My first DE shave (thoughts/opinions)

[KJamesJr]

Well my kit finally came in the mail, after nearly ten days after purchase. I'm just going to give y'all a break down of what I got, how the shave went, and ask for some opinions from the community.

Razor: Edwin Jagger DE87.

Truly a fine razor, worth every penny. The handle from the DE89 was too short (I thought) and I do believe there's such a thing as too much chrome. So I rolled the dice on the DE87 and I'm glad I did. The chrome head is superb. Not a sharp edge on the entire razor. The faux Ivory gives way to a seamless transition into the chrome "trim" (not sure what else to call it). The handle has enough length to hold on to. Though smooth, there's no slipping. It's also rather heavy. Just a nice-to-look-at classy, comfortable razor. I would highly recommend one. Easily could charge double the price for this razor.

Blades: Astra.

Not sure how to rate blades being this is the first time I've ever put a double edged razor blade on my face. I was actually hoping for a smoother cut. This blade felt as if it was fighting its way through my beard. Mind you I have roughly two weeks of growth as I refused to buy into and more cartridges or disposables. Even after the beard was reduced to stubble, I felt as if the blade still wasn't picking up all of it. Well... it wasn't getting all of it. I made several passes and just ended up going against the grain as I normally would, I like CLOSE shaves. Still however it was patchy. Maybe these need a break in time. I did not cut myself, though looking down the edge of the razor and seeing that tiny thin blade sticking out the edge kinda made me nervous at first lol.

Soap: Mama Bears "Ye Olde Barbershoppe".

Smell is fantastic. Smells like... well a barbershop. Smells like the talc the barber uses. It loaded the brush actually pretty quick and easily it seems. I however need to work on my lathering technique for sure. It was not as thick or cushiony as I would have liked. I blame my noobie technique. My first lather I don't think had enough water and I didn't make enough of it anyways. It was gone after the second pass pretty much. My second lather was too watery and would disperse on my face. So it's something I need to work on. Did I mention they sent me a 5oz puck when I only ordered a 1.5oz. I was only every charged for a 1.5oz... So I got a $10 value for only $4 and change. I don't know if it's a first time customer thing... or they didn't have any 1.5oz to send. I was happy though.

Brush: Tweezerman badger.

This brush from Amazon. Light on the wallet but does the job I think. It didn't really smell like everyone said it would. It lost maybe five hairs during the first lather. No hairs came off on my face. The brush was stiff, which I like. The hair however was prickly. I could tell the ends had been snipped or something. It's not overwhelming and will probably soften up sooner than later, but it does prickle a bit. Its also pliable though. So it's easy to swish around on your face and in your bowl. It's stiff, yet pliable, and a touch prickly. All in all, I think it's a great bargain.

After Shave: Clubman.

Smells sweet and musky. Smells fantastic. Can't really compare it to anything because it's.... it's own smell. If you took Old Spice and made it smell sweeter, yet less overwhelming... It's almost close. But not really comparable.

Need thoughts on:

- Blades. I'm going to continue using the Astras and maybe try some of the Derbys that came with the razor. However if someone knows of a blade that cuts smooth and close, please let me know. My face can probably take it.

- Lathering. I've seen a lot of videos on this and thought I had it down packed. I want to say I've almost got it down, but if anyone has some more tips please let me know.

- General thoughts. If you have anything additional, please don't hesitate to share.

 

[jasonjmccoy]

I found the handle on the DE89 to be very slippery, so much so that I quickly replaced it with a Weber Bulldog. How's the handle on that 87?

 

[Niles]

Your shaves will improve with practice. DE shaving takes a while to master. And your skin will need to adjust as well. Shaving with a DE razor won't take as much hair at a time as a cartridge. Slow beard reduction is the way of the DE. But in time you'll be enjoying excellent shaves. Your kit looks good. Enjoy!

 

[KJamesJr]

@ jasonjmccoy

The handle looks smooth, yet I had no trouble holding it. I basically used my thumb and first finger to act like a pivot letting the weight of the head apply the pressure. I don't know why, but I always hold lower on the handles. This same technique I use on the cartridge razors I found works well on the DE razors as well. So with two fingers, it wasn't slipping.

In some areas (like the chin) I did have to apply some pressure on the last few passes just to get the close shave I like. At that point I stabilize with the thumb and middle finger, and apply pressure with the first finger. I guess what I'm saying is I don't put a death grip on it and had no issue holding the handle. I would imagine the chrome has a much finer surface finish which would explain the slipping. Which is also why I didn't purchase that razor.

