I'm doing 3 passes, with, across and against.
Stropping is about prepping and edge, polishing it, removing any burrs. with Dr blades there's plenty of evidence that they get sharper with first and summertime secund use too, as any coating is removed, stropping also does this. So I'll try it and see how I get on. I don't think aggressiveness is the issue as I have been setting the futur to 1 for the first shave. Yet I'm normally fine now for 3 passes on 3 on subsequent shaves.
That said, 1st feather shave this morning was truly poor! In its defence I was rushed and prep was poor, so I will not write it off yet, however it was not close even after a buff (very rarely do I need a buff) not smooth and left high irritation.
I think I have seen a number of people saying that about feathers. Second shave being better.
That is what it is all about, finding what works for you.
Might as well enjoy finding it.
Same with the prep.
My stubble used to be tougher and prep made very little difference, now it needs very little prep.
I found argan oil soaking could make a diiference.
Now I use heat and soap. (There's an article somewhere)
Hot water on face in shower, soap on stubble, leave it on while shower as normal. Rinse off and shave after shower.
But people find different things work better.
I've not tried oil yet, generally I've been finding hot water hydration (shower or flannel) and a washed face is ample. This morning was a rush, plus I've been kicked out the family bathroom and the downstairs loo with its tiny basin had become my shave den.... Small basin and no flannel to hand meant just a quick splash of hot water.... It wasn't enough hydration. I need to buy some more flannels.
The blade stropping should tackle the 'poor first shave' they some blade have. Not this morning though! I'm off the view it's not a sharpness/aggressiveness issue .. for example, the permasharp was insanely sharp but smooooth from the off,. Yet many less sharp blades like the vidyut were poor on shave one then for much much better.
Still, if after I've tried it I find it doesn't help me, I pack it in. For now it's cost nothing and takes 60 seconds on first fitting the blade.
You folks who are trying lots of different blades, which ones come in cardboard packs rare than little plastic boxes? I heard heard that Astra might
Most come in cardboard rather than plastic
I wonder if it depends on where you buy them the last three type I've bought have all come in plastic boxes of 10
Like I said, prep is the most important bit. You will get a better shave with good prep and a mild razor and blade than you will worrying about stropping and the setting on your razor.
And stop shaving against the grain. That is a sure fire way to nick, cut, and razor burn your face. The hair then sits below the skin surface, then some hairs don’t break through before the next shave, they will just raise a small bump, then you nick the top of the bump off on the next shave. Stop it and your skin will thank you.
Thanks for your comments but everybody is different. Currently I seem to get on well with against the grain. SOme blades I set the futur to 1 for that pass but others I'm fine with at 3. This monrings feather shave was the cause of irritation, but zero nicks or weepers. Been a while since I've had one. Without going ATG I don't get very close. If I could get decently close without it I'd try it for a while to see if i had any benefit. I could try a double XTG I guess, any other suggestons to try?
of the blades I've tried so far, only the feather are in plastic. other plastic tucks i have..bluebird, derby...errr....wilko sword german....rest all cardboard tucks. All the gilletes come in card
Yep - I agree with the prep over the fussing with blades. Soaking my face in hot water before lathering is a must; otherwise no matter what razor and blade I use, it just feels like I was plucked not shaved.
In fact I totally agree with bigblackshed - ATG is not the best method for anywhere except the neck area. It is a sure way of exposing your poor technique, and increasing your chances of irritating your skin needlessly.
Suggestions other than ATG ... try a muhle r41.
Pretty much as close as you`ll get without removing the skin. The r41 isnt as aggressive as its made out, but it is efficient for sure.
Please can I have recommendations on online de blades? Bargain basement prices but still sharp. Also I really fancy an Edwin jagger Chatsworth, about £70 ish, worth it?
Thanks for info neilneville. I've probably just been unlucky having tried feather, merkur and muhle which all come in plastic
I put together an order of 14 or 15 tucks of different blades from an ebay seller called de-razorblades-uk. Came quick and when i raised a slight oddity, a tuck of bluebirds seemed odd as the blades themselves are marked derby, plus I only hd 4 not 5, he sent out 2 more tucks for free. So seems a very decent seller.
I think there are cheaper sellers for bigger orders of single blade types, the salon packs, have a search on ebay.
Hmm yes I could try the futur out at 4, 5 or 6 and 2 passes, although honestly, I'm not generally finding ATG a problem.
I disagree about not fussing on blades, I've tried errr...8 or so (and have about 15 more to try!) and I've found them all very different. So far I'd say I could happily use any (except the feather, i hope that isn't as bad as this morning though), and would learn the technique for each, but I am finding them very different. absolutely loved the permasharp....but others like the Shark, vidyut and titan I'm not so keen on.
