Bit the bullet, but now what?

So DW bought me a M C25 (sojourn) for xmas turns out she paid way too much ($69) found it online when I bought blades for it @30 but that's the way it works. I was happy to handle it before purchase. All I can say is wow! I like a close shave and in the past I usually end up with lots of irritation to get a close enough shave so I've gotten lazy and just shaved living with the 5oclock by 3. It came with 1 blade and I won't be buying branded blades again. I equipped it with an Astra blade an my laziness has returned only now it's a great shave as close as I want day one and 3, leaving me to sleep in day 2!

I never would have guessed. I was shocked all the hype and concern about cuts and irritation for weeks on end was unfounded in my case. I was a little heavy on the handle a few times leaving some burn in places and weeping but no cuts so far (knock on wood) but now the hand comfort feels like my old cartridge razors I do have to keep reminding myself I can flip it over before rinsing and occasionally I forget and grab a mitt full atg on the first pass I'm quickly reminded that's a bad idea and return wtg.

Here in in lies my questions. What order should I work my way through the sample pack of blades I bought. Keep using all of a brand then move on? Or mix and match? I have 6 Astra blue pack blades left, 10 Astra green blades, 10 fresh tradition, 10 extra derby, and 20 feather, 2x black packs and 1 yellow?

I also bought some soaps and am very happy with the Italian pro?solve menthol one I bought it's very smooth and leaves me with no irratation assuming my hand stays light. It lathers well and lasts through a whole pass. I have a artisan soap I've used for years that I used to really like (enough to have 6 pucks left still from a large purchase I made a few years ago.) but I find it not as slick but the lather doesn't last as long And I bought a well know name lime soap I'm undecided about I have a terrible time keeping the lather through a pass and have to reapply part way, the sent is very pleasent but very subtle and seems not to be as slick leaving me irratated slightly. Do you have any suggestions as to soaps I should try next for my sensitive skin?

Thanks and and sorry for the very long post if you made it this far.

I am guessing that you are using the Merkur 25C open comb DE? I don't own one but the reviews say it is a mild shaving DE so it should not matter what blade you try next but I would suggest you leave the Feather blades till last to try. Feathers are very sharp and can be a little rough to use for some.

Along with a light hand on the razor the right angle is important too in keeping irritation down. Put the DE's top cap flat on your face with the handle parallel to the floor. Then lower the handle slowly till you just feel the blade on your skin. That is a good angle to start with.

Another thing that goes a long way in reducing irritation is being able to make a good lather. From the sound of it you are having a little difficulty getting a good lather from a number of soaps/creams that you already have. In order for a lather to last through a pass you have to get the soap to water ratio right and that should improve the slickness of the lather too. Be sure and load enough product onto your brush and then add a bit of water at a time while building the lather till you get it the way it should be.

Bob

One of the joys of DE shaving is that you get to experiment so much for surprisingly small investments. Have fun with it and learn that the razor cap is your friend and should make the most contact with your face. Bad things happen to people who think that the blade should be more perpendicular to the skin.

BTW -- I've had great luck with these American-made blades --
Amazon.com: Personna Double Edge Razor Blades, 100 Count: Health & Personal Care

Thanks for the replies. I think I was misunderstood but your tips are very helpful. I've used cartridge razors up to 5 blades and electrics. And the most comfortable closest shave I've ever had to date was the DE the irritation I referred to was previous to the de. I struggle with my chin and jaw line but that will come with time.

As for the soaps issue this like soap I've got I keep going back to as I like the sent but when wet enough to lather nicely it runs off my face and isn't slick. When it's dryer it's more comfortable but I have to soap up each area individually as it doesn't last through a whole pass. I haven't found a happy medium yet. Probably won't buy this brand again. The other soaps I've used lather well some leave my face dry others not some are slicker than others. All I get a good lather from except this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ve3hbj

Thanks for the replies. I think I was misunderstood but your tips are very helpful. I've used cartridge razors up to 5 blades and electrics. And the most comfortable closest shave I've ever had to date was the DE the irritation I referred to was previous to the de. I struggle with my chin and jaw line but that will come with time.

As for the soaps issue this like soap I've got I keep going back to as I like the sent but when wet enough to lather nicely it runs off my face and isn't slick. When it's dryer it's more comfortable but I have to soap up each area individually as it doesn't last through a whole pass. I haven't found a happy medium yet. Probably won't buy this brand again. The other soaps I've used lather well some leave my face dry others not some are slicker than others. All I get a good lather from except this one.

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Yes, I certainly misunderstood you as I had a difficult time trying to make heads or tails of what you had written. Yes chin and jawline are difficult spots to work on. What brand is the soap you are having trouble with?

Bob

Col. Conk. Sorry I'm on nights and sometime I get run on sentences and muttled points.

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Originally Posted by Ve3hbj

Col. Conk. Sorry I'm on nights and sometime I get run on sentences and muttled points.

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Yea, working nights will do that to you. Can't help with the Col. Conk never having used it.

Bob

I wrestled with soap a little in the beginning and then found Mama Bear's. All I need :<0)

You said you been using soaps so I assume you know water to soap ratio and all that .

