Copper Wire Beard?

[MacMitch]

So I am back to DE shaving for several weeks now. I want say how old I am but there were no double or XXX, xxxxx..... plastic disposables when I started shaving.

I believe my beard is much tougher now that it was in my youth. I have read many threads here concerning dealing with tough beards but I still can not seem to remove those tough little beasts with a reasonable number of passes. I am shaving in my shower, soaking and soaping my beard to soften it well in advance of the shave.

I dialed the Slim up to 5 this morning and it did better. I was on 3, as suggested starting out. I have tried several different blades. Derby, Shark, Red Personnas and Feathers. The Feathers cut through more faster for sure. I still wind up making three passes, skipping WTG as it does not seem to do much of anything. Then I work on the tough spots (chin & neck) for quite a while, with lots of short "buffing" strokes and several more area latherings. I can feel the hair on the blade but it just does not seem to want to come off. It is a little nerve racking when the blade seems to get nocked around or stopped by fairly short stubble. Although I have not suffered much in the way of nicks or cuts, when the razor gets into thick stubble it feels like I will get cut if I force the blade through it.

I ordered a Moss Scuttle today because it does seem that warm/hot lather works better than cool or cold. Other than hot towels I have tried about everything I have found on these pages. I don't think I have an abnormal amount of beard. It just seems that what I have is very hard to cut.

Any other suggestions are appreciated,

Mitch

Tools.....

Muhle 89R
Gillette Slim Adjustable
Gillette Aristocrat (46-47) in the mail
Speick Shave Cream
Saint Charles Shave, Very V Cream
Moss Scuttle (in the mail)
Proraso After Shave

 

[ClubmanRob]

Mitch, I never tried a Slim that I can remember, but I had most of the same problems that you did before I went to Merkur HDs. I'm not sure how aggressive the Slim is on the scale, but I would look into finding a razor a bit meaner in that department.

 

[kingfisher]

Have you tried applying hair conditioner (the softening kind) to your beard while you shower?

My beard is also very tough and I have experienced the same things you are talking about. My solution is two-fold: 1) don't wet the beard with water that is too hot, and 2) leave the lather on my face for at least two minutes before starting my shave.

 

[40_Caliber]

Sounds like you need a slant. Check out a Merkur 39c.

Just my .02

.40

 

[closer]

Other than hot towels I have tried about everything I have found on these pages.

I would strongly suggest you try this. Search for "Kyle's prep" and read up on his routine. I use a modified version, and it has served me well. I wash my face and beard with a face wash - really work the stubble with the soap, and let it sit for a couple of minutes (I brush my teeth in the meantime). You could even do this part in the shower, but I do it before. Then, lather up - I face lather, and again, spend a good few minutes working it in a circular motion, continually dipping the brush tips into hot water as needed. Once lathered, apply a hot towel to face for 3 minutes - when done, wipe it off with the same towel. Then, without washing the face, re-lather, and you're ready to shave.

 

[mdunn]

make sure you know the direction of hair growth - it will be much easier if you go WTG, XTG, ATG. It may not seem like WTG does much, but it will make the next passes easier

 

[MacMitch]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Tomorrow I will try the adjustable at 5 and maybe even a little higher. I have been thinking about open comb or slant razors but since I just bought three razors I thought I would try some less expensive or different alternatives too.

Sara says my Moss Scuttle will be in the mail tomorrow. I have also been reading up on other shaving creams. The Speick's and Saint Charles Shave Very V smell great and lather up well but the foam seems to depart before I get done with it.

Cheers,

Mitch

 

[SilkySmooth]

Try a GEM razor if you get the chance. I bet you'll notice a difference.

 

[whatrymes]

So I am back to DE shaving for several weeks now. I want say how old I am but there were no double or XXX, xxxxx..... plastic disposables when I started shaving.

I believe my beard is much tougher now that it was in my youth. I have read many threads here concerning dealing with tough beards but I still can not seem to remove those tough little beasts with a reasonable number of passes. I am shaving in my shower, soaking and soaping my beard to soften it well in advance of the shave.

