DE razor dilemma: help please

[slather]

First a little bit of background (sorry if the post comes out too long, please read it):

I learned how to shave about 20 years ago from my dad. He taught me old school, brush, cream, lather on the face and a Gillette Trac II, because that's what he used.

Then I bought the Gillette Sensor and it has been my razor ever since. I tried other razors, 3 blades, 5 blades, 20 blades, other brands, disposables such as BIC Metal, etc. but always came back to the Gillette Sensor. What I liked about it:
- very forgiving, no cuts even if I was sleepy and careless
- the slim form factor of the the cartridge/blades, it could easily be maneuvered around tight areas under the nose, jaw line, Adam's apple, etc.

I also started using goo-in-a-can at some point and always felt disappointed with what I tried, I felt that something was lacking. In retrospective, that something was lubrication. Then I discovered EMJ shave cream from a tube and really liked it (I liked the Neutrogena tube too). I was surprised that it's not the lather that gives you smooth shave but the lubrication - I thought you needed mountains of lather for protection and a good shave.

I also could never get a BBS regardless of the razor or cream/gel I used. It's because I cannot do the ATG pass. I actually can do it, with very good results, it feels great right after, no burns, cuts, etc., but the next day the pain starts: ingrown hairs and my neck gets itchy when the hair starts growing (very itchy if I sweat during physical exercise). So I gave up on the ATG/BBS shave and my skin looked and felt great. I shave only every other day, not every day.

About a month ago I started wet shaving with a DE razor: Merkur HD 178 34C or whatever other name it is known as. I have no problem with the lather, I use a Shavemac brush and the best soap I found is Tabac, very easy to lather on my face and I get a very good shave with it. I tried again BBS/ATG with the same results as before: great shave, no cuts or razor burn but the next day I did not like the feel of the hair trying to get from under my skin. One thing to mention, the hair doesn't grow straight out unfortunately, it "crawls" out from under my skin, almost flat to my skin in some areas (neck) so i can see why it's very easy for it to never make it out.

I tried a Merkur 23C long handle thinking that the longer handle would be more like the Sensor but didn't like the balance and surprisingly I prefer the shorted handle of the HD. I also tried the Merkur 37C slant, but didn't see any difference in the smoothness of my shave and I had a hard time getting straight sideburns, so there's no point in using this razor for me.

The thing that I don't like about the Merkur HD (and maybe DE razors in general) is the size of the head. It seems a little more difficult to maneuver in tight areas compared to the Gillette Sensor and it requires stretching the skin and moving things out of the way. I also don't like that it takes more passes to get a nice shave, which is slower. With the Sensor I was done in 1 pass plus maybe some touch-up here and there.

Questions:

1. Should I try a different DE razor or just go back to the Sensor which I feel more comfortable with? I will keep using the brush and lather though, I like that. Honestly I don't see an improvement of my shaves by using a DE razor vs the Sensor and it takes longer for the same result and I'm more prone to nicks and cuts.

2. What other razor would you recommend besides the Merkur HD, preferably with maybe a slimmer head than the HD that makes it feel more like the Sensor? I sort of feel like I don't want to give up on DE razors having really used just the Merkur. I doubt the adjustables are for me as they seem to have even bulkier heads.

3. Can the growth pattern of the facial hair change by using a DE razor and would I ever be able to do ATG or some people simply can't shave ATG? After 20 years of using the Sensor, maybe my skin/hair just got used to the cutting angle of the Sensor and it adapted to it.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Noebie]

i would highly recommend a vintage gillette super speed, should you decide to try another d.e. - it's not nearly as narrow as the sensor, but an exceptional shave

no shame in staying with the sensor though

or maybe try a trac ii as something in between (with less expensive carts)

 

[Noebie]

i was also a sensor user prior to d.e.

and although i thought i was getting a good shave in one pass, now that i've shaved with d.e. razors and gone back to try the sensor from time to time, i realize that i wasn't getting any closer with one pass of the sensor than i am now with one pass of the super speed - i only thought that i was

 

[slather]

Super Speed ... there seem to be a few variations of it, Red Tip, etc. Which one should I be looking for?

