Gentleman,
I have made the jump into DE shaving and could not have done it without this forum. I'd like to share my story for two reasons,
1. Maybe I could help another newbie
2. I'm always open to further suggestions from the seeasoned veterans
I started out wondering about what else is out there in the shave world because I was sick of paying a fortune for Gillette Fusion/Mach, whatever number they are up to now. The breaking point was when the latest release of blade did not last very long and was even more expensive. I have a very thick beard and even after a smooth shave you can see the beard in my skin. Unfortunately my 5:00 shadow comes in just after lunch. I researched what razors were out there and was all set to buy a Merkur 34C. On a whim, I asked my mom (who is kind of a hoarder) if she happened to have any of my grandfather's old razors. (As a side note, my grandfather was the greatest man I knew and I was lucky enough to have him around for 24 years of my life. He is a big reason why I am the man I am today) By chance, she did have them and gave me two. I had absolutely no idea what they were other than they were a double edge safety razor. Back in December I posted photos and thanks to the responses I received from the knowledgeable members here, I learned that one is a 1967 Gillette Black Handled Super Speed and the other is a 1941 Gillette Ranger Tech. I also used the advice of those online to clean up the razors, they were pretty gunked up.
So what to do next? I researched blades and found out that they are very subjective. On the advise of many, I bought a sample pack online. Now, I'm the type of guy who can't wait for online order to be shipped, constantly checking tracking numbers. This has been the case for years as I am a lifetime golfer who orders equipment that has to ship. So in the meantime, I headed to a local Walgreen drug store and found some double edge razors. Also on the advice of those here, I used the Gillette Black Handled Super Speed first because I was told that it would be more gentle.
I also watched many videos online and was now brave enough to give it a try. My first shave looked kind of like a horror movie or the scene of a homicide in my bathroom. It's amazing how much multiple little nicks can bleed. My wife was walked into the bathroom and I had to warn her, advising that it wasn't as bad as it looked. Truthfully, it was. I decided to abandon my new method of shaving until my sampler pack arrived. What I later learned was that the blade has to be the proper angle on your face. I also learned the these heads don't pivot and my face isn't flat. So your hand has to move to keep the proper angle. It's second nature now.
I should mention that I am a shower shaver. I have a fog less mirror and for reasons unknown to me I prefer to shave in the shower. Well probably it's because I don like to be cold standing at a sink in the morning and I think the hot steam softens my beard.
From bullgoose I received the following six blades to try, from my limited testing my comments follow each;
Treet Durasharp - decent shave, blade rusted and I had to clean the rust off my razor
Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge - barely decent shave
Gillette Super Thin - terrible shave, didn't last but a couple shaves before it went dull
Lord Platinum Class - second favorite of the bunch
Astra Superior Platinum - the clear cut (pun intended) winner for me, sharp and lasts a long time great shave
Shark Stainless - probably the third best, pretty good
I have always been a ATG shaver. I tried to do it the right way and go WTG then XTG with the DE. As before I couldn't get a close shave. ATG works great for me even with the DE.
What I've failed to mention is my shaving cream. All of my testing above for the past month has been using the "goo in the can". Also during the past month I've switched to the Gillette Ranger Tech. I like it a lot better it gives me a more aggressive shave for my tough beard.
Well a couple of days ago I've decided the DE shave I've been getting has been pretty good but I stil felt like there has been room for improvement mainly because my face wasa little irritated after shaving. I once again began my B&B research and to my delight found a brush and shave cream that could be bought in my very own town tonight after work, remeber I hate to wait. I picked up a Van der Hagen "100% Badger Hair" brush from Target for $9.99 and a tube of C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream with Eucalyptus Oil from Bath and Body Works. Now I'm realistic enough to know that a $10 brush can't be great, I'm not even sure how they could call it badger, even if it is pure grade. But I found a thread about a Target brush that indicated it wasn't all that bad. Plus it could be held in my to little hand that night. I do have to say that I am kinda attracted to those high dollar brushes that are sold online.
So I mixed a batch of lather, in a plastic bowl mind you, and applied it to my face. Keep in mind I have nothing to compare it to but I really enjoyed the brush on my face. I was worried that my cheapo brush would stab me and the hair would fall out. Neither has happened.
Here is the moral of my story. Do not even bother DE shaving without a proper cream, brush, and lather. Along with a good razor and blade, a proper lather is the missing piece to a great shave. The shave I now get is so much closer with no irritation.
My next issue seeks advice for those of you still with me. The Ranger Tech is worn. The razor still functions great but the finish is worn, to the brass in some spots. It's also pitted. I am considering sending it off to be restored. I have mixed emotions about this because it was worn by my grandfather but I also want to have this razor for years to come and I do in some ways want to see it new and shiny. I'm considering researching refinishing options, Razor Emporium was found with little effort. What are your thoughts in this? Has anyone had good results with refinishing?
i want to send a big thank you to those involved with this forum for it has given me a new way to shave while using something cool from my grandfather.