I dialed the Slim up to 5 this morning and it did better. I was on 3, as suggested starting out. I have tried several different blades. Derby, Shark, Red Personnas and Feathers. The Feathers cut through more faster for sure. I still wind up making three passes, skipping WTG as it does not seem to do much of anything. Then I work on the tough spots (chin & neck) for quite a while, with lots of short "buffing" strokes and several more area latherings. I can feel the hair on the blade but it just does not seem to want to come off. It is a little nerve racking when the blade seems to get nocked around or stopped by fairly short stubble. Although I have not suffered much in the way of nicks or cuts, when the razor gets into thick stubble it feels like I will get cut if I force the blade through it.

I ordered a Moss Scuttle today because it does seem that warm/hot lather works better than cool or cold. Other than hot towels I have tried about everything I have found on these pages. I don't think I have an abnormal amount of beard. It just seems that what I have is very hard to cut.

Any other suggestions are appreciated,

Mitch

Tools.....

Muhle 89R
Gillette Slim Adjustable
Gillette Aristocrat (46-47) in the mail
Speick Shave Cream
Saint Charles Shave, Very V Cream
Moss Scuttle (in the mail)
Proraso After Shave

My experience exactly. Aggressive razors, the sharpest blades, tremendous focus on angle and prep (including Kyle's Prep) ad nauseam and my hairs continue to defy me. Either the blade can't cut through (especially ATG) or the hairs seem to lie down and miss their cut.

I've settled in to the "gray hairs are much more course" theory since I now have an abundance of these.

 

[Mr Peat]

I have to say I have a thick and rough beard. I use my Slim Adjustable on the 9th setting with the Red Personna's and it chops the beard off. I also use the Red Tip with the Red Personna's and it works wonders as well.

As for the rest of the Gillettes, they don't get me a BBS unless I am willing to do a 6 pass shave. I usually just do 4 passes and call it good. I can not say how the Fat Boy does till the one I bought gets here. But the rest just suck to me. Next step is trying different blades in all the razors and see how they do with my beard.

 

[rm71]

Have you tried Proraso pre/post cream? It works well.

 

[Smoothy]

Hi Mitch

If all else fails, including the great recommendations here in the thread, you could always consider switching to a straight razor. I have also copper wire-like facial hair and I had to try a few blades before finding what works best for me. Mind you, I have never used or even tried a DE. Should you want to try a straight, I recommend you consider a 1/4 grind or a full wedge, they have the reputation of ploughing right through steel brushes if need be..

Good luck
Jeff

 

[bearbear]

Sounds like you need a slant. Check out a Merkur 39c.

Just my .02

.40

agreed. i find personally its too rough for every day, but if i've skipped a day or more of shaving, its perfect. I'm also young in comparison, so i'm sure in a few years it will become my daily.

The hd makes a great daily shaver, and i use my tech for the second sahve of the day or if i'm in a rush

 

[MacMitch]

Yea, more great ideas. What a great group of shaving "homies" I have stumbled upon on this forum!

I have to admit that my fascination with all things having to do with sharpening does lure me toward the straight razor. Good to know that some think the straight is a superior tool for the copper wire beard. Maybe I will spend a little time researching how to obtain and repair vintage straights. I am guessing "the Bay" and our own forum offer some alternatives. Hmm "1/4 grind or full wedge"....I wonder if some use a DE for the first passes and a straight for the hard to get at and tough spots? Sounds like fun anyway... I may have to upgrade my scythe and wood working sharpening gear a little...ohhh darn

I love me some Proraso After Shave (no alcohol). I did not realize they had a prep product. I will be hunting some of that up ASAP.

Many thanks,

Mitch

 

[alexo]

I have struggled with my tough beard all my life (more than 30 years of shaving). That is, until I started shaving with a Jagger razor which is exactly like the Muhle you have. It went so well, I got bored and had to try a straight. After about two weeks dedicated to straight shaving, restoring a few and honing, I managed a WTG straight to ATG, two pass shave to BBS. With both DE and SE, the only problem for me was the angle. DE is safer so you need less pressure than the straight but if you want to cut hair close to the skin, you need to dial the right angle. Once you dial the angle correctly, a WTG pass will provide a fine shave, at least it should look like one.

BTW: I tried a shavette and it didn't work so well. Real straight worked much better.