New DE recommendation

[Chance]

I'm pretty new to all of this, 3 months, but I purchased a lord 1822 de. I don't really feel like it has enough bite to it. I always end up shaving my chin and neck twice. Do I need a new de or could it be the razor blades? I've only tried one type of razor blade but how much difference can there really be between blades?

The blades are Personna Double Edge Razor Blades which were highly rated on Amazon.com

I just figure I need something with a little more bite so I'm not applying pressure. Or is there a blade I should try first? Aren't blades close to being equal?

 

[Teppanyaki]

Several thoughts-

Assuming you've been working on your prep/lather/technique for the last 3 months, a different razor may give you different results. I'd consider a Gillette New or a Gillette Tech (pre-war with triangular slots, or British).

You mention shaving "twice". I don't know of anyone here who gets a great shave with 1 pass - double edged and single edged razors are generally "multiple pass" razors. I generally make 2 passes, first north-to-south, and second sideways on the face and again north-to-south on the neck. Each pass should be beard reduction, not elimination.

Different blades can give different results. I've found some blades to work significantly better than others. Astras are a pretty well-liked blade. I like Voskhods and Polsilver super Iridiums. If you want some Super Iridiums send me a mailing address via personal message and I will send you a pack.

Welcome!

 

[Alphonse]

If I were you I'd look into a Schick Krona or Gillette Slim in the BuySellTrade(BST) forum here. Yes, you must do multiple passes. First should likely be with the grain, and then relather and the next pass can be across with touch up against the grain. That's just how I do it.

There are huge differences between blades. Check out Supermax Titanium blades and Gillette 7oclock Blacks or Yellows. Then work on your technique(study technique)because it's the biggest factor.. then once you have that down you can get technical with all the different types of gear.

 

[dfoulk]

I've had blades that are truly excellent in one razor pull and tug and be complete garbage in another. This is usually corrected for me by installing a sharper blade. I've also used a blade that everyone seems to love to find out that it doesn't work for me.
You might want to research what blades seem to work well in that particular razor.
I've also found razors that are just not for me.
I'd try the blades first as they are inexpensive. The polsilvers Tepp offered to send you are excellent. Maybe try those first. Others I like are gillette silver blue, gillette 7 O'Clock Black and Personna Med Prep.

 

[Morman Bridge]

Hello Chance, welcome to the B&B. For a good, relatively inexpensive starter kit, you might try B&B vendor Gary's Sample Shop. He can be found in the Hobbyist/Vendor classifieds here at the Badger and Blade. He also gives a credit for first time starter kit Buyers on the razor if you return it once you move on to other razors. Check with him and he can explain this better than I can.
As far as a razor recommendation I would suggest a 1940's style Gillette Super Speed. Or a 1960's Gillette Slim Adjustable. Either one will give you great shaves, and years of great service.
As far as blades go, www.razorbladesandmore.com or B&B vendor ShaveABuck.com can get you a reasonably priced blade sampler. Good luck and enjoy your time here at the B&B.

 

[dcc]

Weber+Classic Handle

 

[musicman1951]

Personna makes nice blades, but they're not for everybody. They also make several models and I don't know which one you have. Red, Lab, Med Prep?

How much difference can there be between blades? How much difference is there between cars? There are lots of different models of cars because we don't all want the same things and don't all want to pay the same price.

There are blades that feel more like they're plucking the hairs off my face rather than cutting. There are blades that are so sharp and unforgiving that most new shavers feel like they've made a contribution to the blood bank after each shave. I suspect you've probably found a pretty good match for your face/beard in the Personna's, but you won't know until you sample a few others.

I usually make a three pass shave. Sometimes I only make two passes, which results in a pretty nice shave. Visually it's fine, but when I apply my after shave balm I feel an unpleasant surprise when I rub against the grain. Almost nobody gets away with a one pass DE shave.

I don't know your razor so I will let others make a more informed recommendation on a new one.

