I Don't Think I Can Do This....

[Kaneda]

Hey all,

This forum is a fantastic source of help, information, and at times, humor. Thanks to everyone who contributes and shares their hard earned knowledge with those looking for direction, it truly is invaluable.

A long, long time ago, when I started shaving, my dad gave me an old shaving mug, “cup soap” (as he called it) and what I’m now sure was a boar’s hair brush. He taught me to use it, accompanied by a single blade Bic disposable razor. Considering I’d watch him shave w/ the same type of Bic disposable razor and no water or shaving soap/cream (he still does this today, and sounds kind of like dragging a 2x4 across concrete), this seemed like a luxury. Ha.

At any rate, I soon learned that I could not shave “up”, as I called it then, only down. Up produced the most painful cuts and scrapes, especially at my neck. Skip ahead a few years, and the first multi-blade disposable razor came out. As many others did, I gave that a shot, with high hopes for “up” shaving. I found that I could go “up”, but only on my cheeks, and so I learned the only way for me to get a close shave was to go “up”, but every time I did it, my neck ended up in bad shape. After a few more years of this (and a switch from “cup soap” to shaving gel) I gave up and invested in the highest quality electric shaver available at the time, and stuck with it for years. The shave was never ultra close, but it was close, and with no neck irritation, cuts, bumps or anything other problems. I was happy (sorta).

Then, in the more recent past, I decided to enhance my face (arguable, I know) by sporting a patch of hair on my chin. I soon realized I could not maintain this shape with an electric razor – it called for a blade. I picked up the latest pivot head cartridge razor available at the time, which I believe at this point in history had three blades. I had actually forgotten my old problem, that I couldn’t shave “up”, but believe me I soon remembered it. I reserved myself to down only shaving. Somewhere in this time I also increased the quality of products I used for shaving, switching to (what I thought) was a great quality brushless cream from Kiehl’s and a toner from them as well. Actually, I was very pleased with the results I got from the toner, it helped my neck recover from each shave much more quickly. I continued to do this, upgrading my cartridge head razor as the times dictated, until this past December, and this is where my story truly begins.

In early December, a friend of mine started shaving with a DE, and kept raving about the results he was getting. He also showed me some of the products he was using, and as it appealed to my gentlemanly sensibilities, I was intrigued. Perhaps, most importantly, I learned about the idea of shaving in multiple passes. This, truly, was one of the most novel ideas I’d ever encountered, and after trying it for the first time, couldn’t believe no one had ever told me about this. Which brings me to my problem. I don’t think I can shave with a DE.

After learning of the multiple pass technique, I soon was getting the most unbelievable results I’d ever seen in my face. My skin glowed, my shaves were smoother than I ever though possible, and perhaps most unbelievably, my neck showed not a single sign of irritation, cut or nick. It was BBS, in the flesh, and it was mine. My special lady friend even wanted to rub her cheek to mine whenever I’d finish shaving. Now those are results! It sounds like a lot of the success stories I read here in this forum. The biggest difference, of course, was that I was getting these amazing results with a Gillette Fusion (gasp!), Kiehl’s Close Shaver Squadron brushless shaving cream, and their Calendula Toner as an AS.

Excited by this newfound success, I anxiously awaited procuring a new DE to get what I was sure were going to be even better results, though that seemed impossible as my face literally went “Ding!” when I smiled (ok, maybe not ding, but you get the idea). I never expected it to come in the form of a mint condition ’55 Gillette Super Speed gifted to me by that same aforementioned friend. I also didn’t expect him to collaborate with my special lady friend to have her pick me up a beautiful silver tip badger brush by Shavemac, Ok, ok, starting to ramble, I know. Here’s the crux:

I’ve been shaving with the DE for about a month now, and I’m not very pleased with the results. Now, I know that gets said a lot around here, so please consider a few points of information before forming an opinion. With the guidance of my friend, who started this journey before me, I’ve been taking baby steps. I’ve not really progressed beyond WTG passes below my jawline. Above, I can now go ATG, WTG and XTG with no problem, and though the results on my cheeks are smooth, they are not as smooth as they were before I started with the DE. Below my jawline, fahgettaboudit. Even only doing gentle, no pressure WTG passes with the correct blade angle, I get razor burn. It’s gotten better as I’ve progressed, but its still there, along the entire bottom of my neck. So, I’ve thought very hard about how to fix that, and have run through all the possibilities presented here by reading these forums and hearing other people’s experience.

Pre-shave: I shave after showering, and apply hair conditioner to my beard on shave days (I shave every other day as my beard generally grows slow). While this is happening my brush is soaking in very hot water in my bowl. I don’t dry my face after the shower, and I re-wet it before lathering.

