Brand New and Looking for Help

Boom Boom

I have only found this section in the forums by accident in the last week and reading many of the threads you might be just the people i'm hoping can help.

I shave every 2 -3 days and I get bad razor burn and pimples (ingrown hairs) on my neck always looks as if i have been partly strangled. Have tried everything spent fortunes asking for advice in the likes of boots and places.

I am looking for recommendations for a safety razor and products to try sort this out. I have been scouring shaving.ie but i dont even know where to begin. I have used a saftey razor before and it had no effect, but it was a €5 boots one, so that could be the problem right there.

I have quite course stubble and sensitive skin (a big wuss i know) but any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks
Boom Boom

Cabaal

First off the boots razor sucks in comparison to the real thing, I'd personally recommend a Merkur Progress and a selection of blades to test out.

If you find you have sensitive skin then look specifically for the creams suitable for your skin (there's a few on shaving.ie), I find my skin can be fairly sensitive and I've tried soaps but they don't seem to go down to well.

I have found for myself that using this http://www.shaving.ie/products/Proraso-Pre-and-Post-Shaving-Cream.html before I shave really works wounders.

In addition after I shave I now use this http://www.shaving.ie/products/Speick-After-Shave-Lotion-with-Witch-Hazel.html , it contains witch hazel, I've been using it now for two weeks odd and my neck is alot less red these days and my skin feels alot better.


In relation to a brush well I've really only one main one so I'm not the best person to recommend.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

OP I have the exact same problem as you. I get awful shaving rash on one side of my neck. Having tried everything and found that nothing works for me, as a last resort all I can advise you is to do what I do, soak a hand cloth in hot water and hold it to the area affected before you shave. This opens the pores up as wide as theyre gonna get, then shave with the grain. It won't completely eradicate the problem, but you'll see a serious improvement. Hope this helps.

coolmoose

using a brush, preparing your skin first (shower or hot towel), lathering up with the brush properly and taking your time, 2-3 times with the grain and you should be fine.

i also have sensitive skin, and found that this works perfectly for me. i use a semogue silvertip badger brush, a new blade every 4-5 shaves (favourites are derby, merkur, and surprisingly, old gilette blue blades) and TOBS or AOS creams, and haven't had one bad shave since I changed to DE shaving.

watch some of mantic59s videos on youtube, and take your time!

bothyhead

I was in the exact same position about 4 years ago - I hated shaving and tried to get away with doing it about twice a week. I made the switch to DE shaving, and now look forward to shaving every day

From my experience, there will be three things you need:

1) Quality kit: I use a merkur futur, proraso, and feather blades. (I wouldn't recommend starting off with feathers though - try derbys or personnas first). Interestingly, quality does not mean expensive. Chris in shaving.ie has a fantastic deal on feather blades, 50 for 13.49. If you get, say, 3 shaves out of a blade (I'm sometimes get 5), then that's half a year's shaving! I haven't a clue how much the latest Gillette multi-cartridge things cost, but I'm sure it's a hell of a lot more than 13.50 for a half-year's supply.

2) Technique: This will be the biggest change for you. Again this can be split into three areas:

a) blade angle
b) pressure
c) direction of cut

It will take a while to perfect the art of all three of these. Four years later, I still sometimes apply too much pressure. There are plenty of tutorials on the net which will explain these better than I can. As coolmoose said check out http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59 on you youtube. Two other really good sites are http://www.badgerandblade.com and http://www.shavemyface.com

Here's a tip for you: Don't shave for a day or two, and have a good look at your face in the mirror. Study the direction in which your hair grows; even draw a picture of this growth pattern. I know it sounds silly, but I found that it really worked. Once I had it in picture form, I was surprised as to how I was incorrectly shaving against the grain in a couple of key areas (the base of my neck for instance), which is one of the key reasons for razor burn.

3) Patience: You're not going to get it right in the first couple of shaves, but I would urge you to stay with it. It will be worth it in the end! Also take your time during the process; it takes me about 25 mins do do the job right.

If you have sensitive skin then avoid aftershaves with alcohol. Like Caball, I use Speick after-shave lotion. I also find that Nivea sensitive post shave balm is amazing (about 6 quid in Tesco)

enjoy the ride

Boom Boom

Thanks lads,

bit the bullet and threw out the the muck i was using after saturday nights shave left me looking like edward scissor hands hugged me.

