Maybe I Need A More Aggressive Razor?

[stryker4526]

Hello all.
Been DE shaving for a few months now and one thing I've noticed is that I can't seem to get a really close shave with my EJ DE89LBL. No matter what blade and angle I use or how many passes I make there's always stubble left over (note that I do not do ATG passes because it irritates my skin). I've come to think that maybe the razor is just too mild for me. Any suggestions on a slightly more aggressive razor that's not too expensive? I don't care if it's vintage or modern, I'm just looking for a closer shave. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Dangerroush]

I agree mate, just bought one for a every day, bit mild, haven't tried a feather yet, have you...I do have the muhle 41, now that's a close shave, in my opinion, works best with a feather as well...infact, feathers all round, does anyone know if there are different type of feathers?

 

[stryker4526]

I have used Feathers in it as well. Not sure if there are different Feathers or not, and Muhles tend to be a bit... pricey. I don't wanna spend $60+ on a razor if I can help it.

 

[mekler]

Maybe try a Gillette Slim or a Fatboy and crank it up to 9!

 

[stryker4526]

Anyone have experience with the Merkur 41? I'd prefer to avoid slants or adjustables right now. I was looking into these "open-comb" thingamabobs. A Muhle R41 also seems like it might be a good choice.
Apologies if I'm seeming too picky!

 

[ironfist]

I have a r41 not used it yet. Gillette red tips are quite aggressive I have one and it works well

 

[celestino]

Try shimming the razor with one or two shims!

 

[steve71]

I have an EJ89 and while I agree it is on the mild side, a Feather blade can make a major difference in it. I've read on the forums that it's best to use a really sharp blade with a mild razor and a less sharp blade with an aggressive razor and it seems to be true. I would try a sample pack of feathers before dishing out major bucks for a new razor. FWIW, I've found preparation ( lather,ect. ) makes a major difference in my shaves also.

 

[Vivasanti]

as someone suggested shimming!

I sold my EJ for a 34c cause I could never get a super close shave.

 

[TallyShave]

Try shimming the razor with one or two shims!

This can make a difference. So will more use...a few months isn't all that long. Avoid the temptation to "buy" a better shave and focus on getting a better shave.

 

[Shave_Rat]

Here's something I just started doing that made a huge difference as well. I've been learning straights, and you have to stretch the skin of the are you are shaving. I jumped back to a DE yesterday and today, but still did the skin stretching, and the difference in the shave was night and day.

+1 to not trying to buy a better shave. Since it's free, immediately available to try, and easy, give the skin stretching a shot. Maybe check a couple vids on straight razor shaving and apply that part of the technique to the DE shave.

 

[jamesspo]

+1 on skin stretching, and possibly a shim. Not going ATG I suspect it a lot of it. For myself, I could never get a BBS without an ATG pass, but certainly can get to a DFS, as long as I skin stretch. You're likely going to feel some stubble ATG if you don't shave in that direction though.

 

[stryker4526]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Perhaps my expectations are a little out of whack regarding how to achieve BBS! I've used a Feather blade in the EJ with largely the same results. I had just heard that aggressive razors like the R41 might be better for those with thick, coarse facial hair (i.e. me) and might provide a closer shave with fewer passes and, hence, less irritation. I will try out the skin-stretching thing today and see if it makes a difference!
I'll also look into this whole shimming business.

 

[onefallinghope]

I've never been able to get a good, true BBS without an against the grain pass. Skin stretching will help with ATG passes too, just keep at it.

 

[Go West Young Man]

A different razor (not necessarily a more aggressive one, just a different one) might help, you'll never know until you try a whole bunch of them!

 

[Carlanga]

If different blades give you the same results then you need to improve your technique.

 

[BigBull]

Good advice above. I can tell you what worked for me: I bought an EJ89 for my first DE. It was a smooth shaver, but for me to get a near BBS I needed to do 4 passes on my face and dome. To put it simply, irritation increased as the number of passes did. I started looking for better options. I settled on Open Combs, when a dance with an LC New opened my eyes. It was smooth, smooth smooooooth and I got a DFS in 2 passes. Next thing I knew, I was trying every open comb available. What works best for me now? An R41 and a FaTip on my face, and my LC New on my head. I get a near BBS on my face with my R41 in 2 passes everytime with no irritation. You may want to look into either an Open Comb or a Slant and try one out - but before you drop the $ I'd go with shimming that EJ first. Good Luck!

 

[stryker4526]

If different blades give you the same results then you need to improve your technique.

Well, not the exact same results, but similar in that they're not as close as I would like without having to do more passes and hence get more irritation.
Perhaps my technique needs work but at this point I'm unsure of how I would improve it. I get consistent results every time.

 

[Carlanga]

Well, not the exact same results, but similar in that they're not as close as I would like without having to do more passes and hence get more irritation.
Perhaps my technique needs work but at this point I'm unsure of how I would improve it. I get consistent results every time.

Have you tried ATG in the second pass for example? Maybe try wtg, atg then xtg or something similar.

 

[mharris127]

Hello all.
Been DE shaving for a few months now and one thing I've noticed is that I can't seem to get a really close shave with my EJ DE89LBL. No matter what blade and angle I use or how many passes I make there's always stubble left over (note that I do not do ATG passes because it irritates my skin). I've come to think that maybe the razor is just too mild for me. Any suggestions on a slightly more aggressive razor that's not too expensive? I don't care if it's vintage or modern, I'm just looking for a closer shave. Thanks in advance for the help.

You could try cutting the cutting edges off of an old DE blade and using it as a spacer below a full DE blade. That will make a razor more aggressive. This probably works best with three-piece razors, the spacer may prevent a TTO from closing properly.