While I don't disagree with you mooman ( I see that a lot of people are all about the preparation)
in general.
Just want to say that it isn't the same for everyone.
My personal experience is actually very different from yours.
I have tried some forms of preparation and it seems to make my skin too soft and easier to cut rather than the stubble.
I also find that products seem to do similar and post shave stuff I always have found an irritant.
I find that a number of soaps sting me to varying degrees.
I used to think it was my technique that was leading to a slight after shave sting, until I realised it was some soaps and pre and post products that I felt I should try.
I also go atg. In fact with cartridges, I only ever did one pass atg. They were multibladed though.
I now go wtg (ish) all over and then atg.
Funnily enough I find atg on the neck way harder than on the cheek and chin area.
I also find efficient razors with sharp blades way easier to use.
I am aware that it might be down to technique, but I am lazy and it works.
I am not saying that it is right for everyone, I am not recommending anything, I am just emphasising that we are all different. I am still very much a noob of only a few years non-cartridge shaving.
It is good to read others examples though as things that they might try and find what works for them.
Also I really fancy an Edwin jagger Chatsworth, about £70 ish, worth it?
Personally I have enjoyed trying loads of different razors.
It seems to me that the only way of finding whether a razor is worth it is trying things out.
I have bought cheap second hand razors (and some barbicide) to try things that can be sold for a similar price to what you bought them at.
Bit like bikes. Try it out and see what you think, then you have something to compare to.
(But razors are way cheaper.)
No way would I pay £70 for the Edwin jagger Chatsworth ... its chrome plated pig iron. For that serious money you cound get a new stainless steel RazorRock Mamba or Game Changer .. or go the retro route and pick up a Red Tip/HD Rocket/Brit Aristocrat for much less.
Or pay £20 and get a r41 head and put it on your fave handle.
... I remember someone here who had plenty of handles too😂
Anyone shave their head using these things? Or would that be asking for a big bloody mess?
Plenty do, as long as it’s not an aggressive razor it’s fine
The aggressive description is a bit of a red herring.
They are typically just efficient razors with a bit more blade feel. As long as you know how to use them properly, then you got as much chance of nicking yourself as using a mild razor.
They are after all SAFETY razors designed to take the risk of cuts away.
When Gillette started making safety razors they purposefully designed early models to give a fair bit of blade feel because that is what men were used to having used straight razors .. these are now regarded as aggressive razors based primarily on feel; they were typically no more efficient.
After the war when men were required to shave every day after being in the military they started to make razors that were as efficient but smoother on the face ... and their sales exploded!
It is only recently as DE has had a bit of a renaissance that people have jumped on the aggressive is better thing.
Once you get technique right - which isn’t difficult- you can safely use any DE on face; head .. and more delicate areas too.
Ps.
Dave - try a Muhle r41 head ( https://shavelounge.co.uk/product/muhle-r41-open-comb-de-razor-head/ ) ... if the HD didn’t do it, then this will.
Aggressiveness might be a Red Herring as such and yep blade feel is an indication but it’s not all about technique.
I can’t use mild razors as more passes/buffing leads to irritation for me
I use “more efficient” razors as two passes gets me a DFS which I prefer
No mild razor on the planet can do that..
The superspeed flair tip is about as mild as you can get imo. There is no blade feel at all - yet if you compare it to the Red tip or even the r41 there is very very little difference to the closeness of the actual shave ... even though feeling the blade of the latter two may convince you there is.
Only real noticeable difference I feel is the efficiency of how they deal with thicker stubble. The wider blade gap of those deemed aggressive doesnt get clogged up as quick as the narrower gapped milder razors.
What razor you using Holyzeus?
Cheers chaps. So whats a not so aggressive razor then, any recommendations?
Houndlegs, what’s your budget? Although you really can’t go wrong with a Merkur or similar to start with
Mooman, down to just a Blackland and a Charcoal Lvl 3 now and I don’t see any more additions really (well I do have other DE’s and straights that I don’t use)
Merkur 34c is often recommended as a starter razor ... personally Id jump straight in and get a muhle r41 and cut out all the faff. Cos you know after a month or so youll buy into the contemporary aggressive is better thing.
or go with an adjustable perhaps
Merkur 23C or 25C. Closed and open version of the same razor. Good knurled long handle, well balanced, budget friendly.
The Muhle R41 has changed over the years.
It was introduced in 2009 and was originally a mild razor.
Muhle seemed to introduce annual changes and the 2011 model is the really aggressive one.
I had one once, but it required too much concentration for me. I do remember it giving me a fantastically close shave on the flatter parts of my face. It was almost like someone had taken some wet and dry paper to my skin and polished it smooth as glass.
I am not sure how aggressive the current models are.
The 2011 model has a reputation and as a result goes for very strong money!
