About to Start on the DE Journey.

[Patrick Hutton]

Hi I'm completely new to DE Shaving. My normal shave is with Gillette Mach 3 and Gillette shaving gel. Before I start I admit I haven't actually read any of the Newbie threads, but have been doing some research.

Two years ago I had a go at DE, I tried it with some el cheapo razor, synthetic brush and crappy soap. Brush and soap produced no lather (not helped by living in hardwater area). Unsurprisingly I gave up after two days. Cutting to the present, last Saturday pm I decided to treat myself to haircut at a Turkish Barbers, I was in for a treat! I got more than I bargained for; a haircut turned into a hair wash, ear hair singing with a flame, a upper body and arm massage, but that's are not what you are waiting for. I had a first strait razor shave. Absolutely brilliant!

This has caused a problem though, I now hate my normal shave with Mach 3 etc! So I think I'm going to have to go down the DE route, I can't afford a daily trip to the barber (much as I'd love to), self shaving with a straight razor? I don't think so!

I've read the "leisure guy's guide to gourmet shaving". Whilst he recommended the EJ DE8X for a novice. I'm still tempted at the idea of the futur.

If go for the futur, should I stick at say 1, whilst I learn technique, and try different razors to find the one(s) that suit me best? Then move up a half? Also as the razor has a straight bar that clears away the lather would a pre-shave oil be advised here, or is that still a subjective thing?

I'd love to hear peoples' thoughts on this.

 

[Threeme2189]

Starting at a mild setting is a good idea. Try keeping all of the variables constant (razor, blade, lather, prep) so you can focus on your technique.
Once you get that down and get consistent shaves try changing one thing at a time and learn what works best for you.

Learn how to build a good lather, and watch some videos or look at a few pictures so you know what to look for. The dense tiny bubbles, the soft peaks and the nice smoothness and sheen. If your lather seems too thin don't be afraid to experiment with more product and more water.

Good luck!

 

[Patrick Hutton]

I'll follow that advice.

 

[rwdflynavy]

I'm still a noob here, but I've learned that my razor angle was much too "steep" leading to bad razor burn. Start with the razor head parallel to the floor and slowly rotate it until the blade is just barely cutting the hair. Much better shave when I really got serious about the blade angle.

 

[Patrick Hutton]

Sounds good advice, I've also read not to apply pressure, but rather let the weight of the razor head do that, and the blade to cut.

It's really weird, since having the straight razor shave at the barbers I just dislike the mach 3 and gel shave. There's no joy in it, truth be told there never was.

 

[nannahill]

I've used a Futur every business day for two years. There's not a lot of difference in the lower settings. Start off low and once the confidence builds you can increase your number. Get yourself a brush, some shaving cream and a sample back of blades and you'll be in business. I used to use Art of Shaving pre-shave oil but haven't in many months. Don't worry about the bar catching the lather - with a reasonable amount of lather on your face all will be good. Your face will tell you if you are using the right amount or not.

Then take your Mach 3 and gel and throw it in the bin. You are quite correct, there is no joy in it.

 

[SREAMAN13]

I know what you mean, I am relatively new at this also about 3 months and I am just starting to get really consistent shaves. I will say this the quality of the shave with a DE is much better and blade angle is everything in my opinion I really enjoy my morning shaves now and am constantly evaluating everyone elses shave quality to myself of course. you just need to stay patient and steer the course we are here to help you along the way.

 

[Doppelgaenger]

Any particular reason for going with a futur? That's an expensive piece of kit to start with and I find it to be rather gimmicky, the ability to fiddle with settings will only serve to confuse you when you're starting out and giving yourself crappy shaves, you'll be tempted to adjust it to take away the razor burn you gave yourself by using the wrong angle and thus move away from the real issue that is getting in the way of perfect technique. I would start with the EJ DE89 if I had to do it again, it seems to be about the best shaving razor you can get at around the $40 price point, and it will be more than good enough to give you BBS shaves for the rest of your life if you had to stick with it, my second choice would be an HD. Personally I will try a slant after I get to the point where DE shaving feels automatic (I currently have a merkur 33C). I believe the slant or the R41 are the contenders for the best shave short of actually using a straight razor.

