changing routine to keep shaves decent

[Samouraï]

So I have a question: does the face become used to a certain type of blade/soap/razor and create an environment for deteriorating shave quality? I ask this, because when I first started using Feather blades, I had switched from Merkur, and I began getting effortless BBS shaves. Recently, though, my shaves have been getting less smooth and more patchy--irritation has also increased. I feel I am experiencing some of the Feather abrasiveness.

Yesterday, I bought a bowl of Tabac and lathered up with a 4-shave-old Feather in my Muhle head. The shave was miles better than I had been receiving with my usual soap (AoS unscented). The only reason for this that I can imagine was the mixing of my shave routine. I wonder if this applies to blades as well.

I am convinced it is necessary to alternate shaving products in the same way that one might alternate shampoos/conditioners or face cleansers.

Can someone recommend the smoothest blade in town? I understand Personas (Red and Blue) are cheap and great, but when it comes to DE blades, price isn't an issue--anything will do.

Thanks.

 

[Oldguy]

Jon, I wouldn't think the change from AOS to Tabac would make that much difference. I can only make a guess. Normally irritation comes with using a little too much pressure while shaving. Maybe you're paying a little less attention to the little things and speeding up your shaving technique. Try slowing things down a bit and see if that helps.

Len

 

[DSB]

jon, i wouldn't think the change from aos to tabac would make that much difference. I can only make a guess. Normally irritation comes with using a little too much pressure while shaving. Maybe you're paying a little less attention to the little things and speeding up your shaving technique. Try slowing things down a bit and see if that helps.

Len

+1

 

[Samouraï]

Jon, I wouldn't think the change from AOS to Tabac would make that much difference. I can only make a guess. Normally irritation comes with using a little too much pressure while shaving. Maybe you're paying a little less attention to the little things and speeding up your shaving technique. Try slowing things down a bit and see if that helps.

Len

I might be getting overconfident, true. I'll work on slowing down. Any recommendations for smoother blades? Feathers are great, but they are rough on my skin right now (could also be my face wash is irritating my skin--less healthy skin perhaps, worse shaves).

 

[gone down south]

I think the whole "your face/hair/skin gets used to a routine" is more urban legend than anything. It's possible that changing weather condition (it's getting colder/damper round here right now) might be affecting your skin, and it's possible you got too comfortable with your routine and aren't being a thorough as you were before.

 

[Magnus6208]

I think that I read somewhere on this board that said Feathers were not meant for those with very thick or coarse beards but since you used to get great shaves with them, you can probably still get great shaves with them. I have found that if I change either a soap, cream or razor every few days, that I am able to concentrate more and continue the great shaves. the only times that my shaves are not up to par is when I skimp on the preshave routine or if I catch myself using too much pressure.

I don't change my blade selection very much as Lords and Derby's are my favorite.

regards,

Gary

 

[82R100]

I might be getting overconfident, true. I'll work on slowing down. Any recommendations for smoother blades?

Astra Superiors maybe.

- Chris

 

[mdunn]

Familiarity breeds contempt. Like has been said, you were probably just overconfident.

Nothing like a good excuse for more stuff though! FEED THE ADs!!

 

[BatNastard]

mdunn summed it up nicely. I know for me, when I use the same stuff for too long, I start trying to be more and more aggressive and soon I'm getting lots of irritation. Also, my skin tends to be dry, so if I use a splash for too many days I get "irritation" that is really dryness. After a few cycles of Great->OK->Bad I realized what was going on and found that the best way to trick myself into staying sharp (haha) is to mix it up.

+1 on Astras.

 

[Hoos]

So I have a question: does the face become used to a certain type of blade/soap/razor and create an environment for deteriorating shave quality?

No.

I ask this, because when I first started using Feather blades, I had switched from Merkur, and I began getting effortless BBS shaves. Recently, though, my shaves have been getting less smooth and more patchy--irritation has also increased. I feel I am experiencing some of the Feather abrasiveness.

Could be a number of things. Bad batch of blades, a minor change in your routine (I periodically catch myself doing something I shouldn't be doing - even two years in to DE shaving), bad batch of soap/cream, etc.

 

[fornio]

I see a similar thing, if I stick with one shaving cream/after shave combination I tend to get deteriorating shaves. But, then once I switch it up the shave miraculously gets better.

 

[stuff495]

Personally, I think change is "bad". I get the most irritation when switching up something. Probably because I don't have the best technique down for using it and I tend to push the envelope to get a feel for what the new stuff can do. Maybe because my skin really has adjusted to the old stuff.

But experimentation is the best way to find out what works best for you. So in that sense change is a net good.

And if you enjoy changing things up, then I say it's good for you, period.

 

[kingfisher]

Russian Green 7 o'clocks are pretty darned smooth, IMO.

 

[Samouraï]

thanks for all the replies. i'll try out some different blades. i will say that i was using splashes everyday, and paired with a more abrasive cleanser, i think this was producing most of the issues (that coupled with aggressiveness produced by familiarity). i picked up some Musgo Real basalm, so I'll finish with this for a bit.