Don't forget your technique!

[Jonxster]

I have been a DE enthusiast for about two years. First-year was the wow year! All excitement couldn't believe shaving could be so great.
Then, following the typical journey, getting the first Gillette DE from an antique shop, learning the ropes.

The second year was the year of trials, Fatboy, Schick, Valet, Matador, and zillions of blades to try. All was pure happiness. Then I started getting bad shaves, so I began narrowing the problems. Why was this happening to me? I tried milder blades, different soaps, lather techniques, you name it.

Then I found it; my technique was ****. I guess this is the trap others have fallen into as well. When you start to DE shave, you have respect for the razor, you go gentle, and you get zero pressure. Then as you learn more, you gain speed, but as you gain momentum and security slowly, your technique starts to slip, and you press a little harder.

So I reduced the pressure and started thinking like a noob again, and voila! I got great shaves again.

I just thought I would share this and spare others weeks of bad shaves.

 

[JPO]

I think many start with a to mild razor and try to compensate for the lack of efficiency with pressure and over buffing. I think it is far more difficult to shave with a really mild razor, like the feather as-d2 than an more efficient razor. A more efficient razor with a good smooth blade can be easier to master than a mild razor.
Getting to confident with a mild razor and zipping across your face can be counterproductive and you may end up with "bad" habits.
It can be easier to go from a mid aggressive razor, like the lupo 95 and down to a milder razor when you have mastered the more efficient razor. It is like using steering wheels

 

[Kyle89]

That’s why I enjoy using a straight razor so much. It forces you to concentrate on technique. With DE I mess up more often due to me and myself! AKA bad technique.

 

[Multum in parvo]

If I want to check if my technique is off I always grab my R41 - immediate feedback and focus

 

[JPO]

That’s why I enjoy using a straight razor so much. It forces you to concentrate on technique. With DE I mess up more often due to me and myself! AKA bad technique.

Yes, me and myself. It is good to have someone to keep you company
Nothing can beat a good straight shave.

 

[BigJ]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

Technique is far more than most any other aspect of ‘traditional’ wet shaving IMO!!

 

[Lefonque]

You are nailing the journey of a lot of DE shavers. Technique is all important. You can have the best razor, the best soap but technique can’t be bought.

 

[ackvil]

Good advice. Technique trumps hardware every time.

 

[DistantSun]

I often compare wet shaving to golf. If your swing (technique) gets neglected then it doesn’t really matter what gear you have , you’re going to struggle.

Also, it only takes one bad hole (shave) to ruin your whole game (day)…

My Lupo has caused me to really try and respect the blade and my angles. I’ve come up with a shave routine that’s working very well for me.
Consequently, I pulled out my GC .84 which I did “ok” with previously to see if I was going to keep it or maybe sell it off and now I’ve had a couple of super shaves with it!

 

[Jonxster]

Yes, me and myself. It is good to have someone to keep you company
Nothing can beat a good straight shave.

I agree fully. With Straights there is close to zero tolerance for mistakes. I remember cutting myself several times at the whiskers area, because I couldn’t appreciate the length fully and my cheek got in the way.

 

[dfs]

The beauty of the shave for me is not just the cutting of whiskers. It is the zen of total concentration, where my mind locks in to
the act of shaving only. But, I am human and sometimes other thoughts creep in during the process, and that is when technique (and blade) may slip.

 

[kingfisher]

Switch to straights or shavettes and never have to worry about losing focus again.

AC shavette guy myself; no going back to DEs.

 

[FarmerTan]

That’s why I enjoy using a straight razor so much. It forces you to concentrate on technique. With DE I mess up more often due to me and myself! AKA bad technique.

Wait until you read my post about my half straight razor shave I attempted yesterday, with pictures!

I did not "KNOW" technique until I started down the straight razor bunny trail....

 

[FarmerTan]

Switch to straights or shavettes and never have to worry about losing focus again.

AC shavette guy myself; no going back to DEs.

My problem is (I think I have this right?) essential tremors? I shake sometimes for no good reason, and the more you try NOT to the werser it gets.

 

[FarmerTan]

The beauty of the shave for me is not just the cutting of whiskers. It is the zen of total concentration, where my mind locks in to
the act of shaving only. But, I am human and sometimes other thoughts creep in during the process, and that is when technique (and blade) may slip.

You need to do what I did: I have Mr. Spock on speed dial! True story doggone! I got his number from William Shatner, who is the model for the Arkoman, who lives in my Kingdom of Arkoland!

 

[JPO]

Wait until you read my post about my half straight razor shave I attempted yesterday, with pictures!

I did not "KNOW" technique until I started down the straight razor bunny trail....

Start with a mellow coticule edge on a straight with some weight to it, and let the blade do the work

 

[Jonxster]

I might add as a head shaver there are so many options one could go nuts. At first I was using the Gillette 1920 ball point, not a forgiving razor I might add. So I switched to Gilette Aristocrat with a mild shark blade, more forgiving but ended up with 30 minutes shaves just for the head. Today a Gillette super speed flair tip with a polsilver blade and being super careful. Not the best shave but decent. I also tried the flair with a rapira blade and that was ok, any tips are welcome!

 

[Multum in parvo]

I might add as a head shaver there are so many options one could go nuts. At first I was using the Gillette 1920 ball point, not a forgiving razor I might add. So I switched to Gilette Aristocrat with a mild shark blade, more forgiving but ended up with 30 minutes shaves just for the head. Today a Gillette super speed flair tip with a polsilver blade and being super careful. Not the best shave but decent. I also tried the flair with a rapira blade and that was ok, any tips are welcome!

I’m an avid steep angle shaver on my face but for head shaving I have a Razorock Eco Hawk. This is a hoe type design that takes half DE‘s. If you ride the cap you get super smooth shaves. Lately I have also used a Yaqi Raster that takes AC‘s. Again riding the cap you can go on autopilot as there is no way to nick yourself. Here I’m looking for the best suited blades for future use.

 

[Jonxster]

I’m an avid steep angle shaver on my face but for head shaving I have a Razorock Eco Hawk. This is a hoe type design that takes half DE‘s. If you ride the cap you get super smooth shaves. Lately I have also used a Yaqi Raster that takes AC‘s. Again riding the cap you can go on autopilot as there is no way to nick yourself. Here I’m looking for the best suited blades for future use.

Single edge...that got my attention. I will give that a go, thanks for the tip!

 

[rbscebu]

.... Not the best shave but decent. I also tried the flair with a rapira blade and that was ok, any tips are welcome!

A straight razor. If the edge maintenance is of concern to you, there is also the disposable blade SR with a Feather DE half-blade.