I can get closer with a Mach 3 :(

[AirForceMX]

I've posted up a thread like this before about a year ago. Long story short I've been DE shaving for over 2 years now. No matter what cream, soap, razor, blade, brush, prep, or any other voodoo I try I can always get a closer, and yes, more comfortable shave with a Mach 3! Also, I never remember getting ingrown hairs or razor burn using cartridge razors, but after I started DE I discovered what razor burn is, and also get an ingrown hair at least once a month. Typically I use a DE to shave my face, and the Mach 3 for my head. About every six months though I get the urge to try the Mach 3 on my face again, and every time I try it I am amazed at the results. I have a medium-thickness beard, but each hair is like barbed wire.

My theory is the triple blade "system" just works better cutting my hair, and actually going easier on my skin. The DE blade seems to struggle with my hair, but it has no qualms about roughing up my skin. Don't get me wrong I get a comfortable shave with the DE, but not as consistent, or close as the Mach 3! All this being said, I will not go back to the Mach 3 because they are just so damn expensive. I just wish I could get a comparable shave with my DE's!

 

[ZackP]

Have you tried a single edge razor? Those are beasts!

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Is it important which is closest? Or is it important to get smooth, clean shaven?
I understand what you are saying but BBS should be manageable. Maybe the cartridge will be slightly closer, but BBS is BBS.
I go for 4 passes with minimum pressure and a mild razor to achieve this.
If you have a adjustable, in time, you should find your perfect balance/setting between comfort and closeness.
But DFS is the minimum you should be able to achieve after 2 years of wet shaving.
And B&B is pretty expensive as well.

 

[AirForceMX]

Have you tried a single edge razor? Those are beasts!

I had a Gem G-Bar and Micromatic, but those were way too harsh on my skin. I got ingrowns once a week with those bad boys. They did mow down my hair however!

 

[Marco]

My friend, if you find that your shaves are closer and more comfortable with your M3, simply stick with it! I find that DE razors are superior, but as all things related to wet shaving this is only my opinion. Also, I know several other people who wet shave with a brush, soap and a cartridge razor. They are all very happy with their choice.

 

[Matt555]

I've posted up a thread like this before about a year ago. Long story short I've been DE shaving for over 2 years now. No matter what cream, soap, razor, blade, brush, prep, or any other voodoo I try I can always get a closer, and yes, more comfortable shave with a Mach 3! Also, I never remember getting ingrown hairs or razor burn using cartridge razors, but after I started DE I discovered what razor burn is, and also get an ingrown hair at least once a month. Typically I use a DE to shave my face, and the Mach 3 for my head. About every six months though I get the urge to try the Mach 3 on my face again, and every time I try it I am amazed at the results. I have a medium-thickness beard, but each hair is like barbed wire.

My theory is the triple blade "system" just works better cutting my hair, and actually going easier on my skin. The DE blade seems to struggle with my hair, but it has no qualms about roughing up my skin. Don't get me wrong I get a comfortable shave with the DE, but not as consistent, or close as the Mach 3! All this being said, I will not go back to the Mach 3 because they are just so damn expensive. I just wish I could get a comparable shave with my DE's!

Have you tried a Merkur Slant? It is the only razor I use.....

 

[AirForceMX]

My friend, if you find that your shaves are closer and more comfortable with your M3, simply stick with it! I find that DE razors are superior, but as all things related to wet shaving this is only my opinion. Also, I know several other people who wet shave with a brush, soap and a cartridge razor. They are all very happy with their choice.

Thanks for the encouraging words Marco! I kinda feel dissapointed though. I really like saving money (on the blades at least!) but I might just have to shell out the extra cash for that closeness and consistency I get with the M3. We shall see! I forgot to mention I have a FaTip and Gillette NEW OC on the way, so I will have to try those out before I give up!

 

[k2clones29]

What works for you works for you. You won't be demonized by me if you can get BBS with a M3 and not with a DE.

 

[the_edski]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. DE is not the end-all-be-all of shaving. For some of us, the real enemy was/is not carts, it was the canned goo or the sloppy technique. Proper wet-shaving is more about using enough water, quality soap or cream, a brush, a sharp fresh blade(s) (in whatever form) and good technique rather than just attributing everything to a DE and saying "this will fix my problems". Bravo to you, sir, if a Mach 3 works for you!

 

[Vickers]

Nobody can accuse you of not giving it your best shot.

 

[AirForceMX]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. DE is not the end-all-be-all of shaving. For some of us, the real enemy was/is not carts, it was the canned goo or the sloppy technique. Proper wet-shaving is more about using enough water, quality soap or cream, a brush, a sharp fresh blade(s) (in whatever form) and good technique rather than just attributing everything to a DE and saying "this will fix my problems". Bravo to you, sir, if a Mach 3 works for you!

Awesome way to put it! I keep going back to the DE thinking its my technique, or that maybe a different razor, or blade will work better. I think It might be time to hang it up! I'm sure I will revisit it from time to time, but until then I will join the small ranks of B&B Cartridge users.

 

[maxman]

You gave the DE enough time, maybe try coming back to it later on?
It's more important that you are having fun with it than anything else.
Once it's no fun, move on.

