LF DE Recommendations

[weaz12]

I started DE shaving only about 3 months ago, and from the advice of many, I went with the Merkur 34c as my first razor. My experience with the 34c has been ok, but as I have become more skilled and confident with my shaves, I have found that I am having to put way too much effort in to obtain a BBS result.

I'm not sure if the 34c is just too light, but if I do as recommended and let the razor's own weight serve as the amount of pressure, I end up having to go over areas several times. Thus, I find myself pushing on the razor more and more in an effort to reduce the amount of passes I need to get BBS. With that said, this really only applies to two specific areas on my face, my chin and the area that falls below the jaw line, but above the neck. Everywhere else can get BBS in 2-3 passes, but these 2 problem areas require me to go ATG so many times that I end up with irritation and redness afterwards,

I am currently thinking about making a move to a different razor that is either heavier, more aggressive, or both. I would say that I have mildly sensitive skin, and a thick beard. When I say thick beard, I mean that the actual individual whiskers are thick, as opposed to having big, entire face covering, and thick beard. Basically what I am trying to say is that I shave everyday and never actually have a fully grown in beard, so I am not sure how much my whisker thickness really matters.

I have been thinking about going to the 39c slant bar based on all the B&B reviews, however I still would consider myself a nub DE shaver and don't want to get ahead of myself.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Member357]

Are you doing a lot of skin stretching? Before changing razors I would suggest you stretch the skin all the time whilst shaving, as I find it helps hairs stand up more, making them easier to cut.

 

[Graybeard57]

If it's just those two areas, try gently shaving those regions from every conceivable angle, stretching the skin as suggested.

 

[Morman Bridge]

Of you do decide to switch razors, I can honestly recommend a 1946/47 Gillete Aristocrat. I have discovered this razor is aggressive enough to give great shaves in fewest passes for me. Also the old type short comb Gillette is a minimal pass razor too. As you might think I'm a vintage Gillette man, but IMHO those razors are tried and true and can't be improved upon. Try one and you will be sold on them. Good luck in your quest for the perfect shave sir, and have a good night.

 

[weaz12]

I do try and keep my skin taught, especially around the 2 problem areas. The two sides of my lower chin, right before the under side of the jaw begins.....is where I have the biggest problem with getting BBS. I've tried stretching the skin, sticking my jaw out, and going in every direction imaginable. The only way I can get BBS in this area is to go over it several times in different directions, however it also requires that I put way more pressure on the razor than I do everywhere else. The result is always a bloody mess, followed by a razor burn type of redness or rash. The main issue with this is that if I try to shave every day, which I basically have to do for work, I am forced to go over the same area while it is still very raw. Ultimately this just compounds this problem.

Are you doing a lot of skin stretching? Before changing razors I would suggest you stretch the skin all the time whilst shaving, as I find it helps hairs stand up more, making them easier to cut.

 

[gunterbr]

I shave with a Gillette Tech and I love to get a BBS, but my chin is also a problem area for me. I use the blade buffing technique. It works like a charm. I usually go three pass and if I buff on my XTG on my problem areas, my ATG is actually very smooth!

I know most people would say the Tech is a mild razor, but with some blade buffing (very gently) I find I get BBS, in only three passes (or two with a little bit of effort) and I have no irritation on my sensitive skin.

YMMV, but worth a shot.