When do the close shaves come?

Been DE shaving for almost three months. 2-3 passes, 2 wtg, 1 xtg, and still no BBS. Using Weishi, Proraso, Astra, cold water rinse and Anherb AS.

Do I need an ATG pass, sharper blade, bigger gap DE razor? Please comment.

 

I would recommend a more aggressive razor. Red tip vintage Gillette or an adjustable razor allows more blade to the face. I know with my Progress set on a level 3, my shave remains very close until early the next morning, for me. I have a medium beard, so YMMV. As far as blade goes, unless you are using a Merkur blade( not worth the steel used to make them IMHO), I would start with a new blade and be ever aware of the length and comfort of the shave. I couldn't imagine a shave without at least one pass ATG. I usually do a 4 pass, WTG, ATG, XTG, and another XTG opposite of the first XTG. I've been getting great shaves with this method. Experiment with your technique, but would definitely suggest a more aggressive razor.

 

Thank you. I am thinking about the Progress or Edwin Jagger DE98L. Any thoughts?

 

Yup. Get a razor with a wider gap. Southernscribbler had some good recommendations. As for the razors you asked about, I haven't used either. Of the two, though, I'd recommend the Progress only because it's adjustable and you can dial it in and find out what type of razor - milder or more aggressive - suits you. Once you know that, you can begin buying more razors (you know you will!) that are along the same line of aggressiveness.

 

I can't imagine shaving without going AGT at some point.

 

I must be the exception as I can get BBS with a Weishi. I need a really sharp blade like an Astra SP or LORD Super Chrome and need to finish ATG, but it's BBS about 1/2 the time and very close the rest. Then Again, I've also had BBS shaves with a NEW Standard (very aggressive) and feather. I personally find I can get BBS with any good condition razor if paired with the right blade and an ATG pass at the end. I've never achieved BBS without an ATG pass, though with a really aggressive set-up I've come close.

 

My thought of the above is Nice and Nice.. I would go for the Jagger.. Looks better and takes away the adjustment "problem" (not really a problem just me).. I have all of the new Jaggers and they shave very nice.. I also have 2 progresses that I do like.. But if I have to choose Ill say Jagger..

And toss the Weishi..

 

When you become a slant warrior !! happy102

No seriously, my experience tells me that even when using a tech or a goodfella with a feather and applying gentle pressure, I do not get as close a shave as say with a Merkur or other open combs or the great slant with a middle of the line blade.

I have now learnt that with mild razors, even a feather blade gets tamed enough to just give a DFS, except for the first pass where it gets really close !!

 

I went back through your previous threads and saw that at one point you had a Merkur 38C, do you still have that razor?

I like Erik can get an extremely good shave with a Weishi razor, but like most gents here have said, not without going against the grain.

So before you go spending money on a new razor (not that there is anything wrong with that ), I would say try going with a 4 pass shave. Try going WTG, then XTG,, then XTG in the opposite direction, and finish it up with a ATG pass.

 

I'm BBS almost daily, with three passes and really sharp blades. The trick for me is no pressure. It's easy to get BBS; it's not easy to do so without a little bit of irritation.

I like Bill's suggestion too. 4 passes finishing with ATG might be the most gentle way to go.

 

In terms of obtaining a BBS shave, ATG is the coups de grace for me. I do one WTG and a XTG first. I mostly use a 40's SS, which are not especially aggressive, loaded with a Derby. I get about the same results with my EJ DE87.

 

+1 on that :happy088

 

You could just buy a Type G Injector and never touch a DE again, ahem I mean :happy102

Seriously though, try ATG its not that scary, move your fingers up closer to the head of the razor and let them do the pivoting over your face, just keep your wrist straight and don't press down!

 

I wouldn't say that a more aggressive will give you a close shave.
I've been a slant user, i shaved whit a Futur, a Progress, a Slim and now im shaving whit a Lord Tech and i get the best shave of my wetshaving experience so far.
The thing whit aggressive razors and very sharp blades is that you have more chance to get irritation if you multi-pass.
And as far as i know , the key is beard reduction.
So i would say go whit a not too aggressive razor , avoid very sharp blades,
and concentrate on beard reduction whit a good technique, like that you have less chance to end up whit irritation and close shave will happen.

 

I tend to disagree a little. Agressive razors are OK, but are best paired with milder blades. Mild razors are good also, but need a sharper blade to work well. The OP is using an Astra which should be fine in the Weishi, I like the combination myself.

The big exception on those pairings is that some, me included, find feather blades more irritating in mild razors and find them to perform much better in aggressive razors. For example, My Gillette NEW Standard works great with feathers, but it's the only razor I have that's too aggressive for an Astra IMO.

 

Good find! In fact I still have the 38c, but have shelved it until I feel I I have made progress with technique. I might almost be there with the technique. It really does take some time to get it down. Shaves are getting better. In fact I tried a Bolzano Blade and it really agreed with my face. Thank you for your suggestions.

 

If you have the 38C, then I would most certainly hold off on a Progress or DE98, the 38C will be more aggressive than the Weishi, and give a shave that is close to the DE98.

So if the Weishi/Bolzano combo doesn't quite get you where you want to be, rotate in the Merkur and give it a try, since I'm pretty sure you have the technique down from the sound of it.

 

+1

BTW, I get close shaves every time with the Progress set at 2.5 with just one or two passes.

 

I think you need a better razor. Astra blades are at the sharper end of the heap so I don't think changing the blade would make a huge difference but trying a Feather blade wouldn't hurt. Which razor is the $64,000 question. I think an adjustable is a very good option. If you prefer the modern DE razors then you'd struggle to find a better razor than the Merkur Futur. If you're into vintage razors then a Slim or Fatboy would be a great choice.
Also, it's worth spending the time to actually study the grain in your beard. Alot of people don't understand that in some people the grain can go in different direction so it's worth knowing which is the best way to shave each part of your face.

 

Where can I find a slim or fatboy for sale?