DE razor beginner

masterboy123

I have been using Gillette 5 Proglide razor. However, noticed recently it is not giving a perfect close shave anymore, especially around chin and neck area (maybe my beard is getting tougher with age).

I am willing to try a real razor with a blade.

Found this on amazon :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077MLWYWF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mbWpEbHGKZZ98

Is it worth a try?

Thanks everyone.

Fingers Mcginty

Very cheap....seems to get good reviews though.
I've been using this one for the last 10 years or so

https://www.shaving.ie/products/merkur-progress.html

Fantastic quality.

masterboy123

Thanks.
Merkur is over 50 euros. I would like to try something bit cheaper in the beginning as it may not be my cup of tea.

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

Very cheap....seems to get good reviews though.
I've been using this one for the last 10 years or so

https://www.shaving.ie/products/merkur-progress.html

Fantastic quality.

BelovedAunt

This is one of the best beginner razors and the price has dropped recently:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagger-Amazon-Exclusive-Knurled/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=de89&qid=1581243172&sr=8-1

furiousox

That Edwin Jagger would be a great buy for you OP.
Try starting off with a good all rounder blade like the Gillette Astra (smooth and sharp but not too sharp)
I suppose the main thing is to be patient, as DE shaving takes a bit of getting used to.
I tried DE shaving for the first time about five years ago, my neck was raw and irritated afterwards and I just could not get into it so I gave up.
I tried again about 18 months ago and now I love it, no way I would ever consider going back to 5 blade razors.

www.shaving.ie is a very good site to browse through.
Geofatboy has some good DE instructional videos on youtube too.

I'm using a Muhle R89 with Astra blades, I sometimes use Feather blades which are a bit sharper.

Nothing like using a brand new blade that costs 10c instead of 4 euro!
Hopefully you'll find shaving becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
I love hearing the blade rasping along the beard, it's like having a barber-shop shave every time!

masterboy123

Thanks so much.

Is this heavy weighted? And it says short handle, will it make it difficult to shave? Regular and long handle are unavailable.
Also does it have option to different strengths for an aggressive shaving?

BelovedAunt wrote: »

This is one of the best beginner razors and the price has dropped recently:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagger-Amazon-Exclusive-Knurled/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=de89&qid=1581243172&sr=8-1

masterboy123

Do you also recommend this Edwin Jagger?


Edwin Jagger Amazon Exclusive Kelvin Chrome Plated Knurled Handle Double Edge Safety Razor https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yn-pEb85PDVRY


How about Wilkinson sword DE blade? Available for 5 euros in Boots.
And how often do you change the blade?

furiousox wrote: »

That Edwin Jagger would be a great buy for you OP.
Try starting off with a good all rounder blade like the Gillette Astra (smooth and sharp but not too sharp)
I suppose the main thing is to be patient, as DE shaving takes a bit of getting used to.
I tried DE shaving for the first time about five years ago, my neck was raw and irritated afterwards and I just could not get into it so I gave up.
I tried again about 18 months ago and now I love it, no way I would ever consider going back to 5 blade razors.

www.shaving.ie is a very good site to browse through.
Geofatboy has some good DE instructional videos on youtube too.

I'm using a Muhle R89 with Astra blades, I sometimes use Feather blades which are a bit sharper.

Nothing like using a brand new blade that costs 10c instead of 4 euro!
Hopefully you'll find shaving becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
I love hearing the blade rasping along the beard, it's like having a barber-shop shave every time!

furiousox

Yeah that Edwin Jagger would be ideal, you may not need to ever change it.
Some razors have shorter handles some are longer, its all about trying everything out and finding a combination of razor and blade that suits you personally.
That's part of the fun!

I found you got used to the shorter handle quite quickly.
Blade use varies, some people use a fresh blade for every shave.
I generally change the blade after 3 or 4 shaves myself.
4 shaves would probably the maximum you would get from a blade.

100 Astra blades might cost you about 15 euro in total.
That would do me for a year!

masterboy123

Product comes with 5 spare blades. Would these be good for first try?
Also, a silly question, how do you remember which of the 2 sides of the blade you have used?

furiousox wrote: »

Yeah that Edwin Jagger would be ideal, you may not need to ever change it.
Some razors have shorter handles some are longer, its all about trying everything out and finding a combination of razor and blade that suits you personally.
That's part of the fun!

I found you got used to the shorter handle quite quickly.
Blade use varies, some people use a fresh blade for every shave.
I generally change the blade after 3 or 4 shaves myself.
4 shaves would probably the maximum you would get from a blade.

100 Astra blades might cost you about 15 euro in total.
That would do me for a year!

furiousox

That's the beauty of the blade, it doesn't matter.
You just shave, rotate, shave, rinse and repeat.
You don't need to pay any attention to which side of the blade you're using.

EDIT: Yeah those Derby blades aren't bad, worth a try.

masterboy123

Great.
So i will try it out.
One last question, could I use the shaving foam instead of gel and brush?

furiousox wrote: »

That's the beauty of the blade, it doesn't matter.
You just shave, rotate, shave, rinse and repeat.
You don't need to pay any attention to which side of the blade you're using.

