Is it the razor or the blade?

[my19]

Now that I've been at this wet shaving thing for a while, I consistently get a DFS with no weepers and very little irritation -- nothing a bit of witch hazel and a slap of aftershave can't handle.

But when I run my hand against the grain, I feel the occasional bit of stubble. I can't see it, but yep, it's there.

So I wonder whether I need a more aggressive razor for a BBS shave, or a different blade (or maybe both).

I have four Gillette Super Speeds -- a black-handle from the '70s and three early ones -- a 1947 notchless, an undated '40s-'50s model, and an X3 from 1952, my birth year. I alternate them every couple of weeks or so, but like the heft of the early models.

When I started with a DE, I bought a sampler, liked the Red IP blades best, and bought 100.

What's my next step to a BBS shave? I know the Super Speeds are fairly mild razors, and the Red IPs aren't necessarily the sharpest blades around. Do I need a more aggressive razor, or should I turn to Feathers or one of the other super-sharp blades for that last bit of closeness?

Thanks for any suggestions ...

Mike

 

[Slash McCoy]

FATBOY! No, I'm not calling you fat. I am just recommending a Gillette FatBoy adjustable. Or a Merkur Progress. That way you can try a variety of shaves with one razor. But I think maybe if you work at stretching the skin a bit more, you will get more of those wild hairs that just don't like to be cut.

Feathers... you either love them or hate them. Try to find someone who will give you or trade you just one or two before buying a mega giganto bulk order. Or buy a sampler pack with a feather or two in it.

 

[BladeRunner001]

Now that I've been at this wet shaving thing for a while, I consistently get a DFS with no weepers and very little irritation -- nothing a bit of witch hazel and a slap of aftershave can't handle.

But when I run my hand against the grain, I feel the occasional bit of stubble. I can't see it, but yep, it's there.

So I wonder whether I need a more aggressive razor for a BBS shave, or a different blade (or maybe both).

I have four Gillette Super Speeds -- a black-handle from the '70s and three early ones -- a 1947 notchless, an undated '40s-'50s model, and an X3 from 1952, my birth year. I alternate them every couple of weeks or so, but like the heft of the early models.

When I started with a DE, I bought a sampler, liked the Red IP blades best, and bought 100.

What's my next step to a BBS shave? I know the Super Speeds are fairly mild razors, and the Red IPs aren't necessarily the sharpest blades around. Do I need a more aggressive razor, or should I turn to Feathers or one of the other super-sharp blades for that last bit of closeness?

Thanks for any suggestions ...

Mike

How long is a while?

I got myself a slant to overlap with my HD (although I was getting very close to BBS shaves with the HD)...at some point and after a few shaves with the slant, I learned to "negotiate the turns" and really got nice BBS shaves with it (and the HD). I would opt to go 1) WTG/XTG with HD and ATG with slant or 2) WTG/XTG with slant and ATG with HD...either way worked great.

Try it and see what works...I found the slant to be a nice addition to my daily routine. But that was some time ago, in the DE days. These days, I am all str8 razor...no more DE! I do miss it sometimes though.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Robert

 

[michiganlover]

What's your current technique, how many passes do you do? What's your prep like?

 

[my19]

What's your current technique, how many passes do you do? What's your prep like?

Prep: I shave after I shower. At the sink, I soak my beard with a hot washcloth for a minute or so, then generally face lather, usually with Tabac soap. I do three passes -- WTG, XTG and ATG, and do a bit of "scrubbing" just below my jawline, where I always find a rough patch.

All in all, I'm happy with the shave I get. It's nice and smooth if I rub with the grain. But ATG, there are a few spots where I can still feel a little something.

Oh yeah, I've been wet shaving with a DE for 10 months now.

 

[rod251]

I would try different blades first. Feathers and Astras come to mind. If that doesn't cut it(pun intended) find yourself a nice Gillette adjustable, stick with one brand of blade, and keep cranking it up until you find that sweet spot.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'd also try a few different blades. Feathers, Iridiums and 7 O'Clock Yellows seem the sharpest to me. Also, buying a few blades is cheaper than buying another razor, so that's where I would start.

 

[granty]

Try different blades, like a sample pack. I used to really like red IPs - very smooth and no irritation. I'm now onto Shark Super Chromes - sharper but still smooth. I found that some blades just don't seem to do so well in some razorsbut better in others.

 

[solar]

Try different blades, like a sample pack. I used to really like red IPs - very smooth and no irritation. I'm now onto Shark Super Chromes - sharper but still smooth. I found that some blades just don't seem to do so well in some razors but better in others.

+ 1. I really find a difference between blades, and from what I read on these forums/fora, it seems most users of DE razors have the same opinion.

Chris