Hmmm...so that's the difference!

[Freeflyer]

At least for me. Got it in my head last night that all this DE shaving was strictly hype. I don't know. Call it a momentary lapse of patience, or arrogance maybe. So what am I droning on about? My former "friend" the M3. Gave it a go last night after not picking it up for 3 months. I figured after getting a few months of prep, lather making, learning the grain of my face...I could just translate it all into a fast, efficient M3 shave that HAD to rival the quality of what I've been getting from my 38C or Super Speed. The answer I found, is well...yeah it was fast, but seriously unsatisfying. I still enjoyed a the prep work and a nice warm lather, but the moment I picked the razor up, I immediately began wondering what the no weight *** in my hand was. It had become unfamiliar. I did apply what I've been learning with the 38C, did a 3 pass (WTG, XTG, ATG) and it was just OK at best. No...let me take that back...it just...felt WRONG. No audible slice of whiskers. No heft in the handle. It was rushed. It was Lazy. It was boring. Back to being a chore. So...faster time and more of a chore. Hmmm....maybe I've been enjoying this journey afterall!

Tomorrow morning shall bring Proraso and a fresh Feather blade in my most manly lady Gillette, a slow steady hand...and an enjoyable start to the day.

 

[theinternot]

Glad to hear it!

At least for me. Got it in my head last night that all this DE shaving was strictly hype. I don't know. Call it a momentary lapse of patience, or arrogance maybe. So what am I droning on about? My former "friend" the M3. Gave it a go last night after not picking it up for 3 months. I figured after getting a few months of prep, lather making, learning the grain of my face...I could just translate it all into a fast, efficient M3 shave that HAD to rival the quality of what I've been getting from my 38C or Super Speed. The answer I found, is well...yeah it was fast, but seriously unsatisfying. I still enjoyed a the prep work and a nice warm lather, but the moment I picked the razor up, I immediately began wondering what the no weight *** in my hand was. It had become unfamiliar. I did apply what I've been learning with the 38C, did a 3 pass (WTG, XTG, ATG) and it was just OK at best. No...let me take that back...it just...felt WRONG. No audible slice of whiskers. No heft in the handle. It was rushed. It was Lazy. It was boring. Back to being a chore. So...faster time and more of a chore. Hmmm....maybe I've been enjoying this journey afterall!

Tomorrow morning shall bring Proraso and a fresh Feather blade in my most manly lady Gillette, a slow steady hand...and an enjoyable start to the day.

 

[boomer56]

At least for me. Got it in my head last night that all this DE shaving was strictly hype. I don't know. Call it a momentary lapse of patience, or arrogance maybe. So what am I droning on about? My former "friend" the M3. Gave it a go last night after not picking it up for 3 months. I figured after getting a few months of prep, lather making, learning the grain of my face...I could just translate it all into a fast, efficient M3 shave that HAD to rival the quality of what I've been getting from my 38C or Super Speed. The answer I found, is well...yeah it was fast, but seriously unsatisfying. I still enjoyed a the prep work and a nice warm lather, but the moment I picked the razor up, I immediately began wondering what the no weight *** in my hand was. It had become unfamiliar. I did apply what I've been learning with the 38C, did a 3 pass (WTG, XTG, ATG) and it was just OK at best. No...let me take that back...it just...felt WRONG. No audible slice of whiskers. No heft in the handle. It was rushed. It was Lazy. It was boring. Back to being a chore. So...faster time and more of a chore. Hmmm....maybe I've been enjoying this journey afterall!

Tomorrow morning shall bring Proraso and a fresh Feather blade in my most manly lady Gillette, a slow steady hand...and an enjoyable start to the day.

Funny, isn't it, how these things creep up on you? Embrace your shaving destiny! Life is like that

Best,

Boomer

 

[Atrin]

Shaving is an education. It's all about what you bring to it. If you don't care you can use an electric or a cartridge and get yourself a GPA to graduate.

If you, however, care, you will wake up every morning and learn something about yourself, you learn patience, meticulousness, about the beautiful machine in your hand (be it DE/cartridge/straight), improve your manual dexterity, qualify to be a surgeon (no...not really) and walk out the door with a sense of fulfillment.

 

[DFrancis]

I find that using a DE has taught me to pay attention to my face more, learn what angles I need to be using and so forth. I went back to an M3 while waiting on a blade order to arrive for a few shaves and yes with a better lather technique it was a smooth shave, but as the OP stated, unfulfilling. It's the entire process, from when I start building lather to when I'm rubbing in balm that I love, and my wife is quite happy with an always clean shaven husband

 

[saltypete]

Excellent post! Any thoughts I had about picking up my Mach 3 for a comparison shave, have been eliminated.

Pete

 

[Uncle Erik]

I did the same with a leftover Fusion cartridge not so long ago. It was totally unsatisfying and I didn't get a very good shave. There was more irritation than I was used to and it wasn't nearly as close as what I've become used to. I'll never go back.

 

[hdhaskell]

All I can say is, two years ago I used canned spooge and an M3, and shaved only every second day. I had sensitive skin, I thought, and a light beard so I could get away with it . . . well, for the last year or so I haven't missed a day. Love the DE. Love the brush. Love the balm. Love spending money on things I can smell instead of silly cartridges. And I guess my skin isn't sensitive nowadays, because I never get razor burn any more.

 

[maxman]

Every day when I open the medicine cabinet, I stare at the "Beast with 5 heads" and wonder if I should pick it up and try it.
I know it will shave my face. It will do a good job.
but it will bring sadness to the bathroom.
I just can't do it.

the worst part is I still have 8 fusion blades left.
there's good money in those blades.

If you ever hear me say I liked it, It's not me. someone has hacked my account. Ignore the interloper.

 

[DFrancis]

Every day when I open the medicine cabinet, I stare at the "Beast with 5 heads" and wonder if I should pick it up and try it.
I know it will shave my face. It will do a good job.
but it will bring sadness to the bathroom.
I just can't do it.

the worst part is I still have 8 fusion blades left.
there's good money in those blades.

If you ever hear me say I liked it, It's not me. someone has hacked my account. Ignore the interloper.

I would suggest going back to ot for a single shave, it really shows you how much you have improved with your new setup and how much you have grown to appreciate it.

 

[alabamalawyer]

It's funny how "wrong" it feels now. I've been away from the cartridge razor for about 4 years now. A couple of months ago, I decided I would pull out the Mach3 stuck in the back of the cabinet and give it a try. I couldn't stand the shave. As you said, "it just felt wrong." I never will go back to the cartridge. I enjoy the shave quality and experience with my DEs and straights too much.

 

[BladeDE40]

Yep...I had one of those moments this weekend. Woke up late on Sunday...needed a quick shave...broke out the Quatro...what followed was a terrible shave...and a angry neck. I paid hommage to the angry shave gods last night with my Merkur and a healthy dose of Provence Sante...they have lifted their wrath from my neck.