One more note; the handle is just long enough if it were to slip, it would most likely fall into the cup of your hand before the head has a chance to get away from you. I don't mean to be overly analytical, I'm just telling my experience with it.

@ Dennard

Had I been using a cartridge, there would have been some serious hair pulling of the blades. I was surprised these razors/blades just cut right through it. Making that scratchy cutting sound just like in the movies! I've tried beard reduction (more than enough) with my old cartridges to know how much it hurts when a blade doesn't make a through cut, hooks a hair, and pulls it out. In a sense the cuts were much, much smoother. I just felt like the blade itself was having a hard time, or maybe my expectations were too high.

 

[Niles]

Were you holding the head of the razor so that the blade was just touching your skin? Angle is important for a comfortable shave. Also, I would buy a razor sample pack or make your own from somewhere like West Coast Shaving. That way you can try a few different kinds and see what works and doesn't for you.

Two weeks of growth isn't an ideal situation for a first shave. I think you'll have more comfortable shaves with less stubble than that.

 

[Riff Raff]

Were you holding the head of the razor so that the blade was just touching your skin? Angle is important for a comfortable shave. Also, I would buy a razor sample pack or make your own from somewhere like West Coast Shaving. That way you can try a few different kinds and see what works and doesn't for you.

Two weeks of growth isn't an ideal situation for a first shave. I think you'll have more comfortable shaves with less stubble than that.

+ 1 to what James said.

Razor angle is key! Remember that the razor's edge shouldn't be perpendicular to your face. As for blades, pick yourself up a sample pack. Most of the online shaving stores carry them. Experimentation is part of the fun!

Different soaps require different techniques to get the optimum lather. Again, this is something that will come with experience. Soon enough you will have that "Shave Nirvana" moment when the planets have aligned and your technique is dead on. After your rinse and splash of A/S, you will be amazed.

 

[crleftwich]

I've been wet shaving with a DE for a month or so now. My first shaves weren't good. I knew it was just my rookie techniqe, though. I've had some very great shaves since then, though. One shave in particular, just a few days ago, was BBS all day and was still DFS the next morning. Mind you, I have a quick growing beard and with a cartridge razor, I'd have 5 o'clock shadow by 2pm. It was an excellent.

Lucky you, I still nick myself daily. Almost always on my neck...I can't figure out why really. I never even feel it. Just see the blood drops forming.

 

[jhadsell1883]

As for blades, I started with derby, bought a 100 pack of astra sp's and have been able to try a few others after getting my technique down. Although more expensive I have found Gillette 7 o'clock black to be the best for me so far. I was very impressed with the smooth/sharp combo it has.

 

[xxvaleria]

I enjoy Feather blades. Even though they are more expensive, they shave closely and smoothly, and I find they last a long time.

 

[KJamesJr]

Hey thanks for all the tips guys.

@ Dennard

I would say I had the razor about 30 degrees to the skin. I experimented with different angles until it actually started cutting something.

@crleftwich

I don't know why I don't get nicked too often. Usually it's around the 'stache' where the skin is a little more supple, and usually once in a blue moon at that.

I was reading this article last night after my first post... http://www.shaving101.com/index.php...a-more-aggressive-razor-or-sharper-blade.html I was able to describe what my experience with the blade was like. It's sharp, but not smooth. I'm not going to rule the blade out just yet, not until I get my lather down.

Also, do you guys shave every day?

 

[LMAN007]

Well my kit finally came in the mail, after nearly ten days after purchase. I'm just going to give y'all a break down of what I got, how the shave went, and ask for some opinions from the community.

Razor: Edwin Jagger DE87.

Truly a fine razor, worth every penny. The handle from the DE89 was too short (I thought) and I do believe there's such a thing as too much chrome. So I rolled the dice on the DE87 and I'm glad I did. The chrome head is superb. Not a sharp edge on the entire razor. The faux Ivory gives way to a seamless transition into the chrome "trim" (not sure what else to call it). The handle has enough length to hold on to. Though smooth, there's no slipping. It's also rather heavy. Just a nice-to-look-at classy, comfortable razor. I would highly recommend one. Easily could charge double the price for this razor.

Blades: Astra.

Not sure how to rate blades being this is the first time I've ever put a double edged razor blade on my face. I was actually hoping for a smoother cut. This blade felt as if it was fighting its way through my beard. Mind you I have roughly two weeks of growth as I refused to buy into and more cartridges or disposables. Even after the beard was reduced to stubble, I felt as if the blade still wasn't picking up all of it. Well... it wasn't getting all of it. I made several passes and just ended up going against the grain as I normally would, I like CLOSE shaves. Still however it was patchy. Maybe these need a break in time. I did not cut myself, though looking down the edge of the razor and seeing that tiny thin blade sticking out the edge kinda made me nervous at first lol.

