Thread: D/E closeness?

Originally Posted by DaveF

My issue is, that closeness is still coming at the expense of comfort. I am getting razor burn in spots (much less now than before, but some), I sometimes get nicks, and I have three "cat scratches" on my left cheek that some carelessness yesterday rewarded me with.

Same issue I am having, whats some advice on avoiding any razor burn and discomfort, cos I get the most amazing shaves, so soft and smooth, and minimal to no cuts usually, but I get some razor burn on the neck and a little around my mustache region. I'd really like to avoid the razor burn and the feeling afterwards (sometimes only for an hour or so, sometimes all day), as if I've been bitch slapped. I always rinse with cold water after and dab dry then heavily moisturize which does give good relief, but still isn't the best solution?

Some assistance from the pro's?

Originally Posted by jtank13

Same issue I am having, whats some advice on avoiding any razor burn and discomfort, cos I get the most amazing shaves, so soft and smooth, and minimal to no cuts usually, but I get some razor burn on the neck and a little around my mustache region. I'd really like to avoid the razor burn and the feeling afterwards (sometimes only for an hour or so, sometimes all day), as if I've been bitch slapped. I always rinse with cold water after and dab dry then heavily moisturize which does give good relief, but still isn't the best solution?

Some assistance from the pro's?

Most of the time razor burn comes from using to much pressure, shaving over the same spot to many times, going against the grain, not enough lather and lubricated skin,... all partially leading to technique and knowing exactly what your skin's limit is. You can try and avoid razor burn by working on those issues.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Most of the time razor burn comes from using to much pressure, shaving over the same spot to many times, going against the grain, not enough lather and lubricated skin,... all partially leading to technique and knowing exactly what your skin's limit is. You can try and avoid razor burn by working on those issues.

Alright, I'll practice combining all those thing's.
I always try to go for a 3 time shave, with, across, against.
I usually have very good luck on the first pass, even if not closest shave, minimal to no irritation or cuts, med luck on across, and usually all is fine, and the against is where I get some of my issues, I need to practice a softer smoother touch, and insure enough lather and that it is also warm enough etc too.

I'l also be careful not to accidently do double passes over same area once already removed the lather with the blade...

I hope this all helps! And I'll see how it goes in the end...

ta!

Any other ideas or advice anybody?

In my opinion (and we know what opinions are...), there is no doubt, to me, that you can get every bit as close as a straight. That is if you use a good blade, i.e., Gillette Swedish, Derby, Feather, etc.. plus good shaving techniques.

The difference is, though, the shave with the straight will always be more comfortable and much easier on the skin. I always feel prouder of the shave with a straight, also!

JMHO

Steve

I find that portions of my neck are closer with a DE (Merkur HD loaded with Derby blades) than I can ever get with a straight. Now, the rest of my face is noticeably closer with a straight. I use the same prep & technique with both razors. I can get a DE to attack at the right angle for an against the grain pass, where a straight simply won't fit; the hair around my adam's apple grows straight back toward my ears rather than up or down.

I'm a bit disapointed with my straight razor shaves although to be fair to myself, I should give myself a bit more time as it's only been a little while with the straight.I am slowly getting better at the chin area but it is still not nearly as close there with the straight as with the DE. I am, however getting more comfortable shaves now with the DE than I used to 'cause I now stretch the skin and go slower.I think I should give myself lots more time to get used to a straight.It'll probably take me a couple of years min.

I can get a perfect shave in 5-10 minutes using a cartridge razor (with shaving oil and aloe vera gel on top.)
I can get a perfect shave in 15 minutes using a DE and lather made with a brush. Took a few days to get that good (but a lot of reading up / YouTubing beforehand.)
I can get a good shave in 30 minutes using a straight. Been using one for about a month.

All our faces are different, different methods work better for different people. I never get razor bumps for example, so cartridges are fine for me.

Although my speed goes down as I go through the options in the above list, my enjoyment goes up. And I'm sure my straight shaves will continue to get faster and closer.

I'm sold on the idea that stropping makes a huge difference. 50 laps on the strop makes the blade glide smoother, cut closer and travel over difficult areas easier. In fact it's scary what I can do safely around the chin area now that I strop that much. It might sound like I'm rounding the edge, but the way it mows through the hairs says otherwise. I just need to work on the area under my chin and build up my speed and I will be a happy man indeed.

I've found that s/e razors such as the Gem 1912 shave closer than d/e razors,and are much more user friendly. If I had to choose 1 razor it would be a 1912.Very underated imho.

I know that St8s have a tough learning curve, but what about DEs?

How long did it take you guys to get BBS shaves from DEs?

Also, will I be able to get super smooth shaves from a late 40's super speed with Persona Blades or will I need something more aggressive to really get closer?

I have only shaved with it once and things went so well that I just did the whole face with two passes.
I got some nicks on my neck and it was not that close, but I thought it was respectable for my first time.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I can get a perfect shave in 5-10 minutes using a cartridge razor (with shaving oil and aloe vera gel on top.)
I can get a perfect shave in 15 minutes using a DE and lather made with a brush. Took a few days to get that good (but a lot of reading up / YouTubing beforehand.)
I can get a good shave in 30 minutes using a straight. Been using one for about a month.

All our faces are different, different methods work better for different people. I never get razor bumps for example, so cartridges are fine for me.

Although my speed goes down as I go through the options in the above list, my enjoyment goes up. And I'm sure my straight shaves will continue to get faster and closer.

I'm sold on the idea that stropping makes a huge difference. 50 laps on the strop makes the blade glide smoother, cut closer and travel over difficult areas easier. In fact it's scary what I can do safely around the chin area now that I strop that much. It might sound like I'm rounding the edge, but the way it mows through the hairs says otherwise. I just need to work on the area under my chin and build up my speed and I will be a happy man indeed.

Sounds like you and me have traveled the newb road together, my friend. I might be just a tad ahead of you, though, cause I can now get *as good* of a shave off of a straight compared to my good adjustable vintage Gillette DE. Totally BBS. My wife loves it, cause I make Chewbaka look like Dr. E-vil and Mr. Bigglesworth.

Using a DE now seems much easier than it used to be before I started using a straight. A few zips around the face, and I'm smooooth. It takes a lot more work for me to get the same result with the straight, but it's also much more enjoyable.

I'm sold on the stropping, too. A wise man currently residing in the state of I Da Ho was once quoted as saying, "Strop the crap out of it." Truly sage advice.