Hi, I switched from cartridge razors about 3 months ago. I'd switched to a shave soap and brush a couple of months prior and that helped with some redness and spots on my chin that I hadn't attributed to shaving. Both that change and the switch to a DE razors were for environmental considerations and to cut down on my waste.
I didn't expect to get so much of a better shave, or to enjoy it so much.
I got a Merkur 34c, because the consensus of the internet told me to. And some Derby Premium, Astra SP and Nacet blades, because the internet and the vendor (the one in Albany, for the Kiwis) told me to. I got a tube of Proraso Blue cream, because I didn't think the soap I had would lather enough. The first shave was great and I was astonished at how much better it was. In a week I'd worked to a 3 pass daily morning routine WTG/XTG/ATG, working up from Derby Premium to Astra SPs. Along the way I bought Proraso Blue Preshave and Balm and use that daily, and got come new blades in the pack.
I liked them more as I got sharper Derby Premium-Astra SP - Vokshod - Astra SS, with a couple of strong dislikes on the way (Bolzano, which I wanted to love, Treet Platinum and Rockwell). Enjoying the sharpness, I wondered about aggressiveness and got a QShave adjustable, because its so cheap, I can find out about increasing aggression and longer handles at the same time. I enjoyed that too, getting to 3/3.75/4.5 on a 3 pass shave. I'd been wondering about a slant, and impulsively bought a FOCS one night, leading me to switch back to the 34c so I had a baseline before I start trying that, it will arrive next week.
So... advice for someone about to buy their first razor, from someone who's just been there. I'd get cheap mild razor first, maybe a Weishi 9306, based on reviews I've seen (cheap, mild, blade loads OK), then maybe a Weishi Adjustable (the QShave adjustable's head is really big, but I enjoyed it) after a few months, to play with aggression. And a few blades, maybe Astra Sp, Vokshod and Astra SS/Nacet/Feather to get across mild/medium/sharp. Then you'll know about what works for you and and you'll be able to invest in your first love razor with some knowledge. I'm sure there are alternatives to those razors (especially in the USA) and blades.
And... the next things I have to work out. I'm finding my chin harder to shave than with a cartridge. I think it may be that the shave is closer, so the stubble is shorter the next day, therefore sticking up straight and has less give. I think the higher settings on the adjustable helped, and the FOCS should too.
I'm not always getting consistent shaves, especially since going back to the 34c. When the FOCS arrives, I'll have to find the right blade and stick with that setup for a while. I have red hair, I would have not imagined its especially coarse. My skin is sensitive, though.
Then, I'll start playing with soaps.
My other question (other than the general fishing for feedback on the above) is a brush. I have a cheap NZD22 ~USD13 Omega boar brush. Is that fine, or is spending more going to make a difference at this stage?
Sorry its a long post, but considering it is all of my shaving experience and knowledge, maybe it's short
Thanks for everything that is in this forum. its a great resource
I didn't expect to get so much of a better shave, or to enjoy it so much.
I got a Merkur 34c, because the consensus of the internet told me to. And some Derby Premium, Astra SP and Nacet blades, because the internet and the vendor (the one in Albany, for the Kiwis) told me to. I got a tube of Proraso Blue cream, because I didn't think the soap I had would lather enough. The first shave was great and I was astonished at how much better it was. In a week I'd worked to a 3 pass daily morning routine WTG/XTG/ATG, working up from Derby Premium to Astra SPs. Along the way I bought Proraso Blue Preshave and Balm and use that daily, and got come new blades in the pack.
I liked them more as I got sharper Derby Premium-Astra SP - Vokshod - Astra SS, with a couple of strong dislikes on the way (Bolzano, which I wanted to love, Treet Platinum and Rockwell). Enjoying the sharpness, I wondered about aggressiveness and got a QShave adjustable, because its so cheap, I can find out about increasing aggression and longer handles at the same time. I enjoyed that too, getting to 3/3.75/4.5 on a 3 pass shave. I'd been wondering about a slant, and impulsively bought a FOCS one night, leading me to switch back to the 34c so I had a baseline before I start trying that, it will arrive next week.
So... advice for someone about to buy their first razor, from someone who's just been there. I'd get cheap mild razor first, maybe a Weishi 9306, based on reviews I've seen (cheap, mild, blade loads OK), then maybe a Weishi Adjustable (the QShave adjustable's head is really big, but I enjoyed it) after a few months, to play with aggression. And a few blades, maybe Astra Sp, Vokshod and Astra SS/Nacet/Feather to get across mild/medium/sharp. Then you'll know about what works for you and and you'll be able to invest in your first love razor with some knowledge. I'm sure there are alternatives to those razors (especially in the USA) and blades.
And... the next things I have to work out. I'm finding my chin harder to shave than with a cartridge. I think it may be that the shave is closer, so the stubble is shorter the next day, therefore sticking up straight and has less give. I think the higher settings on the adjustable helped, and the FOCS should too.
I'm not always getting consistent shaves, especially since going back to the 34c. When the FOCS arrives, I'll have to find the right blade and stick with that setup for a while. I have red hair, I would have not imagined its especially coarse. My skin is sensitive, though.
Then, I'll start playing with soaps.
My other question (other than the general fishing for feedback on the above) is a brush. I have a cheap NZD22 ~USD13 Omega boar brush. Is that fine, or is spending more going to make a difference at this stage?
Sorry its a long post, but considering it is all of my shaving experience and knowledge, maybe it's short
Thanks for everything that is in this forum. its a great resource