Lather: Depending on my mood, I’ll choose one of three shaving creams – Trumper’s Coconut, Floris’ Santal or DR Harris’ Arlington. All produce creamy white peaks on my Shavemac brush and very satisfying lubrication, I even compared each to the old Kiehl’s I used to use, and each outperformed it on every level. I’ve compared it to images and videos I’ve seen here and other places and it’s bang-on fantastic.

Shave: As I said, I’m using an SS with Super Platinum blades. I also have Feather blades, but have steered clear as their reputation precedes them. Furthermore, I realize there are many other razor and blade choices out there, but time and again on this forum I read that it’s better to master technique with one razor and blade before trying many different combinations. That philosophy makes sound sense to me, and I’ve been sticking to it.

Blade Angle: I’ve watched the videos, I’ve used the flat-head then pivot technique to find the right angle. I know when the angle is wrong (learned the hard way), and I’ve found that sweet spot where the razor seems to just effortlessly glide over my skin with that satisfying sound of cutting hair.

Post Shave: Immediately following my shave and cold-water rinse, I use an alum block. It does its job, including pointing out all the places my face is now irritated from shaving. I follow that up with my toner, I still enjoy the results I get from that, and finish off with an ASB (Floris’ Santal, L’Occitace or Acqua di Parma, again depending on mood).

Guys, I love using the shaving creams, they work wonderfully, and the smells are divine. I love using the brush, the warm lather feels great on my face and relaxes me. I love how my skin feels after I apply an ASB, not to mention the light fragrances I seem to keep getting complimented on. I’m completely hooked on the process, the products and the experience as a whole. What I’m not hooked on is the results – they’re just not up to par. Below my jawline, it looks like I never really shave. Above, its not as satisfying as it was just a short month ago. At the end of the work day, it looks like I might as well have not shaved at all, whereas I used to be decently smooth well into then next morning after shaving. My neck is raw, burned, and doesn’t look very appealing. My special lady friend isn’t rubbing my cheek any more. I’ve read through other people’s experience with the same problems, watched the videos (you know those videos) again and again, and tried everything I’ve seen and read with care and attention to detail. No matter what I seem to do, the best I can rest on is a close-ish shave with a tolerable amount of burn/irritation on my neck.

So, my question is, why should I keep at this? If I can use the creams, the brush, the multiple passes, the alum block, the ASBs and overall enjoy the experience of it, taking my time and indulging in it, why shouldn’t I do all those things but use the cartridge razor I know works? To me, it seems I’d have the same experience but the results I’m looking for. I feel like a deserter abandoning using the SS, but I’m just struggling with why I should be putting myself through this when I know there is an alternative that works for me.

And so, B&B community, I appeal to you – should I keep at this? If you think I should, can you offer any reasons or tips to getting the quality of BBS I was enjoying before switching to a DE? Any and all help is greatly appreciated, but keep in mind I’ve read through many, many of the suggestions in the 170+ pages in this newbie section and they’re haven’t seemed to do the trick.

Thanks much guys, for reading and any suggestion you may have

 

[Ookla The Mok]

There are countless reasons you can have trouble, but it sounds like you have eliminated almost all of the possibilities.
The only two things I can think of that may be contributing to your razorburn and discomfort would be your SS or blades. Your face may just not like those blades. I would, if possible, try a milder shaver with a smoother blade. I actually find the SS to be a good shaver with a Dorco, but I ruin my face with a swedish gillette. The same swedish gillette that provides a wonderful shave in my weishi. I guess I wouldn't hang it up just yet.

However, if you are getting consistently good results from a cartridge razor, I would be remiss if I told you to stop. This whole site and shaving culture is devoted to enjoying what you are doing. The range of equipment used to achieve the enjoyment is as varied as the people shaving. I believe there is good reason that a good percentage of posts on this site have the term YMMV in them. It just does. What works for some tears others apart. At the end of the day, you are only trying to make you and your face happy. It seems like your prep, shave and post are very enjoyable to you, I would try to avoid turning it into a less enjoyable experience by forcing yourself to use something you are not comfortable with.

If you do want to try a milder shave, PM me and I'll borrow you the Weishi and a mini-sampler of blades. You may just like DE razors after all.

 

[jimk2000]

If the cartridge razor works well for you then I would stick with that. I use a cartridge razor when I am in a hurry and to be honest it sometimes gives me as good a shave. I just find the D/E ritual more appealing.

 

[alabamalawyer]

If you get good shaves from a cartridge razor then by all means use it. The bottom line is to get a good shave.

However, a couple of suggestions before hanging up the DE for good. I agree with the earlier post about trying a different blade. Blades work differently for each person and I have found that certain blades give me a very good shave and others not so much. A sampler pack of blades is always a good option.

