Started using DE two years ago, time to upgrade?

TheDoc

Hi all,

So after stumbling accross this forum, two years ago now, I got into the world of DE shaving, and its been immense.

Since I bought the start kit, I've bought ONE pack of blades. That's like €15 for blades, in TWO years. Rather incredible to be honest considering the starter pack cost me €60. Thats a big difference from the €15 I spent on disposables every two weeks.

I started out with this from Shaving.ie

The Basic Essentials Safety Razor Starter Kit
(Select Razor: Muhle R89)

I was just wondering, if there is bigger and better things out there for me to try.

I havn't REALLY gone into trying different blades, so no idea if what I'm using is the most optimal for my face. I'm using http://www.shaving.ie/products/100-astra-superior-platinum-de-blades-carton.html at the moment, and while I get the odd nick, its mostly fine.

I havnt gotten into that three pattern routine either. Going kinda down, then up then accross, I typically just at most go twice, and its normally in the same direction.

As for other accessories, still rocking the brush that came with the starter kit, not sure antyhing else would be better, like I said, looking for opinions.

I got into preshave probably last year, using this .http://www.shaving.ie/products/proraso-pre-and-post-shaving-cream.html

To be honest, I don't get any noticable difference from when I dont use it. Potentially using it incorrectly?

As for my soap, just using refills of what came with my starter pack. http://www.shaving.ie/products/proraso-shaving-soap-bowl.html

The razer itself I'm happy with, but wonder if there is better. No major complaints, but its looking a bit dated. It's looking "washed" out, and there is this buildup of what I can only describe as stale soap that I need to nearly carve off the blade.

Feedback a welcome, I'm MORE then happy with the current setup, but think I can definitly do better, so would happily look for some advice and suggestions. Who knows whats changed in two years and what the new coolest toy is

Prenderb

First thing I would do is to try different blades... something like:
this 2 of a kind sample pack and see how the other blades suit you?

beardybrewer

Agreed. The simplest, cheapest option is to get a couple of blade samplers.

TheDoc

And what about things like soaps/creams and brushes etc IS what I have already as good as it gets?

I find the pre-shave stuff I got, pretty much useless. Have to say notice no difference using it or not

beardybrewer

The problem is how subjective most of your questions are. As good as it gets is a relative term, for one person it may be a €10 boar brush and a 50p stick of Palmolive. For another person it may be a €150 siltertip badger brush and a £15 soap.

Soaps:
In my opinion, a cheap stick of Palmolive gets you 90% of the way to a great shave. Really you could just stick with Palmolive for life and you will get a good shave every time. The difference in paying 50x more is the scent and slightly better performance but for the cost it only makes a small difference. If you're still curious, try to get your hands on some soap samples. Are there any particular soaps you're thinking about? If it was me, looking at shaving.ie, I'd pick either Mitchell's wool fat (a classic tallow soap, simple soapy scent, very moisturising, thick lather with good slip, can be a little prickly to lather but within a week you'll be expert and well rewarded) or a DR Harris Marlborough or Windsor (subtle manly scents, easy to lather, great all-rounder from one of the oldest names in shaving). If you want to try an artisan soap, take a look at Nanny's silly soaps and order some samples.

Brush:
Again, subjective. If it feels good on your face and lathers well then leave it. By now whatever brush you have it well broken in and as soft as it's going to get. If you find it at all prickly or annoying you could invest in a silvertip. What matters when brush shopping is knot diameter and loft height which is going to determine if your brush is floppy (Muhle) or has backbone (Shavemac D01). If you want to try a Silvertip without breaking a bank look at new forest brushes. Watch this.

Pre-shave:
The best thing you can do it have a shower or use a hot towel to soften the beard. I agree, Proraso didn't do anything for me pre-shave, but I like it as an aftershave balm.

TheDoc

Interesting after that post I took a shave after a shower, and took the time to do three passovers. Have to say best shave I've had ina while. I'm typically just going with one passover, leaving shaving always until the last minunte.

