Ok, I just chewed my face up in my shave about 20 minutes ago. The end result is a close shave, but not without some blood. First, I am having difficulty with getting my soap to lather. After applying the soap, by the time I am ready to shave, the lather is almost gone. I dont know if it is the soap, brush, my technique, or a combination of the three. I have Van Der Hagan soap and can't seem to get much of a lather. I also have some Everyman jack shaving cream that that doesnt lather well either. I have watched some videos or lathering and cant seem to make my soap do what I have seen in the videos. Second, I have a heavy beard and it is tough to get a clean shave. In the past, I have used an electric razor first for the top of my face, and then go over the top and shave my neck with a cartridge and goop. Now that I am only using my DE razor and saving soap or aforementioned shaving cream. I am probably using pressure and poor technique. I just hope I can figure it out before my frustration overcomes my desire to continue this hobby/experiment. I am guessing I'm not alone in feeling this way........? Advice/encouragement is appreciated.
I too cut myself up with my first few shaves. I have learned to use almost no pressure, and multiple passes starting wtg, then xtg. I go atg everywhere except my neck where I go diagonally with very short strokes. I started with VDH as well, used it til my Tabac arrived. I read on here to cover the top of the puck with hot water for a while, then pour it off and load your brush. I have better luck with a badger brush with the VDH than I do with the boar brush that came with it.
Trouble with VDH? I find that hard to believe, but it happens. How much time are you spending on the puck? I know some videos will tell you 10 seconds is plenty. Maybe for them, but their water conditions may be different. Try spending more time on the puck. What's your razor/blade set up? You may have a razor that's too aggressive, or a blade that just doesn't do well for you. Derby blades tear my neck up, regardless of what razor I put 'em in. A little more info and we'll see how we can help. Just don't give up. Stick with it, practice with the lather (VDH is cheap enough, but far from being a cheap performer), try other razor/blade combo - you'll get it!
I am using a Gillette Tech ball end with a derby extra blade (fresh blade this morning). As for time on puck; I will try longer/more soap to see if that helps. I know we have moderately hard water, so that could be adding to the difficulty. I am frustrated but not defeated....I will continue and figure this out.
Way to go! Love the "stick with it" attitude. The ball end tech is considered by most (self included) to be a very mild razor. You may be trying to compensate with too much pressure. I've found Astra Superior Platinum to do an acceptable job in my mild razors. Did you read the part where I said Derbys tear up my neck?
Definitely do some experimentation with lather. Works out to your benefit with not just increasing skills but also breaking in your brush
Derbs have been tearing me up period...I used to love them but I've experienced big-time inconsistantcies.... I think Steve's maybe on-to-something with the over compensating thing...when I shave with a razor thats too mild I have a tendency to do that....and if I don't use too much pressure...I'll do too many passes...They'll get me one way or another.... I practiced with my Slim @#1, til I could get great shaves....that got me to where I understood how to deal with a too mild razor....But now I don't have the patience...I just go with a moderatly aggressive razor and sharp blade and no (or as little as possible) pressure... I started with the Arko Shave stick...almost impossible not to get a great lather when face lathering with one of those...No quess work...You might want to try one...You just rub a wet stick on your wet whiskers til every whisker on your face has a little ball of soap hanging from it...then hit it with a wet brush and it explodes into a Santa Claus looking lather... Not saying that you should give up on the VDH...but it might help to get some great shaves under your belt....Just an option...
Ok, I bought an Arko shave stick and some TSD "limited run" shave soap to help me get started. Additionally, since the razor sample package is out of stock, I made my own. I bought Astra, 7am, Voskhod, and Wilkinson razors. I will report back after I give these a try. Should I try my superspeed or continue to stick with the ball end tech?
Stick with the ball end tech. Best to minimize the number of things you're changing up as you're trying to find out what works for you.
I can only speak from my experience : 1.I received Derbys with my razor and could not finish one shave with it,it was awful for me, maybe you should try some other blades also. 2.I found out that the most important part of a good shave is preparation. To quote Stalin : "prepare, prepare and prepare again". Shave after shower and use a good face wash soap with lots of warm water and maybe you can try the hot towel thing also, for me it works. I lather my face then I apply the hot towel for 1-2 minutes, wash again with hot water and lather again for shaving, worked like a charm for me. A good preparation routine can minimize the impact of poor lather or poor shaving techniques like bad angle,etc. 3. I don't know what brush you use, but maybe you should try to change to a badger brush or the new Muhle or H.I.S. synthetic.
Hi, do you have these blades and soap on hand now or are you waiting for them to come? I would suggest some "store brands" to use immediately Personna and Wilkenson can usually be found locally in grocery stores, Walgreens,Walmart and independent drugstores. Just make sure the blades don't say made in Korea(those are Dorco and IMO not much better than Derby). Your hard water will also make it more difficult to make lather,get some bottled water heat it in microwave or stove and try that. This may sound crazy but you can also try to shim your blade. It will make the blade more agressive and may make it easier to shave your stubble. REMEMBER very little to NO pressure. While every face and beard is different I've found that for me preasure or rather the lack of it is the key. Irritaton free multiple passes can be accomplished with no preasure. IMO if you have a choice multiple passes are much better than more preasure. Watch your angle also. PATIENCE is also a MAJOR factor!! Don't get discouraged. I can tell you that after 2 years, I NOW virtually never get nicks,cuts,or even weepers,no razor burn. What I would consider a bad or painful shave today is one where I might get a tiny amount of irritation or my A/S burns a little more than usual. THAT is TODAY!! Trust me it didn't start out that way. The only thing that kept me going was the prior 34 years of "ABSOLUTELY" miserable and pain filled cartrige shaves and the HOPE I got from reading forums like TSD that wonderful, smooth, close and pain free shaves do exist with a single blade and real shave soap. I realize none of this info is new and you've heard it before. I just want to encourage you to keep trying, keep experimenting and ONE day it will happen! It's alot like trying to water ski. You fall and fall and fall and then one time you get it right and BAM all of a sudden its easy. Hang in there bud, you won't reget it!