FWIW, I never have gotten a good shave from a Gillette razor. I like you experienced irritation on my neck. I have tried several -- Fatboy, Slim, Black-handled adjustable -- but none have given me a good shave.

On the other hand, I get a really great shave from my Merkur razors. There is a different head geometry between the Gillettes and Merkur razors. I find that I get a much better shave with the Merkur. Others here have the opposite experience, so this is certainly a YMMV deal. You could keep an eye out for a Merkur HD or Merkur Classic and try one of those.

If you end up choosing a cartridge razor then fine. It sounds like you enjoy the brush and soap/cream part and that is still a large area for AD to work.

 

[thirdeye]

For a long time I went back and forth from DE to cartridge. Using my DE on the weekends when I had time and the cartridge during the week giving my face a rest.
I also tried a few diffrent razors and diffrent blades along with the diffrent combos of these until I found one that worked.
Since then my abilities have improved emensly and I have been able to go back and revisit some of the other razors that at one time gave me a problem. The all seem to work rather well these days and I enjoy a wonderful shave all the time.

That said, don't give up. Check out diffrent things until you find what works and give yourself a break too. You'll be glad in the end that you did.

 

[JerimiahC]

If you get good shaves from a cartridge razor then by all means use it. The bottom line is to get a good shave.

However, a couple of suggestions before hanging up the DE for good. I agree with the earlier post about trying a different blade. Blades work differently for each person and I have found that certain blades give me a very good shave and others not so much. A sampler pack of blades is always a good option.

FWIW, I never have gotten a good shave from a Gillette razor. I like you experienced irritation on my neck. I have tried several -- Fatboy, Slim, Black-handled adjustable -- but none have given me a good shave.

On the other hand, I get a really great shave from my Merkur razors. There is a different head geometry between the Gillettes and Merkur razors. I find that I get a much better shave with the Merkur. Others here have the opposite experience, so this is certainly a YMMV deal. You could keep an eye out for a Merkur HD or Merkur Classic and try one of those.

If you end up choosing a cartridge razor then fine. It sounds like you enjoy the brush and soap/cream part and that is still a large area for AD to work.

I agree on all counts:
1) Blade sampler
2) Try a Merkur or even the Weishi that has been offered. I couldn't use the Gillettes.
3) If all else fails, ENJOY YOUR SHAVE. Go back to the cartridge and enjoy your soaps, creams and brush.

3.1) possibly try the Mach3, unless you REALLY like the fusion. I think the three blades are better than the 5, but it's ALL YMMV.

 

[TromboneGuy]

If you have the Feather blades go ahead and give them a try. Forget their reputation, they won't cut you worse than any other blade. And I, for one, find that Feathers work great with Gillette razors. They were by far the best blades I used in my Slim adjustable - MUCH smoother than the Swedish Gillettes. Not like you have anything to lose.

I'm going to throw another suggestion out there, too, though it's not for everyone.

I find that a straight razor is far less irritating to my face than a DE. (Not that DE's are super irritating, but sometimes after I shave with a straight I can hit my face with Aqua Velva and not even feel a sting.)

 

[Kyle]

Kenada,

The decision on whether or not to stick with the DE can be answered by asking yourself why you are shaving with a DE. If it is to save money on blades or because you like the traditional aspects of it, then stick with it. It is highly likely that you will eventually master DE shaving. If, however, your reason is simply to get an irritation free BBS shave, then the cartridge (since it works for you) could be the better answer.

 

[arcman]

It sounds like you've gotten most of your technique down if you've gotten decent results going wtg/xtg/atg on places other than your neck. Neck hair growth can be awfully tricky, with my own I can get smooth results but not quite a BBS.

My first and foremost recommendation: blade sampler, blade sampler, blade sampler. This really is not an optional thing, you need to try out different blades to see which one works best for your face. I recommend getting the Extended pack.

Try a different one weekly and compare your results. An awful shave verses an ideal shave can often come down to the blade you use and which one suits you best.

Like others have said, if you can get an irritation-free shave from a cartridge razor and you can't get this DE business sorted out, use the cartridge razor. You've got to stick with what works for you to have an enjoyable shave, of course I would stick with the brush and shave creams and soaps because well, that's half the enjoyment!

 

[Kaneda]

Thanks to everyone who responded, this is all wonderful advice.

I think ultimately a BBS shave is the goal, and for me using the creams, brush, alum, ASBs and the process of it all is where I derive the most enjoyment. I do like the timeless aspect of the DE, but I'm not married to the instrument of shaving. It seems like if I need to substitute that one element but keep the rest of it, and end up with both the enjoyable process and great results, then thats certainly acceptable.

However, I will first be experimenting with a blade sample pack, and see if there is any improvement.

Much appreciation,