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I like the super close shave of shaving against but hate the rb. How can I get a really close shave going with? I shave with my grandfathers old gillette de safety, and I make three passes. If I go against I get really bad rb especially on my upper lip.
I can't shave ATG on my upper lip if you held a gun to my head. Try XTG (across) and see if that doesn't help. Also, if you've only tried one blade brand, maybe a Feather or something equivalent would improve the results. :gl:
Yes ive only tried one brand, and from lurking here im gonna order either feather or the gillette 7'oclock(probably both so I can see which one suits me better).
There are some sampler packs available online that have several brands. I ordered one and found Voskhod words best for me with me DE.
Feather or Shark. I like the Feather best of any of them
Changing blades would be a good start. Following the same prep routine as you would with a straight razor helps as well, as does skin stretching.
I find with the right blade that going XTG (sometimes twice, in opposite directions) gives me a shave that is more than close without the need to go ATG in most areas.
Feather blades are IMHO the best shave I have gotten with a DE. Less razor burn too
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
Shaved today xtg both ways, now waiting to see if irritation will occur.
When making my second/third passes should I reapply shaving cream(dont damn me for using shaving cream haha my next check im going to buy an antique badger brush and cup from this nice lady up the street)?
Keeping hairs moist for easy cutting is important. Drying hairs get harder to cut. The razor will start to tug as hairs start to dry and also it will start dragging on dry skin. I often hit a section of my face over again quickly after the 1st stroke that removes the lather while the bare skin is still wet. I then relather as I work from section to section. It never hurts to refresh and rehydrate drying or thickening lather.
Do you use alum or alcohol-based aftershave when you're done shaving? If so the amount of burn you get is an early indicator of possible irritation.Quote:
Originally Posted by RayDan91
And yes, reapply your lather between passes and don't be afraid to refresh/hydrate it if you find it's getting dry.
I dont use any after shave but ive heard that alcohol based really dries out the skin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan82
Alum bar and a splash of witch hazel will do wonders then when its dry a nice balm!!
I strongly recommend you get a blade sampler pack. This will give you several blades to try. I liked the feather for its sharpness and it gave me more days of shaving with a blade, but it gave me more trouble too. I nicked myself more often with the feather. I switched to another brand and I've been much happier. The more blades you try the informed you will be...
rfm
Really helpful since I was set on getting the feather but I also have the problem of cutting myself, although usually only if I try and rush a shave. The only sampler packs I can find are ones that will supply me with blades for years hahaQuote:
Originally Posted by ShaveDude
A blade that won't cut WTG is a dull blade and/or presented outside the realm of functional angles. So yeah, it's going to irritate going in other directions. More lather, change blades often enough to keep them sharp. Pretty easy to find a pal to send you a few to try.
You aren't using pressure when you shave, like with a cartridge razor, are you? If you're getting razor burn and nicks, try using less pressure and give yourself a couple of more minutes. It's worth it. And the real wet shaving soap will make a big difference too.
Start with just the weight of the razor on your face, then add just enough pressure just to be able to control the razor. Go WTG, rinse your face, lather again, then go XTG.
Huh, good advice, ill implement it in todays shave. Yeah im waiting for my check so I can get brush and cup. Side note how can I tell badger hair from boar from synth?Quote:
Originally Posted by MinATX
It shaves with the grain but it leaves me with a little bit less than 5 o clocl shadowQuote:
Originally Posted by WadePatton
No longer use any pressure, and I no longer get any knicks. My next purchase is gonna be a strop, and send my imperial straight to get sharpened so I can start practicing with it.
I'm guessing that few people go against the grain in the moustache area. I go with the grain, across the grain, then follow the contours around that area from the corner of my mouth to under my nose. Just not enough room to go against the grain.Quote:
Originally Posted by RayDan91
The Gillette is among the mildest razors I have used. Maybe you're pressing too hard. If you're using canned goo, that is probably adding to the irritation.
So, RayDan91...
Are you still DE shaving or are you on your straight yet? If your still with the DE how is it going. Last week I tried the Feather blade again, and what a nice sharp blade! It is nice for that. I shaved 3 days with it and I got a nick the first two and a bit of a weeper the third. Oh, well. Back to a different blade and no problems.
My straight is still coming along slowly, so the DE is still my primary.
rfm
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
This leaves me wondering; are you using the canned junk they call shaving cream? If so get a proper cream or soap, the canned stuff will leave you with loads of irritation because it doesn't actually do anything IMHO.Quote:
Originally Posted by RayDan91