My First Wet Shave!

[TripleB]

Plate 1 or 2 on the 6c on five days growth was never going to work IMHO. Those two plates are very mild. I would try it again using Plate 3 on two days growth and see if it makes any difference.

Plate 1 is probably too mild for you. Maybe with proper technique you can return to it later. Try 3 or even 4.

Thank you both for replying with this information!

After I started (and after the second pass as well) and saw how little hair was being removed, I began wondering if I should have purchased a different adjustable razor because this one didn't seem to be as amazing as all of the reviews I had read indicated. Before you all responded, I was thinking maybe I should have went with the Parker Variant (probably my 2nd choice), the Merkur Progress, or the Pearl Flexi.

I'm glad to hear that it's probably the plate choice and not the razor choice.

TripleB

 

[Phoenixkh]

Welcome to the B&B community from Gainesville, Florida.

 

[Quaznoid]

I shaved exclusively with a 1973 SuperSpeed, purchased new, for 35 years. One of the best there is. Ditch the Rockwell.

 

[emwolf]

I agree that wet shaving is much more fun. It also gets easier, I think, to get a close, comfortable shave. It's always shaved me much closer than electric.

 

[WThomas0814]

This is how it starts.

 

[TripleB]

2nd Wet Shave Experience from Today:

I put the '67 Super Speed TTO to the side today and decided to use the Rockwell 6C 2 plate on the left side of my face and the 6C 3 plate on the right side of my face. Everything else was the same as my first wet shaving experience: shower, synthetic brush, Proraso shaving cream, Astra SP blade, Nivea shaving balm after. I did use an Asma Alum block prior to the balm...nicked myself at one of the spots I nicked my face on my first wet shave.

To be honest I couldn't tell a lot of different between the 2 plate on the 6C and the 1 plate I used the other day (someone with more experience could probably feel an obvious difference). The 1 plate gave me the feeling I didn't have to be as "careful" as I shaved with and against the grain, but it wasn't what I would call an enjoyable shave because it didn't seem like the blade was cutting through the hair - as evident by how much hair was left when I wiped the extra shaving cream off. I say that in reference to my first shave the other day because with my 2nd wet shaving experience today using plate 2, there still seemed to be more hair left than I was expecting (yes, 99% human error I'm sure). I was really expecting to see a lot more hair removed with the 2 plate (3 days growth today compared to about 5 days growth when I used Plate 1 the other day), but there still seemed to be quite a bit. A little disappointing.

So I put the 3 plate on the 6C and moved over the right side of my face. Definitely a more enjoyable shave as it didn't seem too harsh on my skin and the hairs came off much easier, even when shaving with the grain. Lathered up again and went over the left side with the 3 plate to pick up what the 2 plate left behind. I lathered up one more time and went over my entire face using the 2 plate to finish up the shave. Overall an enjoyable, albeit frustrating at times (seeing less hair removed than I was hoping), shave today. But again, I understand it's going to be a learning experience for the foreseeable future.

Today I only had one place with blood and that was the same place I cut during my first shave a couple days ago. I went over my face with the Asma and it stopped the bleeding immediately. Rinsed it off and finished up with my aftershave.

After taking a close look at my face, there were some spots that I obviously missed, but I know as I get better, those spots will become fewer and fewer.

With all that being said, even though it left me with a few more areas of blood, and I felt I had to be much more careful with it, I enjoyed shaving with the 1967 Super Speed TTO razor more than the Rockwell. It seemed to be only slightly more harsh than the 6C with the 3 plate, but it took off so much more hair with less effort.

Maybe next time I'll do a very careful first shave with the SSTTO and then finish it off with the 6C 2 plate. But then again maybe the 4 plate on the 6C will be exactly what I'm looking for to give me a fantastic combination of removal and enjoyment. Or maybe I should get a Gillette Slim and have adjustments on the fly.

Can you tell how excited I am about learning how to wet shave and all that I see it offering as far as experimentation and enjoyment in the future once I learn and understand all the basics of how to wet shave properly?

Again, I appreciate you all reading and offering your outstanding advice!

TripleB

 

[psfred]

Lol, your report brings back memories from 1975 as I struggled with learning to shave ATG and the next year to use my Father's (or Grandpa's, I don't remember) Schick injector.

Had I known then what I know now I'd have trotted over to the pharmacy and grabbed a "Black Beauty" Gillette adjustable!