Ordered the following;

Proraso Pre and Post Shaving Cream

Merkur progress Long Handle

and instead of commiting to one I went with Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack

The razor and the cream seem to get a boards thumbs up all over.

where people tend to differ is the specific blades so I guess that a case of finding out for myself.

As I reckon it will be wednesday before I shave again i will have a bit of growth so I will take a photo of the growth pattern to help things and use a hot face towel to open the pores.

At 9:45 this morning order was confirmed at 10 it was shipped that is an interent shopping first I will be absolutley in awe of this shaving.ie if it arrives tomorrow.

Have agreed to give this project 4 - 6 months to see if there is an improvement.

Waiting excitedly on the postman;)

Thanks for all your help lads seriously appreciate it

Shaving.ie

Boom Boom, Just a quick note. The Pre and Post shaving cream cant be used as an actual cream. It is used as a base under shave cream or as a balm after shaving. I'm hoping you will have proper shaving cream/brush to use.

bothyhead

Congrats on your decision Boom Boom! I doubt if it will take the 4 to 6 months that you've committed yourself to. My first DE shave went horribly wrong (a bit like your scissor hands!). I forced myself to do it again the next day, which was a big improvement. I kept it up for the rest of the week, giving it a rest on the Sunday. By this time, my post shave redness had more or less vanished, and I knew I never would go back!

I believe that the biggest reason for my first night's botch job was my blade angle. I had come from Gillette land, where I used to hold my razor with the handle pointing straight down to the floor. Switching to a DE I realised that I had to now have the handle almost parallel to the floor (not quite parallel, but some where between this and 45 degrees, say 30 degrees). During the shave my hand would drop back down, causing the blade to scrap across my face. Needless to mention this caused irritation. I read a tip somewhere which really worked for me: Hold your razor between your thumb and three fingers (index, middle, and ring), next take your pinkie and place it under the handle, rather than on top. This has the effect of naturally rotating your wrist into a more suitable shaving angle. If your wrist does begin to drop, just push up a fraction with your pinkie.

bothyhead

I had a good look at my razor angle this morning, and realised that I don't hold it as horizontal as I thought I did - it's actually probably a tad more than 45 degrees (relative to the horizontal). My revised advice is to experiment to see what's best for you

LightningBolt

This might sound funny but if you're like me and have ridiculously thick stubble learn how to pull your face so that you can get a nice clean shave. If you've a strong jaw like myself you'll find it awkward at times to get a good shave, moving your face around so that you can see the best position to get at hair has probably saved me about 10 minutes in the morning. I'm down to a 20 minute shave with minimal nicks now.

Second the info about the neck hair, learn how it grows especially around the adams apple and either side. I now just go against the grain around that area and it comes up irritation free.

Best of luck.

Boom Boom

Thanks Lads,

Hooray stuff arrived today but postman was late or maybe waited till i left (Kinda ambushed him yesterday thinking he would have it, seen him in the window and ran out to the door ha ha) but i'll collect it tomorrow in the local sort office.

good work shaving.ie many thanks for the prompt dispatch if i survive first shave you will have a customer for life


I have a 100% Bristle Brush from the Body Shop and Macca Root and Java Shaving cream to go over the Proraso are I assumed these would do (are they any good) and didn't want to bin them as they cost me about 30 quid 3 months ago and still relatively new as I got bored and went back to the quick can shaving foam that I did bin.

Lightenbolt, I kinda have a stuby/fat neck so there is not much hassle with the adams apple thanks for the hint though.

I have noticed from reading the boards that many of you guys have multiple razors 39c's and open combs and slant bars. Can someone please enlighten me are ye just collectors or do different razors serve particular functions.

bothyhead

Enthusiasts might be a better word than collectors. I'm sure that the various razors get used on a rotational basis, rather than sitting looking pretty on the bathroom shelf. I myself just have one razor myself at the moment, but give me time ...

A word on open combs and slant bars - they are not for novices. They are very aggressive beasts, I believe. Forget about them for a year or so.

DonJose

Boom Boom wrote: »

I have noticed from reading the boards that many of you guys have multiple razors 39c's and open combs and slant bars. Can someone please enlighten me are ye just collectors or do different razors serve particular functions.

Collector, enthusiast, addict. Any of those could sum me up. Heres my collection/addiction so far.

Old'n'Cranky

DonJose wrote: »

Collector, enthusiast, addict. Any of those could sum me up. Heres my collection/addiction so far.

