Hello all.
Been doing the DE thing for the last couple of months now, having more fun shaving than in many years.. And getting better shaves.
I picked up a 38C to start and it took some getting used to, coming from primarily a Mach 3 (cost of replacement blades had been pissing me off for years) and various disposables.
Got some eduction here about prep and technique. Bought an entry level badger brush and have been using mostly Proraso soap (green) and the cream a couple of times. As well as Creamo and a cheap soap I picked up a Wally World. I'm patient and thorough with prepping. Plan on trying some others soon, though I do like the Proraso soft soap and face lathering technique quite a bit. Several blades in the mix too, Feathers and Astras on deck now.
The weight of the Barber pole was the first thing that struck me and took several shaves adjusting to, and didn't think I would for awhile.
I also picked up an HD thinking I'd like the shorter lighter weight handle, but ended up preferring the heft and length of the 38C, and the resultant shave it provides. It knocked down more of my relatively heavy beard on the first pass, on my somewhat sensitive skin. Can't really deal with ATG very well on most of my face.
Neither of these in my limited experience did I think as particularly aggressive. I do understand the heads are the same.
So much for the background...
Well, my mother came over for Easter (as mothers do), and as requested bought along an old adjustable Gillette (1964 according to code? J4) I spied in her bathroom drawer some time back before I started DE shaving that had been rolling around in there for years (shamefully neglected as it turns out; who knew). Better than Ebay too. Free is good!
Better yet, she also surprised me with a Super Speed (1958 D1) she also had stashed away. Wow! Both in nice condition too.
Well of course I proceeded to try them out, uncharacteristically shaving on the weekend, twice no less.
They both provided very nice shaves.
I tried the adjustable first having anticipated it and thinking I'd prefer it's heft over the SS.
I loaded a new Feather and dialed it in low to start (3) and was surprised by it's lack of bite, and immediately dialed it to 5. And ended on 6 before the shave was over.
Man that sucker was smooth and forgiving. It was very comfortable, giving a very nice shave I could live with from this point on.
Today I took the same blade and put it in the SS. To my surprise it was a little more aggressive than the adjustable, and I didn't like the smaller handle quite as much since becoming accustomed to the 38C.
After shaving half my face on the first pass I swapped the blade into the adjustable (on 6) and did the other half. Popped it up to 7 and it still felt a bit tamer and cutting very well. Jockeyed back and forth a couple times between the two. The SS is a decent shaver, but ended up preferring the heftier smoother feeling adjustable.
Compared to the Merkur, well the jury is a little confused. I'll have to go back to it tomorrow and see. My hunch is I'll like it better. I like the solid feel and the smooth uninterrupted design of the head. Though the butterfly TTO is easy as pie to change blades, but does feel less substantial.. Still it's well made and proven its quality having lasted all these years, though not used the last 30, probably more.
As far as aggressiveness goes the adjustable is definitely less (but haven't tried it opened up yet). The SS doesn't seem that far off from the barber pole. Of course these are my impressions and YMMV.
My recommendation would be to give these old jewels a try if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
Cheers
Been doing the DE thing for the last couple of months now, having more fun shaving than in many years.. And getting better shaves.
I picked up a 38C to start and it took some getting used to, coming from primarily a Mach 3 (cost of replacement blades had been pissing me off for years) and various disposables.
Got some eduction here about prep and technique. Bought an entry level badger brush and have been using mostly Proraso soap (green) and the cream a couple of times. As well as Creamo and a cheap soap I picked up a Wally World. I'm patient and thorough with prepping. Plan on trying some others soon, though I do like the Proraso soft soap and face lathering technique quite a bit. Several blades in the mix too, Feathers and Astras on deck now.
The weight of the Barber pole was the first thing that struck me and took several shaves adjusting to, and didn't think I would for awhile.
I also picked up an HD thinking I'd like the shorter lighter weight handle, but ended up preferring the heft and length of the 38C, and the resultant shave it provides. It knocked down more of my relatively heavy beard on the first pass, on my somewhat sensitive skin. Can't really deal with ATG very well on most of my face.
Neither of these in my limited experience did I think as particularly aggressive. I do understand the heads are the same.
So much for the background...
Well, my mother came over for Easter (as mothers do), and as requested bought along an old adjustable Gillette (1964 according to code? J4) I spied in her bathroom drawer some time back before I started DE shaving that had been rolling around in there for years (shamefully neglected as it turns out; who knew). Better than Ebay too. Free is good!
Better yet, she also surprised me with a Super Speed (1958 D1) she also had stashed away. Wow! Both in nice condition too.
Well of course I proceeded to try them out, uncharacteristically shaving on the weekend, twice no less.
They both provided very nice shaves.
I tried the adjustable first having anticipated it and thinking I'd prefer it's heft over the SS.
I loaded a new Feather and dialed it in low to start (3) and was surprised by it's lack of bite, and immediately dialed it to 5. And ended on 6 before the shave was over.
Man that sucker was smooth and forgiving. It was very comfortable, giving a very nice shave I could live with from this point on.
Today I took the same blade and put it in the SS. To my surprise it was a little more aggressive than the adjustable, and I didn't like the smaller handle quite as much since becoming accustomed to the 38C.
After shaving half my face on the first pass I swapped the blade into the adjustable (on 6) and did the other half. Popped it up to 7 and it still felt a bit tamer and cutting very well. Jockeyed back and forth a couple times between the two. The SS is a decent shaver, but ended up preferring the heftier smoother feeling adjustable.
Compared to the Merkur, well the jury is a little confused. I'll have to go back to it tomorrow and see. My hunch is I'll like it better. I like the solid feel and the smooth uninterrupted design of the head. Though the butterfly TTO is easy as pie to change blades, but does feel less substantial.. Still it's well made and proven its quality having lasted all these years, though not used the last 30, probably more.
As far as aggressiveness goes the adjustable is definitely less (but haven't tried it opened up yet). The SS doesn't seem that far off from the barber pole. Of course these are my impressions and YMMV.
My recommendation would be to give these old jewels a try if you get the chance, you won't be disappointed.
Cheers
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