Also, I'm not sure that I like the TTO type. Wouldn't that make the head bulkier than a Merkur HD and also maybe cause problems with the "doors" not closing well?

 

[T Rick]

Why not try a few vintages (nothing to lose, right?) The Super Speed mentioned above (you can find them for between $10 and $20 if you shop carefully, and should be able to sell it for the same if you don't like it- this applies to any of the vintages if bought properly). Another option might be a Gillette Tech (light, maneuverable and slim profile, and VERY inexpensive- I have gotten them for as little as $7.50 delivered off eBay in near mint condition, from the mid '50's).

Another very different razor worth trying is the GEM 1912. A sort of odd looking contraption (very attractive when you get an appreciation for them), they are a single edge razor and give a fantastic shave (my best so far). Not as maneuverable, particularly awkward above the lip, but a wonderful razor none the less.

As stated above, nothing wrong with staying with the Sensor. Or, going back to a Trac II. Personna makes cartridges for the Trac II that are very affordable (Personna Twin 2, sold at Walmart for $3.56 for a ten pack local to me). And lots of great handles available for different cartridge razors if you want to upgrade the look/feel of your daily shaver.

 

[T Rick]

Super Speed ... there seem to be a few variations of it, Red Tip, etc. Which one should I be looking for?

Also, I'm not sure that I like the TTO type. Wouldn't that make the head bulkier than a Merkur HD and also maybe cause problems with the "doors" not closing well?

Blue tip. It's the mildest of the Super Speeds. Or mayve just a nice '40's style Super Speed.

But if the TTO isn't for you, check the Tech. Ball end or Fat Handle, a fine choice and said to be very mild.

 

[luvmysuper]

There is nothing wrong with shaving with a sensor if that's ultimately what you decide to do. Don't let group peer pressure make you feel like you NEED to use a DE if you are uncomfortable with the shaves they provide.
Old habits die hard, and sometimes, some of the people here just can't make the transition back, whether it is from lack of interest, lack of effort in learning the skills, the bottom line is that the DE just didn't work for them.
I don't think anyones face and hair get accustomed to a given razor, but our bodies certainly have muscle memory, and it takes considered effort to overcome the years of habit ingrained with the use of cartridge razors where it is not only permissible, but encouraged to apply pressure.
I encourage you to continue using the brush and soap, that's what this is all about afterall, the "Wetshave".
If you think that you want to try to use a single blade vintage razor, you might consider at some point looking into the Schick Injector. It has a much smaller head than a DE, and is a great razor.
Be advised though, no single edge or double edge razor is ever going to feel like a sensor, and anything other than a cartridge is going to take some learning and a considerable amount of time before it becomes as second nature as shaving with a cartridge is after so many years.
Good luck my friend, and keep us posted.

 

[slather]

For whatever reason I always came back to the Sensor. I know some people love their Mach3, I tried that one too and it was not for me: cartridge too big and it felt like it was pulling my hair instead of cutting it.

It's not that I don't like the shaves I get with the Merkur HD. I don't get any cuts or irritation but I feel that the whole process with a DE razor takes too long, more passed and touch-up required and I still end up with some little areas that I missed.

As I said in the beginning, I have not used the Sensor for the past month, I forced myself to only use the Merkur. I should go back to the Sensor and try it again with a brush and lather. Maybe the technique I learned with the DE will even improve my Sensor experience. In the past I had no technique with the Sensor because it was so forgiving, now I have to really pay attention with the Merkur or it will let me know immediately that I'm being careless.

Oh, and I have never been a fan of the Sensor Excel (the one with the rubber fins before the blades), I felt that the fins removed the cream before the blades got to the hair.

I also noticed that Gillette changed the regular Sensor blades. They seem to be all made in Brazil now and the single metal guard was replaced by a plastic guard which reminds me of disposables. Maybe the quality of the regular Sensor blades went downhill and I will be forced to use a DE razor. And these blades are not cheap at $1/blade, if you're lucky to find a good deal.

