Hello

[crosswind]

I've found this site two days ago, what a great resource!

I remember as a kid back in the early 70's, being fascinated with my dad's DE gillette (sorry I can't recall which model). I just loved the way the handle would open the top, and the solid weight and feel of it.

When I was finally ready to begin shaving he had made the switch to disposable fixed head gillettes, so that's what I used as well. I then moved to pivoting heads, razors with lubricating strips, and finally "the ultimate" as far as I was concerned, the Mach 3. Man I really get hooked on those commercials.

Two years ago as I was walking up Madison Ave. here in NY and I noticed The Art of Shaving store. I was pretty impressed, this stuff was way nicer than my vibrating mach 3 and edge gel! I walked in and was quickly kitted out with a new handle for my mach 3, pre-shave oil, shaving soap (I had to have that wooden bowl), medium grade badger brush, after shave baum, and a stand to hold everything. I didn't know what I was buying or what I was doing, but I was convinced that this was the absolute pinnacle of the shaving experience! I must say that using all this stuff made for a pretty nice shave.

So a year and a half goes by and here are these damn commercials again, Oh no, 5 blades!!! If three blades were good then five... Let's just put it this way. I quickly went out and bought the jack hammer version of the fusion. The next morning I lathered up and went at it, I told myself that this was way better than 3 blades but it really wasn't any different and worst of all I couldn't use my overpriced AOS handle any more. No worries I'll just head back over to the Madison ave store and get a handle for the fusion. Next day comes, I go to the store and the sales person tells me that it's still hasn't been released Oh well I'll check back in a few months.

Fast fwd. to last Monday, I decide to see if the handle has been released so I check online. Turns out the handle will set me back $250 but its temporarily unavailable.

So I'm online and thinking about shaving and I eventually come across this beast!




I'm in love I have to own it! Wait, what the hell is it? who cares just buy it! Done, I bought it from nashville knife shop and it should be here tomorrow.

After sending off my credit card info and sealing the deal, I realized that the thought of putting a razor blade up to my face scares the living crap out of me! I do remember my dad's old DE, but I also remember him wearing those tiny bandages and cotton, and those little blood stains on his collar

Anyway, I finally found this site and after doing some research I'm starting to feel a little more confident about my decision.

Thanks for reading,

George

[Dinder1]

Welcome. Now that you have avoided spending $250.00 on Just a handle you should have plenty of $$$$$ left over to buy a really nice brush.
Cheers, DJ.

[boboakalfb]

Welcome George!

[Jim]

Welcome!

[Queen of Blades]

Welcome!

[Leisureguy]

Welcome. That's a great razor, at least in my experience. Start with it at the lowest setting (N), and try that before advancing the setting. Tighten the top firmly, and do use a new blade. (I don't get good results with Merkur blades, but you may. Still, order the blade sampler from LetterK and try various makes. The one I use is Feather, but others like the Derbies or Israelis better...)

Enjoy, and let us know how it goes.

[rusirius]

Since you've been using a soap for a while, at least you should be good at that and won't have to worry if your lather is right. As far as the razor there's only a few things to absolutely remember...

#1: Do not use too much pressure. I find with the Vision if you hold it like you would expect to (the rounded end in your hand, fingers gripping on the shaft just above that portion) it balances nicely and applies just the right amount of pressure under it's own weight. You may find things says to hold the razor by the very end of the handle and let the weight of the razor do the work, but with the vision that's really too much weight/pressure.

#2: Get the angle right. This takes some practice. My first shave my angle was WAY to far past 30 degrees. (Note the 30 degree reference is for the BLADE to face, not the razor handle to face). This resulted in a HORRIFYING first shave that I felt for the next 6 hours or so. As a result my next few shaves I went the opposite way and found I didnt have enough angle. Sometimes I think the razor was barely if even touching my face. This resulted in shaves that weren't close and still surprisingly irritating. Much like life, happiness can be found in the middle path. Once I got my angle right my shaves started getting closer and much more comfortable.

#3: Last but not least, KNOW WHEN TO STOP. I could TELL something was wrong with that first shave, but my stubberness told me to persist. WRONG IDEA... If at ANY point during your shave something feels "wrong", if it's dragging, if it's painful even a little, etc... STOP... Try something a little different, and if that doesn't help, then just rinse off and call it quits for the day. You may also find in the beginning you might have to go without a shave for a day every now and then. While your working on your technique most likely your face WILL get irritated and need a "day off" to heal.

[19george]

Damn George, your right. That is a sexy razor. Thanks, now RAD is starting to set in .

Oh and Liesureguy is right, that razor has a reputation for being a beast with the higher blade exposure settings, so keep it at a lower level for the time being.

And welcome!

[NMMB]

Welcome to B&B... and let me repeat some important advice:

...#1: Do not use too much pressure...

[crosswind]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I do appreciate all the advice, and I'll keep everyone updated on the progress.

Dinder, I'm definately tempted by some of the brushes being used by people on this site but I'm not changing anything else until I get the blade part right.

G

[htownmmm]

Welcome to B&B George!

Resistance is futile- you will, err, have been assimilated!


Marty

[Mama Bear]

Hello and Welcome!

[Justso]

George,

First & foremost, Welcome to B&B!!!!!

Well, you bought it "The Beast" indeed. Let me say this, I echo whole heartedly what the others have said my good man: DO NOT USE ANY PRESSURE. The Vision is an agressive beast and it's going to show you that even dialed down a few notches. Make certain for your first few shaves you dial it down to its least agressive setting. Rest assured that it can open up its jaws to a gap that will allow you to really experience the blade to the face thing. But again, use absolutely no pressure, go easy with short strokes. Practice your blade angle with each pass and let it do its job, it does not need your help in any way whatsoever. The weight of it is going to floor you.

I will also warn you that it is certainly not the easiest DE to learn on, but with practice & time, you'll get it. Be prepared to put in the time with it. Don't buy another razor (even though it's tempting-especially with this crowd around here) until you have your technique established with it and you are getting quality shaves. Be patient. It's quite an instrument that some here will swear by and some will swear at. I personally think that my personal shave nirvana is met with the Vision loaded up with a fresh Feather blade and the most agressive setting it can give me. Nothing gets closer for me. But even with my experience with it, the second I get cocky and think I 'have it licked', it lets me know at any time that it can bite back. Usually in the form of a nice chin or lip slice. You've picked a great razor, that when practiced with regularly and kept clean, will last you a lifetime and I can promise you that it's going to give you shaves that cartridges cannot even dream of producing.

Good Luck..keep us posted.

[PalmettoB]

Welcome aboard, George. Listen to these folks. They know their stuff. You'll like it here.

Of course, you will eventually find more ways to spend some of that money you saved earlier. No way around it.

[TomH]

Welcome George, enjoy shaving with your "beast", but I think you will domesticate it after a while...

Thomas

[gc_30286]

welcome to B&B

i havent seen any one else say this yet so ill go ahead. for your first week or so only shave with the grain. just two with the grain strokes and leave it at that. you see you will have to learn the skills and muscel memory needed to keep that razor at the right angle all the time and trying to get a close shave while you are learn will lead to cuts and razor burn. just focus on learning and dont worry if your shaves are smooth or not.
you are about to be amazed at how good shaving can be.

welcome to B&B

matthew

ps i am very jealous thats a nice razor

[gc_30286]

your avatar looks familiar. where is it from?

matthew

[crosswind]

The artists name is Frank Frazetta. He does the medieval - conan - fantasy theme.

The actual image I used was on a Molly Hatchet (southern rock band) album cover from the 70s.

I'm not really into that sort of art nowadays, but thought the axe and blade thing could work.

G