My Beard is Blade Killer?

[roaduck]

Some shave prep can help. That Cremo you have been using could be good for prep. Mix just a little of that with warm water and apply on the beard, let it soak for a few minutes and rinse off.



How do you moisturize with oil? Isn't it water that provides moisture? More traditional style barber shaving prep uses warm water with a bit of soap or cream. The water needs a few minutes to soak into the hair to soften it.

You need oil and lots of water in hot climes so you should have quality soap with oil built in or just rub olive oil or castor oil in your beard leave an hour or all night preferably with a big towel around your pillows - come morning - soft as anything and a doddle to tame.
You want oils that traps the moisture - hygroscopic like the two above - sorts your skin out too.

 

[roaduck]

In my 30s I shaved every day, one pass ATG, and changed the blade once a week. I used Wilkinsons then because that’s the only blade I could get locally in the UK.
Now I’m in my 70s I shave every other day, and do a two pass ATG cold water shave with touch ups, and change blades after three shaves. I use mostly feather blades now and find them very sharp and efficient.
Dry skin was a problem for me, but switching to cold water shaving every other day, and using Rose Water seem to have settled that.

Rose hydrosols contain essential oil so that works - I'm a herbalist of nearly forty years so I have seen skin conditions galore including being with MSF treating war wounds and 3rd degree burns etc.

 

[abies]

Maybe the one area I could improve on is PRE SHAVE Shower. But that is not happening. Might Try WET WARM Wash cloth for 30 second all parts of Beard to try and soften Beard a tad more. Know from Wood Carving Harder Wood requires more sharpening time on tools, Soft Wood is easier to work with.

I notice a difference if I wet my face thoroughly before lathering. After a shower is best but I usually don't want to shave then, or by the time I do it doesn't matter too much. I am more likely to use a wet washcloth that way.

 

[roaduck]

I notice a difference if I wet my face thoroughly before lathering. After a shower is best but I usually don't want to shave then, or by the time I do it doesn't matter too much. I am more likely to use a wet washcloth that way.

If you moisturise before shaving with a good oil it makes the skin softer and more elastic and resilient and less chance of nicks and irritation especially with anti-inflammatory oils like Rose and Castor Oil.

 

[sternej]

The 7 O'Clock Super Platinum black India blade isn't especially durable or sharp. It has a nice fine grind, but the edge isn't super tough. I am sure I could put dents and chips in the edge before the end of the third shave, too, if I wanted to. Your beard, your technique, and your blade are all important factors.

I don't get good shaves with the Gillette 7 O'Clock black either.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well after todays shave I disposed of the Gillette 7-O-Clock Black, only got four shaves out of the Blade, it was what I consider a Premium Blade. Producing Two Great Results, then become dull, and doing nothing producing a marginal shave.

 

[Ankerwycke]

In my 30s I shaved every day, one pass ATG, and changed the blade once a week. I used Wilkinsons then because that’s the only blade I could get locally in the UK.
Now I’m in my 70s I shave every other day, and do a two pass ATG cold water shave with touch ups, and change blades after three shaves. I use mostly feather blades now and find them very sharp and efficient.
Dry skin was a problem for me, but switching to cold water shaving every other day, and using Rose Water seem to have settled that.

I should have added that I always wash or shower with a glycerine soap before shaving. I can’t get a comfortable shave if I don’t.

 

[Westbrook]

I should have added that I always wash or shower with a glycerine soap before shaving. I can’t get a comfortable shave if I don’t.

Same here, I need a shower or a good scrubby wash with a cloth & soap to get a good shave.

 

[Blood donor]

There’s a fair degree of common wisdom here that blades get sharper on second use - many of the blade test spreadsheets even have a column to show how much perceived sharper. So even if you’re a one and done guy, do trial a second or even third shave!

 

[Eric_75]

I don't get good shaves with the Gillette 7 O'Clock black either.

I have plenty but I rarely use them anymore.