Hello all - I've recently got into wetshaving after searching for solutions to my ingrown hair problem and found this site (yea, its all your faults!). I've started with a progress, vulfix 2233, letterk blade sampler pack, and t&h ultimate comfort.
I started with the merkur blades, always with the lowest setting on the progress. Day by day I've honed my technique. After going through a few merkur blades I decided to give the derbys a try.
My first shave with the derbys was.... bad. Not by means of irritation, but was just a poor shave, not very close at all. Then I happen to look at the razor, whoa. One cutting edge has a gap between it and the guard, the other edge is sitting just over the guard. I do some searching and find others have had issues with progress alignment.
I thought it may of just been the derby blade - so I test load a few different brand blades, and all show this gap. I put several merkurs back in, and while the gap is noticable, a bit reduced. Now how could this be... I measured the blade dimensions with a micrometer - all the same within 0.0005" (half a thousandth).
So I think to myself, if blade size is the same, how come gap is inconsistent? Same razor assembly, same size blades, different gap results. Only variable is the assembly - but, line up the marks, turn the knob, its not rocket science right? I fiddle more... (by now my poor razors been through about 20 disassemble/reassemble cycles in the course of an hour!) - aha. I notice the top part of the razor (hump with the threaded rod... does it have a proper name?) has some play within it even when assembled.
If you place the razor with the cuttting edge parallel to your body, and use index and middle finger to hold the razor from underneath, you can use your thumb to shift the head forward. Spin the razor around to move the head in the other direction. Don't need an amazing amount of force but with firm movments you can change the position of the head to even out the gaps on both sides.
Whew - if you've made it this far, thanks for reading my gamble. Hopefully it will help others - couldn't find anyone doing this in previous progress threads. You guys rock, friendly community. So glad I found DE shaving. I've been "shaving" with clippers for quite some time. Fusion came out, fell for the "more closer blades = less irritation" gimmick, butcherd my neck up something fierce, and now finally close to a perfect shave.
I started with the merkur blades, always with the lowest setting on the progress. Day by day I've honed my technique. After going through a few merkur blades I decided to give the derbys a try.
My first shave with the derbys was.... bad. Not by means of irritation, but was just a poor shave, not very close at all. Then I happen to look at the razor, whoa. One cutting edge has a gap between it and the guard, the other edge is sitting just over the guard. I do some searching and find others have had issues with progress alignment.
I thought it may of just been the derby blade - so I test load a few different brand blades, and all show this gap. I put several merkurs back in, and while the gap is noticable, a bit reduced. Now how could this be... I measured the blade dimensions with a micrometer - all the same within 0.0005" (half a thousandth).
So I think to myself, if blade size is the same, how come gap is inconsistent? Same razor assembly, same size blades, different gap results. Only variable is the assembly - but, line up the marks, turn the knob, its not rocket science right? I fiddle more... (by now my poor razors been through about 20 disassemble/reassemble cycles in the course of an hour!) - aha. I notice the top part of the razor (hump with the threaded rod... does it have a proper name?) has some play within it even when assembled.
If you place the razor with the cuttting edge parallel to your body, and use index and middle finger to hold the razor from underneath, you can use your thumb to shift the head forward. Spin the razor around to move the head in the other direction. Don't need an amazing amount of force but with firm movments you can change the position of the head to even out the gaps on both sides.
Whew - if you've made it this far, thanks for reading my gamble. Hopefully it will help others - couldn't find anyone doing this in previous progress threads. You guys rock, friendly community. So glad I found DE shaving. I've been "shaving" with clippers for quite some time. Fusion came out, fell for the "more closer blades = less irritation" gimmick, butcherd my neck up something fierce, and now finally close to a perfect shave.