Ya there's better soaps than col conks, , and lather making is an art form that is to be learned. But with experience I don't find any area tough to shave, chin or neck, and no irratation, the right blade for your face and proper lather will cure it. Tc

Goo to know all. I liked the flavor of the cc so I tried it. I don't think I'll buy another. I've been using soaps when blade shaving (cartrages) for many years I was given an electric as a present a few years back and went to that as it was waterproof and usable in the shower "dry" it produced a reasonable shave till the blades were dull just not too close. If I was going out in the evening I'd skip the morning shave or shave twice. So I'm a little out of practice with the brush but it's coming back quickly. It's just this cc soap that smells so good vut is getting shelved as it leaves me irratated both skin wise and attitude wise!

Brian,

I would suggest using a 5 pack of each type of blade to start, that's enough blades of the same kind to eliminate a possible dud that could create the wrong impression of a particular brand. I found it to happens with every brand I've used, so I never judge a brand by one or two blades. The Feather blades are amongst the sharpest available, I really like them, but they are not for everybody. Leave them for last, otherwise they make all other blades seem dull in comparison. You want a blade that gives YOU a comfortable shave, day in and day out. Feathers may be sharp, but some find them a bit harsh... it all depends on the user, their face, razor and technique. Everyone's favourite will be different.

Lather that does not last through a pass, usually caused by insufficient amount of water in the brush to start and or not loading enough soap into the brush. Without enough water, you CANNOT load enough soap. Not enough soap (if you have enough water) is usually caused by not swirling the brush on the soap long enough.

Load brush with water, shake out just enough so it doesn't dribble.... start swirling on the soap until it starts to create half decent lather, then switch to a bowl or your hand or your face. If face lathering, be prepared for some dribbles running down your face until the lather builds properly.

If you use too much water but add enough soap, you will have enough lather to shave 10 men. If you use too little water, you won't be able to create good lather, leaving you with thin, evaporating (dry) lather. Enough water, but not enough soap loaded into the brush will again result in a thin lather, but this time it runs down your face.

Once you get the hang of making lather with your brush, you'll be able to cut back on the water and use less soap and instinctively recognize if you've cut back too far. Be prepared to swirl your brush on the soap for 30 - 40 or more seconds.

CC soap is the bottom line of soaps, cheap cold pour, synthetic scents and generally not that great. Still, you should be able to get it to lather half decently.

Soaps for me tend to be closer cutting (less cushion) than creams and they also seem to have slightly less glide. I would suggest trying something like Taylor of Old Bond Street creams in a scent you think you might like. They are inexpensive, but quite good. As for irritation of the skin.... You'll just have to try a few things and see how it works out as there is no way to predict how cream or soap will work for you.

Regards

Christian aka

Kaptain "--... ...-- -.. . ...- . ....- ... . -" Zero

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Brian,

I would suggest using a 5 pack of each type of blade to start, that's enough blades of the same kind to eliminate a possible dud that could create the wrong impression of a particular brand. I found it to happens with every brand I've used, so I never judge a brand by one or two blades. The Feather blades are amongst the sharpest available, I really like them, but they are not for everybody. Leave them for last, otherwise they make all other blades seem dull in comparison. You want a blade that gives YOU a comfortable shave, day in and day out. Feathers may be sharp, but some find them a bit harsh... it all depends on the user, their face, razor and technique. Everyone's favourite will be different.

Lather that does not last through a pass, usually caused by insufficient amount of water in the brush to start and or not loading enough soap into the brush. Without enough water, you CANNOT load enough soap. Not enough soap (if you have enough water) is usually caused by not swirling the brush on the soap long enough.

Load brush with water, shake out just enough so it doesn't dribble.... start swirling on the soap until it starts to create half decent lather, then switch to a bowl or your hand or your face. If face lathering, be prepared for some dribbles running down your face until the lather builds properly.

If you use too much water but add enough soap, you will have enough lather to shave 10 men. If you use too little water, you won't be able to create good lather, leaving you with thin, evaporating (dry) lather. Enough water, but not enough soap loaded into the brush will again result in a thin lather, but this time it runs down your face.

Once you get the hang of making lather with your brush, you'll be able to cut back on the water and use less soap and instinctively recognize if you've cut back too far. Be prepared to swirl your brush on the soap for 30 - 40 or more seconds.

CC soap is the bottom line of soaps, cheap cold pour, synthetic scents and generally not that great. Still, you should be able to get it to lather half decently.

Soaps for me tend to be closer cutting (less cushion) than creams and they also seem to have slightly less glide. I would suggest trying something like Taylor of Old Bond Street creams in a scent you think you might like. They are inexpensive, but quite good. As for irritation of the skin.... You'll just have to try a few things and see how it works out as there is no way to predict how cream or soap will work for you.

Regards

Christian aka

Kaptain "--... ...-- -.. . ...- . ....- ... . -" Zero

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Thanks for the insight I've just finished the Astra pack I think I'll move on to another brand and see where that leads.

Thanks
Brian
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