I recently switched to derby extra blades when I was just using the one that came with my murkur which was a murkur blade. I cut myself all the time with it though on my jaw and chin area, I don't get cuts anywhere else. I'm pretty sure I'm not putting pressure so I really don't know what wrong, plus I'm noticing razor bump like rash on left side which I didn't get with the murkur blade. Unfortunately I can't tell whether my technique is improving(in terms of hairs removal not cuts) or razor choice that is helping me get closer shaves. I had so many cuts just now though I could only suffer 2 passes, amazingly I had no dryness or irritation after learning proper lather technique just cuts and areas I missed. I have a couple questions if you cut yourself pretty bad, what do you do to stop it? I can't put tissues or toilet paper on them cause wet face, and if I don't immidetly put after shave and moisturizer my face feels like painfully dry all night and next morning. Also which do you guys think is the better blade, a murkur or a derby extra? Obviously the derby is sharper but is that really a good thing? I'm pretty frustrated with DE shaving to be honest, the razor was expensive, the learning curve is steep, and pretty much everything has to be ordered online... I'm going to hang in there for a month longer and then if I still can't get all the hairs and no cuts I'm going to try a electric shaving lather and switch to my electric. I love the look of my Murkur razor and my creams but these cuts are getting redicules and if it's not cuts it's irritation, now I have bumps, it's like it's get worse as I go.
If you are only suffering from weepers, then an alum block may work, but if you are getting nicks a styptic pencil is what you need. As far as the blades go, are those the only brands you have tried? Both the Merkur and Derby brands have fans and detractors alike, just like all brands do, and that is why a blade sampler pack is highly recommended. If you are positive that you aren't applying any pressure, then I say try another brand.
Yes, they are the only blades I have tried. I'm going to try the Derbys for a couple days more then I guess I'll buy a sampler pack. Anyone know who sells a pack with the most varities? I usually buy from amazon, decent prices.
Looking back through your old posts it seemed like you were making pretty good progress, so don't get discouraged. One thing I read that causes a red flag for me was this: My advice is don't worry about getting the smoothest shave possible, at least not now, worry more about getting comfortable shaves that you enjoy. Once you can consistently get comfortable shaves, then the close smooth ones will fall into place. Also don't fret over getting a true BBS shave, those things are almost mythical, and can cause a lot of discomfort trying to achieve them for certain people. IIRC there is a link for blade sample packs in the Shave School Master Sticky.
My recommendation is to bail on the Derby blades and save them for further down the road when you're a lot better at your technique. I found Derby to be very aggressive and unforgiving blades. They leave my face feeling raw and violated. I recently used them in a mild razor and the aggression was reduced but still present, and I still had raw spots. There are people who swear by Derby and you can't say they're wrong, the blade just works for them, but if they're chewing up your face, put them aside and try something else. I got discouraged, too, I know where you're coming from. You have to find a blade that works for your face/skin/beard/technique/razor/etc. If Merkur blades are smooth and give you acceptable shaves, stick with those...although, they seem to be among the more expensive brands. Get a blade sampler pack—look for one without Derby in it—and get to know some of the other players out there. I've recently been very pleased with Personna blades (in the red box) as well as Astra Superior Platinum (green box). I've read that Crystal is a smooth and forgiving blade. Dorco, too. You owe it to your face to shop around for sure.
I had the same experience as you... well simular at least. I had a merkur razor and tried it with derby and merkur blades. Both of these blades in this razor gave me lots of irritation on my neck as well as nicks on my chin and weepers on my jaw line. I switched to a red tip and the shaves improved. Even with the same blades they improved but the largest gain was when I switched blades. For me the merkur and derbys shave similarly - like garbage However many people do love both of these blades. Try switching up blades at least to something maybe more geared towards your face (A sampler is the best idea) and see how that works. Then maybe try a different razor as well.
Good advice above. I know I said ATG sounded good in that thread, but that was based on what you posted there. If you're having the issues you describe here, hold off on trying ATG and find a blade that works for you. I know if I started with Merkur and Derby blades I would have been very frustrated as neither of those blades work well for me. Merkur blades don't have many fans and Derby has rather split opinions. As far as which place to purchase, I've had great service from TSD Store, Bullgoose and West Coast shaving. Wherever you go, I'd suggest at least a couple blades that from the handfully most often liked. My suggestion for the handful: -Crystal Persona -Red Pack Persona -Dorco ST-301 (NOT any other Dorco blades though) -Astra Superior Platinum -Feather (warning though, the minority who don't like these sometimes REALLY don't like them)
Dang I forgot the ATG. For ATG as Eris stated hold off until you find a blade for you. Even then you might not be able to do a ATG pass. Might have to keep it to WTF and XTG. I usually don't do ATG on my neck as it is nearly impossible to get it directly ATG on my neck as it grows from Adams apple to my ears. Wouldn't be even blade contact on my neck. Great blade recommendations, I would also try some Wilkis they are cheap and a good blade for me.