I do say though that I used that Schick until I could no longer find blades reliably in the late 1980s. Starting in 1977 I only shaved my neck and under my jawline, had a beard until about 2004 or so.

 

[Captain Coconut]

I shaved exclusively with a 1973 SuperSpeed, purchased new, for 35 years. One of the best there is. Ditch the Rockwell.

I'll second this. I've used quite a few razors at this point, but it's awfully hard to do better than a flair tip Super Speed. If I were you, I'd stick with that and try a few blades until you settle on one that works really well for you.

 

[TripleB]

4th wet shave experience (not sure why I skipped posting about my third shave):

A friend gave me his Parker Variant to try, telling me to compare it to my Rockwell 6C. So today i shaved with the Parker Variant at 2.5 on the left side and the Rockwell 6C with the 3 plate on the right side.

Just remember, the opinions below are from someone who only has, now, 4 wet shaves in his life, so take them with a very minute grain of salt.

The 6C is a MUCH smoother ride (for a newbie like me) with the hair removal you obtain from using each. The 2.5 setting Variant vs the 3 plate 6C seemed to be pretty close to one another when comparing the smoothness after shaving with a new Astra SP blade. But the 6C didn't leave near the amount of redness or small amounts of blood that the Variant did. To me it seemed like the blade was locked solidly into the 6C while the blade almost seemed to "waver" a little as I used the Variant. The 6C seemed to glide over my face compared to the Variant and cut the hair with little to no effort.

I didn't compare them side by side, but I would even say that I preferred my Super Speed over the Variant. Again just a newbie's perspective...maybe I'm just not to the point yet where I'm able to use the Variant like it's intended to be used.

btw: ordered a Muhle R89 today...saw it for $29 shipped (thought it was a good price) so I ordered it, going to research it during its shipping to get opinions on it (and how it compares to my Super Speed), then decide whether to open it and keep it or not open it and send it back (free returns)

TripleB

 

[dmshaver]

Welcome to B & B, enjoy!

 

[TripleB]

I'm back needing some advice as far as wet shaving is concerned.

I've gotten pretty good with the Leaf Twig at shaving with the grain, but then when I'm going against the grain on the 2nd (or 3rd) pass, I get several nicks/bleeders below my jawline on both sides of my face every time I shave (in the exact same spots). Heavy lather, light pressure, slow and short strokes, etc. I've tried four different types of blades thinking that may be the problem. Obviously, I'm still the problem.

I've read several places that you couldn't cut yourself if you tried with the Rockwell 6C using plate 1 or plate 2. Is this actually true, even going against the grain?

I had pretty much given up on the 6C, believing I'd be better off without an adjustable razor so I could concentrate on form instead of switching settings/plates whenever one didn't seem to work.

The Twig seems so much easier for me to find the proper shaving angle, but if I'm cutting myself going against the grain, I'm obviously not finding the correct angle anyway.

Thanks for any honest advice!

TripleB

 

[blethenstrom]

I'm back needing some advice as far as wet shaving is concerned.

I've gotten pretty good with the Leaf Twig at shaving with the grain, but then when I'm going against the grain on the 2nd (or 3rd) pass, I get several nicks/bleeders below my jawline on both sides of my face every time I shave (in the exact same spots). Heavy lather, light pressure, slow and short strokes, etc. I've tried four different types of blades thinking that may be the problem. Obviously, I'm still the problem.

I've read several places that you couldn't cut yourself if you tried with the Rockwell 6C using plate 1 or plate 2. Is this actually true, even going against the grain?

I had pretty much given up on the 6C, believing I'd be better off without an adjustable razor so I could concentrate on form instead of switching settings/plates whenever one didn't seem to work.

The Twig seems so much easier for me to find the proper shaving angle, but if I'm cutting myself going against the grain, I'm obviously not finding the correct angle anyway.

Thanks for any honest advice!

TripleB

If you do an ATG pass make sure you do an XTG pass before that. It is all about whisker reduction. If you still have to long whiskers when hitting them with the ATG it might get rough.

I would also not be so hard on your self yet.... You might not be able to do ATG yet. Stick with 2 passes WTG, XTG until you have no irritation nor nicks, cuts etc Then carefully incorporate the ATG. Also do not feel bad. Not everyone can do ATG passes comfortably.

Just keep plugging at it and you will get there.