Might get into the habbit of just doing it after my showers when there is some growth, but might have been a little down to me in terms of operation, rather then the tools

Also used the proraso post shave this time round, serious burning sensation haha, but then got really cool and face feels smashing this morning!

TheDoc

Well got that sample pack and the first to the test was the feathers, **** me.

Cuts and slashes all over the place. Barely a nick with Astra blades but these feathers arnt very impressive, the shave isnt very close either at all. Moving onto Derby I think are next in the pack.

jpb1974

Feather and Derby... you couldn't possibly have picked two blades that divide opinion more.

Gran Hermano

Failing to get a close shave with a feather, something ain't right!
Probably the sharpest blade out there albeit not the smoothest.

Keep an eye on technique and razor angle and make sure you use a lather with decent cushion/protection.

TheDoc

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Failing to get a close shave with a feather, something ain't right!
Probably the sharpest blade out there albeit not the smoothest.

Keep an eye on technique and razor angle and make sure you use a lather with decent cushion/protection.

I normally get a close shave from an Astra with one passover, definitly no major issues with technique, major problems with feather. It absolutely lacerated me and was a really poor performance after two passovers

beardybrewer

Feathers are sharp, unforgiving, aggressive blades. I had the same impression of them when I was new and remember posting here how much I preferred Astra or 7 o'clock yellows. That was then, now I mostly use Feathers and russian Voskhods which are both very sharp.

One funny thing I only noticed recently about Feathers is they work best for me when I have a couple days growth. They just slice through stubble like a hot knife through butter. Recently I've been shaving daily and find a less aggressive blade suits me better in this scenario.

TheDoc

newkie wrote: »

Feathers are sharp, unforgiving, aggressive blades. I had the same impression of them when I was new and remember posting here how much I preferred Astra or 7 o'clock yellows. That was then, now I mostly use Feathers and russian Voskhods which are both very sharp.

One funny thing I only noticed recently about Feathers is they work best for me when I have a couple days growth. They just slice through stubble like a hot knife through butter. Recently I've been shaving daily and find a less aggressive blade suits me better in this scenario.

That could be it tbh, I noticed the Astra struggles when I've a bit of growth. But I've got into the habbit of shaving every day after my shower.

My face is noticably uncomfortable today, my face feels a bit crackled and sore, and when speaking, blinking and the likes around my cheek area feels really sore and like the skin is stretching and I can physically feel it happening.

Might keep the feathers for days of big growth. In some state today

Considering im into the routine of shaving nearly daily, probably not much reason to move from my Astra blade which was been working wonders. I'm always on the lookout for the "next best thing", might try some of the samplers when I've a bit of growth to remove, but for now might go back to the tried and trusted.

(Oddly enough the feather didnt even give me a close shave, feels like it was more interested in lashing my skin out of it then cutting hair)

willietherock

newkie wrote: »

Feathers are sharp, unforgiving, aggressive blades. I had the same impression of them when I was new and remember posting here how much I preferred Astra or 7 o'clock yellows. That was then, now I mostly use Feathers and russian Voskhods which are both very sharp.

One funny thing I only noticed recently about Feathers is they work best for me when I have a couple days growth. They just slice through stubble like a hot knife through butter. Recently I've been shaving daily and find a less aggressive blade suits me better in this scenario.

Funny enough I'm just using Voskhods now and they seem as blunt as hell and good for shaving against the grain as a result.

OldRio

The feather blade? Not sure what to make of it.
Used a feather last week after two days not shaving. Wonderful shave. My next shave was after a lazy weekend and the feather 'cut me deep'. Not only cuts but a poor enough shave.
Tried a 7 o'clock yesterday. Grand.

Corkfeen

I'm going to go back to experiment with blades. Had been using feathers for a fair bit but they're not really agreeing my skin these days. Used Wilkinson for a few weeks and they're much more agreeable. Shall test the waters and see what I'm best suited to these days.