 

[MikeLip]

Nothing wrong with a Sensor. I use one when I am in a hurry and I can get a BBS shave out of it using the same techniques as my Cobra Classic. It takes more strokes, but they can be quicker strokes and I don't have to be careful (CCs BITE!) My face just doesn't have that glassy feel I get with the CC. But what works for you is what works, and that's fine.

Good cream or soap and lather helps with the Sensor just as it does any razor. So forget the canned stuff and enjoy.

 

[bolocheung]

I have all the cartridge razors at my disposal (Trac II, Atra, Sensor, Mach 3, Fusion, etc.) I keep them on the counter just like all my DE's (vintage Gillette's - New, Fatboy, New Improved, SS, Schick Krona). My current regimen is 2 passes with a DE, then touch up lip/mouth/chin areas with a Trac II. I enjoy the experience of wetshaving when time permits so make the effort to plan ahead. Otherwise if in a hurry I will just use a cartridge & be done quick for a descent enough shave for my work or even use an electric if really don't care about close shave for the day.

Point is even though this is a site dedicated to wetshaving & DE's/SE's razors, I have never felt pressured to have to use them. If your are doing fine with your current cartridge, then by all means continue to use it. When time permits, experiment with some of the fine DE's razors out there along with the various quality products that make the wetshaving experiences enjoyable.

 

[rickboone1]

My theory is: if it aint broke, don't fix it. If the Sensor gives you nices shaves, shave on. Trac II is cheaper if you get the Personna brand non lubristrip carts. Those make superb shaves!

 

[slather]

Trac II is cheaper if you get the Personna brand non lubristrip carts. Those make superb shaves!

I learned how to shave with a Trac II but I remember the blades used to clog up easily and they were a pain to clean. I was glad the problem was "solved" when I moved to the Sensor. Is this a common problem with the Trac II or was it maybe just the blades I used (not sure whether they were Gillette or something else)?

 

[Blondie]

If you are looking for something with a smaller head, you may consider a Schick injector. I have many Gillettes, and I love the feel and quality of the vintage models. I have a Merkur HD and a Merkur long handle open comb. I finally tried a Schick injector about a month ago, and the more I use it, the more I like it. Something like a "G" model will give you super close shaves with one pass.

 

[r0ckrat]

If you are looking for something with a smaller head, you may consider a Schick injector. I have many Gillettes, and I love the feel and quality of the vintage models. I have a Merkur HD and a Merkur long handle open comb. I finally tried a Schick injector about a month ago, and the more I use it, the more I like it. Something like a "G" model will give you super close shaves with one pass.

Yep. About the only way to get closer is with a straight. The injectors are really great quick shavers!

 

[slather]

Yep. About the only way to get closer is with a straight. The injectors are really great quick shavers!

This is how RAD starts! With people like you suggesting yet another type of razor and blades

 

[r0ckrat]

LOL! I didn't mention injectors, HE did it. (I did mention straights, however...)

 

[slather]

My theory is: if it aint broke, don't fix it. If the Sensor gives you nices shaves, shave on. Trac II is cheaper if you get the Personna brand non lubristrip carts. Those make superb shaves!

I ran to Walmart early this morning and picked up the Bump Fighter handle and a pack of 10 Personna Twin II blades (under $8 total). Tried the combo right away. All I can say I got a "blah" shave, not that close or smooth, nor comfortable either. Maybe I need to practice more with them, but what's the point when I can get a much better shave already with the Sensor or the Merkur HD. At least I can sleep well now that I tried it and am no longer worried that I was missing out on a miracle

Btw, I just won an auction on ebay for a Gillette Tech fat handle. I'll keep you posted on how that works for me.

 

[rainman]

The Merkur HD head isn't too big compared to other razors. Maybe an injector razor is a good route for you.

 

[dreadpirate]

Definitely try a vintage Gillette. You can't go wrong with a Super Speed variant. I also like one of the Gillette News pictured below. The one on the left has longer teeth in the comb and is some what aggressive. The one on the right is rather mild.

 

[dbconlin]

Sounds like you are on the right track...TECH!