When my brother chose a cart over his DE I bought him a nice handle (it was a Rooney) for a present one year.
He was so thrilled! He didn't have to feel like no one cared about the cart users.

Maybe you can find some blades in bulk to save on the cost?

 

[camjr]

I get much smoother, more comfortable shaves with a DE, but will use a cart when shaving my head. Likewise, when I travel (frequently, right now), I take a Mach 3 rather than checking my bags. It works better than a Fusion for me on my face.

 

[Amzimbo]

I've posted up a thread like this before about a year ago. Long story short I've been DE shaving for over 2 years now. No matter what cream, soap, razor, blade, brush, prep, or any other voodoo I try I can always get a closer, and yes, more comfortable shave with a Mach 3! Also, I never remember getting ingrown hairs or razor burn using cartridge razors, but after I started DE I discovered what razor burn is, and also get an ingrown hair at least once a month. Typically I use a DE to shave my face, and the Mach 3 for my head. About every six months though I get the urge to try the Mach 3 on my face again, and every time I try it I am amazed at the results. I have a medium-thickness beard, but each hair is like barbed wire.

My theory is the triple blade "system" just works better cutting my hair, and actually going easier on my skin. The DE blade seems to struggle with my hair, but it has no qualms about roughing up my skin. Don't get me wrong I get a comfortable shave with the DE, but not as consistent, or close as the Mach 3! All this being said, I will not go back to the Mach 3 because they are just so damn expensive. I just wish I could get a comparable shave with my DE's!

I get great results with DE everywhere except the neck around my Adam's apple. Must be something to do with the growth pattern there. Anyway, I use an M3 to touch up and polish that area with no qualms. Why not? Maybe you should try this, using the DE for the bulk of the job and the M3 for polishing and touching up. Each cartridge will probably last quite some time if you minimize the use.

 

[CB1]

I've been DE shaving for a couple months now and I keep wanting to shave with my old Atra again to compare closeness. I've forgotten what the closeness even was with my Atra. Problem is I enjoy the DE so much I don't want to give up a morning DE shave! I'm not sure I get as consistently close with my DE's as I did with my Atra but until I get around to comparing I'm pretty happy with the shaves I've been getting.

 

[bmathe02]

Treat yourself to a fancy handle Mach 3 and call it a day. It works for you and millions of others. Why get ingrowns and irritation if you can avoid it. Having a forum doesn't actually mean its better it's just a way to spend time online to converse and read, nothing more. Not to mention all of which can still be done with a Mach 3 user like yourself.

 

[bcraig.waciii]

Many people have already posted this, and I have to agree with them, do what works for you. It is as simple as that. Yeah, you are probably going to catch flak from some of the hardcore DEers, just make your case about it and stand your ground. The fact that you are a member of B&B says a lot about the person you are, and that is enough.

 

[ratshaving]

Seems like you've tried everything but have you tried and injector? Schicks are supposed to be comparible to cartridge saves and cost less... something to think about.

 

[parihart]

This may sound a little weird, but have you considered having someone shave you. I know when I started with a DE, having someone shave me helped with understanding pressure and angle.

 

[imfallen_angel]

I remember that a few times in my life, I would work on something, over and over, for a very long time, either not getting it right or believing that I just couldn't do it. In time I found myself to have a moment of clarity and finally getting the missing link.

For you, it could be a question of angle, of pulling your skin too much, or not letting the weight of the razor do the work (why I recommend a good and somewhat heavy but balanced razor).

But after two years, if it's still not working for you, maybe it's like for computers... some prefer one operating system, interface, better than another.

I know that cartridges for myself were the bane that made me hate shaving and my switch was near instant (barely 2 shaves and I was set). But it took months to get to the point where I feel confident in my technique, and one huge revelation was what I learned to simply drag the razor with absolutely no pressure other than the weight of the razor, that the blade had to be at the right angle and sharp enough so that I barely ever felt any pull or snag regardless of the angle (ATG, WTG, XTG) and not aim to grab everything at once.

Now in the more difficult areas, I gently buff and make sure that my lather is very slick (the razor simply glides over the skin).

The problem I'd say, due to what you stated (burn and ingrowns), is that you are still shaving with the DE as if it's a cartridge, and since you are still using a cartridge for your head, your habit lingers and you aren't making the switch in approach, even if unconsciously.

Cartridge razors, due to the light plastic and large diameter of the multiple blades, tends to cause one to apply pressure.

DE shaving is about cutting the whisker at the skin level, but while working towards as limited contact of the blade with the skin. Ingrowns are caused due to pulling the hair, cutting it and having it recede under the skin's level and it gets caught on the skin and goes under instead of up. Burn is the blade's edge going against the skin (scrapping it), so...

I'd say that if you want to give it another chance, just go softer with it, make sure that your angle is proper and that you stop yourself from applying any pressure. Let the blade do the work, you shouldn't even feel the blade against the skin at all if you get it right.

A few months ago, I wouldn't have though it possible, but now, I easily get close to 95% of the shave area that's BBS at almost every shave (unless I rushed).