 

[TripleB]

If you do an ATG pass make sure you do an XTG pass before that. It is all about whisker reduction. If you still have to long whiskers when hitting them with the ATG it might get rough.

I would also not be so hard on your self yet.... You might not be able to do ATG yet. Stick with 2 passes WTG, XTG until you have no irritation nor nicks, cuts etc Then carefully incorporate the ATG. Also do not feel bad. Not everyone can do ATG passes comfortably.

Just keep plugging at it and you will get there.

Thank you VERY much for this!

I was really getting discouraged with the numerous nicks/weepers I've been getting. I felt like I was doing everything correctly, but not ending up with the results (or enjoyment) I was expecting when I started this wet shaving journey about a month ago (has really only been a month...wow...it seems much longer).

I felt like I was making pretty good progress, and then shaving yesterday was really rough...the most weepers I've had ever, on both sides of my face. I was on the verge of throwing in the towel and picking up that electric shaver again.

So thank you for this encouragement...I really needed to hear it right now!

TripleB

 

[blethenstrom]

Thank you VERY much for this!

I was really getting discouraged with the numerous nicks/weepers I've been getting. I felt like I was doing everything correctly, but not ending up with the results (or enjoyment) I was expecting when I started this wet shaving journey about a month ago (has really only been a month...wow...it seems much longer).

I felt like I was making pretty good progress, and then shaving yesterday was really rough...the most weepers I've had ever, on both sides of my face. I was on the verge of throwing in the towel and picking up that electric shaver again.

So thank you for this encouragement...I really needed to hear it right now!

TripleB

Over time the number of weepers, nicks and such will get less. Unfortunately it is a process and it does take some time. I came from an electric shaver as well and it took me a couple of months of daily shaving to get real settled. Even then you might have a few days when it is a bit rougher. Still once in a while now it can, but I can spot it earlier now and make adjustments and usually nip it in the bud before it gets bad. Sometimes just waiting another 12, 24 hours extra until the next shave can do wonders.

Another thing that is easy to do is over shaving. This is one of my weak spots. I chase that wonderful close shave and some days it is not meant to be so I run over and area several times and it ends up too much and irritation, weepers are to follow.

Just take a deep breath and take a step back and go back to what worked before. Do that for a while to give the skin a break and then just one little step at a time incorporate once thing at a time. It will be all good there my friend.

/Boris

 

[Frank Shaves]

@TripleB, You just need to keep playing with this stuff and you will be rewarded.

Try with the grain followed by across the grain using light pressure and making sure that your lather has the right consistency for both passes.

As @blethenstrom said, it's about hair reduction. You don't need to remove all of the hair on the first pass. Start with a milder plate (for the entire shave) and then, over time, increase the efficiency of the plate to find the sweet spot for you at this point in time. Over time, your tolerance for plate efficiency may change.

For me, two important variables for getting close and comfortable shaves using a DE and then a straight have been pressure (light to the weight of the razor) and angle.

 

[NorthernSoul]

As people have been saying on some of the other threads, you will find the learning process a lot easier if you can just keep your equipment consistent for the first couple of months.

You're trying to develop the touch, IOW, muscle memory. If you keep changing things around, it will confuse and delay the process. Your goal is to be able to shave on autopilot, without having to think consciously very much.

You probably want to explore everything right away. Just be patient, you'll get there.

 

[Leo K]

Great advice above! My first wet shaves were full of cuts and weepers too. I eventually learned to take my time and not chase a BBS until the technique is down. Even so, years later I am happy with a 1 to 2 pass CCS or DFS as comfort is more important to me than a BBS. Aces!

 

[WThomas0814]

Echoing a previous comment, ATG should be the final pass, if you do it at all. I seldom do.

The majority of my shaves are three pass, going WTG for the first pass, then XTG twice in opposite directions (imagine an "X"; the first XTG pass is the "\" and the second is the "/". There is very little need for me to chase a BBS and I do it maybe a half-dozen times a year and only if I'm putting on a suit. A DFS is more than adequate the rest of the time.

Were I in your shoes, I would focus my attention on mastering the Super Speed (is it a birth year razor?).

If you're getting nicked up with it, it is either technique of a misaligned razor. Look at it closely, make sure noting is bent, blade exposure same on both edges, blade clamped tightly, etc. I found that era of Super Speeds to be medium efficiency at best. Beautiful shavers for me.

