Thread: Schick Injector Irritation - Advice Requested

Aloha!

My Aunt recently gifted me razors and accessoris from my late Uncle. One gift was this mint condition Schick Injector razor. My aunt said that my Uncle used it only a few times. It certainly looks new. The original two Schick blades that came with the razor are long gone. My Uncle bought the Rite Aid Chrome blades pictured here - totally full of new blades;




I have always heard that the original Schick Injector razors were incredibly smooth, and very easy to shave with. I do not find this the case. The razor loads well, and the blades (although probably 30 years old) shave. But there is irritation and burn (if I am not careful). Generally, it is a rough shave, yielding results that look like a 5 O'Clock shadow.

Do you think this is an issue with the blades? I suppose Rite Aid blades could have been inferior. I have tried different angles of attack on the razor. Of course I'm using light pressure. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the razor itself. It holds the blades firmly and correctly. I am willing to try ordering genuine Schick Injector blades if anyone thinks they may make a difference. Perhaps I have just heard wrong, and many wet shavers have issues with the Injector razors.

Opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo!

Originally Posted by ZipZop

Aloha!

My Aunt recently gifted me razors and accessoris from my late Uncle. One gift was this mint condition Schick Injector razor. My aunt said that my Uncle used it only a few times. It certainly looks new. The original two Schick blades that came with the razor are long gone. My Uncle bought the Rite Aid Chrome blades pictured here - totally full of new blades;




I have always heard that the original Schick Injector razors were incredibly smooth, and very easy to shave with. I do not find this the case. The razor loads well, and the blades (although probably 30 years old) shave. But there is irritation and burn (if I am not careful). Generally, it is a rough shave, yielding results that look like a 5 O'Clock shadow.

Do you think this is an issue with the blades? I suppose Rite Aid blades could have been inferior. I have tried different angles of attack on the razor. Of course I'm using light pressure. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the razor itself. It holds the blades firmly and correctly. I am willing to try ordering genuine Schick Injector blades if anyone thinks they may make a difference. Perhaps I have just heard wrong, and many wet shavers have issues with the Injector razors.

Opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo!

As you inherited the razor Billy and it probably means something to you, I would order the OEM blades.

You don't have much to lose except the cost of blades and I can't imagine thats too much.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks, Steve. I have OEM Schick Injectors on order. It's worth a shot. I can't believe how irritating this razor is. Rite Aid blades are the first suspect. I also don't know how this was stored. I assume in a dry clean climate, but you never know. I did run 90 percent alcohol over the blade after I injected it to give it a bit of disinfectant.

What puzzled me was how I have read on many shaving forums how incredibly smooth and easy to shave with the Schick Injector was. I'm obviously not a newbie, and I have some skill with blades, yet this has to be the most irritating razor I have ever shaved with. Again, probalby the blades, but we'll know soon.

Just to be sure you understand...
The Schick injector razor is used with the flat of the face of the razor flat on your face. Maybe tilted down just a little bit.
Some people think you need to use them like a DE and angle the flat of the razor up like a DE. This is wrong. If you have shaved with a Gem or Star SE it's the same thing. the flat face flat on your face. So the angle is dummy-proof.

Now if this is what you're doing then get some new blades as the Schick L-1 that you have is a very mild shaver. They came with two different print sizes on the head if my memory serves me correctly. Also, you do have the option to put in the twin blades if you feel like it. They are a little harder to find but the guys in Japan love them.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Just to be sure you understand...
The Schick injector razor is used with the flat of the face of the razor flat on your face. Maybe tilted down just a little bit.
Some people think you need to use them like a DE and angle the flat of the razor up like a DE. This is wrong. If you have shaved with a Gem or Star SE it's the same thing. the flat face flat on your face. So the angle is dummy-proof.

Now if this is what you're doing then get some new blades as the Schick L-1 that you have is a very mild shaver. They came with two different print sizes on the head if my memory serves me correctly. Also, you do have the option to put in the twin blades if you feel like it. They are a little harder to find but the guys in Japan love them.

Thank you. Great information. I have watched Youtube vids about the Injector, but none mentioned keeping the razor head flat on your face. One video only mentioned angling it out until you hear it bite the whiskers. It is possible that I had too big of an angle of attack. As I type this, it's been 8 hours since I shaved, and I still have irritation on my skin. I have not had this for over 20 years when I first started shaving with a DE and got my skin rather irritated.

I have ordered genuine Schick Injector blades. I do have a concern that the "Rite Aid" blades may be part of the issue. Perhaps not. The reason I say this is because even with the irritation, the shave result was rough. A 5 O'Clock shadow result. Not good at all. It does not have to be BBS, but the result for me really was very poor. I am going back to my straight razors and DE razors until the Schick Injector blades arrive. Then I'll follow your advice on how to shave with the Injector.

Yea, I'd second what Gasman said about the angle to use.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, I'd second what Gasman said about the angle to use.

Bob

Thanks Bob.

It's been so long since I had razor burn or irritation, I had forgotten what it feels like.

Good words from Jerry (Gasman) about keeping the flat part of the razor head flush-up against your face; I, too, had to learn this the hard way.

WRT blades: I've been using Ted Pella PTFE-coated injector blades for over a decade, with no problems. They're sharp, don't rust, hold an edge, and are affordable (a 20-blade dispenser costs $8.20 + S/H).

Smooth shaving!

Originally Posted by JBHoren

Good words from Jerry (Gasman) about keeping the flat part of the razor head flush-up against your face; I, too, had to learn this the hard way.

WRT blades: I've been using Ted Pella PTFE-coated injector blades for over a decade, with no problems. They're sharp, don't rust, hold an edge, and are affordable (a 20-blade dispenser costs $8.20 + S/H).

Smooth shaving!

Thanks JB.

I was wondering if those old Rite Aid blades may have slightly rusted a bit, or picked up some other issue from sitting around in a cabinet for 30 years. I did douse the blade (once injected) with 90 percent alcohol, but that's not a foolproof disinfectant.

I appreciate the tip for the blades. I will definitely order an injector pack. Why not. They are certainly worth a try, and the recommendation is appreciated.

Yep. I second the Pella blades. Fine blades for sure.