I need help finding the right razor for my beard and face.
Shaving with a safety razor is new to me, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Let's remove technique and how often I shave from the equation and assume I basically know what I'm doing for the purpose of this conversation.
The situation:
I shave once a week (don't ask - it works for me). I have a tricky beard, it's thick, coarse, and grows in all sorts of directions. I can grow a big thick beard in a matter of weeks. I'm guessing this has something to do with my Italian and Jewish ancestry.
Under that burly beard, I have sensitive skin. Ingrown hairs are common (even when I don't shave) and my chin area and mustache are extra thick. A recent shave with an Alpha Outlaw Mild with a Personna Platinum produced less than ideal results (this is most likely because of a hurried shave with poor technique).
I'm seeking that "unicorn" razor and blade combo. A razor that can handle a thick beard, but not destroy my skin. I understand that if I only shave once a week, razor burn will likely be a part of that, but I'm sure some razors/blades will be better than the others. I think I have a decent grasp of what is considered a mild blade versus a sharp blade. I've read a mild blade in a more aggressive razor could work well, I of course have also seen that a sharp blade in mild razor might be best. I know that blades might be the most important part of this equation. That said, I want to know if I'm even on the right path with the razors I've tried or plan to use.
Razors I've used:
Rockwell 6C - plate 4 ("weekly" driver).
Alpha Outlaw Mild (not exactly mild in my opinion)
Razors I will have the opportunity to try (but haven't yet):
Razorock GC .68 SB
Razorock GC .84 SB
Parker Variant
Razors I have researched but do not own or have access to:
Timeless .68 OC
Karve CB - C plate?
Rex Envoy
Parker Semi-Slant
Henson AL-13
Razors I have not researched (but probably should):
Anything vintage
I have pondered whether or not I'm barking up the wrong tree with closed comb plates. Perhaps I should have gone straight to open comb?
I do not plan to keep an arsenal of razors, I'd like to find one or two that work great for me. I'm more interested in finding a good razor and spending my money on different soaps and aftershaves. I feel like much of the advice on this forum is steered towards those folks who shave every day. This razor would not be a daily driver, but rather a "weekly" driver.
So, I'm seeking the advice of you lumberjacks out there who have a burly beard and gentle skin. I look forward to the discussion, thanks in advance!
Shaving with a safety razor is new to me, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. Let's remove technique and how often I shave from the equation and assume I basically know what I'm doing for the purpose of this conversation.
The situation:
I shave once a week (don't ask - it works for me). I have a tricky beard, it's thick, coarse, and grows in all sorts of directions. I can grow a big thick beard in a matter of weeks. I'm guessing this has something to do with my Italian and Jewish ancestry.
Under that burly beard, I have sensitive skin. Ingrown hairs are common (even when I don't shave) and my chin area and mustache are extra thick. A recent shave with an Alpha Outlaw Mild with a Personna Platinum produced less than ideal results (this is most likely because of a hurried shave with poor technique).
I'm seeking that "unicorn" razor and blade combo. A razor that can handle a thick beard, but not destroy my skin. I understand that if I only shave once a week, razor burn will likely be a part of that, but I'm sure some razors/blades will be better than the others. I think I have a decent grasp of what is considered a mild blade versus a sharp blade. I've read a mild blade in a more aggressive razor could work well, I of course have also seen that a sharp blade in mild razor might be best. I know that blades might be the most important part of this equation. That said, I want to know if I'm even on the right path with the razors I've tried or plan to use.
Razors I've used:
Rockwell 6C - plate 4 ("weekly" driver).
Alpha Outlaw Mild (not exactly mild in my opinion)
Razors I will have the opportunity to try (but haven't yet):
Razorock GC .68 SB
Razorock GC .84 SB
Parker Variant
Razors I have researched but do not own or have access to:
Timeless .68 OC
Karve CB - C plate?
Rex Envoy
Parker Semi-Slant
Henson AL-13
Razors I have not researched (but probably should):
Anything vintage
I have pondered whether or not I'm barking up the wrong tree with closed comb plates. Perhaps I should have gone straight to open comb?
I do not plan to keep an arsenal of razors, I'd like to find one or two that work great for me. I'm more interested in finding a good razor and spending my money on different soaps and aftershaves. I feel like much of the advice on this forum is steered towards those folks who shave every day. This razor would not be a daily driver, but rather a "weekly" driver.
So, I'm seeking the advice of you lumberjacks out there who have a burly beard and gentle skin. I look forward to the discussion, thanks in advance!