Edit - I found this recent sale on eBay
After 2 shaves with the stropped feather I binned it. Second shave I had time for my usual hot flannel prep and it was a little better, but still a BAD shave, so I binned it off. However I decided to try a second feather immediately as perhaps I ballsed it by stropping, or perhaps it was just a dud....it was just soooo dull! I opened a brand new tuck and just used it. Much much better! ok now it is a sharp blade. 3 days stubble reduced well. futur on 3,3,3 for 3 passes and a pretty good shave obtained. I did get few weepers which is getting rare, but if I'd done 3,3,1 perhaps I would not have. Bit of burn but not bad. I will see how shave #2 and on goes, I'd rate shave #1 as fairly good but not permasharp awesome.
Ho hum
Member
Edit – I found this recent sale on eBay
Wow £156 for a cheap modern £30 razor!
Its the hype over aggressive being better.
^^^^Its very easy to make a mild razor, it’s not so easy to make an efficient razor that’s not harsh/smooth to use.
Supply doesn’t meet demand hence the prices
Not saying it warrants it in this particular razor. i’d like an Ikon Tech, last week a head on its own went for over £140 which is crazy
My brother offered me an insight into the world of modern DE shaving. Apparently the thing to have is an Inkwell Razor Stand.
Here's one I made for him -
time for an update. Last time i checked in I was trying a feather. ok tried it, not for me. I found i only lasted about 2 shaves and was a bit scratchy for those. I'll liley try again in time as i bought a couple or 4 tucks i think, but for now whether its my skin, my hair, my futur, my technique or my soap...the feather and i don't gt on.
after that i tried a stropped asra and a stropped wilko sowrd made in england, to make a decision on stropping. i've made one. for me t doesn't help. it doesn't seem to smooth the first shave much,maybe a bit, and it seem to dull the blade. so I've moved on from that.
then i tried personna platinum. nice, smooth, for about 2 shaves...then blunted and binned. similar to the permasharp but not so good.
then on to another gillette, a 7 oclock yellow, sharp edge. these are reviewed as possibly the sharpest gillette, often compared as similar to feather. I've got on quite well with it. 5 shaves in and still going. bit scratchy for the first one or 2 but sharp, has dulled but smoothed. this will be revisited, its on my short list of good blades. i was relieved to find another good blade after the disappointment of the feather and some bad results with stropped blades! As alwys, lots mre blades to try, several more gillette 7oclock for a start.
ALso tried a few differnt soaps. simpsons luxury cream - quite nice, lathers as soon as look at it although not as thick as dusy soap. I also like the metal tine with screw lid.
ALso gave wiko sword a go, a real cheapy this. i found it nice enough but needs to be a bit dry. make it wetter to build the lather and it actually seems to kill the lather...odd. quite a nice fresh zesty smell. for a couple of quid its not bad
Try a Gillette Black, sharper than a Yellow
Personnas too are very good
Gillette black, the 7 o'clock super platinum? Think I have some of those. Although there are so many different 7 o'clock I could think i missed one, hopefully not that one
Yeah was hoping for more from the persona but they will get another go. Is it the platinum, you like? Read alot of lab prep and lab blue and lab red but not got any of those to try.
Yep the Super Platinum and these Personnas
I checked and have Gillette silver blue, nacet, platinum, 7 o'clock green both types and the yellow. F it. I have ordered the 7 o'clock black, Gillette Wilko and Gillette 365. Think that's all Gillette except 7 o'clock blue.
I got some of the sputnik to try too
Let us know whether your world is set-alight by them…
I tried them, they were out of this world
I have been using DE for a few years. I am currently enjoying using the Qshave futur clone, with either feather or voskhod blades. Preshave is hot water followed by using some proraso green pre shaving cream (the eucalyptus oil and menthol one), this stuff I have noticed makes a difference!. I also use proraso green soap and aftershave balm. Although I love the wood and spice range that proraso does, it smells by far the best.
Use to always use Parmolive shaving cream, but since the palm oil thing, I've been consciously trying to avoid any product with it listed. I'm currently using an own brand Boots shaving cream, but can't stand the smell; reminds me of the air fresheners used in public toilets! What do others recommend, which is easy to purchase, ie readily available and reasonably priced?
Badgerbater, how readily available?
There are plenty of online stores in the U.K.
Connaughts, ShavingStation and Executive Shaving
Otherwise the Bodyshop do a cream.
Proraso listed above is good but it’s a menthol soap.
Proraso also available in Sandlewood or Sensitive (green tea and oatmeal)
The menthol is really refreshing, recommend.
What's everyone do to dispose of their used blades?
I've several years worth sitting in a tin, not really sure what to do with them.
Stick them in the recycling? I'm collecting them at the bottom of my shaving mug for the moment.