Well thanks for the advice everyone. The cuts are mostly from WTG passes though, Im starting to think it's cause of my repeated strokes on the first pass, I do that cause I see pathches I miss so I Just go over it a few times. I remember Mantic said in one of his videos to try not to go over an area twice but I forgot while I was doing it. Actually yes, the cuts only happen with repeated strokes. I thought everyone loves derbys though ha cause I read that they are not too sharp but sharp enough and not aggresive, so I bought 50 of them thinking I'm set for half a year or so. I really want to make them work For me though cause of the fact I already have so many. I'm going to do two more shaves with them, no repeated strokes, 3 passes, and if it works for me great, if not I'm buying the standard sampler pack from west coast shaving.
Don't toss them. Come back to them with better tech and different equipment. Might work better for you then.
Best advice I was given is to try everything out there. Find the right razor, blades and cream/soap for your face. it can take a while but the results are worth the effort.
Indeed, not everyone likes Derby's. I personally don't and that is after giving them a second try. I am going to give them one more effort the next time I change my blade and see if I can get them to succumb to my demands and give me a decent shave.
Ya man, I thought derbys were supposed to be the best for everyone. I just bought the sampler pack anyway just to try something different. It comes with feathers, two razors from Israel called crystals and personnas, derbys lol and astras. I also got some shark blades for two bucks cause I heard there pretty good too.
Deffo drop the ATG shaves for now. I used to strive for BBS every shave but it really is not that important to me anymore. The main focus for me is DFS with a few BBS here and there. I have found that DFS is just fine for The Board Room. I tell you what; PM me your address and I will slap you together a wide sampling of blades to try, because in my experience the Derby and Merkur blades are no good for me.
Thanks alot for the offer stringray, sent you a pm. What does DFS mean lol? I'm trying to get that no stubble look though cause I'm going into the Air Force in a couple more months and if I can't get that no stubble look, they're gonna tear me a new you know what. Definetly going to stop the against the grain passes on my jaw line for now though. Strangely enough I've never had a problem shaving my neck ATG even with cartridge razor, I also haven't even received a nick on it
DFS = Damn Fine Shave. Good luck with Air Force Boot Camp and Thank You for Serving. If Air Force Boot Camp is anything like Navy Boot Camp for me back in 1989, you will be stuck with disposables and canned goo until you get into regular service. make sure to check back in with us and let us know about your progress!
It may pain you to hear this lol but basic training has changed for the easier since you were in grooming equipment wise, we are allowed to even bring electric razors if we want so long as we keep them clean. My plan is to take my electric and DE and equipment and do a DE shave at night and clean up in the morning with an electric. God willing I hope it works and TI won't get on my case ha.
Don't try to take any nice shaving gear when you go to boot camp. I was Navy not airforce, but on the first day they give you chance to turn over anything that is not navy issued, after that chance they go through your stuff, and you are up a creek if they find anything you are not supposed to have. After boot camp you can do anything you want, I forget what they issued us, probably disposables, but I was real young and didn't need to shave much then anyway.
Yeah, and when I showed up to Navy boot camp with my three cartons of cigarettes because my recruiter said I was allowed three cartons of smokes I was super shocked that they were taken away from me. Three months later I finally realized I had not had time or energy to worry about the fact that I had not smoked in all that time. Sounds to me like recruiters are liars now as they were 22 years ago... That is the way it works though, and I would not trade joining the Navy at 17 for love nor money, nor any other thing. You are in for the ride of your life Dude, and it will be fun. I will send you the blade sampler tomorrow.
My recruiter is right though lol. We were given a guidebook upon entering the dep an it saids it allight to bring an electric. Also alot of guys on the afforum( enlisted Air Force forum) say they see alot of people bring them and use them an there are lot of charging areas in the sleeping area. The problem that alot of guys run into is keeping it spotless clean, mine just needs a quick rinse with some soap and to get dried. Here's a link saying what To bring to bmt now a days and it says electric is okay but again it talks about the cleaning issue. Also according to the people on afforum they say we get what called a security drawer which the TI's don't really go through. If you don't bring shaving equipment you have to go to the px (I think that's what's it called) and you have to buy Shaving stuff. http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcejoin/a/afbasicbringlst_2.htm