I've had great success with Derbys, but blades are such a personal thing. You might try just practicing your lather work first to get that sorted out with whatever cartridge you were using. Once done, then tackle the razor again.. maybe with a different blade. I'd also save the ATG on the neck for later..stay WTG and maybe XTG. Remember to shave with the whole arm, not with the wrist. The odds are definitely in your favor, so if you persist you will probably succeed.. and the rewards are awesome to behold...
One question is "how long is enough" to load the brush? I find that 30 seconds gets the job done, but 40 seconds produces MUCH better lather. Also, someone recommended putting a shim in the razor. So you ask "how is that done?" Take an old blade (or two) and use a pair of scissors to trim the cutting edge off the blade. Then put the shim UNDERNEATH the new blade which will touch your skin. I think you may do very well with Astra blades, which are widely praised. I know that blades are the ultimate expression of YMMV, but with that being said, may I recommend any Gillette blade produced by Petersburg Products in St. Petersburg, Russia. PPI blades include Astra, 7 o'clock sharp edge yellow pack, 7 o'clock super platinum dark blue pack, 7 o'clock super stainless uncoated (note 7 o'clock is not the same as 7AM), Rubie, Sputnik Super Platinum, and others. These are somewhat more expensive that the cheepie blades; but since you can go more days with them, they aren't really so expensive in the long run. Let's say you can get 5 shaves with a blade. 365 days a year, divide by 5 shaves per blade, means you use 73 blades a year. At 30c per blade for a quality blade, that amounts to just over $21 for a year. Compare that to the cheepie blades at maybe $11-15 a year. So for an extra $10 per year, you can use the finest quality blades.
Sounds like for you, 40 seconds is long enough. There is no set time. It will be different for everyone. Not everyone is using the same soap or cream. Not everyone is using the same size brush. Not everyone is using the same type of brush. Not everyone has the same hardness/softness of water. Not everyone may apply the same amount of pressure with the brush into the soap. Not everyone has the same definition of "long enough." Bottom line, you just gotta practice with what ya got 'til you find what works for you.
I finally started having GRAEAT shaves when i did the following 1. Started using pre-shave oil 3. Switched to Mitchell's Wool Fat soap (NIVEA extra sensitive works for me, also KISS MY FACE) 4. Stopped using Derby's (in favor Gillette Blue, Personna, Polsilver Iridiums, - almost anything platinum works for me) 5. REALLY worked on getting the right blade angle /pressure of 30 degrees - so I was not so much shaving as "gliding" the razor on top of my face with least amount of pressure. - like I was PRETENDING to shave 6. I also found that despite the razor I wanted to work for me (a heavy adjustable) a very light '70's aluminum Gillette Tech works the best for my face. 7. I also regularly screw up and nick myself when I am not really paying attention, go too fast and put too much pressure on the blade. good luck
Sounds like your are on the right path. Stick with the tech and work on your technique. AS for your difficulty getting VDH to lather, maybe a little more time on the puck will help ? As it's a cheap soap you can practice hand lathering with it. Using your hand as the lather bowl allows you to really feel the lather.
This. Slight modifier, though, soak the brush as well, then shake it out until it is as dry as you can get it. Pour off most of the water from the puck. Keep back about a teaspoon or a teaspoon and a half on the puck. When you work the brush on the puck it will immediately create mounds of foamy lather. Push them down and keep working it until the large bubbles go away. When it reaches a thicker consistency it's ready to use. How thick? that would be your personal preference. Right before you apply it to your face, wet your face down with water, then apply the lather. If the lather goes away while you are applying it, you didn't work it long enough in the bowl or mug, but it's easy enough to restore just dip the brush back in the mug for some more soap and work it on the face. ...stop when you have to clear foam out of your nostrils so you can breathe.
Diddo what he said! Every single word! The derbys were also very uncomfortable and when I first used an Astra SP from a sample pack I had puchased it was like I had a whole new razor! I immediatly bought two packs of 100 each. I love them, cheap, smooth, comfortable for me! I have only just began to experiment with other blades in the sample pack but I still use the Astra SP every other shave .
Thank you to everyone for the kind words of advice and encouragement. I am trying to implement the advice given and be patient. I am still awaiting delivery of new razors, soap, etc. I have continued shaving with the current set up while I am waiting. Today’s shave went much better. I didn’t get a close as I would like but it is still better than the old (cartridge/goop) way. I stopped after two passes, overall I am happy with the result...no major irritation/nicks, etc. I still had an issue with he lather, but made it work. It is still a work in progress, but I am still hopeful for increasingly better shaves in the future.
Congratulations!! Just take your time and keep on going. Don't worry about a close shave at this point. Concentrate on your lather( VDH is cheap make alot of practice lathers), correct blade angle,using no/little preasure and getting an irritation free shave as opposed to a close shave. Trust me the CLOSE shaves will come in time don't try and rush it. Soon you will be with the best of us !
