Just had my first shave with a DE

[theagent]

question... remove skin = remove hair = success...right? well, I only nicked myself once, otherwise just a bit of burn. But my god does the shave soap smell good. Got the Ogallala Rum and Sandlewood. I posted a while back that I would purchase equipment, so I finally got around to it. Edwin Jagger razor, Derby blades, tweazerman brush, and the soap. I think I'll have to try some other blades though. The Derby blades don't seem very sharp. Think I'll try Astra.

 

[TMH478]

Remember to use very light pressure. Let the razor do the work.

 

[dpm802]

Welcome to B&B, and Happy Shaving.

Yes, the blade sampling is a rite of passage around here ... it took me about a year before I figured out which were the right blade(s) for me. I have different blades for different razors, and each combo is tied to how many days worth of stubble I need to harvest.

Astra is a good choice for a second blade ... but don't throw away your Derbys just yet. Once your technique develops and you work out the finer points of your beard's grain pattern, go back and try those Derbys again. You'll probably find it gives you a much better shave than you ever imagined.

 

[theagent]

Thanks... yep, plan on trying several different blades after a bit of practice, see which is best. I did go pretty lightly, just changed the angle of attack slightly every so often. went twice with the grain, once against. It wasn't too bad though. Less drag then with a cartridge razor... that was nice.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard.. Nice hardware, looks like your on the right path

 

[dizzyfun]

Remember to use very light pressure. Let the razor do the work.

I've had to re-learn this recently with the 2 or 3 fingers on the very end of the razor method. (sorry, can't think of the name for it.)
It's a little like fly fishing (casting). If you're doing it wrong, slow down and use less pressure.

 

[Compaq]

Finding your blade is actually important, and not a minor detail as it may seem in the beginning.

Also, find a neat way to store your blades. Having a clean and structured shave den is alfa and omega, imho

 

[T.Ryan]

You will do well by trying other blades until you settle on one that's best for your face. Derby makes a good blade and I agree that setting them aside for a while as you try others, with ASTRA being a good choice. Just give each blade a fair test of a few weeks' shaving with each one. To be fair, you should use the same soap/cream, razor and pre-shave prep with each. A very light touch with the razor, allowing the weight of the razor to provide what little pressure is needed for beard "reduction" over 2-4 passes. Welcome to the boards. Enjoy the journey.

 

[ackvil]

Angle and no pressure are some of the important keys to success. If you haven't already seen it, here is a good post on blade angle.

My mantra for no pressure is: Let the weight of the razor do the work for you. To assure this I use two fingers and my thumb to hold the razor with my pinky resting on the tip of the handle. This results in holding the razor very lightly with no pressure on the razor. You want to hold the razor as lightly as you can without it falling from your hand.

 

[gearchow]

question... remove skin = remove hair = success...right? well, I only nicked myself once, otherwise just a bit of burn. But my god does the shave soap smell good. Got the Ogallala Rum and Sandlewood. I posted a while back that I would purchase equipment, so I finally got around to it. Edwin Jagger razor, Derby blades, tweazerman brush, and the soap. I think I'll have to try some other blades though. The Derby blades don't seem very sharp. Think I'll try Astra.

Good work I say! Sounds like the kind of shave I give myself more then occasionally. What are you using for aftershave? That can help immeasurably for the bit of razor burn.

Welcome to the B&B!

-jim

 

[Duke of Somerset]

Congrats! Sounds like you're well on your way. One kernel of advice: if it feels rough, don't try to power through it. I learned this the hard way. The shave should feel smooth and comfortable - otherwise, you need to go back and retune your technique.

 

[BBrad]

Welcome to B&B!

Congrats on your first DE shave . . . may you enjoy a lifetime of smooth experiences!!

Everyone is right on the money with the pressure . . . or lack thereof!!! I found that taking short, light strokes made a world of difference for me. One tends to bear down more if using a longer stroke. Sometimes when I am in a rush, I revert to the old habits . . . and pay for it with some irritation!!

I would also advise sticking to one razor and blade combination until you get your technique and feel solidified. Your shaves will improve, and as long as the Derbys aren't performing poorly, you will be best served by sticking with them for a few weeks. Once you are getting consistently good (and improving) shaves, then branch out and try different blades or a different razor. At that point you will have something concrete to measure the performance by.

Hope you enjoy this journey as much as so many of us here have!!

 

[Chalice]

Congrats! Sounds like you're well on your way. One kernel of advice: if it feels rough, don't try to power through it. I learned this the hard way. The shave should feel smooth and comfortable - otherwise, you need to go back and retune your technique.

Every time I try to force the issue with a DE in my hand, it becomes a bloodbath I am slowly learning.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

theagent:
Welcome to the B & B and it sounds like you're off to a great start. Glad you made the switch from carts to DE's, but please do take your time because Wet-Shaving is a 'journey' and not a race (oh by the way..I love my Merkurs 23C & 38C). Also, it might wise to get a Razor Blade Sampler to see what blade is a good fit (sharp, dull, ect...), for your face and remember...proper blade angle & using no pressure.

And yes...this Forum has the knowledge, ideas, and alround 'know-how' to assist in your Wet-Shaving experience. In a nut-shell...your 'gonna' love it here

Also, once you get time....please tell all of us a little about yourself in the Hall of Fame sub-forum

Christopher

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=130110

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71700

 

[GDCarrington]

Welcome to the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

 

[theagent]

thanks all for the words... I'm looking forward to the next shave, that first time I was late picking someone up, had just gotten the gear in the mail, and was anxious to try it out... I also hadn't shaved in a week and a half... so, I expected a not so perfect shave. I'm going to take my time on the next run. I'm also looking forward to trying new soaps... they smell so amazing. I've been using gel crap for the longest time, it just reeks in comparison.