Thread: Disapointed with DE shave?

I have started shaving with DE and am not very happy! After 15 minutes with a 1951 Gillette super speed and a Derby blade I get a shave that is not as good or close as 5 minutes with my old Schick 4 blade thing.

What am I doing wrong, no nicks or cuts, maybe a need a more aggressive blade or razor?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Jon

Two (or more ) things come to mind.

Get a blade sampler, usually 5 to 10 different brands. Cheapest way to try them all out. (For me it is the Astra Platinum)
Are you stretching your skin?
Angle of the razor to face?
Cold water shave. (My preference)
Is it an adjustable Gillette?

Always variables in shaving, otherwise it would be like shaving with a cartridge.

It will get better with time. I've never been able to shave as fast with a DE as I can with a modern cartridge. However, with the cartridge I was using only 1 pass and most of the time ended up with irritation. With the DE, I do 2 passes, get BBS and no irritation. Good luck.

I'd have to agree with razorfeld...if the razor isn't adjustable, it's most likely the blade (Derby's not the best for me) or the angle of the razor to your face.

If you got thin hair, like i do, try using cold water when shaving and pre-wash with it. If that is not the case perhaps it´s better to use hot water to soften the hair. In my case if i use hot water the hair becomes elastic and bends when the blade passes. Cold water also allows to feel the blade on your face and that helps a lot to correct the angle to a better one when shaving.

If the razor is mild try using a sharper blade, like a Feather or a Shark, i like the Gillette Platinum ones.

If you can control the pressure correctly go for a 4 pass or at least a 3 pass shave, it works for me.

I agree with the cold water. Are you using a good soap? are you cleaning the head of the razor often? soap build up and stubble will clog up the head so that the blade will not contact the skin to cut. Is it a new blade? Usually if the blade is bad or dull, you will know in a hurry. remember, that the blade is only one not a four bladed monster. Remember, that it is new to you and there is a learning curve. Once you get this down you will love that Gillette. I own a ton of them and the do all shave different, even among the same style. as for the aggressiveness of your razor, I would do more soft passes then try to get a more aggressive one. Also, as you learn to use the razor it will become fast to shave, unless you really dig it like I do, and savor every shave.

I think you may be expecting too much at the start.
Reaching the stage where you get truly good DE or straight shaves takes continuous practice.

Or, as the world-famous cellist Pablo Casals (then at age 93) put it when he was asked why he continued to practice the cello three hours a day...
"I'm beginning to notice some improvement."


With time, DE and straight shaves will surpass closeness and smoothness of the type of shave that you get from a system razor.

Originally Posted by beluga

I think you may be expecting too much at the start.
Reaching the stage where you get truly good DE or straight shaves takes continuous practice.
With time, DE and straight shaves will surpass closeness and smoothness of the type of shave that you get from a system razor.

It takes time to develop good technique. IMHO, chuck the Derby's. Try one of these: Gillette Silver Blue, Personna Med Prep or Lab.

I agree chuck the Derby's (they seem to be hit and miss with quality) I vote for Astra P or Feather. The Super Speed Gillette is an excellent shaver. Lather, angle, skin stretching and no pressure on the razor are all important aspects of using a DE if one is off then the shave suffers and of course keep your face wet...

Like others have said, it is likely a combination technique and blade. To find a good starting angle place the head of the razor flat on your face with the handle 90 degrees to the floor. Start rotating the handle downward till you feel the blade and that should be a good angle to start with. Remember that unlike cart razor heads that pivot you have to keep adjust the angle as you go to match the contours of your face. Use just the weight of the razor guiding the razor with the handle while stretching your skin. Make sure your lather is not too thick and dry which will clog the head quicker and rinse the head often. For sure try some different blades also.

Bob