Thread: cant get close enough shave with the grain.

I actually started with a Muhle DE and the Gillette blades that they sell at The Art Of Shaving and had wonderful results.

I'm glad to hear it is going well! I started with a Murkur 47C from AoS. I was good, but shortly after I jumped up to an Above the Tie Kronos. Wow! Solid and heavy. I had some issues with it for a week or so. We were not getting along. But as my technique improve so did my shave. I love that razor now. Other razors feel like toys now. Not that I think everyone should run out and buy such an expensive toy, but it is nice.

rfm

Im still using my de safety amd have finally got the hang of it no more knicks(or atleast major ones). Imalso growing out my mustache. Still need to send my straight to get honed but found a strop starter kit online fpr twenty usd, that comes with double sided strop cup brush and soap.

A little tip not so far mentioned is to puff some air into your top lip. This has the same effect as stretching your skin.

My routine is N to S WTG no air in lip, Diagonal ear to chin XTG no air in the lip, now heres the best bit, no pressure on the razor moving from edge of mouth to centre and ending at bottom of nostril ATG (do each side separately), blade buffing all the way, short as strokes, lip inflated. gently does it….great job.

Its the only way I can get a BSS on my upper lip with no irritation.

Hope it helps

You said you were using an "old Gillette" but didn't say which one. Maybe you should find an old Gillette Tech and try XTG & ATG passes with it because the Tech is a very mild razor. I used to use a Tech for my final ATG cleanup passes at times when I was learning straight shaving. A Tech loaded with a Feather blade should be both sharp and mild. Good luck