Originally Posted by
matloffm
I have said this in other threads, but it feels appropriate to say it again here. YMMV is not a cop out. To not use it is a huge presumption that your shaving situation is not unique and can be used as generally sound advice. I don't think that is ever true. Your face, skin, razors, blades, prep and post are always unique. Any advice to new wet shavers should encourage certain basics (no pressure on the razor, try to moisten your beard, etc.) but everything beyond that is an expression of what you enjoy or works for you. That's fine as long as it is understood.
I have been wet shaving with DEs for sometime and have put together what gives me a great shave/experience. If I listed every step and asked who does it my way with my choice of equipment, I would be surprised if one person agreed with it. I understand when I read reviews or posts about great shaves someone has had, that this may not (probably won't) work for me.
I don't deny the importance of skill and equipment, but if the face and skin of the individual won't allow a close shave without irritation, the rest won't matter. My face is not smooth, I have a tremor in my left hand and my beard is very tough. I have tried and continue to search for a product or technique that will soften my beard at all (yes, I hot shower before I shave). I can get anywhere from 0 to 1 comfortable shave from most DE blades. I use Feather blades almost exclusively, not because I want to, but because I have to (this is not a gripe about Feather, but a fact of my limited choices). I have not yet found a straight that will cut my beard smoothly. This includes SRD pre-honed razors out of the box (yes, tried all angles from flat to 40 degrees with no luck). I still enjoy shaving with a straight, but I always have to clean up with a DE. Yes, my technique is constantly getting better and so are the shaves (little irritation and cuts are rare), but I have to constantly struggle to get any of my razors (I have 5 and they'er all fine razors) to cut with the ease of a DE blade.
Everyone will have to figure out what works best for them so they can get the best shave possible for their situation. It's interesting to read about a shaver who just dry shaved themselves with a scout knife for a BBS shave, but I don't think there are a lot of conclusions to be drawn from it.