Open Comb Damaskeene Goodness

[snu164]

For my whole life I've had bad shaves. At one point it was so bad, I took prescription medicine to control the ingrown hairs. The best I could do was one pass with the grain in the shower with a disposable (one time use). While on a trip, I checked out an Art of Shaving Shop. The salesman spent a good hour with me and I walked out with the shaving cream, oil, aftershave balm, brush and a Merkur razor. I was disappointed to receive the same crummy results. I searched around the interwebs and got intersted in a Gillette Fatboy and had reasonable results. Then I discovered B&B and specifically HoosierTrooper's posts about Damaskeenes.

I quickly found a Damaskeene on the ebay and gave it a try. I was impressed by it's ability to cut through the thick portions of my beard without jumping or need of blade buffing. I was still dissatisfied though.

I tried a Schick Injector Adjustable. It sucked.

Finally, today, I tried my newly arrived Gem Damaskeene Open Comb. Now I can declare Best Shave Ever. For those who haven't had the pleasure, it corrects everything I felt was wrong with shaving. It didn't load up. The blade angle was intuitive. I experienced an irritation free close shave.

No point to this thread, just wanted to explain my excitement at finding a razor that fit me.

With all my dribble said, is there a razor I need to try next?

 

[Haggises]

Welcome to LOSERville!
Congrats on finding a great razor. Don't give up on the regular Damaskeene or the Schick just yet - different razors need slight adjustments in technique.

You may be interested in a GEM Micromatic Open Comb.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I'm glad to hear you found what works for you, but I'm curious why the Schick adjustable didn't work for you, though. And, I agree with Haggises, the next logical razor would be the Micromatic and I'd also throw in the 1914 Ever-Ready as a suggestion. What blade are you using?

 

[Galhatz]

What, no photo?

 

[snu164]

Thanks for the advice on future razors. I have a 1914 from the bay enroute. I'm gonna look for a deal on a MMOC and try to snatch one up soon. I'm tempted by the Clog-pruf as well.

I'm glad to hear you found what works for you, but I'm curious why the Schick adjustable didn't work for you, though...What blade are you using?

In the Schick I was using the Personnas. My experience with it was even after several passes on the most aggressive setting, there was still tufts of beard hairs sticking up defiantly refusing to be shaved. I've heard Chicks are a better shave, and the fact it was a three dollar ebay razor, leads me to believe better shaves may be in store for me later.

In the Damaskeenes' I've been using the Walgreens Stainless Gems. I have no complaint with them, but I'll give the Carbon steel ones a try. Has anyone tried stropping the Carbon Steel blades like the olde timey Damaskeene blades?

What, no photo?

Photo pending. I have my fourth Damaskeene in the mail. I think I have one from each era before ASR stopped stamping "Damaskeene" on them. The plan is to do a comparison of all four.

 

[beisler]

Then I discovered B&B and specifically HoosierTrooper's posts about Damaskeene

Yes---Hoosier is "da man" for SE's here and has helped me alot and countless others---Again --thanks Tom