EDIT: Yeah those Derby blades aren't bad, worth a try.

BelovedAunt

masterboy123 wrote: »

Thanks so much.

Is this heavy weighted? And it says short handle, will it make it difficult to shave? Regular and long handle are unavailable.
Also does it have option to different strengths for an aggressive shaving?

I found the short handle grand. The is only one setting on that razor but you could use something like Feather blades for a more aggressive shave. Also I would recommend Proraso green shaving soap. I messed around with twenty differents creams and soaps but I find that one the best.

furiousox

masterboy123 wrote: »

Great.
So i will try it out.
One last question, could I use the shaving foam instead of gel and brush?

Yes of course!
I use Gillette skinguard shaving gel with my DE razor and it works a treat.

Fingers Mcginty

If you're getting into the whole de shaving you should forget about that stuff from the can and go for the whole experience and try a proper soap . You won't look back once you try it.

masterboy123

Thanks everyone!

Krombopulos Michael

Personally I went for a Merkur Progress razor with Feather DE Blades and I love them

https://www.shaving.ie/products/merkur-progress.html

https://www.shaving.ie/products/feather-hi-stainless-platinum-razor-blades.html

Also check out this guys channel for DE shaving tips and techniques. Think he had an account on boards for a while.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

zweton

BelovedAunt wrote: »

This is one of the best beginner razors and the price has dropped recently:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwin-Jagger-Amazon-Exclusive-Knurled/dp/B00K6Z24SK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=de89&qid=1581243172&sr=8-1

Just ordered this after reading through this thread, always wanted to give them a try! So basically once it arrives its of to use with a shave cream? Im sure if I like it I will branch out and try the soaps etc.

run_Forrest_run

a wealth of knowledge over here..

masterboy123

Arrived today.
Wish me luck

Krombopulos Michael

masterboy123 wrote: »

Arrived today.
Wish me luck

Looks well. Just take your time with it. Place the round top of the razor onto the skin, the slowly rotate until the blade makes contact.

Expect an odd nick here and there until you get the hang of it.

Best of luck

barney shamrock

That's a lovely razor, absolute bargain at that price.
Let us know how you get on.

uck51js9zml2yt

I buy my blades from Eastern Europe on eBay. Cheep as chips

masterboy123

Which ones?

Daxton Rhythmic Beachcomber wrote: »

I buy my blades from Eastern Europe on eBay. Cheep as chips

Buddy97mm

There are lots of videos and instructions about shaving with a DE razor, but for me two things are key:

1. You need to adopt a different angle with the DE razor compared to a cartridge, with razor at maybe a 30 degree angle to face, rather than pretty much parallel to face for a cartridge. You will find the best angle for you with trial and error.

2. Be sure to use minimal pressure with razor, it should glide over your skin with no pressure. Any pressure will cause Nick's land cuts.

Krombopulos Michael

You can audibly hear the hair being cut with a DE razor and it's very satisfying.

masterboy123

So just tried it now for valentines night

The sides were done very well. But area around moustache and chin didn't work effectively and I ended up using Gillette 5.

I have thick beard at chin and moustache area.

Any suggestions? Maybe I need sharper blade?

Thanks everyone

barney shamrock

Recommended practice is to do 3 full passes with the blade (with the grain, against the grain and across the grain)
I tend to do a combination of all 3 in one go instead of three separate shaves.
I also need to go over my chin sometimes with a disposable razor but everywhere else on my face is smooth and ok.
Proraso red (sandalwood) pre-shave is a nice prep to apply before the shaving foam.
I apply Nivea replenishing moisturiser when finished.
What blade are you using?

uncle_sam_ie

Shaving with a DE razor is a lot diffrent from shaving with a modern razor. Angle and pressure are the key. Here is a great beginners video on how to shave with a DE razor.

Also, ditch the can. A shaving brush and soap is better for the skin and cheaper in the long run.

masterboy123

Thanks. It would take more time to shave 3 times in the morning, especially when I am always running late in the mornings

I am using Derby blades, that came with edwin jagger.

barney shamrock wrote: »

Recommended practice is to do 3 full passes with the blade (with the grain, against the grain and across the grain)
I tend to do a combination of all 3 in one go instead of three separate shaves.
I also need to go over my chin sometimes with a disposable razor but everywhere else on my face is smooth and ok.
Proraso red (sandalwood) pre-shave is a nice prep to apply before the shaving foam.
I apply Nivea replenishing moisturiser when finished.
What blade are you using?

masterboy123

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01G2W5IZG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_lm-rEbR5W8SC6

Hows this brush and stand?

PaulT21

masterboy123 wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01G2W5IZG/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_lm-rEbR5W8SC6

Hows this brush and stand?

Interested in this DE shaving experience too but if you scroll down to the comments on that brush and stand, they are not very favourable, shedding and cracking seem to be the problem!

Might be better to pay a few € extra for some better quality make:)