How many shaves before you changed your mind

[Double Edge]

I have a Weber DLC with classic handle on it's way to me.

So I was interested to read some members comments re same.

One member, for a number of reasons, seemed disappointed with his new Weber after one or two shaves.

Other members responded, counselling against rushing to judgement and advised giving the new razor the benefit of more shaves before coming to a final decision as to its merit or demerits.

That got me thinking.

Can you name a new razor you purchased and were initially disappointed with but eventually came to like?

What did you find wrong with it at the start?

What changed and how many shaves did it take for you come to like it?

 

[ackvil]

The only razors for me that fit that description was when I first tried SE razors. I followed the directions that GEM had and kept the head of the razor flat on my face. I got a smooth shave - but not very close. I then changed the angle a bit and got the results I wanted.

I usually give a razor about ten shaves before making my mind up about whether it suits me. With the SE razors it took about a week or so until I got a technique that worked for me.

 

[skleice]

I had trouble with the Futur at first. It left lots of stubble behind, which was very surprising. Once I opened up the blade gap more and got used to it, I was good to go.

 

[Mad Man]

Slim. Bought it after a month with a ball-tech, could never dial it open past 3-4 without irritation/burn and in my newbie naivety I thought a new razor would be the "answer"; enter an EJ 89 Barley.

For a larf I pulled the slim out about 2 months ago - loaded a Feather (which I NEVER used in it before) dialed it to 7 and have left it there since. It's my daily shaver now - again!

Long story short? It's very often NOT the hardware, it's the operator.

 

[Foyle]

I usually know whether or not I'll like a razor right away. Anything I haven't liked immediately never stayed in the den even though I'd give it a good ten shaves or so just to give it a fair shake.

 

[mblakele]

At first I did not care for the Gillette NEW. After a few shaves I put it away, but came back to it for "Open Comb March" last year. The second time around I found the right angle, and I have not put it down since.

 

[mgoldmann]

That describes almost every razor I've ever used. Whether it's one of my Merkurs (33C and 34C) or my Feather TTO, it usually takes me about a week's worth of repetition for me to modify my technique for the unique characteristics of that razor. I can usually get a low level DFS or a medium to high level SAS on the first or second use. It's by the fourth or fifth try that I get a high level DFS or a BBS shave. The weight of the handle, the amount of blade gap, the angle of the blade, the amount of blade exposure all impact the technique I use. Like any perishable skill, repetition and practice make the difference.

 

[JonM]

When I first got my Futur, I couldn't go a single shave without drawing blood. As a result, I sidelined it for a while. However, I decided to come back to it after a time. Oddly enough, I started using it more & more because the bloodbaths never returned and the results got better and better. Now it's my go-to choice. I guess I just had to learn how to tame that beast to get the results I wanted. Set at 2.5 with a Feather blade, I get BBS every time.

 

[Double Edge]

Always something to learn from members comments here.

Thanks for the comments.

I am enjoying and making noticeable progress with my EJ89 at the moment.

I will post my thoughts, albeit newbie ones, on the Weber when I've had a chance to test run it.

I think it's that sort of thing which helps us newcomers clarify our thinking about our DE experience as well as refine our technique.