I've been using a DE for about a month now but am considering going back to cartridge as it is just never close enough and I have now spent about £50.00 ($70-80) on trying to convert in the first place. Anyway I have a Merkur 34C brand new. Erasmic cream. So began with Feather blades after much research that their the best i.e. sharpest as my stubble is very coarse. I just dont know why but even with this world renowned sharp blade and this top razor with properly brush lathered cream after hot shower face the shaving process took forever and in the end I had to finish off with my cartridge so frustrating as I could have finished in 2 minutes if I'd started with it in the first place! Some times I make a stroke on an area of my face - at various angles (including the 30 degree angle first) well lubricated and nothing! Not a grain of hair comes off it just wipes over. so frustrating!!! I need to inform that shaving this way did work with much effort of repeated strokes sometimes ten times in 1 inch square area however it cut my face up badly (lot of blood once) bu this was the only way to get the stubble off clean. Whats the point? I'm so angry I thought it was meant to be a revelation. I do prefer the process however and wish it would work as feels better in the morning. So I had a feeling the Feather are dudd they dont actually shave the hairs on my face - it is very coarse stubble. I bought some Treet. The Treet worked a treat (sorry) for one shave (but note importantly I let hairs grow over weekend so prob helped as more to grip on to) however second shave (only grown for one day from morning) I had to finish off with cartridge again to make sure was a clean shave again!!!! I'm lost now and obviously if this is meant to be more affordable I might be going about it the wrong way. Also I need to add that sometimes I have to loosen the screw for the blade chamber so that it actually cuts the hairs!!!!!!!!!!! It is also taking me ages to shave as I'm trying to justify all the money I've spent by proving it is better than cartridge how can it be if takes ten times longer and no way as close. Sorry for the long post. Is it the razor that's to blame??? I hope not! Anyway I'm now in process of buying sampler pack of blades but I just think none of them will work especially if the Feathers did not. Please reply with tips or ideas of where going wrong. Thank you.
First, if you haven't watched Mantic's videos, check them out. It could be a technique issue at least in part. I'm glad to hear you've ordered a sampler pack. The first two blades you've used are on very opposite ends of the spectrum. Feather blades are very hit and miss for guys. While certainly not lacking in sharpness, I find them very rough and they easily draw blood like you've experienced. Treet blades on the other hand aren't so sharp and can have a short life. I think a you'll find a blade somewhere in the middle that works better. Some that I'd expect to be decent for you are Astra Superior Platinum, Red package Personna, the 7 O'Clock series, Irridium, and LORD platinum.
Well I'm glad to know you said that as after doing my research I chose the first four you mentioned to be included in the pack!!!
First off, welcome to The Shave Den! A great community of guys and gals that enjoy wet shaving, I hope you enjoy your stay! Be sure to sign up for the January Newbie Give-Away for a chance to win some great shave gear! I seem to remember a gent recently having the same problem you did, here are a couple of his threads: I'm on the verge! Finally making progress! Now while these may not describe your situation to a "T", the point is that there are others that have gone through the same thing and were finally able to figure it out. For Scott, yes it took an different razor, and the same may hold true for you, you'll be able to tell after you work through some more blades like Erik advised. We'll do all that we can to help, don't be shy, ask anything you want.
This guy makes me feel good about my progress. I was able to have a closer shave with the first stroke. gambit: Keep trying, and def check out Mantic's videos. They explained alot to me about the proper angle of the blade. I have a coarse beard also, and have only tried a Merkur blade waiting on the sample pack to get here. The first thing I noticed was the sound the blade makes. It sounds different but is exactly what is suppose to happen. I bid you good shaving friend.
Keep in mind, everyone's skin and beard are different in many ways. What everyone else says is the best/worst blade, may be just the opposite on your face. My thinking is that blades are so cheap that even 1-2 uses is just fine. Once you are comfortable with your technique, try every blade you can get your hands on. I've found "the" best blade at least 1/2 dozen times! Good luck! My skin is pretty sensitive and takes forever to heal. Even a slight nick or irritation can be visible for weeks. I never use an edge more than once. Two shaves per blade, that it.
