When I started DE shaving in February of this year, my first razor was a Muhle R89. I was happy with the shave it provided, as even though I was just shaving WTG, it was better than I managed to get with previous shaving implements. However, after spending time on this site, I became unhappy with the standard of shave I was getting as it fell some way short of the elusive BBS & I starting employing XTG & ATG passes with the R89. This lead to much facial irritation & my personal RAD adventure.
I have now tried numerous razors (30+), both new & vintage & mild & aggressive. They all shaved better than the R89, which I still went back to occasionally, as so many people rave about the R89/EJ 89 heads. Each time I did this, my face ended up red & sore, although even with more aggressive razors, such as the R41, I didn't experience any irritation.
Yesterday, on a whim, I retrieved the R89 from the drawer where I keep my second string razors & fitted the head to my UFO Tornado handle. I shaved with it & managed a very close (BBS in most areas) & very comfortable shave (the kind of shave where you have to touch your face to know that you have actually shaved). I shaved with it again today & the same thing happened.
The much heavier & more grippy handle certainly helped a lot, but I think that my technique has also improved as a result of using more aggressive razors. I have realised the complete futility up trying to shave ATG on my upper lip, even on the 3rd pass, as no DE razor/blade combo will comfortably cut through the stubble that grows there. Instead, I use a diagonal upward stroke which gets the job done without trying to tear my face off.
Since my last try out with the R89, I have also got over my fear of shaving soap, which I avoided as I thought it would take to long to get a lather, so instead I used creams, or gels. I have recently discovered the joys of Mitchells Wool Fat Soap, which although I live in a very hard water area, provides an excellent lather after about 2 minutes of effort on my part.
So, in summary, in my experience it pays to revisit any razors you have failed with in the past.
I have now tried numerous razors (30+), both new & vintage & mild & aggressive. They all shaved better than the R89, which I still went back to occasionally, as so many people rave about the R89/EJ 89 heads. Each time I did this, my face ended up red & sore, although even with more aggressive razors, such as the R41, I didn't experience any irritation.
Yesterday, on a whim, I retrieved the R89 from the drawer where I keep my second string razors & fitted the head to my UFO Tornado handle. I shaved with it & managed a very close (BBS in most areas) & very comfortable shave (the kind of shave where you have to touch your face to know that you have actually shaved). I shaved with it again today & the same thing happened.
The much heavier & more grippy handle certainly helped a lot, but I think that my technique has also improved as a result of using more aggressive razors. I have realised the complete futility up trying to shave ATG on my upper lip, even on the 3rd pass, as no DE razor/blade combo will comfortably cut through the stubble that grows there. Instead, I use a diagonal upward stroke which gets the job done without trying to tear my face off.
Since my last try out with the R89, I have also got over my fear of shaving soap, which I avoided as I thought it would take to long to get a lather, so instead I used creams, or gels. I have recently discovered the joys of Mitchells Wool Fat Soap, which although I live in a very hard water area, provides an excellent lather after about 2 minutes of effort on my part.
So, in summary, in my experience it pays to revisit any razors you have failed with in the past.