Soap: Mama Bears "Ye Olde Barbershoppe".

Smell is fantastic. Smells like... well a barbershop. Smells like the talc the barber uses. It loaded the brush actually pretty quick and easily it seems. I however need to work on my lathering technique for sure. It was not as thick or cushiony as I would have liked. I blame my noobie technique. My first lather I don't think had enough water and I didn't make enough of it anyways. It was gone after the second pass pretty much. My second lather was too watery and would disperse on my face. So it's something I need to work on. Did I mention they sent me a 5oz puck when I only ordered a 1.5oz. I was only every charged for a 1.5oz... So I got a $10 value for only $4 and change. I don't know if it's a first time customer thing... or they didn't have any 1.5oz to send. I was happy though.

Brush: Tweezerman badger.

This brush from Amazon. Light on the wallet but does the job I think. It didn't really smell like everyone said it would. It lost maybe five hairs during the first lather. No hairs came off on my face. The brush was stiff, which I like. The hair however was prickly. I could tell the ends had been snipped or something. It's not overwhelming and will probably soften up sooner than later, but it does prickle a bit. Its also pliable though. So it's easy to swish around on your face and in your bowl. It's stiff, yet pliable, and a touch prickly. All in all, I think it's a great bargain.

After Shave: Clubman.

Smells sweet and musky. Smells fantastic. Can't really compare it to anything because it's.... it's own smell. If you took Old Spice and made it smell sweeter, yet less overwhelming... It's almost close. But not really comparable.

Need thoughts on:

- Blades. I'm going to continue using the Astras and maybe try some of the Derbys that came with the razor. However if someone knows of a blade that cuts smooth and close, please let me know. My face can probably take it.

- Lathering. I've seen a lot of videos on this and thought I had it down packed. I want to say I've almost got it down, but if anyone has some more tips please let me know.

- General thoughts. If you have anything additional, please don't hesitate to share.

This is something out of the twilight zone, I have been shaving with a de razor for one year now. I have 21 razors of which
I have narrowed down to my "top 10 razors". I use each razor for 1 month, than go onto the next one, and so forth.
After reading your thread today, I had to tell you what I am using, Edwin Jagger DE87 faux ivory razor !! Astra SP razor blade, have been using them for 11 months now and I think they are the best (for me anyway always get a DFS to now and then BBS). and finally, I use CLUBMAN after shave lotion. The only difference is I use a Parker or Whipped dog brush, and Mike's Natural Soaps. Oh,
I also use Nivea balm after shave.

 

[MontrealSteve]

I like the Astras and nothing other than a Feather would get close, until I changed Razors. My trick is to make sure you get a really good first pass WTG. If it doesn't feel like your cutting anything, keep checking your angle. Until I get my whole face so that there is no shaving happening WTG, I don't consider my first pass is done. Sometimes is takes 2 "and a half" lather ups to get to that point. Then its one pass XTG (which is in about 20 different direction on my face) with a little buffing, then 3rd pass ATG and there is very little tugging. Lather is key at this stage of the game. After that, a little finishing, which typically includes a little buffing, and I'm done.

And I do shave every night. I should give my face a break, but this is such a great experience, I don't want to skip an opportunity to lather up and perfect my technique!!

 

[KJamesJr]

@Lman007

That is pretty weird... I pieced my kit together after lurking on these forums for a while. You should try the Mama Bears Ye Olde Barbershoppe soap. It smells amazing. The Clubman completely hides the sent, but still, it smells like 'grampa'.

@MontrealSteve

What is buffing?

 

[austinantihipster]

For blades, you should try finding a sample pack. I got one from Amazon that included a bunch of 5 packs of different brands. I believe some vendors here also sell them. It is more expensive than buying a single brand in bulk, but gives you a chance to figure out what works for you. Save a blade or two from each brand to try again once you have been shaving for a while... that way you can compare once you have the technique down. I started wet shaving a little over a month ago and have yet to make it through all the samples I have.

 

[LMAN007]

@Lman007

That is pretty weird... I pieced my kit together after lurking on these forums for a while. You should try the Mama Bears Ye Olde Barbershoppe soap. It smells amazing. The Clubman completely hides the sent, but still, it smells like 'grampa'.

@MontrealSteve

What is buffing?

If it were not for 'grampa' I would not be here. The ladies still like the scent of clubman and I have tried Mama bears soaps. Not
in the same league as Mikes Natural Soaps.