Ace Attorney

Ive gone through half a pack of a variety of blades, im getting my best shaves from astra platinum at the mo, so much so that i went ahead and brought 3 x 100 pack, that should do me for 3 years, delighted i found a blade thats right for me, i have still to try the feathers but i am afraid coz im still a noob and would probably chop my face up. Will try them when im 100pc confident, also have timors, personnas and few others i cant remember to try yet :-)

TheDoc

Thatdoesnt looksafe tome AHHHHHHH wrote: »

Ive gone through half a pack of a variety of blades, im getting my best shaves from astra platinum at the mo, so much so that i went ahead and brought 3 x 100 pack, that should do me for 3 years, delighted i found a blade thats right for me, i have still to try the feathers but i am afraid coz im still a noob and would probably chop my face up. Will try them when im 100pc confident, also have timors, personnas and few others i cant remember to try yet :-)

I have one of those Astra 100 packs, series bargain right there.

Not sure why I'm bothering expermienting tbh.

Although I have AWFUL guff with the gunky soap that goes hard on the blade. Some lads have said loosen the head and then run hot water in, not doing it.

Having to use a scissors to get the hardened gunk out of the grooves of the DE itself. Looks pretty ****e with all this grimey soap on it, looked amazing and shiney when I first got it

Gran Hermano

Use an old toothbrush to clean the razor.

Ace Attorney

TheDoc wrote: »

I have one of those Astra 100 packs, series bargain right there.

Not sure why I'm bothering expermienting tbh.

Although I have AWFUL guff with the gunky soap that goes hard on the blade. Some lads have said loosen the head and then run hot water in, not doing it.

Having to use a scissors to get the hardened gunk out of the grooves of the DE itself. Looks pretty ****e with all this grimey soap on it, looked amazing and shiney when I first got it

Duno which razor you have i have an edwin jagger chromed one and run into the same problem you describe, what works for me is boil some water and get a cotton bud and clean it with that, i only got my razor about a month or two ago and still looks span new doin this

Insect Overlord

^ Rinsing the blade more often during the shave can help with that as well.

TheDoc

An File wrote: »

^ Rinsing the blade more often during the shave can help with that as well.

I usually fill up the sink a little with hot water for my shave, dont run water at all. Just dip and shake into the sink. PRobably part of the problem?

I normally use a cotton bud alright to remove any gunk, but the point is the razor is cleaned thoroughly when I'm done, yet it still builds up

insebayguy

Recently got into shaving with a DE razor on the suggestion of a cousin of mine. Bought a luxury starter pack from Shaving.ie (Muhle R89 brush, Taylor of Bond Street Sandalwood & 15 sample blades) and bought 100 x Derby extra blades and have started from there. Shaved 3 times with this pack (soaps etc) and then bought the Taylor of Bond Street Jermyn street cream and Proraso green. Used these both this morning for my 4th shave. Used the Proraso as a pre and post shave and while it was strange I think the shave was better as a result. Like I said, only getting started but think I'll continue with the DE shaving. I would normally shave every day with a Mach 3 but think that every 2nd day will do with the DE blade. Happy enough with the Derby blades. Haven't tried any of the other samples included in the starter pack but will soon enough. Bought a 1979 (my birth year) Gillette Black Beauty long handle today on Ebay. Looking forward to that arriving

OldRio

The Derby blades seem to work fine for myself.

Love the Proraso pre and post shave. Great feeling on the skin.

yabadabado

newkie wrote: »

One funny thing I only noticed recently about Feathers is they work best for me when I have a couple days growth. They just slice through stubble like a hot knife through butter. Recently I've been shaving daily and find a less aggressive blade suits me better in this scenario.

I am the very same,I usually only shave 2 times a week and the feather is by far the best job but if I have to shave daily I don't think they suit as well and always use a less aggressive blade.