Nice collection! I'm fairly new to all this myself (a couple of months) but I'm building up quite a collection of safety razors as well as straights, both new and vintage, I got a vintage Fatboy last week and didn't close the butterfly doors properly after cleaning it. Then I shaved yesterday and ended up cutting myself in several places (ouch) I'm still hurting today!

bothyhead

DonJose wrote: »

Collector, enthusiast, addict. Any of those could sum me up. Heres my collection/addiction so far.

er, my 'collection' consists of your top row, 2nd from the left

If I was to buy another one, what would be be a good one to go along with the futur? I think I'd like a progress, but would it be too similar? I suppose I should really turn my futur up from the wussy 2.5 that I have it set at, to see if I can handle a more aggressive shave.

DonJose

I'd go with the Progress long handle, I had a shave with one today and find the long handle much better than the short handled progress.

http://www.shaving.ie/products/Merkur-Progress-Long-Handle-510001.html

bothyhead

How does it compare to the futur? I have just bought a batch of feathers (should that be flock of feathers? ) ... how would they work in a progress?

I currently have one patch of growth about an inch to the left of my Adam's apple, and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of it: I've tried tackling it from 360 degrees and stretching the skin taught. As a result, it ends up being quite sore (though I've honed my technique enough that I don't get red any more.) I'm beginning to wonder if a different type of razor will handle it.

bothyhead

After looking at some reviews on B&B this morning, I'm now leaning more towards a HD. Does this make a good partner with feathers?

DonJose

bothyhead wrote: »

After looking at some reviews on B&B this morning, I'm now leaning more towards a HD. Does this make a good partner with feathers?

Yesterday I had my first shave with a Merkur 34c HD and a Feather, its a good safety razor but not aggressive enough. I finished off the shave with my new Long Handle Progress on setting 3 with a feather. Got a great finish. I'd highly recommend the Long Handle Progress.

Gran Hermano

bothyhead wrote: »

After looking at some reviews on B&B this morning, I'm now leaning more towards a HD. Does this make a good partner with feathers?

I find I can adjust my Progress to give me a similar shave as a HD so the Progress would get my vote over a HD.

Look at the Progress or a vintage Gillette adjustable (Fat boy or slim).
The Futur is a pretty aggressive razor so you might find the HD or
Superspeeds too mild.

bothyhead

Gran Hermano wrote: »

The Futur is a pretty aggressive razor so you might find the HD or
Superspeeds too mild.

Really? That will be interesting, the Futur is the only DE I've ever used (for about 4 years now) No wonder I took lumps out of myself the first couple of times I used it!

I was all set for a Progress until I read on B&B that it sometimes it can have calibration issues; not that having absolute calibration really matters, I suppose.

So, two recommendations for the Progress, plus I can dial it up for those stubborn bits, or down for those days where I need a gentler shave. What's it like for manoeuvrability in the more awkward areas?

Gran Hermano

bothyhead wrote: »

Really? That will be interesting, the Futur is the only DE I've ever used (for about 4 years now) No wonder I took lumps out of myself the first couple of times I used it!

I was all set for a Progress until I read on B&B that it sometimes it can have calibration issues; not that having absolute calibration really matters, I suppose.

So, two recommendations for the Progress, plus I can dial it up for those stubborn bits, or down for those days where I need a gentler shave. What's it like for manoeuvrability in the more awkward areas?

Have a read of this as it compares how aggressive different razors are.
It also highlights how a Progress on 3 is similar to a HD, which is my
experience as well - I'd also say a long handled Progress on 2 is the same
as the shorter Progress on 3.

Just make sure you line up the line and the triangle on the Progress
on the one side as per this picture

I find the smaller heads on the HD or Progress a lot more manoeuvrable
than my Futur.

bothyhead

That aggressiveness comparison chart is really useful. It looks like with a new Progress and my existing Futur, I'll have the whole range covered.

Good info - thanks a million dude

Boom Boom

Double holy sh!t batman

What have I entered into aggressive manoeuvrability calibration issues I think i will have to leave the bathroom door open or the missus might get concerned. my shaving experience is not going to be a straight up and down motion any more is it?

Don Jose that's a lot of razors man i'm beginning to get a bit of a Sweeney Todd vibe off you


Collected my hardware this morning thanks Chris. Some weight in that Progress when I took it out though not for the limp wristed ehh

Will report back tomorrow to let everyone know how I get on.

I'm going to have to read how to calibrate it first so I don't gut myself on the first go.

