So, as many of you know I use DEs along with injectors and yes, even cartridge razors. I have enjoyed using DEs but could never get as good a shave as with a cartridge, and have often wondered why people on this forum are always claiming to get a better shave with a DE. I even thought it was a "vast, single-edged conspiracy."
I have tried flare-tip SSs and a Tech. I bought a Feather Portable to get a more aggressive shave, but my first shave with it was one of the worst shaves I ever had. I began to believe that all DE razors are the same, and that the shaves I had been getting were as good as it was going to get.
I hate to waste a blade, so I pulled the Kai out of the Feather and stuck it into my flare-tip SS for its second shave. It was OK, but not great; typical of what I expected from the SS.
I was really about to abandon DE shaving and go back to my trusty TracII or Sensor Excel, when I thought, "What the heck...I'll pull out my Fatboy and go for one more try." (I bought a beautiful Fatboy at an antique mall a few months ago; pristine. I tried it once, set on 2 or 3, and didn't like it. It was basically a clumsier SS, as far as I could tell.)
So, anyway, I pulled out the Fatboy, and cranked it up to 5, instead. I figured since I wanted to try more aggressive, I could just do it with the Fatboy.
One smooth pass later, it sure seemed like I removed more stubble than with the Tech or SS. Lathered up again, and did an XTG pass. Felt the face. Wow. Like I had done 3 passes with the Tech. Did a little touch-up and voila! good shave. Like magic. I tried it again yesterday and got a similarly simple and smooth, trouble-free shave.
Bottom line: I think I am beginning to understand why some of you are so passionate about your DEs. I just needed a little more aggression.
So, newbies, when you get your technique down, if you're not getting a satisfactory shave, think about a more aggressive razor. I think "aggressive" is a bad term, because I am getting a gentle shave and getting clean in fewer passes.
Thanks for listening, anybody who survived this far.
I have tried flare-tip SSs and a Tech. I bought a Feather Portable to get a more aggressive shave, but my first shave with it was one of the worst shaves I ever had. I began to believe that all DE razors are the same, and that the shaves I had been getting were as good as it was going to get.
I hate to waste a blade, so I pulled the Kai out of the Feather and stuck it into my flare-tip SS for its second shave. It was OK, but not great; typical of what I expected from the SS.
I was really about to abandon DE shaving and go back to my trusty TracII or Sensor Excel, when I thought, "What the heck...I'll pull out my Fatboy and go for one more try." (I bought a beautiful Fatboy at an antique mall a few months ago; pristine. I tried it once, set on 2 or 3, and didn't like it. It was basically a clumsier SS, as far as I could tell.)
So, anyway, I pulled out the Fatboy, and cranked it up to 5, instead. I figured since I wanted to try more aggressive, I could just do it with the Fatboy.
One smooth pass later, it sure seemed like I removed more stubble than with the Tech or SS. Lathered up again, and did an XTG pass. Felt the face. Wow. Like I had done 3 passes with the Tech. Did a little touch-up and voila! good shave. Like magic. I tried it again yesterday and got a similarly simple and smooth, trouble-free shave.
Bottom line: I think I am beginning to understand why some of you are so passionate about your DEs. I just needed a little more aggression.
So, newbies, when you get your technique down, if you're not getting a satisfactory shave, think about a more aggressive razor. I think "aggressive" is a bad term, because I am getting a gentle shave and getting clean in fewer passes.
Thanks for listening, anybody who survived this far.
Glad you discovered it.