One thing to keep in mind is that you will probably never shave as fast as you did with the cartridge. Part of the allure of wet shaving is the use of time honored tools and traditions and learning or re-learning a skill that our fathers and grandfathers had.
Although it's not unusual to have some trouble, it is unusual to have as much trouble as you're describing. Definitely you should never need to loosen the screw with the blade in there while you're shaving. You don't want a loose blade rattling around. It is just conceivable that there is a defect with the razor. If you have a digital camera, perhaps you might post a picture of the head of the razor as it looks with a blade installed. Someone may see a problem. Beyond that, I have no suggestion at the moment.
Sounds like a technique ( blade angle ) problem to me. Work on that aspect of the shave and if you can't sort it out, go back to cartridge and use what works for your face.
As others have noted, it might be a matter of technique. Mantic59's videos on YouTube helped me out a lot when I was learning. Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving is also a good resource. While some folks swear by the Feather and Merkur 34C combination, I found it to give close but irritating shaves with a lot of nicks. In case it helps, here are some blades that worked well for me, using a Merkur 34C: - Dorco ST-300 - Gillette 7 O'clock Super Platinum (black wrapper) - Iridium Super Extra Stainless - Super-Max Platinum - Derby Extra The 7 O'clocks are nearly as sharp as a Feather, far less irritating and last for 15 shaves. The ST-300 is very mild, and may help lessen any irritation that occurs. All IMHO, of course.
I'm a newbie however, I was wondering if an open face instead of a safety bar razor would work better on this fellows beard.
I shave against the grain I have repeated my self several times before in other posts, but I hope this helps out, are you only shaving with the grain, that might be the problem I don't know about he rest of you guys but I shave with, across then against the grain. I use Iridium blades, Taylor cream and shave oil, give that a try, shaving with the grain does nothing for me. I have tried other cheap blades and they don't cut close or give me a mean burn I almost gave up too. but now I'm all good.
Hmmm.... No posts of any kind from gambit187 since the 19th. I hope he found the shave he was looking for.
ive been shaving with a DE for a year now and i still learn new techniques to finely tune my shave. dont rush into critiquing yourself just yet. DE's will be just like cartridges, you may have to try a half dozen or more before you find something you like. I still use cartridges and disposables as well as a DE's.
Personally I found that the right razor was critical for me to attain a better than cartridge shave... I started with the Merkur HD and quite honestly, It's not the razor for me! Then tried a Gillette Slim Adjustable... began on setting 1, then 2 and finally 3. 3 works the best for me. Then I tried a Gillette NEW (1930's) razor and man oh man, this is the single best razor I've used thus far! Bare in mind as I went through the progression of razor's, my technique also improved... and continues to improve! That's my 2 cent's!
Update For some reason changed the blade to new one and changed technique and last coupled of shaves have been good. still using treet blades. Basically I need a blade that is as sharp if not sharper and as smooth as teh treet but more durable so I can get more shaves out of it. Got 2 good ones so far. I will be trying out my sampler blades in the future to determine this but please offer suggestions for ones you've tried. Thank you for everyones advice so far.
Welcome to The Den. Personally, I had to experiment a lot before I got to the point of loving DE shaving. I have "officially" loved DE shaving for quite some time now. The key for me was the correct blade (Feathers or Astra's) AND (this is a big AND), shaving in the shower. I was shaving over the sink every day and suffering from cuts, nicks and lots of ingrown hair. I was about to give up and go back to the dreaded cartridge until I discovered shaving in the shower. It's a wee bit more complex than using the sink, but my shaves have been amazing and I have not suffered a single ingrown since. In a nutshell, stick with it and you will find something that works for you.
LOL, My GF bought me a DE for Christmas. The first week it looked like freddy krugger shaved me and almost went back to the mach 3. I can now shave with my DE as fast as the mach 3. Just keep refining your technique.