New to Wet Shaving.

[briant97]

So I was searching the web for best razor out there as I am a fusion users for a while now. I wanted to see if there was something better. I stumbled on an old msnbc article that talked about saftey razors and wet shavings. So this is what peaked my interested. I have watched several videos on youtube and decided to go down this route. I talked to my grand father and he had everything I needed the brush, the gillette razor, soap and soap cup. So all I needed was blades. He got the razor and brush while going in the air force it was issued to them in 1943. He is 87 years old by the way.

Anyway I went to walgreens to get blades and I think this may be part of my mistake. All they had were the walgreens brand. Needless to say I have been attempting to get a good shave and yet I don't seem to be doing any better than my fusion could do. I followed one guys advice i took a shower. I then put oil on my face, then put lots of soap on the face. I first went north south and then washed face. I repeated soap again and went south to north. I then repeated again and went from side. I got redness on my neck first of all. Some sports were just not shaved right. I have tried this twice. Maybe its the blades. Anybody with some insight would be great.

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

Too much pressure, let the blade and razor work.

Also, try to get a razor blade sample pack. I never tried the Walgreens myself but I heard there's much better out there. WestCoastShaving sells a good one!

 

[JPM]

Welcome to B&B!

 

[wilsondude]

Just keep working at it, dude. I would agree that you should try some sampler blades. Also, spend a little time in the wiki section and make yourself familiar with the process of wet shaving. I thought my first time would be a breeze, especially with all new gear; I couldn't have been more wrong. It took some time and patience(along with swapping out the Merkur blades), but has been a really fun journey. Shaving bliss is not too far away of you're persistent. Good luck!

 

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to B&B.

 

[RCC]

Welcome to B&B.

indeed.

For me, technique ended up being paramount.
The more I practice, the better my shaves.
Having said that - try some better blades...

 

[luvmysuper]

What soap are you using? What oil? Some folks don't do well with pre-shave oil (me for one).
Do you have a brush?
Have you watched the Mantic videos on Youtube? (a must do my friend)
Remember the three important things

1. Go Slow (really slow. It takes a while to unlearn the bad habits from cartridge razors)
2. No Pressure (just let the weigh of the razor do the work. Keep thinking about it, because you push in with a cartridge razor, and your muscle memory is going to want to keep doing that)
3. Proper Angle. (Make dead sure that you have the correct angle. Put the top of the razor against your cheek with the handle parallel to the ground, and slowly start dropping the end of the razor handle toward the ground. When you get to the point that you can start cutting hair - that's where you want to be)
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[briant97]

It is just the basic cheap soap as well from Wallgreens.


Sounds like I might need to get a sample pack of blades and then go with a better soap. Maybe a better brush as well. The brush is just as old as the razor I it is not badger. I mean it is still in good shape.

Also looks like there is not a best blade then if I am to get a sample pack. Does that mean that some blades work better for each and ever person.

 

[luvmysuper]

It is just the basic cheap soap as well from Wallgreens.


Sounds like I might need to get a sample pack of blades and then go with a better soap. Maybe a better brush as well. The brush is just as old as the razor I it is not badger. I mean it is still in good shape.

Also looks like there is not a best blade then if I am to get a sample pack. Does that mean that some blades work better for each and ever person.

Your brush is probably fine, so don't throw the baby out with the bath just yet!
I would recommend a good soap or cream, you can go to Bath and Body works and get a tube of CO Bigelow for 5 bucks, it is rebranded Proraso from Italy and is quite good.
Yes, each person seems to have a favorite blade, they do make a difference.
Though the "store brand" work quite wll for me, many folks get irritation.
Like I said, make sure you watch the videos on Youtube of Mantic, they are just really great.

 

[JoshD]

Sounds like you are going to keep this up and are not going to quit. That is good. Always remember practice makes perfect. I too am a new member to WS with a DE. I am still having to remind myself about the basics of technique.

Keep it up. Just remember. No pressure. Go slow. Proper angle. Everything will work our fine.

Josh.

 

[saltypete]

Welcome to B&B!

Pete

 

[DeanoG]

Welcome.

Learn the direction that your facial hair grows in. It sounds, depending on how your hair grows, like you may be doing and ATG (against the grain) pass on your face meaning you are shaving in the opposite direction that your hair grows. This can definitely cause some irritation if you don't have a good technique down. If that's the case I would start with no more than 2 passes one WTG and one XTG.

Also, a DE razor is NOT like a fusion or other cartridge razor that allows for heavy pressure. As said above, and assuming you have prepared your face well and have a good lather, let the razor do the work.

Remember practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

Good Luck!

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome to B&B

 

[briant97]

Oh i forgot to add im using all natural coconut oil.

 

[PigKnappster]

Hello and Welcome to B&B.

 

[briant97]

Have you guys seen this deal.

http://www.amazon.com/100-BEST-Samp...ef=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1268970741&sr=1-7

21.99 for 100 blades that is crazy cheap.

 

[boomer56]

Welcomes!

The art of shaving with anything other than a modern nine-blade ninja rig is something we all have to learn, and are well rewarded for doing so.

FWIW, I would recommend a razor pack from West Coast Shaving, they tailor their offerings to different budgets. But as important, are you using a good cream? Or a good soap properly worked to lubricate? The brush matters less than the lubricant, IMI.

Welcome to the nicest daily ritual you can imagine.

Best,

Boomer

 

[briant97]

Boomer.....This morning I switched from cheap soap to the kiss my face stuff which I already had. I just didn't think I could use it until I watched mantic's video. So I got a good lather up and used short strokes that he recommended. I am still missing a few places about 2 inches from my chin not quite on my neck. I went back over this spot several times with lather and different ways north south, south north, east west, west east. Still couldn't could get good enough. I still am missing a few spots along the chin line. I am still red on right side of neck for some reason. This never happened with my old fusion. So I don't quite know what might be going on there.

Other than that I feel very smooth in all areas. I feel like im getting better at it. I feel like im getting the angle right. I am using the short strokes method right now and trying not to go over the same spot twice.

Boomer I am in Ohio as well just noticed you were as well. I live about 50 miles south of Columbus.

 

[Alec79]

There is no doubt that different blades, soaps, etc can make a difference but by far and away the biggest improvement comes from practice and playing careful attention to the blade angle.

 

[briant97]

Well guys I ended up getting the 100 blade sampler from Amazon ordered over the weekend cause I don't think these blades from Wallgreens are working for me. I am still getting red on the right side of my neck and there is a spot under my chin that for some reason I can't quite get. Of course I didn't have either of these problem with the fusion so I am hoping it is just a blade thing. I hope it works out cause my 4 year old son has been watching me and he is amazed. So I hope this is something I can pass down to him. He had lots of questions even asked when he got older if he would have to do this and I said yes you will.