Just scored my first DE, an old school Tech.

[bsmith]

I dont know jack about safety razors and actually have just begun learning about them. I learned of them after simply googling "how to stop razor burn". You see I have some very sensitive skin, always have and always will. Using a Mach 3 for the past 15 years or so and what is sold as sensitive shaving gels (nivia/aveeno/etc), only shaving with the grain, after a hot shower, with cold water and conditioning my freshly shaven skin afterward. I still get those unsightly red bumps that turn to little pimples on my chin/mouth edges/neck no matter what! So after searching the net I stumbled onto DE safety razors and started looking for a Murkur, I just couldn't pull the trigger on a $50 implement that I didn't know would work or not. So I talked to my dad about it (didn't get his skin, no rash or discomfort even with an electric razor!) and he said he remembered them and we discussed the topic a bit. This past Saturday he was at a flea market and happened across what looked like a new old Gillette Tech razor for $7 and decided to call me and see if I wanted it. Well I said yes and here it is.

So is this a decent pickup, are these blades worth using and can anyone give me any helpful tips on alleviating the pain and discomfort im sure I will self inflict the first couple weeks learning how to use my new shaving tool?

 

[seanusa]

Nice score. This razor should be very mild and as long as the blades have no corrosion I would say use them, unless you want to keep them as a collectors item. Go slow, focus on your beard prep and lather quality. Find the proper blade angle by holding the handle 90 degrees to your face then lowering toward the ground until you just feel the blade and that's about right. Short strokes with no pressure and only go over one spot once. Its about beard reduction so to start maybe two with the grain passes should work for a passable shave. Read as much as you can in the Wiki and threads and ask as many questions as you can, and welcome to B&B! Hope you enjoy, and anyone feel free to correct me if I've gotten it wrong or left anything important out.

 

[bsmith]

Thanks for the info Sean!

I should also say that I'm not planning on using this razor for a few more days. Tomorrow im going to take advantage of the Art of shaving gift card my cousin got me and get their traditional shave. I dont even have any shave creme/soap a brush or anything else. Im sure all the items I would need would be available at TAOS store but if thats not the best for my needs then I really dont want to waste my money on it.

I'm used to shaving with my mach 3 and even right after I have finished, having a rough face. Yeah its like that, super sensitive skin but a fisherman's thick tough beard! I have only experience a smooth face after having a shave once in my life and that was after a straight razor shave at the hands of my Cousins barber in Japan (the one who gave me the gift card). This man shaved my face for what seemed an eternity, stalking any hair that dare be brazen enough to as much as peek from its follicle. It was amazing and my face was baby butt smooth for two full days, I couldn't believe it. I know the shave ill get tomorrow wont be as opulent as the first one in Sonobe but still I am looking forward to it and beginning a hopefully successful transition which will allow me to not only shave more frequently but also to reduce this burn/rash I have almost accepted as a simple side effect of proper grooming.

 

[seanusa]

Not exactly your razor but as close as I could find. What is the date code under the head? Should be a letter and a number.

 

[dcobranchi]

Welcome to B&B. Very nice score.

I'd suggest picking up some new stainless steel blades. Those Gillettes are cool but they're probably 50 years old blued steel. I tried a couple of them a while back and was unimpressed. Since you're just starting out, perhaps it would be better to just work with a good modern blade (Astra, Personnas, Wilkinson, etc.). Once you get your technique down, then is the time to experiment with vintage blades.

 

[rxonmymind]

Congrats on your first *cough dad* pickup A new in the box nos razor. Hmm if this is a trend then we might as well pack it up and go home. Save some for us! I'd definitely would use a modern blade as one suggested. Congrats again.