sometimes i need a day to remember how to use the razor properly again, Depends what i am switiching from and too,. If i go from an R41 to a tech there ia a little adjustment period, but i am fine going from a super speed to a Slim. I use the same razor for about 3 days. Change the razor when I change the blade.
pretty much pick one that suits my fancy. if I get a shave that's not quite as good and I think it's my fault, I'll stick with that razor trying to figure out what didn't or did go astray. lately iv had good shaves so I just pick one.
I use my Merkur HDC with a Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless 95% of the time. Not because I want to, but because I get the best shaves with it. (And my "bests" might not be even "acceptable" for some of you.) The thing is, I got into this to shave with vintage razors, not something made in 2013. So I keep trying. All the more experienced guys say its all about technique and angle, but I believe 50% of the issue is skin type + beard type. Razoronius (the ancient Roman god of barbers) could shave me himself with an angel's sword, using unicorn snot for a cream, and I would still end up with an angry, red neck.
Technique has a lot to do with it. I plan on giving my Weber some more use, The issue I had was my jawline but I think I have finally found a solution. Have you tried different Soaps/Creams? If not you definitely should. Some razors pair well with certain blades.
I rotate between three DEs and two straights. I have my technique down, and I've paid attention enough when using each to understand their particular quirks. When I shave with them, I keep that in mind. When I get irritation and nicks, IMO it's not the razor or the blade's fault. Nor the soap or cream. It's the operator. It is my hand and my mind which guides that razor over my face. It's my responsibility to pay attention, employ proper prep, use proper technique for the razor in hand, make certain the blade is sharp, and mix a lather or choose a soap/cream that has the slickness, cushion, and/or glide that I need. If I get irritation or nicks, it usually comes down to the fact that I was remiss in one or more of those categories. My fault, not the razor's. MHO.
I rotate often but this week I'm on a longevity test with a Bolzano Superinox blade in my Tech. Loaded it Sunday and this morning it's still going strong. I'm impressed so far. Otherwise, I generally switch razors when I change blades. It's kinda weird cuz I generally order the same thing at the same restaurant every time...
This morning was 6. I am going to stop there. The Bolzano performed well and 7 to 8 is certainly possible but I am on a no bloodletting streak of 22days and am looking to extend it.
I've been using a Gillette NEW exclusively for 20 days or so. Before that I rotated between a Weber and it. I may never rotate again. It seems like the more I get to know this NEW, the better it works. I have yet to cut myself on the face with it, I have nicked my scalp a couple of times with it. It seems to use any blades, just as well as the Weber does.
I use a different razor pretty much everyday. The exception being the consecutive use of an occasional new razor, which I may get 2-3 shaves before switching out back to a rotation. Usually the weekly rotation consists of 5-6 days of straight, 1-2 day(s) with a DE razor.
Great pictures, and some fantastic looking razors, makes me want to use straight razors , but i still have plenty to enjoy and learn with DEs first. One day I will take up the challange of a straight. But i totally understand why you would use a different one each day, so many to enjoy. Do you get different shaves with straights, as you do when a person uses different DE razors?
Even in my relatively-limited experience of using straight razors, I can certainly detect differences in both their feel on the face and in the hands. MUCH of this difference seems to be determined by certain factors— how well a razor takes a honed edge, how long the edge holds up with proper maintenance, the blade size and the shape.
I seem to lean toward my Slim more than others, but I will switch to a Red Tip and then polish with a '54 flare tip without having any problems.
+1 with sticking with what works! I was talking to an old friend (he's 93, but looks and acts 70) the other day and somehow we ended up talking about shaving. I mentioned that I was DE shaving and he smiled. He said he's been DE shaving as long as he can remember. But, he doesn't rotate, he doesn't even know what Gillette razor he has! He just uses the same one each day and shaves in the shower without even thinking about it. I guess it's what ever works for each guy on his own!
Actually, the past weeks I've been rotating alot, not from day to day, but from blade to blade, that is 3-7 times per razor. It has been working out fine. It has also shown me, that I have a few razors I need to get rid of - despite being vintage, I simply don't care for them. If I'm about to rotate, then I need top shelf razors on my desire list to rotate between.