I have made the jump into DE shaving and could not have done it without this forum. I'd like to share my story for two reasons,
1. Maybe I could help another newbie
2. I'm always open to further suggestions from the seeasoned veterans
I started out wondering about what else is out there in the shave world because I was sick of paying a fortune for Gillette Fusion/Mach, whatever number they are up to now. The breaking point was when the latest release of blade did not last very long and was even more expensive. I have a very thick beard and even after a smooth shave you can see the beard in my skin. Unfortunately my 5:00 shadow comes in just after lunch. I researched what razors were out there and was all set to buy a Merkur 34C. On a whim, I asked my mom (who is kind of a hoarder) if she happened to have any of my grandfather's old razors. (As a side note, my grandfather was the greatest man I knew and I was lucky enough to have him around for 24 years of my life. He is a big reason why I am the man I am today) By chance, she did have them and gave me two. I had absolutely no idea what they were other than they were a double edge safety razor. Back in December I posted photos and thanks to the responses I received from the knowledgeable members here, I learned that one is a 1967 Gillette Black Handled Super Speed and the other is a 1941 Gillette Ranger Tech. I also used the advice of those online to clean up the razors, they were pretty gunked up.
So what to do next? I researched blades and found out that they are very subjective. On the advise of many, I bought a sample pack online. Now, I'm the type of guy who can't wait for online order to be shipped, constantly checking tracking numbers. This has been the case for years as I am a lifetime golfer who orders equipment that has to ship. So in the meantime, I headed to a local Walgreen drug store and found some double edge razors. Also on the advice of those here, I used the Gillette Black Handled Super Speed first because I was told that it would be more gentle.
I also watched many videos online and was now brave enough to give it a try. My first shave looked kind of like a horror movie or the scene of a homicide in my bathroom. It's amazing how much multiple little nicks can bleed. My wife was walked into the bathroom and I had to warn her, advising that it wasn't as bad as it looked. Truthfully, it was. I decided to abandon my new method of shaving until my sampler pack arrived. What I later learned was that the blade has to be the proper angle on your face. I also learned the these heads don't pivot and my face isn't flat. So your hand has to move to keep the proper angle. It's second nature now.
I should mention that I am a shower shaver. I have a fog less mirror and for reasons unknown to me I prefer to shave in the shower. Well probably it's because I don like to be cold standing at a sink in the morning and I think the hot steam softens my beard.
From bullgoose I received the following six blades to try, from my limited testing my comments follow each;
Treet Durasharp - decent shave, blade rusted and I had to clean the rust off my razor
Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge - barely decent shave
Gillette Super Thin - terrible shave, didn't last but a couple shaves before it went dull
Lord Platinum Class - second favorite of the bunch
Astra Superior Platinum - the clear cut (pun intended) winner for me, sharp and lasts a long time great shave
Shark Stainless - probably the third best, pretty good
I have always been a ATG shaver. I tried to do it the right way and go WTG then XTG with the DE. As before I couldn't get a close shave. ATG works great for me even with the DE.
What I've failed to mention is my shaving cream. All of my testing above for the past month has been using the "goo in the can". Also during the past month I've switched to the Gillette Ranger Tech. I like it a lot better it gives me a more aggressive shave for my tough beard.
Well a couple of days ago I've decided the DE shave I've been getting has been pretty good but I stil felt like there has been room for improvement mainly because my face wasa little irritated after shaving. I once again began my B&B research and to my delight found a brush and shave cream that could be bought in my very own town tonight after work, remeber I hate to wait. I picked up a Van der Hagen "100% Badger Hair" brush from Target for $9.99 and a tube of C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream with Eucalyptus Oil from Bath and Body Works. Now I'm realistic enough to know that a $10 brush can't be great, I'm not even sure how they could call it badger, even if it is pure grade. But I found a thread about a Target brush that indicated it wasn't all that bad. Plus it could be held in my to little hand that night. I do have to say that I am kinda attracted to those high dollar brushes that are sold online.
So I mixed a batch of lather, in a plastic bowl mind you, and applied it to my face. Keep in mind I have nothing to compare it to but I really enjoyed the brush on my face. I was worried that my cheapo brush would stab me and the hair would fall out. Neither has happened.
Here is the moral of my story. Do not even bother DE shaving without a proper cream, brush, and lather. Along with a good razor and blade, a proper lather is the missing piece to a great shave. The shave I now get is so much closer with no irritation.
My next issue seeks advice for those of you still with me. The Ranger Tech is worn. The razor still functions great but the finish is worn, to the brass in some spots. It's also pitted. I am considering sending it off to be restored. I have mixed emotions about this because it was worn by my grandfather but I also want to have this razor for years to come and I do in some ways want to see it new and shiny. I'm considering researching refinishing options, Razor Emporium was found with little effort. What are your thoughts in this? Has anyone had good results with refinishing?
i want to send a big thank you to those involved with this forum for it has given me a new way to shave while using something cool from my grandfather.
