age and physical issues

[Gecko45]

The first gillette I bought was a NOS travel tech, with the ugly rounded cast top plate. I have always hated it, in fact i stopped using it 3 years ago. Just could never get the right angle to use it with my favored blades. ASTRA ASP, lord. was always tuggy and irritating.

SO tonight I changed razors with my test of china king c gillette blades, put my korean war issue tech away and found the travel tech in its box. The travel tech seemd to weigh MORE then the full size tech, so i decided to use it with a new KCG blade.

I wiped the blade on my shirt, installed, and did a very very great shave. Sure, been shaving last 4 days in a row, only needed to do a 1 pass shave and minor buffing. But it feels like a did a 4 pass shave with a mach 3.

i have pre carpal tunnel in my hands. minor arthritis i think. and the full size tech was very hard to move around on my face. but this little thing felt as heavy as my british aristocrat juinors, and just as effective.


is it just muscle load?

 

[dmshaver]

I can't say why, but I can say congratulations on getting a great shave!

 

[DesertIguana]

Well you range of motion in hands may get better with exercise, try one of those Rubber Balls that feel like they are full of DRY RICE. Most Drug Store Sell, under $5.00.

I used one to fix my Trigger Finger that dod not open, was doing like 300 Squeezes per day in set of 50. One day woke up, open hand, pop heard, no more Trigger Finger on Right Hand Ring Finger.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well one or should I say two thing that help my with dealing with Hand that Do Not Work, is an Exercise Rubber Wheel with Hole for Finder, and Exercise buddy I got from VA Occupational Therapy.

I push the Hands to point of hurting, and then get the benefit of mobility back. Not as good as 18 years old, but better than I was. Better is good.

Simple Task of getting TTO Razor tight to sweet spot in not easy when hand do not work, and you have diminished feelings in both hands.

 

[ButterfaceX]

I also fall into that fun bucket with carpal tunnel & arthritis. Between masonry work and coding, my hands and wrists back at me 24/7. For shaving, for me again... I find that larger diameter (thicker) handle work best for me. 13/14/15 mm thick handles. I do prefer heaver weight razor. Most of my daily drivers hoover from 2.5 to 4.6 ounces. The Ti (titanium) Shield DE (2.5 oz), I will grab when the hands are really toast. This gives me easier navigation and not too feather-light. I certainly understand your frustration and pain. I view my wet shaving ritual always as therapy and well needed enjoyment. So go into it always positive and make it a fun journey...
Take your time and find the right combo that works for you.

Cheers & Best
BFX

 

[Gecko45]

I started with a vander hagen tto, when i dropped it and broke the safety bar, i started using a NOS travel tech, and although it worked for me, it wasnt heavy enough.. I got myself a korean war year ball end tech and it was SO much nicer and heaveir feeling.

Now this week, after using nothing but british aristocrats and flare tip, and fat boy the ball end was like shaving with a razor blade attached to the end of a straw. And the wee travel tech feels like its as heavy as my super adjustable. Its wierd and creepy.

 

[dotKomo]

We all deal with fine motor skill tasks as we get older. I'm happy you found a combo that gave you a great shave!

Adapt, improvise and overcome!

 

[Umma2gumma]

The first gillette I bought was a NOS travel tech, with the ugly rounded cast top plate. I have always hated it, in fact i stopped using it 3 years ago. Just could never get the right angle to use it with my favored blades. ASTRA ASP, lord. was always tuggy and irritating.

SO tonight I changed razors with my test of china king c gillette blades, put my korean war issue tech away and found the travel tech in its box. The travel tech seemd to weigh MORE then the full size tech, so i decided to use it with a new KCG blade.

I wiped the blade on my shirt, installed, and did a very very great shave. Sure, been shaving last 4 days in a row, only needed to do a 1 pass shave and minor buffing. But it feels like a did a 4 pass shave with a mach 3.

i have pre carpal tunnel in my hands. minor arthritis i think. and the full size tech was very hard to move around on my face. but this little thing felt as heavy as my british aristocrat juinors, and just as effective.


is it just muscle load?

Astra SP is not a very sharp blade. It used to be my favorite for a while, and it performs fine in med-aggressive razors like Parker Variant, but it doesn’t work too well in vintage Gillettes.

When I started using these vintage Gillettes with sharper blades like Feather, Nacet, GSB or Perma-Sharp, the difference in performance was very drastic, once I got the feel for shaving angle.

I didn’t use KGV blades but as I understand they are pretty sharp.