Thread: 1 Shave with a DE and I'm ready to quit... Help!

If you want to get some modern razors, a Merkur Progress is great as it is adjustable. I have a Tradere Open Comb that I love, but is on the aggressive side. My favorite (along with my EJ DE89) is my Ikon Bamboo with the dual head, one side open comb and one side closed. I don't recomend the Feather Stainless, as it is so mild to the point of being ineffective. I must say you bought the best razor when you got the EJ DE89...it is my deserted island pick...if I could only have one, it would be that one. And, it is the cheapest razor I own, so that says a lot.

Good to hear the derby blades worked! They are my favorite.

It was late last night when I posted my reply and I forgot to mention one very important thing. You if you are thinking of having a rotation of DE razors, don't! Stick with one razor for a few months at least. Otherwise you'll be chasing variables for ever. Pick a good razor such as your EJ DE89 or if you must feed the RAD beast get a Merkur Progress, because you will likely not have to get any more razors after that. Stay with the same razor for like 3 months. Learn to get good shaves out of it and then you'll be able to shave with pretty much any DE razor. I think rotating a different razor every shave at the beginning is a very bad idea. EJ DE89 is a fine first razor. It's on the mild side, but is a fine tool and can give absolutely wonderful shaves. If you put the head on top of a nice heavy bulldog handle like Ikon or Weber you will be set for the learning duration. Even with the stock handle, it's a great razor. You can experiment with different blades, but again, start with a known good blade like Personna Super (US-made lab/med prep) or Astra SP and stay with that. In fact, the fewer the number of variables in your shave the quicker you will be up and running with perfect results. Once you do get consistent perfect results (and you will) then you can introduce variables and see what those variables do tot he shave. I have really learned the proper angle and pressure from using my Progress for about 4 months non-stop. Then I picked up a Gillette New LC, which gave me terrible razor burn before the Progress tenure and it felt mild as a Tech. I was amazed at the change. It was all in my muscle memory because I did not do anything seemingly different. It just happened. So, do yourself a favor and do not rotate razors for a while. I am not saying do not buy them, mind you, just do not try using a different razor every day. Stay with the same one and it will reward you.

I agree with your suggestion of putting a heavier handle on the DE89. I wasted my money on the Feather Stainless, but the handle is great on my EJ! Guess I paid 200 large for a handle.

Originally Posted by Silents

I've been shaving with a SR for almost a year and switched to the SR because of razor burn from traditional razors. Literally, from that day on 95% of my razor burn disappeared.

About 2 months ago, I figured I try a DE. After some research, I went with a brand new Edwin Jagger DE-89 and some Feather Black blades. After researching technique, I prepped and followed the technique for my first shave.

I have never had razor burn like that in my life. The redness and sting took almost four days to go away. Additionally, I had approximately 15 ingrown hairs on my neck the day after that shave.

Since then my DE is sitting in a drawer collecting dust.

Is a DE just not for me? Any suggestions?

The way the flow of your post reads, I'm getting a picture of your not shaving at a 30 degree angle. It also could be that when it doesn't hurt you apply more and more pressure and by the time you're finished your face is really irritated.

I watched this video a few mornings ago and it was a great refresher on blade angle. Ever since I've gotten fantastic shaves with much less irritation. You can know what to do but still lapse into bad habits without realizing it. Watch how this guy sets the angle with his DE.



The straight razor is as close to perfection as you can get when used right, so why settle for hamburger when you can have a steak?

Progress Report

I just concluded my second shave, with no nicks and no razor burn. I had to do quite a bit of touch up after my 3rd pass, but I just re-applied some more lather and the touch ups were comfortable..

One question, as this was my second shave with the same blade, the shave wasn't as close as the first. I'm assuming this is normal, but how many shaves can I expect from one blade?

Originally Posted by Silents

Progress Report

I just concluded my second shave, with no nicks and no razor burn. I had to do quite a bit of touch up after my 3rd pass, but I just re-applied some more lather and the touch ups were comfortable..

One question, as this was my second shave with the same blade, the shave wasn't as close as the first. I'm assuming this is normal, but how many shaves can I expect from one blade?

I clean and dry my blade after each use and can get as many as 10 or more shaves from them.

Originally Posted by Silents

One question, as this was my second shave with the same blade, the shave wasn't as close as the first. I'm assuming this is normal, but how many shaves can I expect from one blade?

Well that the $64000 question lol. There are many variables that determine how long a DE blade will last - beard thickness, the coating of the blade etc. And because blades are mass produced item there are QC variances as well. Some guys will get 2 comfortable shaves from a blade, some will stretch it out to 8 or more (!). I've found that most blades drop off in quality around 3-5 shaves, but to be safe I usually toss them after 3 shaves. A little experimentation is in order to find out what will work for you.

Congrats on your progress, sounds like it's going well for you.

And I just picked up on eBay a 1953 NOS Gillette Super Speed w/Astra blades. Very inexpensive ($30) and the seller had 2 others (a 1957 and 1963) at the same price. But by the time I completed the sale the other two were already sold. I don't think the seller realized what he had in his hands.

Originally Posted by Silents

Progress Report

I just concluded my second shave, with no nicks and no razor burn. I had to do quite a bit of touch up after my 3rd pass, but I just re-applied some more lather and the touch ups were comfortable..

One question, as this was my second shave with the same blade, the shave wasn't as close as the first. I'm assuming this is normal, but how many shaves can I expect from one blade?

That depends largely on the blade itself, but 3-5 shaves is generally the sweet spot but the blades are so inexpensive that if you can change them before 3 shaves if you desire.