Cheers Lads

bothyhead

It looks like the 'calibration' issues were due to people putting the top of the razor on the wrong way round. Look at the image in the link that Gran Hermano posted to see the correct way.

Boom Boom wrote: »

my shaving experience is not going to be a straight up and down motion any more is it?

You're a fast learner

bothyhead

Just after reading a thread on shaveMyFace.com where Mer "Mergress" mentioned that current production of Progress's seem to be more aggressive than the older ones. Towards the end of September, he finally figured out why this was the case and was able to adjust it. There's also talk that the long-handled version is more aggressive than the short. How are you guys with the newer long-handled version finding it?

After looking at the chart that Gran Hermano pointed me at today, I'm going to try a shave tomorrow with my Futur dialled back to 1, which, according to the chard, should be even more aggressive than the Progress on 5. I think that I tried it on 1 recently when I first tried a feather, and that it removed very little hair. Anyway, tomorrow will tell.

Gran Hermano

The extra weight and length of the long handled makes it more aggressive than the short handled Progress in my experience. Both of mine have no problem with hair removal.

For comparison I use my Fatboy around 6, Futur on 3, Short Progress on 3, Long Progress on 2. I find the HD and Superspeeds a tad mild.

If your liking the Futur set to 5 maybe check the Merkur long handled barber pole slant or open comb. I find I get a better shave paying closer attention to razor angle than I do doing a Spinal Tap and setting the adjustables to 11.

bothyhead

I normally run the Futur at 2.5 for 95% of my work, and at 3.5 for finishing off some tough areas on my kneck.

Is your Futur on 3 equivalent to, or more aggressive than Progress Long on 2?

bothyhead

I dialled by Futur back to 1 this morning and had a very pleasant shave with it - I was a bit surprised actually. My final against the grain pass was much smoother than usual, with the final result being just as good - though I did have to turn it up to 4 for my problem neck areas.

I began to think why I had been running it at 2.5 all along. As I have become more experienced with wet shaving, I am taking more reduction passes rather than trying to hack it all off in the first go. Obviously when I first got my DE, I wasn't aware of this, and probably tried to get baby-butt-smooth on my first pass; hence why I turned the Futur up.

All in all, I'm very impressed with the milder, but just as effective, shave. I think I will buy myself a progress after all. Now I just have to decide between the standard or long handled version. I've small hands, so maybe the standard version will do?

Shaving.ie

bothyhead wrote: »

I dialled by Futur back to 1 this morning and had a very pleasant shave with it - I was a bit surprised actually. My final against the grain pass was much smoother than usual, with the final result being just as good - though I did have to turn it up to 4 for my problem neck areas.

I began to think why I had been running it at 2.5 all along. As I have become more experienced with wet shaving, I am taking more reduction passes rather than trying to hack it all off in the first go. Obviously when I first got my DE, I wasn't aware of this, and probably tried to get baby-butt-smooth on my first pass; hence why I turned the Futur up.

All in all, I'm very impressed with the milder, but just as effective, shave. I think I will buy myself a progress after all. Now I just have to decide between the standard or long handled version. I've small hands, so maybe the standard version will do?

I think I have mentioned it before but my typical shave is with a Progress and Feather on a mild setting below 2. I get a great quick shave, no irritation, I can go against the grain if needs be. When there is time I do dial in some more aggression and use a Gillette green..

Boom Boom

Well lads,

3 shaves in and i can say i am impressed and will never buy another plastic packet razor again. the presaro cream is great and it clears nasal congestion too

using the gilette 7 o'clock blade on a number 2 setting.

The first shave took nearly 40 mins and there were a few nicks I wont lie I got a bit worried but didn't look as bad as Kenny Egan over in the other thread

Last shave took 20 mins so a vast improvement and i dont feel that burn afterwards the nicks and bumps have all calmed down too not completely gone but getting there.

Then after it is all done ice cold cloth to close the pores and stem the blood.

Then just if you thought you were not awake the Speick with witch hazel well sweet mother of jaysus i'm awake i'm awake now stop your bleeding stinging:eek::eek:
probably a good time to state i have never used after shave before the last thing i used was nivea after shave balm big difference.

But big differences and it's being commented on so that makes me happy.

Chris thanks for all your help you have a customer for life. In saying that now i have a question for you the brush I have is 100% pure bristle from the body shop but bristles come out of it when i am lathering up is this normal with shaving brushes?

