Hello. I'm an older newbie. Not to wet shaving but to having problems after many, many years of wet shaving. I started high school and wet shaving with one of my dad's Gillette SSs at 14, back in the 1950's. Over the years I shaved every way possible, with cold water, no water, dry with no soap and against the grain. You name it I did it and rarely had any problems-no razor burn, no bumps and few cuts. Then for 30+ years I had a beard. When I started dating ladies in asia, I shaved it off. Sometime after that I could no longer find blades for my collection of Gillette (DEs). I followed the trend to 2 blades, 3 blades etc. When I moved from the US to the Philippines about 3 years ago, I started having problems finding blades for my old Altra. I got all the different, available handles and took whatever blade I could find in the supermarket. Mostly I find Vector Plus for my Sensor Excel razor. Not good for me! My face gets sore. I get razor burns and bumps everytime I shave now. I only shave when I'm going out of the house every 2 to 4 days to let my face heal. I began religously using good skin care techniques and all the suggested rituals including pre-shave oils, astringents and moisturizers. It has been some help but I still get bumps on my chin, occasional burns and my face always feels tender - a little like a sunburn. I've been lurking on various forums and decided to go back to what used to work. I see that others have the same problems. I think that these multiblade things are just bad for some faces. I've learned that DE's are still very much alive and possibly making some comeback. I just bought a old Gillette fat boy on the bay, and am looking for sample packs of blades. I had already started making my own preshave oil which does seems to help, mostly using EEVO and palm oil. I am also making aftershave using Witch Hazel, rum, glycerin, alum (called tawas here), tincture of benzoin and some spices including clove, bay leaves, and calamansi(a tiny Philippine lemon). Will let anyone interested know how it works and my final formula after I stop adjusting it. I hope to get my razor and blades in the next month (shipping is very slow to the PI ). Well that is my oldie/newby rant :ashamed001 . Will give progress reports. Marion in Cebu
Welcome to The Shave Den Marion! A great community of guys and gals that enjoy wet shaving, I hope you enjoy your stay. Have you ordered your blade sample pack yet? If not, check out this thread for some places that offer them. Keep us updated when all your gear arrives and let us know how you are progressing. Best of luck! :happy088
welcome nice to have you abord you will get some great helpfull advice from the member,s hear,great tips on everything to do with shaving and eqipment.
Like you I am somewhat of a refuge from the terrible shaves. I have shaved with everything with a blade and let me tell you I can understand what you are talking about when you talk about how the cartridge messed up things for you. Cartridges just don't make sense to me.
