PRESSURE. Even a little pressure can be too much. With a good blade, let the weight of the razor and the blade do the work.

Hope this helps.

**jfever311** · 05-18-2008, 07:38 PM

Welcome to B&B!! It sounds like you need to check out the tutorials on here and watch Mantics videos on youtube. Good luck and God Bless.

**thirdeye** · 05-18-2008, 07:41 PM

Welcome to B&B, we're glad your here...Enjoy!!!

**SMOKE** · 05-18-2008, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by jfever311

Welcome to B&B!! It sounds like you need to check out the tutorials on here and watch Mantics videos on youtube. Good luck and God Bless.

Doh! My bad..I should have mentioned the videos and the other many great tutorials posted here...Thanks for keeping me honest jf.

Regards,

**morijinal** · 05-18-2008, 07:48 PM

It sounds to me like you are using

a. Too much pressure

and

b. Too aggressive of a setting on your razor

The symptom of an angle issue is that you must press down in order for the blade to cut.

Try listening to the blade. If it makes a rough scratchy noise that means your need to let your angle up a bit. If your razor doesn't cleanly remove lather as you pass over it your need to use more angle.

**vespergo** · 05-18-2008, 07:51 PM

if it's a bloodbath i can almost guarantee that you're pressing too hard. yes, and too aggressive on the setting.

**vapor1** · 05-18-2008, 08:03 PM

I am using the Derby blades that came with the razor. I haven't tried the Merkur ones that came with it yet after reading to stay with 1 blade until I get the basics down. So I may buy a box of 100 Derby's to learn with.

I think you may have hit it with the pressure. The first 2 days I was kinda scared ,so I took it real easy. After the second day when I use after shave it burns about everywhere, so maybe I'm still stuck with the fusion bad habits.

I'll try the arm trick, I can play with the angle and see where the correct angle would be.

Thanks for the ideas

**SMOKE** · 05-18-2008, 08:13 PM

PIF the Merkurs!!! Some like them, most use them as box cutters or paint scrapers. Derbys are great!! Before you buy a 100, try some Crystals, IP's, Astras....BUT stick with one brand of blade for at least 2 weeks at a time. This will keep variables to a minimum.

Regards,

**crankymoose** · 05-18-2008, 08:40 PM

Welcome to B&B

as others mentioned be sure to use very light to no pressure at all, which as you mentioned you used a Fusion prior where as with them you can use considerable pressure with usually no bad effects so there is quite a change

This thread may help also

good luck and enjoy

**vapor1** · 05-20-2008, 04:44 AM

The arm trick really helped a lot . Thanks Smoke .

I was so far off on the correct angle , that I had to use too much pressure to get the razor to cut. Once I put the razor on my arm, I was able to shave without the bloodletting. This even helped the burning I was getting from using aftershave.

With as much of a difference as it makes, someone needs to put that trick in the "wet shaving instructions" sticky in this forum.

**SMOKE** · 05-20-2008, 04:53 AM

Glad it is working much better for you!!!
The thing about blade angle is it's in a constant state of flux due to the contours of the face. That's why it's so important to listen close to your blade. You will hear very clearly if you are getting too aggressive, then you can just back off a little. Concentrate on good comfortable shaves for now. BBS will come in short order. Very soon, blade angle will become second nature and you won't even have to think about it.

Best wishes and Happy Shaving!!!!

**wscott52** · 05-20-2008, 07:35 AM

Welcome.

I agree your problem is probably blade angle and pressure. I'm in my second week of DE shaving and found myself starting to use my Merkur Long Classic like a Mach 3. Ouch. Didn't take me long to go back to the very delicate short strokes I started with.

As an aside, I learned to shave in the 1960s with my dad's Gillette SS. I bought my own Gillette Slim Adjustable and used it for years without taking the setting off of 3. Of course I abandoned it, as many others here did, when cartridge razors started to get big and I wanted the newest and greatest.