Thread: Ripped my face to shreds

Sorry I lied, I shaved with one of my DE's tonight after reading " ripped my face " Nice for a change up ! Didn't think I would shave with a DE again, guess I was wrong.

Fatboy on 9 with a Feather in it is one of the DE combinations which works well for me (yep, I'm the one!), but it's a vicious set up which demands concentration and no pressure. Obie's dead right as usual about treating DEs with respect. The Fatboy and Slim razors should leave no doubt whether the blade is tight or not because of that final quarter turn to lock the blade which is built into the mechanism, so it's probably not that causing the problem... more likely it's just that the first shave with a Feather blade tends to be seriously harsh. It'll very likely be much better next time around. I suppose you could hand strop the blade to make it a bit more even tempered.

Originally Posted by Arrowhead

Fatboy on 9 with a Feather in it is one of the DE combinations which works well for me (yep, I'm the one!), but it's a vicious set up which demands concentration and no pressure. Obie's dead right as usual about treating DEs with respect. The Fatboy and Slim razors should leave no doubt whether the blade is tight or not because of that final quarter turn to lock the blade which is built into the mechanism, so it's probably not that causing the problem... more likely it's just that the first shave with a Feather blade tends to be seriously harsh. It'll very likely be much better next time around. I suppose you could hand strop the blade to make it a bit more even tempered.

lol - Andy, as soon as I saw your avatar I knew you were the "Fatboy on 9" guy before I even read your post.... BTW I will try it someday...

I also agree that, for some reason, the second shave with a Feather does tend to be the best. I personally don't find the first shave to be harsh, but it's still not near as smooth as the second.

Gentlemen:

I use mostly Feather blades. Occasionally, though, I lightly swipe both blade edges through a wine cork — I guess the practice is referred to as "corking." That does smooth out the blade. I really don't need to, since I have a comfortable shave with a new blade. I do it for a little variation.

Regards,

Obnie

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen:

I use mostly Feather blades. Occasionally, though, I lightly swipe both blade edges through a wine cork — I guess the practice is referred to as "corking." That does smooth out the blade. I really don't need to, since I have a comfortable shave with a new blade. I do it for a little variation.

Regards,

Obnie

Hi Obie,

I've never corked a blade but am curious what the difference in feel is, especially if you find the shave comfortable to begin with.

Would someone be kind enough to explain the different settings, and how it affects shaving?
For me, my razor set at 9 adds more curve to the blade, thus making it conform more to the curve of the razor lid. At setting 1 the blade is almost flat.
So how is the 'almost flat' more forgiving than the fully curved? It seems counter intuitive to my thinking.
I appreciate the help in understanding.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Would someone be kind enough to explain the different settings, and how it affects shaving?
For me, my razor set at 9 adds more curve to the blade, thus making it conform more to the curve of the razor lid. At setting 1 the blade is almost flat.
So how is the 'almost flat' more forgiving than the fully curved? It seems counter intuitive to my thinking.
I appreciate the help in understanding.

The higher the setting the wider the gap is between the blade and the safety bar. A wide gap is considered "aggressive" as there is more blade exposed to cut you.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Hi Obie,

I've never corked a blade but am curious what the difference in feel is, especially if you find the shave comfortable to begin with.

Hello, Ryan:

Thanks for your note. "Corking" seems to remove any impurities found on the new blade. Also, I suppose the process adds one-half of a shave to the new blade; therefore, smoothing the microscopic rough edges and making one think it's the second shave.

Or some nonsense like that . . .

All this sounds intriguing, of course, since the process is far from scientific. I really don't have to "cork" the Feather blade, as I mentioned earlier, since I get a good shave from a new one, but why I do it sometimes is because sometimes I need a reason to scratch my head and shrug.

Regards,

Obie

i myself used to cork the blades for my artist club.. till i found out about the light blades.. mainly the professional blades are stupidly sharp and unforgiving... a swipe across a wine cork dulls it just enough..

as for the blade settings on adjustable razors.. not only does it change the gap between the blade and safety bar.. but also changes the angle at which the blade touches your skin.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Anyone else ever have this? Do I need to inpect each blade before I use them?

You need to inspect this blade.
If you cannot see a problem then inspecting more
blades will not likely find anything.

My guess is that the blade is OK but you shorted
yourself on "latherin". For me if I short myself
on the face prep bit, the frame of a DE sticks
and then the blade gets a bite especially when
I dial my adjustable razor toward the larger numbers.

If I am in a hurry creams seem to work better
than hard pucks of soap. Hard pucks of soap
give me a better shave if I take the time
do do my "latherin".

As for the numbers I have tender skin and wire whiskers.
I go for a low number (2) to accommodate my skin and
select a very sharp blade for my whiskers.

I have yet to try corking... some harsh blades shave just fine
the second and third day. Corking might leave that first
harsh shave on the cork. I will try it some day.