Thread: Big newb making the big jump

@atomic

I'm sorry. I have not used a DE so I am not sure how to best advise you. My advice was based on using a straight.

This site might help: http://sharpologist.com/
Great videos and advice on all aspects of wet shaving.

DE shaving is exactly the same as straight in terms of prep, lather and post shave. The difference is the tool used for beard reduction (reduce the beard on each pass, not all at once). The angle of the blade is set by the DE razor you are using and it really cannot be adjusted (too shallow it doesn't cut well, too high and you chop your face up). The razor you are using is very aggressive. I sold mine. Even set on 0, I had trouble with cuts. It is not a DE I would recommend to new shavers. If you are interested in using a DE, I would start with a less aggressive razor such as, Merkur open comb (they are all the same head), Merkur 34C, and if you want an adjustable, the Merkur Progress. Always start using an adjustable at the lowest setting and increase it as you gain experience. DE razors come in all varieties and are a field in themselves. Merkur blades are not generally well regarded. They don't cut well and promote using pressure on the razor. As a general statement, the sharpest DE blades are sharper than a straight. A Feather DE blade in an aggressive razor will peel you face off (this is not an exaggeration). Straight shaving is actually safer IMO than some combinations of DE blades and razors.

The key here is that both tools require you to learn different techniques for their use. Some things are in common like not using any pressure, and getting familiar with the beard growth on your face. In either case, as your technique improves, you will find the best tool (DE razor and blade combo, or straight) to give you a fine shave. Also, remember, every face and beard is unique and the quality of shave you can expect is not "perfect" but perfect for you. Good luck.

Originally Posted by atomicnewbie

1. @Datsots - My hair sticks to my skin quite stubbornly too. I'm never sure if sometimes it's just hair under the skin when I look under the mirror. I try to eliminate all traces of black (my hair colour) when going for BBS; maybe BBS doesn't necessarily look hairless?
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2. @SixNipples - I know everyone says to only use pressure enough to remove the lather, but my hairs stick to my skin at a very sharp angle. In addition, it feels very sticky when I make a pass (usually a 2nd pass is not possible without more lather). Often the head of the DE razor sticks to the lather on my skin - making it feel like I'm dragging the DE across sticky tape. I have never really felt the DE Razor ever 'glide' even when going WTG.

3. I should also add that I am using the Merkur Futur. I'm finding the comb is scraping a lot of lather and not leaving enough behind for the blade. Is this normal for you guys? Do you use open combs instead?

PMFJI --


1. You're right -- "BBS" is "baby-butt-smooth", not "hairless". If you can run your hand in any direction, and your face feels smooth, that's BBS.

If you're trying to shave closer than that, you'll just get frustrated and have bad cuts and razor burn.

2. You need better lather. And you need to re-lather between passes! Don't try to shave dry, bare skin, ever.

3. (a) You need better lather -- maybe wetter lather. (b) the Futur is a nasty aggressive razor. It seems that Futur "0" is about equal to a normal DE. If you're using the Futur at higher settings, that could be the cause of a host of problems.

If _fresh_ lather feels like sticky tape, you need more water in the mix. If _old_ lather feels like sticky tape, put on some fresh lather before doing another pass.

There's nothing wrong with saying, halfway through a shave:

. . . "This lather on my face is dried out! I need fresh lather."

. Charles