Hello All, I have a course beard, and I have trouble with ingrown hair after shaving. Currently, I shave in the shower. I soap / wash beard for wetting then rinse. Then I use Neutragena Skin Clearing Shave Cream, to soften, and then Rite Aid - Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Soap, and Van Der Hagen Natural Shave Brush (100% Boar Bristle) I lather that up with the brush and let is stay for a few minutes while I wash hair etc. I usually re-apply with the brush a couple of times before grabbing the razor. I have been using a Gillette Fusion razor. Prior to that I used th Mach 3 Does a safety razor work better than Gillette Fusion? If so, I might start cheap with this razor? Gillette 7-Oclock I'm planning to try this: TSD Iced SubZero PreShave Balm to help pre soften. Then TSD Shaving Soap? Scent? Iced Sub Zero? Choose Product Selection? Choose Style Selection? Shaving Cream rather than Soap? Both? TSD Shaving Cream, Choose Product Selection? Choose Style Selection? After Shave? Suggestion? Ideas? Advice? I tried inserting links for each item, but it wouldn't submit...
Welcome to the cozy confines of The Shave Den. Find a comfortable leather recliner and set a spell. Now to your question of razors. A DE will in my opinion work better than a Fusion if you do one critical thing...Work on mastering techinque! This will improve any razor but especially DE / SE / Injectors and the simpler, and in my opinion better cartridges, such as the Trac II and Atra. Please go to the following website and learn and apply the basics (introductions to traditional) with a DE (do not go into the advanced sections until you have mastered the basics first). http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59?blend=1&ob=5 This is for ingrowns: http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/22/xJzk4QL6iME Note mantic's discussion on single blade or as few of blades necessary to get the job done. More than two is usually overkill. Good fortune in your shaves.
With the gillette 7-O'clock it is a very light razor, it may have trouble with the thick growth, he'll it even struggles with my thin gwoth, may I suggest a Merkur though, very well made razors. If you still want to try the gillete 7-O'clock razor have my one sitting in the cupboard, I haven't used it in 2 months and it's only 3 months old, I can send that too you, you just need to pay the postage.
I see in your intro thread in the Newbie section you've already been given links to the stickies. Make sure you read the ones on what razor to get and what blade to buy. There are a couple of ways to see what folks like and are using. One is the Reviews section. Another is the SOS (Shave or Shower of the Day) thread. The one I linked to here is from 5/9 to 5/15. A new thread starts every Monday. What do I like? Modern razor - Merkur 34C Vintage razor - Gillette adjustable -- Fatboy or Slim Blade: Astra Super Platinum Soap: Any TSD soap, but have become very fond of the Cedarwood Cream: I'm not big on creams, but Kiss My Face (KMF) does a very good job for the money. Brush - badger: I have a Vulfix 406, the Burlington, that serves me well Brush - boar: Omega 10049 Please keep in mind that what I like and what works for me have had others that hated it. You'll find 'round here MANY opinions. Remember, they are just that. Try what is offered, but don't blame the person who suggested it if it doesn't agree with you. Have fun!
Thanks again guys, So far, I've read many of the stickies for newbies, and plan to read more. I've watched over 20 of the YouTube Videos from mantic59. \ Once again K-nowlege is King. I appreciate your advice and information.
Whew... I just watched all 36 of mantic59's videos on the YouTube List.... Very informative, but it's time for a break...
Just my insights. I have a coarse bead and i have to say a red tip is amazing. However an adjustable can give you better and more change but the red tip works good for me.
I have a coarse beard as well. I think Mantic videos are the best also check out Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving and the synopsis on Leisureguy's site. Getting the beard as soft as possible prior to shaving is helpful. Hot water , steam seem to help the most. Slicker soaps and creams seem to really work for me. Mitchells Wool Fat, Vulfix creams, Frasers Creams, Ingrams cream seem to do a good job, so does VDH as its quite moisturizing for me. The sharper blades like the Gillette SharpEdge and Feather brand I find work well as well as more aggressive razors. Pairing a Feather blade with a aggressive razor is tricky though and nicking and cutting abound. For coarse bearded fellas it seems like we need the shaving equipment to really cut while protecting the skin from irritation and nicks, walking that line with your shave seems like the sweet spot.
James, welcome to the Den. A good DE will work much better than a Fusion or any other cartridge razor, and you will get much better shaves, and not only that, in time you will see that your ingrown problem will improve very well. I also have a very hard beard, and sensitive skin.
The answer is, they all work. THe fun part is figuring out which ones work best for YOU! The even funner part is trying to figure out which combinatins work best for you! You'll figure it out! Try things. That's the only way to get goin'! Gotta get yer feet wet! Enjoy!
Thanks to your help, I've managed a shave with the Merkur Futur, and now the whiskers are gone, my face is smooth, and I managed to keep the blood inside my body. I've still only have a Van Der Hagan brush (new ones are in the mail) I used TSD Iced Sub Zero pre shave balm (nice) Then TSD Signature Soap (slickery) The Merkur Futur was loaded with an ISRAELI PERSONNA Super+ Platinum. I started on the minimum setting, the I got brave, turned it up, and I survived! Thanks again for the help and advice