Once again thanks to everyone who helped, I have been ranting to anyone who would listen over the weekend to get on and read this forum and get themselves a proper razor a man's razor to go with me bit of stick in the shed for stirring paint
thanks lads

Shaving.ie

Boom Boom wrote: »

Chris thanks for all your help you have a customer for life. In saying that now i have a question for you the brush I have is 100% pure bristle from the body shop but bristles come out of it when i am lathering up is this normal with shaving brushes?

Glad its working out for you
You can expect some shedding from a brush but if it is continuous it may be a sign that the bristles have been damaged and become brittle or the glue has given up. I would give it a little while to settle and see if it can hold itself together.

bothyhead

Boom boom, it's great to hear that you got on so well. It will only get better as your technique improves!

My brush sheds a couple of hairs every month or so. It's 4 years old and still working fine.

Of all the blades in the sample pack, the Gilette 7 o'clock did not do it for me. Blades seem to be very funny, what suits one person is terrible for someone else.

Speick is relatively mild as far as aftershave with alcohol goes. Again, as you progress, you won't be nicking yourself as much, and the sting factor will be virtually nil. I tend to put the Nivea AS balm on first, and when a couple of mins later, once it has dried in, I then apply the Speick. Maybe that will make a difference?

I've just got a new progress from Chris as well (I think you got the same), so I'm probably in for a rough couple of days until I get the hang of it. I'm looking forward to it though

Boom Boom

Thanks chris, will keep an eye on it.


bothyhead, never though of using both I am always afraid of mixing creams or anything as I said fierce sensitive skin. But I might give it a whirl and see.

you will enjoy the progress I have the long handled one and its set at 2 - 2.5.

The first two shaves I used the Derby blades and last night I tried out the 7 O'Clock and that was a more comfortable shave so I imagine you are right on the everyone has a blade preference.

Gran Hermano

Boom Boom wrote: »

Thanks chris, will keep an eye on it.


bothyhead, never though of using both I am always afraid of mixing creams or anything as I said fierce sensitive skin. But I might give it a whirl and see.

you will enjoy the progress I have the long handled one and its set at 2 - 2.5.

The first two shaves I used the Derby blades and last night I tried out the 7 O'Clock and that was a more comfortable shave so I imagine you are right on the everyone has a blade preference.

Everyone likes different blades, I hate Derbys but like the 7 o'clocks.
I find the 7 o'clocks are sharper than the Derbys, Red Personna or Israeli Crystals.

I too avoided most balms and aftershaves before I made the switch to DE
shaving. I blamed it on sensitive skin, but in hindsight the sensitive skin
was due to using the likes of Mach3 and Fusions. Now I'm using proper
shaving products I can use products I'd avoided for years.

After your warm and then cold post-shave rinses, try using some witchhazel. You can get generic stuff it in Boots or get the Thayers brand
from iherb.com cheap enough. Let it air dry then apply your balm of choice.

I alternate some days, skip the witch hazel and use aftershaves from Speick, Proraso or Floid. If my skin feels dry I'll use a balm as well.
If I use a tallow based soap or the likes of Mitchells Wool Fat shaving
soap I find my skin is left feeling great and I often skip the balm.

bothyhead

Boom Boom wrote: »

bothyhead, never though of using both I am always afraid of mixing creams or anything as I said fierce sensitive skin. But I might give it a whirl and see.

The whole reason I got into DE shaving 4 years ago was because I suffer from acne rosacea, and got to the stage where I was ready to try anything. It takes very little for my face to flare up, but I've had no reaction to Prorasso, Speick, Nivea ASB, or witch hazel - nor thankfully to badgers or feathers A good quality face wash is also a must.

But like all these things, if your face does react, then stop using it ... my face did not like trumper's rose soap at all, which is one of the better creams out there.

bothyhead

Gran Hermano wrote: »

I too avoided most balms and aftershaves before I made the switch to DE
shaving. I blamed it on sensitive skin, but in hindsight the sensitive skin
was due to using the likes of Mach3 and Fusions.

I would be willing to bet that a large percentage of sensitive skin is down to poor technique. I remember the days, before I learned multi-pass reductions, of trying to get as much bristle off as possible in a single pass. Then turning the beast around and doing the same against the grain. :eek: Of course, multi blade thingies, and that stuff in a can did nothing to help.

