First Post - Razor or Blade ?

[Chard]

Hi all,

Charlie here. Have visited off and on over the past year and found some very valuable info. So first of all, thanks.

After trying many blades I settled on Astra Platinums. Others seem to drag and while I really liked Feathers they just seem to eat me up too much and a day after shaving I have a rash. I have what I would think is a mild to medium beard (scandinavian descent) and only shave a couple times a week. Any more, and I end up loosing too much skin.

I have been using a EJ DE89 after trying the plastic Feather razor. Nice to use on most fronts but still have issues of getting to the tight spots under my nose and getting a clean shave around my chin and neck which is the toughest part of my beard. Because of the fairly sensitive nature of my skin I prefer to shave in one pass. Have tried these blades FYI http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/content/beginner-de-blade-sampler-pack-25-blades

My real question is, what other blades should I try and or should I try a slightly more aggressive razor but stick with the Astra blades?



Thanks in advance,

 

[rushchairman]

Welcome aboard, charlie! I probably have a beard similar to yours and have had great success with Astras, like you. Lately I've been enjoying Personna Reds as well.

As far as aggressive razors go, I recently taken to using an r41 with an Astra blade. It's as aggressive as advertised, but nothing to be afraid of. I don't know that I enjoy it as much as the 89, but it does provide a bit of excitement...

Have fun!

 

[Chard]

Welcome aboard, charlie! I probably have a beard similar to yours and have had great success with Astras, like you. Lately I've been enjoying Personna Reds as well.

As far as aggressive razors go, I recently taken to using an r41 with an Astra blade. It's as aggressive as advertised, but nothing to be afraid of. I don't know that I enjoy it as much as the 89, but it does provide a bit of excitement...

Have fun!

Thanks RC

Can't argue too much with a little excitement!

 

[musicman1951]

Welcome Charlie. I would vote for a less aggressive razor and two passes. I do three passes every day and very rarely have a weeper or razor burn. But I don't use my adjustable on a very aggressive setting - especially for pass 2 & 3 - and I don't try to get all the beard off on any pass. Slow and steady beard reduction: your face will thank you and you'll end up with a closer shave.

 

[Copierguy]

Welcome.
I need to shave daily (2 1/2 passes) but have very sensitive skin. You know the deal....(YMMV) but have found the sharp Feather blade combined with a milder razor to be my path to paradise. Techs, Super Speeds, Adjustables on smaller numbers all work well for me. Even those tricky neck spots can be handled with ATG buffing and dragging a finger in front of the razor to add a bit of a stretching action.

Enjoy your journey.

 

[dcobranchi]

Welcome to B&B. Astras are very good blades (I used one this a.m.) but I prefer Personna Labs. They seem, to me, just a bit sharper. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Personna-Lab-Blue-Double-Edge-Blades-100-per-carton_p_1157.html

 

[Chard]

Welcome Charlie. I would vote for a less aggressive razor and two passes. I do three passes every day and very rarely have a weeper or razor burn. But I don't use my adjustable on a very aggressive setting - especially for pass 2 & 3 - and I don't try to get all the beard off on any pass. Slow and steady beard reduction: your face will thank you and you'll end up with a closer shave.

Thanks MM,

Good advice. I am a bit hyper so 3 passes seems like a ton of work. Weeper?

 

[Chard]

Welcome.
I need to shave daily (2 1/2 passes) but have very sensitive skin. You know the deal....(YMMV) but have found the sharp Feather blade combined with a milder razor to be my path to paradise. Techs, Super Speeds, Adjustables on smaller numbers all work well for me. Even those tricky neck spots can be handled with ATG buffing and dragging a finger in front of the razor to add a bit of a stretching action.

Enjoy your journey.

Cheers CG

So all those you mentioned are milder than my razor I assume?

 

[Chard]

Welcome to B&B. Astras are very good blades (I used one this a.m.) but I prefer Personna Labs. They seem, to me, just a bit sharper. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Personna-Lab-Blue-Double-Edge-Blades-100-per-carton_p_1157.html

i tried the Personna platinum and it was close to the Astra actually. How might these in the blue box you linked compare?

thanks

 

[Chard]

Also as an aside...I bought 100 Astras and just use them once. Anybody else do this?

 

[celestino]

1. Super Iridiums

2. Perma Sharp Supers

 

[dcobranchi]

i tried the Personna platinum and it was close to the Astra actually. How might these in the blue box you linked compare?

thanks

These? They're made in a different plant and IMO aren't quite as nice as the Lab Blues. But YMMV. Lots of guys swear by the Israeli Personnas.

BTW, these are the same blades as the Lab Blues and Med Preps.

 

[Chard]

These? They're made in a different plant and IMO aren't quite as nice as the Lab Blues. But YMMV. Lots of guys swear by the Israeli Personnas.

BTW, these are the same blades as the Lab Blues and Med Preps.

I'll give those a shot.

thx

 

[zygalski]

I'll give those a shot.

thx

Personna Platinum Chromes (or reds) work very well with the DE89 for most folk, me included

 

[Atalk]

I would recommend one of two paths:

• Get an adjustable razor - this will allow you to "tailor-fit" your shaving experience. Go very mild on your first pass/attempt and then go a little more aggressive till you find that sweet spot. Or you could could the other way around and start off aggressive and check the results. If inadequate, go to a milder setting for the second pass as a way to minimize skin irritation.
• As mentioned earlier, get a more mild razor such as a vintage gillette tech and go for two passes. There are lot of possibilities to get a closer shave in 2 passes. You could do WTG, WTG or WTG, XTG or even WTG, ATG if you are feeling lucky.

 

[KyMash]

Welcome to B&B!!