As for technique, I think your weepers are happening in "normal" areas, likely a result of moving the razor in the wrong direction (NEVER sideways), holding the wrong angle, or using too much pressure; these are all very typical in the beginning days and you will overcome them with practice as you learn how to reach those problematic areas.

I don't want to sound pedantic, but, by my count, you have used four razors in various combinations in only four shaves. I think you're rushing things a bit. It takes a minute to learn a razor and the proper technique for it. A Twig won't shave like a Super Speed or a Variant. Pick a razor, use it for multiple shaves. Several days is good, several weeks is better. In the shaving equation, your razor is the only thing that is fixed; everything else is variable.

My $0.02, YMMV.

Don't get discouraged yet. You will learn this, as men have for centuries.

 

[TripleB]

Another thing that is easy to do is over shaving. This is one of my weak spots. I chase that wonderful close shave and some days it is not meant to be so I run over and area several times and it ends up too much and irritation, weepers are to follow.

Just take a deep breath and take a step back and go back to what worked before. Do that for a while to give the skin a break and then just one little step at a time incorporate once thing at a time. It will be all good there my friend.

/Boris

I think you may have hit one of the nails on the head. As I think back to my shave yesterday, on the first pass and on the second pass, I remember going over those areas that bled several times each. Then when I went against the grain I'm sure the areas were already "raw." The razor was feeling so smooth across my skin I didn't think anything about traumatizing the skin from too many passes. I'm definitely going to keep that mind the next time I shave.

Thank you very much for the encouragement! It makes me feel much better going into my next shave...looking forward to it now instead of dreading it.

Try with the grain followed by across the grain using light pressure and making sure that your lather has the right consistency for both passes.

You don't need to remove all of the hair on the first pass. Start with a milder plate (for the entire shave) and then, over time, increase the efficiency of the plate to find the sweet spot for you at this point in time. Over time, your tolerance for plate efficiency may change.

For me, two important variables for getting close and comfortable shaves using a DE and then a straight have been pressure (light to the weight of the razor) and angle.

Thank you, I will do that. Next time I'm gong to just stick with 2 passes...with the grain and across the grain.

I think you're right - I was trying to get so much of the hair removed on the first pass that I went over certain areas numerous times in order to try and make that happen. Thank you for the advice on sticking with the milder plate...that makes a lot of sense.

Light pressure and correct angle....got it!!!

I appreciate the advice!

As people have been saying on some of the other threads, you will find the learning process a lot easier if you can just keep your equipment consistent for the first couple of months.

You're trying to develop the touch, IOW, muscle memory. If you keep changing things around, it will confuse and delay the process. Your goal is to be able to shave on autopilot, without having to think consciously very much.

You probably want to explore everything right away. Just be patient, you'll get there.

You're 100% correct! Normally when I try something new I want to jump in the deep end and try everything I can get my hands on. Obviously that's not what should be done here.

Thank you for reminding me that a great deal of patience, and restraint, is needed here!

Echoing a previous comment, ATG should be the final pass, if you do it at all. I seldom do.

The majority of my shaves are three pass, going WTG for the first pass, then XTG twice in opposite directions (imagine an "X"; the first XTG pass is the "\" and the second is the "/". There is very little need for me to chase a BBS and I do it maybe a half-dozen times a year and only if I'm putting on a suit. A DFS is more than adequate the rest of the time.

Were I in your shoes, I would focus my attention on mastering the Super Speed (is it a birth year razor?).

If you're getting nicked up with it, it is either technique of a misaligned razor. Look at it closely, make sure noting is bent, blade exposure same on both edges, blade clamped tightly, etc. I found that era of Super Speeds to be medium efficiency at best. Beautiful shavers for me.

As for technique, I think your weepers are happening in "normal" areas, likely a result of moving the razor in the wrong direction (NEVER sideways), holding the wrong angle, or using too much pressure; these are all very typical in the beginning days and you will overcome them with practice as you learn how to reach those problematic areas.

I don't want to sound pedantic, but, by my count, you have used four razors in various combinations in only four shaves. I think you're rushing things a bit. It takes a minute to learn a razor and the proper technique for it. A Twig won't shave like a Super Speed or a Variant. Pick a razor, use it for multiple shaves. Several days is good, several weeks is better. In the shaving equation, your razor is the only thing that is fixed; everything else is variable.

My $0.02, YMMV.