The safety bar does NOT clear the lather away from the front of the blade if you have the right angle, it will only knock it down a bit. The blade should be the leading element in touch with your skin. The bar only serves to limit how much of an angle you can obtain and rocks it away from the skin before you go so far that the blade can dig in and cut instead of just scrape skin off the surface. Open combs let you avoid this and let soap thru so you can use the more aggressive angle without loosing lubrication.

I find the use of a lubricant (I'm currently trying glycerin) to be best for easing the glide of the head over your skin so that it doesn't catch on your skin and let it start to skip. That and it conditions your skin and takes away the dry feeling that just normal soap will give you. I've actually had soap and the shaving process give me wrinkles on the cheeks that aren't ever there normally because it dried out my skin so damn much. Olive oil or Avocado oil will be other alternatives I'll try shortly.

 

[Triad]

There are some great videos on youtube to check out Mantic 59 and geofatboy!!!

 

[Patrick Hutton]

No rational reason whatsoever

However I've read that adjustable razors aren't good for beginners. The main reason seems to be due to temptation to fiddle with settings in lieu of correct technique, so I'm intending to stick to the low setting, learn technique and try different blades. Once I've got technique and preferred blades then I'd look at higher settings. Also look at the way the futur works, I won't be changing settings during a shave, it looks too much like an invitation to cut fingers.

 

[Straight Rasier User]

Sounds reasonable to me ... assuming that you want to save some money and not get hit by RAD.

The only adjustables that I have are the Fat Boy and the Slim.

But, I mostly use the Open Comb Razors and I have not figured out how to adjust them yet.

 

[Oblique Human]

Welcome to B&B!

Great advice all above. You could buy a vintage Gillette TTO as a first razor. There are several to choose from and they won't break the bank.

 

[chab]

Welcome to B&B. Only advice I'd add is don't be disappointed if things are excellent on day 1, or even day 10. It takes a while to work out the technique. There's always the chance the razor or blade just don't match your face well too. And it takes time to figure out how many passes are good for you and to get your skin used to that. So in short, give it some time. If even then things don't settle out for you, try a different setting or different razor or blade. But change only one thing at a time and get used to it and only then think about changing another - and only if you really need to. Good luck! I've been on a DE for 4 years now and never used a cartridge since Day 1...I'd rather not shave than revert back.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

 

[linty1]

Hi and welcome!

 

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome, good to have you here.

 

[eeney]

I made the jump directly to a Futur, as a result I struggled to get an irritation free shave. I quickly ordered an EJ DE89 which has improved the overall experience significantly. However, I'm glad I have both razors, I just think the EJ or another commonly recommended razor would have been a better starting razor.

The Futur is great razor, and always results in a very close shave, however if I'm in a rush (most mornings) which leads to terrible technique the Futur can bite back, resulting in irritation, and redness (for me).

With the more forgiving EJ I don't need to concentrate so hard, resulting in better daily shaves. It's also good for building confidence and practising new techniques.

 

[Whilliam]

Welcome and enjoy!

 

[mistervee123]

Get on with it! With the equipment and products for shaving that are being sold now, you don't have a reason to look back.

 

[acesn8s]

Welcome. I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you on the journey. I started with a Progress.

Yes, you can start with an adjustable.

The first few days I was using setting 1 on my DE. I had some great close shaves the first couple days. Then I had some tugging and when I chased the Baby Smooth Shave (BSS) by trying a 3 pass, plus touch up I got some irritation. I swapped to a different brand of blade and there was night and day difference. Then I got cocky and opened my Progress up to 2 and 2.5 over the weekend. Chased the BSS shave again and got some serious burn. It took me a few days to heal and then this morning I dropped my Progress back down to 1.5 got a good shave again.

So I you are itching to get an adjustable I say go for it. Just try and pace yourself a little better than I did.