ok sooooooo..... i'm converted

[ShaneN.]

After a rough first try with my new muhle r89 which I think was attributed to the combination of derbys not being the sharpest and using literally no pressure i had so much skipping and tugging across the hair but I have now got 3 shaves under my belt and I LOVE it. I'm really thinking I'll like it more with the addition of my astra sp 100 pack that should be here any day but I literally look forward to shaving rather than dreading using the electric shaver (i hope that doesn't wear off). I think for other newbies who haven't tried it yet, they should know that the DE is no more dangerous or scary than a cartridge and in fact, I'm actually nicking myself less than with my mach 3. Aside from it being an enjoyable time alone after my shower that I look forward to, it seems like I'm getting less irritation than when using a mach3 AND when I used to use an electric shaver and I'd work out the sweat would make my neck go all red and irritated and it doesn't seem to do that at all with the safety razor (why is that?).

So anyways, I just kind of wanted to say thanks to you guys for your info as it got me started off with some decent gear anddd contrary to my bit of frustration after my first shave with my muhle, I'm fully enjoying it and can't really see a reason to ever use a cartridge. I'm not even finding it take all that much longer than cartridge shaving either, except for some extra touch ups or maybe a third pass that i wouldn't do before.

 

[u2u]

Well done Sir, you are off to a great start.

 

[Teppanyaki]

Congratulations? As Wingnut used to tell me, go for comfort first and gradually go for closeness. I would stick to WTG shaving, 2 passes if 1 is working well, and only gradually work your way up to XTG. There's a thread about 4 pass shaving - worth reading. If Derbys work, great - I hated mine and the pack went in the blade bin after 1 shave. My R89 and Astras was what I started with. Enjoy!

 

[ShaneN.]

I don't have anything to compare the derbys to but i already think i don't like them, they tug a lot on hair.

 

[BRITD]

Derbys are known for being a mild blade which can be good for newbies but when I was starting out, anytime I used a mild blade, I was bearing down resulting in small knicks.. The Astra's SP are a good all round blade and work well in many razors.

 

[sychodelix]

Astras or Red Israeli Personna are great blades. I hate Derby blades with a passion.

 

[Dukelax510]

I think for other newbies who haven't tried it yet, they should know that the DE is no more dangerous or scary than a cartridge and in fact, I'm actually nicking myself less than with my mach 3. .

I completely agree Reggie, I used to use a Fusion and have cut myself less with my DE than when I used to with the cartridge.

 

[ShaneN.]

ugh just came back from the drug store with another 45 dollars wasted... er... spent. got some witch hazel, 150 cotton pads, proraso white soap and a pack of 10 wilkinson swords classics in the event that my astra sp's don't come tomorrow or the next day in the mail. 10 of them for 12 bucks though, ouch.

 

[ShaneN.]

on a side note, is the witch hazel that is in a generic bottle beside rubbing alcohol and stuff like that the same as the stuff you're using? i couldn't find any of the scented ones or any of the ones i've read about on here but i'm assuming it's all kind of the same stuff? it was more expensive than i expected. below is the stuff i got


http://teachmetotattoo.com/portal/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/DSCF5535.jpg

 

[Graybeard57]

Like yourself, I was hooked after the first shave. It was the closest shave I could remember. Keep posting your experiences; you will reap the benefits of the years of experience represented here. Enjoy your shaves!

 

[redrako]

Congratulations Reggie!

Shaving isn't hard, but it does take learning some easy new skills. After that many of us find it a bit fun.

 

[ShaneN.]

well the wilkinson swords certainly cut my hair cleaner with less tugging than the derbys but i almost feel like it didn't give me as close as of a shave. much nicer to shave with though. maybe it was just because i didn't take enough time or technique wasn't there? who knows. can't wait for these astra sp's to get here to so i can just focus on one blade for a while. are the astra sp's at least as sharp as the wilkinson sword classics?

 

[sychodelix]

Astras are more effective than Derby or Wilky, definitely. If you run out again sometimes and need local, check CVS or Walgreens for some Personnas. They are as good as Astras, but a little less forgiving. Yellow or Black 7 'O Clock Gillettes are also very good, and very sharp.

 

[ShaneN.]

I'm in Canada, only blade i can find is the wilky's and they were 12 dollars for 10 blades. Yah.. you read that right. I only bought them because I was waiting for the 100 pack of astra sp's, which came the next day. dammit. I must say, the wilky's were far nicer than the derby and i literally got zero blood anywhere but it was probably the worst shave as for as closeness that i had since i started shaving with a DE last week. I put the wilkonsons away and started my 100 pack of astra sp and keeping in mind that i'm a newbie and only had a week or so with derby's and then one day with the WS, the astra sp felt as sharp or sharper than the WS and i probably have my best/closest/least irritated shave since i started. i did however have two of the smallest dots of blood today on the neck, which i never got with the wilky yesterday, but it was so little i didn't even use a styptic pencil on it. all in all i think i'll like the astra sp's and they only cost 20 bucks. i didn't WANT to like the WS because i knew they were too expensive, although i'm sure i could have ordered them in bulk too. I think i'll use the astra sp's for a few months just to get my technique down and then i might pull out this ubber expensive WS blades to get a better comparison. I'm hoping I like them less lol. Then from there I might try the feathers down the road. But overall this Astra SP's seem to be a great balance of cost, sharpness and good shave.

 

[ShaneN.]

ok, loving the astra sp

 

[kingfisher]

Wilkies in the USA are $1.76 for a ten-pack.

Not a typo.

And I actually like them quite well.

 

[rand77]

Wilkies in the USA are $1.76 for a ten-pack.

Not a typo.

And I actually like them quite well.

I like German made wilkinson's quite a bit. They work great with an aggressive razor.

 

[FL shaver]

Astras are my blade. I have a couple bricks in reserve. Your Derby experience was the same as my Derby experience. Absolute tug fest.

 

[ShaneN.]

Wilkies in the USA are $1.76 for a ten-pack.

Not a typo.

And I actually like them quite well.

What I meant is *I* wasn't making a typo when I said that the drug store by me sells them for 12 dollars plus our 12 percent tax.

 

[Teppanyaki]

$12 for a ten pack of razor blades?!?!?!??!? Plus tax?!?!?!?!?

I'm crying because I may be ordering a $40 hundred pack of Polsilver Super Iridiums, which to me is really expensive! But they just seem to work better than Astras in my R41.

Westcoastshaving does a great job mailing blades, as does BullGooseShaving.