Don't get discouraged yet. You will learn this, as men have for centuries.

Thank you letting me know that you seldom shave against the grain. When I was watching all the videos that newbies watch, I saw most of the gentlemen doing three passes (with, X, and against) and talking about BBS, so that's what I tried to emulate. Glad to know that's not necessarily what everyone does or what I need to shoot for just starting out.

Yes, the Super Speed TTO is from my birth year (1967). When I get home I'll take photos of it with and without the blade and post them here. Maybe you can help me determine if anything is off in the alignment or anything else?

You are probably correct in the fact that I may have moved the razor sideways a few times throughout my shave yesterday. Coming from 40 years with an electric you can just sort of go every direction and it doesn't matter. There were probably times yesterday I took too long of strokes and/or didn't keep the razor in a straight path.

You're pretty accurate on the shaver count. Four razors and probably ten shaves at this point. I've gotten rid of all my razors now except my '67 Super Speed TTO, a vintage Schick Injector J series, and a Rockwell 6C. I finally realized yesterday (even though everyone here has told me over and over and over for the past 4 weeks to do so) that I needed to get rid of everything and stick with one razor. I bought the SSTTO because it was my birth year and bought the Schick because it was vintage, in amazing shape, and was only $20.

Thanks to everyone here for your encouraging words - you have saved me from the brink of the "return to the electric!"

Have a wonderful weekend!

TripleB

 

[WThomas0814]

I think you may have hit one of the nails on the head. As I think back to my shave yesterday, on the first pass and on the second pass, I remember going over those areas that bled several times each. Then when I went against the grain I'm sure the areas were already "raw." The razor was feeling so smooth across my skin I didn't think anything about traumatizing the skin from too many passes. I'm definitely going to keep that mind the next time I shave.

Thank you very much for the encouragement! It makes me feel much better going into my next shave...looking forward to it now instead of dreading it.



Thank you, I will do that. Next time I'm gong to just stick with 2 passes...with the grain and across the grain.

I think you're right - I was trying to get so much of the hair removed on the first pass that I went over certain areas numerous times in order to try and make that happen. Thank you for the advice on sticking with the milder plate...that makes a lot of sense.

Light pressure and correct angle....got it!!!

I appreciate the advice!



You're 100% correct! Normally when I try something new I want to jump in the deep end and try everything I can get my hands on. Obviously that's not what should be done here.

Thank you for reminding me that a great deal of patience, and restraint, is needed here!



Thank you letting me know that you seldom shave against the grain. When I was watching all the videos that newbies watch, I saw most of the gentlemen doing three passes (with, X, and against) and talking about BBS, so that's what I tried to emulate. Glad to know that's not necessarily what everyone does or what I need to shoot for just starting out.

Yes, the Super Speed TTO is from my birth year (1967). When I get home I'll take photos of it with and without the blade and post them here. Maybe you can help me determine if anything is off in the alignment or anything else?

You are probably correct in the fact that I may have moved the razor sideways a few times throughout my shave yesterday. Coming from 40 years with an electric you can just sort of go every direction and it doesn't matter. There were probably times yesterday I took too long of strokes and/or didn't keep the razor in a straight path.

You're pretty accurate on the shaver count. Four razors and probably ten shaves at this point. I've gotten rid of all my razors now except my '67 Super Speed TTO, a vintage Schick Injector J series, and a Rockwell 6C. I finally realized yesterday (even though everyone here has told me over and over and over for the past 4 weeks to do so) that I needed to get rid of everything and stick with one razor. I bought the SSTTO because it was my birth year and bought the Schick because it was vintage, in amazing shape, and was only $20.

Thanks to everyone here for your encouraging words - you have saved me from the brink of the "return to the electric!"

Have a wonderful weekend!

TripleB

Vintage razors are all I use these days, and all I plan to use going forward. There's just something special about using razors from significant time periods/years/quarters. Right now, I'm using a 1939 Gillette Popular in honor of my late mother's birth year. (November is her birth month). Next month will be a 1961 G4 Gillette 195 in honor of my late brother's birth year/quarter.

Feel free to post pics. There's a lot of gents on here who will gladly weigh in. This is a fabulous community. Never have I seen so many people in one place who genuinely want to help.

FWIW, I shaved for 20 years with electrics. Now, here I am trying to learn how to strop 100-200 year old straight razors. Crazy.