Thread: My experience so far.

I have been shaving for around 7 years now and in this time anybody would have expected to master the system required to shave. Generally my nature is old fashioned and I admire old traditional values and look at the past as something to not be forgotten and as something people should learn from.
I went out and purchased a kit for shaving I spent £50 on a half decent razor and a few other bits that is required to maintain the razor and other luxurious bits the£50 was just the razor.
The razor is made from carbon so it’s not hard to keep a sharp edge after reading various articles and watching a vast number of videos on youtube I kind of got the gist of it.
I followed everything that I remembered to read on the net now I must say some information was very helpful especially the illustration and techniques used to shave the chin and maintain the blades health. By the end of my trial I decided to forget what I read and just do things the way I deem best for myself and my experience improved.
Now being curious I attempted to shave for the first time with a surprised look on my face the fear of a deep cut HaHa it’s just a small nip I said and on I went. The first few attempts were just a learning process for me at the end I managed to master the use of a straight razor to my satisfaction.
The people I know that use a straight razor as friends I have always asked why? There reply was always its cheap and it’s a better shave.
I compared the two over a coupple of months of use with the straight DOVO and later reverted back to the mach 3.

+ssss for the mach 3
It’s quick to shave I can shave in under a minute and be on my way.
One set of four blade can last me 2 month and costs me roughly around £3 which is not that expensive for me
It’s comfortable.
I don’t have to be carful
It shaves closer than a straight razor.


+sss for the straight razor.
There’s none besides learning a new skill and classing it fun.

The reason I’m so harsh I have to be honest with myself and I really can’t see why people use this obsolete method.
You can’t shave closer than stub and I had none with the mach 3 after a few seconds shave. To achieve similar results with a straight razor you have to shave 2/3/4 times and even then you won’t achieve the same results .
There’s more irritation with a straight razor having to keep shaving a countless number of times.
It ‘s very time consuming 10 minutes for the average shave.
The maintain of the razor is rather annoying after some time as compared to a standard throw away razor.

Some of my text and opinions my show that I’m inexperienced and a little ignorant but that’s ok after a few months of use i think I done quite well.

So my question why does everybody on here use such an obsolete method of shaving and strongly stand by it’s use while claiming it is better i'm not trying to criticize anything just understand. Maybe somebody could clear up a few details for me and correct me where I went wrong please but I honestly can’t see the purpose of going switching back to a straight blade.
Thanks for reading
Dave.

It took me a long time to get good with a straight razor. Although I enjoyed the ride I'd have to say the biggest draw back isn't the shave, its the learning curve.

Now I don't need to buy anything, ever again. I like that.

But a Mach 3 was the end for me. Putting 3 blades in a row and making the head flop from the bottom was pure stupidity for me. Making the blade do what I want was a pain. Now the old Sensor blade that was pretty nice.

Once you get the edge right and learn how to maintain the blades its not too big a deal.

Either way, you should stick around and read up on what we do. After all, as soon as Gillette needs a profit boost your razor will be gone and you'll be forced to buy a Mach 4 or 5 and pay even more for each cartridge.

Oh and welcome. Its great to have you here. Really kind of says something, don't you think?

Going to the straight has taken shaving from an ordinary chore to a pleasure and something I look forward to. That said, if I'm in a big rush, I use the Mach3, but that's rare.. I really enjoy the brush and cream too, which I suppose you can use with a Mach 3.

Welcome, It's really not about how you shave as much as it is about getting a good shave and enjoying it....my face does not like muti-blade critters and I enjoy the different cremes and soaps. So here I am

My experience has been quite different than yours. I got rid of the Mach III about a year ago when I switched to a DE razor and haven't touched a Mach III again. Almost immediately I got rid of irritation and started getting better and closer shaves. I found the wonderful world of nice soaps and creams and Badger brushes. I learned technique such as WTG, XTG, ATG and proper beard prep before the shave. The time it took was not a factor as I wanted a good shave without irritation and that is what I got.

Three months ago I switched to a straight and the learning curve began all over again. It was a good experience over all with a few nicks and a little blood. I now get a closer and a more comfortable shave than even with the DE razor. I would suspect that you never had a sharp shave ready razor and was impatient to get the shave done as quickly as possible so your technique was never developed properly. If all you want is a quick shave the straight may not be for you.

bj

I was interested in learning and mastering all of the skills necessary to shave with a straight razor. In a world where more and more technology and automation pervades daily life, this one thing is quite removed from that.

I also found that my complexion improved with the preparation that I was now doing for real wetshaving (straight or DE). I was also getting less irritation than I would get from a Mach3 for the same level of closeness over consecutive days. The shaves also last longer than from the Mach3; the straight gives me the longest clean-shaven look.

Thanks for the welcome it’s nice to be here.
I fully understand the learning process that is needed that’s why I gave it a few months of use within that period of time I Managed to shave properly to may satisfaction which I would class the best I’m able to do.
I gave my average shave the time needed to shave nothing was rushed as previously mentioned. Rushing is not something one can do with a straight razor which I think is quite obvious if somebody would want to rush they would not choose this method of shaving.
The world of soaps and creams as it is put here I must admit I very much enjoyed and still continue to use a brush and soap that’s one thing I’ve kept and adopted.
The reason I favour brush, soap over any spray on products I find that anything that comes in a tin the Gillette always gave me a dry shave however strange that may sound that was my experience and that’s why I still keep the brush and soap because I enjoy that wet shave and noticed less irritation with the soap, brush.
The price of the mach three is not much I can spend £8 on a kit and five blades that includes the holder. The average of 4 blades will last me around two months which I would consider a good price for £3. In the amount of time I have been shaving I have used mach 3 for a good number of years just the standard type not any of the vibration crap. I have not yet been forced to change the type of razor I use because Gillette want a profit boost .
Anyway what harm can come from upgrading a razor if the older version they supplied is inferior to a newer model at the same cost? None I would be guessing.
I understand the feeling of the 3/4/5 blade systems when I first noticed the 3 bladed razor come into the consumer market I laughed at the idea and was still using the two blades.
I then tried it after some thought the three blade system with moving head and it was the best shave I had a close fast and comfortable shave very convenient with the twisting head also there’s not so much effort needed.
I don’t think a person can ask for anything else then again I might me wrong. I guess most people look at the first factor being the quality of the shave after the skill has been mastered that’s what I look for then the amount of time it takes but I’m sorry to say I could not find that with a straight blade comfort, closer than mach 3 and time taken.
I adopted my techniques from blade maintenance to shaving and products used for what purpose all from the net and found some to contradict each other then after some time just took what I found best from all the advice given.
If I point out what I do regularly for the everyday shave would somebody point out where I may be going wrong please? Would this help?
I think somebody here said that the razor is blunt I can ensure anybody it’s not. I will take everything spoken of here into consideration relook into my mistakes then send off my razor for hone work just in case it’s my technique just to start fresh. Besides that I don’t think I missed anybody’s comments made, I will stick around for a while to see what’s what as advised.
Thanks
Dave.

I'm just glad you changed your font. That cursive was killing my eyes. You'd be amazed at the help we would be willing to provide.