Need Help... Return to Shaving Not Going Well Spent almost $500

I don't see an intrinsic difference between single edge styles, regardless of mount. The practical drawbacks for carts is that they remove many technique options through fixed exposure and attack angle, and are quite mild. Shaving gear isn't "good" or "bad" in my world. There are things I have success with, and things I don't.

I suggest canned foam, which he has on hand. Newbies make bad lather for a while, it impedes technique learning. Reduce variables, isolate problem, correct the technique.

 

Platinum DE

 

Hey, I am sorry. I didn't mean to come across as a rude jerk. I owe you an apology, ironthinker.

What it stems from is one really bad single cart memory.. Specifically, trying a singleblade cart, which was the orange Bic and bleeding from like 30 places at the same time... wrapping a towel around my face until I stopped leaking... Getting in the shower such that the blood wouldn't go everywhere.

I guess I equate that to the single blade, but it was probably my techniquite. If I was shaving lighter, it would have probably been fine. That completely makes sense that Proctor and Gamble want to kill the DE in emerging markets and that you are actually speaking from experience, so it was not right me jumping all over you.

The cheapest razor I ever tried that worked are the disposable Gillette Sensor 2 razors, which as you can imagine are basically disposable Sensor Excel type razors as far as I can tell. I guess it just never occurred to me that one blade could even work in a cart.

I am probably in the wrong generation, but I do remember the Schick Quadro is better than the Mach 3 and the Hydro 5 better than the Hydro 3. Ironically, I break the mold that more blades are better because the Fusion (5) is NOT as good as any of them in my opinion. I actually get a better shave from a disposable Sensor 2 than the Fusion, which is amazing to me!

 

Stupid question but I have NEVER made lather before. Undoubtedly I know I will use the soap, brush, and a mug or bowl. What is the process to make good, thick protective lather? I am going to practice a few times and see if I can get it better than the foaming gel in cans that I usually use.

Then once I get it as good as I can with the lather I am going to try the DE with caution.

 

No shame in the canned foam game!

With a brush, I like face lathering, this is done by loading a wet brush with soap and then building the lather directly on the beard. Skip pre-shave oil for now, you may be fine when you start using the DE razor. When you try the DE, limit it to two passes. Always keep the doors (top) of the razor in contact with your skin throughout the stroke. This keeps blade angle low, and prevents high angle scrapes. Scraping from bad angles and or pressure is the cause of most all shaving irritation.

 

Once you get good with DE, you'll never go back.

 

Be sure to join the focus group. It'll help you on your journey to better shaves. The one thing always to remember is using a light touch. This a different than he cartridge razor when pressure sometimes helped with your shave. Using pressure with this type of shaving is the opposite . Pressure will add razor burn, irritation and cuts. When you use the de razor you are skimming the skin. Your not presssing into your skin or pushing down or pulling. Your simply guiding the razor across your face.

 

Wow... this looks awesome. This guy shaves like a pro:

 

@NETWizz I had a similar problem to yours. Electric razors just ripped whiskers out of my face and carts always gave me irritation and ingrown hairs. As the number of blades increased my irritation and ingrown hairs increased. I am a lover of technology and fast adopter but in this case the old tech was better. Once I went to a DE, could adjust the angle of the blade and stop using pressure the irritation and ingrown went away.

Good luck in finding a solution, don't be shy and ask questions. Give yourself a month to relearn how to shave. Your skin will thank you. Before making the switch I thought I had a tough beard and sensitive skin, now I have a tough beard but my skin is not sensitive.

 

I am going to take some pictures when my new stuff comes in... excited

 

Perfect! Check out the 30 Day Focus thread, it's a sticky in the Shave School section. It's a great mix of newbies and vets at any given time, all shaving related questions are welcomed and encouraged. Give us thirty days, and we'll give you the skills and tips you need. We cut through the fat and teach the techniques. That way, should you decide to upgrade gear, it will actually matter. Check it out, @NCoxSTL runs it, and it's a fun read with lots of pics. Thanks for sharing your learning experience with us! Great shaves await.


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I've never tried the VDH razor, so I can't comment on the brand specifically. However, learning to shave with a good double edge (DE) razor rather than an expensive 20 bladed (or whatever they're up to by now) cartridge razor is a major step in the direction of getting a consistently close and comfortable shave. It looks like you've already made some inroads into getting a better, or perhaps more accurately "real", shaving soap. I think most Walgreen's sell Gillette razor blades if you want to find some locally. All of that will set you on the path to a gentlemanly shaving routine. Once you've properly mastered the proper technique for a multi-pass shave, I promise you that you'll never go back to those plastic contraptions. After that, you can explore the many nuances of getting the "perfect" shave, by deciding exactly which razors, brushes, soaps and blades best suit your personal preferences.

 

VDH = Weishi 9306 = SS Flare Tip Clone

 

Good point. Carts teach techniques that lead to disaster with DE. All good points.

That's a fine start.

 

Welcome to the Shave Den. I hope some of this advice is useful to you. Good luck.

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Welcome to TSD! You'll find lots of good advice here, some of which you have already received. Just one piece of advice on picking up a DE for the first time: be patient. It may or may not be more comfortable for you when you first use it. But, it you stick with it and work on your technique, you'll find that DE provide great shaves that are very comfortable.

 

Welcome to the Shave Den. All Great Advice Above. If I may add, that if the Gillette blades (good blade) is too dull or too sharp. Get a sample pack of different blades, there are many to choose from, Feather or Kai for heavy tough beard, Gillette yellow, Astra or Wilkinson Sword for medium average beard, or Derby, Dorco for a milder beard. There are many blades out there to choose from. A blade for one man my not be good for another.

 

Welcome to TSD @NETWizz
From theses posts, I have concluded that your Multi-blade and Electric technique simply will NOT work with a DE. My best guess is that you are pressing way too hard. (I am also familiar with using a Norelco and a Fusion).
To have success shaving, you must learn to remove the stubble and as little skin as possible.
1) Purchase a quality shave soap (Do some research and read the reviews)
2) Consider a SINGLE-Blade DE razor. (You can spend a lot or a little---start with a little)
3) I would start with a nice synthetic shave brush (you can graduate to a badger or a boar at a later time)
4) Learn to "map" you beard growth. I say that, because you will want to make your first pass with the grain (WTG)
5) Prep you face properly. Best results are after a shower.
6) Load your brush "heavily" (When you think it's loaded, load some more)
7) Shave off the lather and not the hair. (That's another reference to NOT PRESSING)
Lastly, listen to the members here. They have experience you still do not have. We are a friendly, helpful bunch.
Be patient and good luck.

 

As others have mentioned, nothing at all wrong with canned foams, gels, etc. Get your basic gear, technique, and shave routine down first and see where you are with irritation and general satisfaction. Once you have that down, then it's time to experiment with different soaps or cream to find what's best for you.

"Better" is tricky when talking about lather when discussing soaps vs. creams. Some soaps don't produce a huge lather by volume but can result in an amazing shave. You have a lot more options in soaps as far as ingredients -- tallow, lard, shea, stearic acid, moisturizing oils, etc, -- that line you fine-tune what you really like in a shave and what works best for your face and skin.

 

Welcome to TSD. Lots of advice above. The biggest thing I can suggest, is grab a set of gear, and just use that gear for 30 days, focusing on your Technique. Its absolutely amazing how much of a difference this can make. If you keep changing soap, brush, razor, ect., you will not develop the solid technique to use it. I have been doing 30 day rules/ focus for 21 consecutive months now, and I figure out something new every month. As mentioned above, there is a 30 day thread in this forum that will be more than happy to help you get things dialed in.