 

[Chance]

Thanks for the responses! Ill try new blades hoping that will do the trick. I didn't realize there were such differences. I've ordered three different types but hopefully I can find a place here in Houston to pick up a few to try today.

I always do a couple passes but I feel some tugging on my neck and no matter what I try I get a little rash if I do anything other than a N/S shave. I shower first and use Old Bond cream that I pickup from the British Isles store. Love the stuff. Im pretty diligent and focus on what I'm doing but seems like even with multiple passes my neck just doesn't get the best shave so I'm having to apply a little pressure causing bumps.

Thanks for the advice I'm learning a ton from you guys.

These are my current blades

http://www.theshavingedge.com/productimage.php?product_id=212

 

[Alphonse]

Those blades look like Labs, which can be a little tuggy. Definitely try Personna Reds! Those are buttery smooth.

 

[Chance]

What makes one tug vs being smooth? Does smooth mean less quality of a shave?

 

[HOUS3Y]

Chance. I also live in Houston, Pearland actually. There aren't many places to pick up decent blades arou town. I know Sally's carries some Derby's and Personnas. I popped in British Isles the other day, that's about the only place around with any kind of wet shaving selection. I do have quite a few loose blades in differet makes/models, if there is a certain type in particular that you wanted to try, I could drop a few in the mail for you. Just shoot me a PM. Good luck to you.

 

[tfinch]

What makes one tug vs being smooth? Does smooth mean less quality of a shave?

Assuming your beard was soaked well enough before the shave, the tugging is just a sign that particular blade isn't sharp enough for your whiskers. When you find your ideal blade, assuming the prep before the shave and the lather are ideal, it will cut off the whiskers with an audible sound but no resistance. I imagine this is what is meant by smoothness.

 

[bdcoffey]

Hi Chance,
i would try some of the Astra SP blades. I use those in quite a few razors with good luck. If you like shaving with a DE, I would second the recommendation for a Weber razor, they are pretty awesome.
-Brian

 

[eezee]

You almost sound like a friend of mine that I converted to traditional shaving. He was shaving with a Merkur 23C and was not really liking it all that much. He was using the Merkur blades that came with the razor. I gave him some Derby blades and life is great! You may be one who's skin does't necessarily like super sharp blades, or perhaps it is the blade/razor combination. My best shaves so far have come from Croma, Bolzano, and Gillette 7:00 yellow pack with a huge two thumbs up on the yellow pack. Remember though, YMMV.

While blades are important, technique is the key. The number of passes I do depends on time. If I have time 'll do a 3 pass shave (WTG, XTG, ATG), if not, I do a 2 pass (WTG, ATG). I always have trouble getting everything just under my jawline, plus the direction of growth for my right jaw is different than my left. Even with a 3 pass shave I still have to do a little touch up around that area. Be patient and watch that pressure!

If you want to try a new razor I'd suggest you at least look at the Edwin Jagger DE-89. It is a great razor and beautiful to behold.

Good luck with it.

 

[Chance]

Well I ordered some Gillette, feather, and astra blades. They haven't arrived yet. I did go to British isles and build my dad a shaving kit for christmas, because I'm happy enough doing it I'm converting people now , so I do have another razor and Gillette blades lol.

I had also ordered the Muhl r41 2013 edition after reading several reviews of how much better it is than the previous version. Fingers crossed.

Part of the problem is only having one razor and one type of blade, don't know which to replace , so we'll see. But yesterday I used my dads mach 3, visiting and forgot my lord 1822, and all I can say is compared to my current setup it felt like broken glass. And my setup isn't that great lol

 

[eezee]

Go easy with that R41. I don't have on but everyone that writes about says to give it respect. It is, from what I've read, a very aggressive razor. I almost bought one but thought the better of it and bought a Merkur 37C slant instead. GREAT razor. The R41 is on the wish list thought. Let me know how you like it.

 

[Chance]

I was scared too but read the 2013 version is everything the original r41 should have been. So we'll see!