Cabaal

Boom Boom wrote: »

Well lads,

3 shaves in and i can say i am impressed and will never buy another plastic packet razor again.

mwhahaha another one converted

kell77

Evening lads,

I'm also fed up throwing good money away on fusion blades that only give an average shave!
Have read this thread and the saftey razor thread and have decided on the following:
1. Merkur Progress Long Handle Razor
2. Proraso Pre & Post Shaving Cream
3. Two of a kind DE Blade Sample Pack.

Looking for advice on which type of the following to purchase for a newbie:
1. Shaving Brush
2. Shaving cream or soap

Do I need to look at purchasing anything else for starting off or I have covered everthing above?

Thanks

Kell

Amalgam

For shaving cream, you can't go wrong with the 'Taylor of Old Bond Street' (TOBs) tubs, weight for price, they last ages.

Brush is a more personal thing for you, if you don't want to break the bank, maybe dabble with a Semogue or Mühle Best Badger.. and see where that takes you.. or a boar, for more backbone.

Think about picking up a styptic pencil too, helps for the first week or six..

Boom Boom

Boom Boom wrote: »

I have only found this section in the forums by accident in the last week and reading many of the threads you might be just the people i'm hoping can help.

I shave every 2 -3 days and I get bad razor burn and pimples (ingrown hairs) on my neck always looks as if i have been partly strangled. Have tried everything spent fortunes asking for advice in the likes of boots and places.

I am looking for recommendations for a safety razor and products to try sort this out. I have been scouring shaving.ie but i dont even know where to begin. I have used a saftey razor before and it had no effect, but it was a €5 boots one, so that could be the problem right there.

I have quite course stubble and sensitive skin (a big wuss i know) but any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks
Boom Boom

The cheap boots one works fine,I bought it about 6 months ago and im still using it.
Cut the absolute face off myselff first time but after that all fine.I would say all the videos etc I have seen are far more cautious then you need to be imo.As long as your using lather you will have to try hard to cut yourself.

bothyhead

kell77 wrote: »

Looking for advice on which type of the following to purchase for a newbie:
1. Shaving Brush
2. Shaving cream or soap

I would go for a badger brush rather than boar, as I find it's much easier to lather. Shaving.ie has badger brushes around the 25 quid mark. A boar will be cheaper.

I love prorasso cream, it's slightly mentholated, and easy to lather IMHO. Most of the guys here recommend Taylor's (TOBs). The aromas from TOBs are wonderful. For everyday shaving, I prefer the less fussy prorasso. You won't go too far wrong with either of those.

kell77

Thanks for the advice Amalgam & bothyhead!
Have forwarded an order to shaving.ie and will see how I go from there!

Amalgam

kell77, what did you order? It's always interesting to hear what others pick out for themselves.

kell77

Amalgam, I ordered the following:

• Proraso Pre and Post Shaving Cream
• Merkur Progress Long Handle 510001
• Two Of A Kind DE Blade Sample Pack
• Taylors of Old Bond Street Shaving Cream Bowl (Avocado)
• Proraso Sensitive Shaving Soap with Aloe and Green Tree
• Styptic Pencil!!
• Semogue 2010 Badger Hair Shaving Brush

Amalgam

That's a nice selection, I love those Semogue handles. You've hedged your bets getting a soap and a cream..

bothyhead

You'll be pleased with that kit. Have a go of all the blades to see which one suits, but don't start of with the feathers as they are quite sharp. Also, keep the razor down low for the first couple of shaves. Best of luck, and post back in a couple of shaves with the results.

bothyhead

Amalgam wrote: »

That's a nice selection, I love those Semogue handles ...

I bought the 2015HD during the week, and it is oh so nice. The head is smallish and compact, and just feels right on the face. The lather it makes and holds is amazing; it's lovely and creamy. I would definitely recommend this for your collection if you haven't got it already.

Michael G

bothyhead wrote: »

I currently have one patch of growth about an inch to the left of my Adam's apple, and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get rid of it: I've tried tackling it from 360 degrees and stretching the skin taught. As a result, it ends up being quite sore (though I've honed my technique enough that I don't get red any more.) I'm beginning to wonder if a different type of razor will handle it.

I would give one pass WTG and perhaps another XTG and then just leave it. I think the 100% smooth shave is an unattainable Holy Grail unless you are in the hands of a skilled Turkish barber with a straight. Scraping away at the same spot, even if you re-lather in between, just results in shaving rash. You might be conscious that the area isn't entirely smooth but no one else can see it.