Thread: Could use a bit of advice

Originally Posted by STF

Well, my Rockwell C6 arrived and I've just had my third shave with it. It's gunmetal and looks really spiffy, I am very pleased with it.

This de razor is excellent as far as I'm concerned. I had my first shave with a #3, it was so smooth and comfortable that I thought I would go to #4.

#4 was still good but it didn't seem to give a better shave so I am back at #3 and I'll probably stay there.

I just shaved with the weight of the razor because it's quite heavy, I have had good shaves, no blood, very smooth and close but my experience so far is that the shave is not as close as with my straights.

I have been using Rockwell blades because thats all I have for the next few days but to be fair, my bristles are not tough and wiry, I have used the same blade for the 3 times I shaved with the DE and it still seems good to me. I am interested how long it will last. Will it start to pull like a straight would?

Anyway, I thought you might like to know how I got on with a DE Razor. Love it but won't be giving up on my straights anytime soon - It's not quite THAT good

When my Muramasa Adjustable Tatararazor arrived, I used the same process, start from a mid-range position, dial up the the aggressiveness for the next shave until I get the closeness that I like, go up one more step and - if I should find that it makes no difference - go one step back.

I started off using Feather blades, currently I use Astra stainless steel blades in the blue cardboard packing. When a blade’s time is up I can tell from the increased tugging, but if I should shave exclusively with a safety razor for a week I replace the blade after one week, as typically I could only get another 2-3 shaves from the blade and I am a man of habits.
At my age, I am allowed to…

I used to shave exclusviely with safety razors for some years and then I shaved almost exclusively with straight razor for a few years, but I currently switch between safety and straight razors and use whatever I feel like using that particular morning.

Coming from straight razors, a shaver will appreciate the importance of a beard prep and a light touch, something that may not come natural for someone who comes from system razors or electric razors. In the hands of a proficient straight shaver that alone should make for a closer and more comfortable shave.

There was a time when I was convinced that a shave with a straight shave is closer and more comfortable than a shave with a safety razor. While this may be true for most safety razors, a new (and pricier too ) generation of safety razors has emerged - starting with the Mühle R41 - that give straight razors a good run for their money. By now the Mühle has been surpassed by other safety razors that with the right blade gap and exposure are capable of excellent shaves even if they are not open comb designs.

Whether my current fondness for safety razors will endure or whether they will end up in my travel bag like their Mühle R101 open comb predecessor remains to ben seen, as I quite like the ritual of a straight shave in the morning.

But it appears to me that at least some sworn-in straight shavers are showing a renewed interest in safety razors.



B.