Open confession is good for the soul

[ever_learning]

Well, after a couple months of mostly DE shaving, I had to break down and confess something to my Merkur Progress...

Progress,

You were my first DE razor and consequently, we've been through a lot. You taught me a lot. A lot about shaving, and a lot about myself. We've been through thick and thin lathers, sharp and dull blades and we've gotten into some hot water together more than once. When we first got together, I was unsure, scared even, but you were strong and sure of yourself and started out gentle with me. As I learned how to turn you up and down it all fell into place. You know how rough I like it, where all the right spots are and when to back off and take it easy. I know how to hold you just right, how fast you like it, and which angle suits us both best, and must admit, it's been a heck of a ride! I've never used a razor so complex and diverse as you, yet so comforting and simple in elegance.

But I have something to tell you - please don't talk, let me finish - I have a confession... I don't want you to hate me when I tell you this, I know how it will sound... I've been using a Schick Injector on the side! I know. I know the Injector lacks your personality and unique qualities. I know that it only has a single blade, but in this case, less is more. The Injector fills needs that you can't and frankly I don't know if you ever can. The Injector gives me smoother shaves, increased blade life, ease of maneuverability around the chin and upper lip, glides over my skin without skipping, basically, all the extra things you promised me, but haven't been able to live up to. I know, I've read on B&B about the danger of the Injector, that it has been the fall of many men into the deeper dark side of SE shaving, and that may be me one day, I don't know. I don't know how far my descent into madness will take me. I thought I could resist the Schick's Siren Song, but alas, I could not and have made you the victim of my cheating face.

Nothing you can say now will stop me, I've got a place for you in the cabinet, sure, it's no bathroom counter, but it's comfortable. I know you'll get along well with the Fatboy. Just in case you think I'm bluffing, I want you to know that I'm about to seal the commitment and purchase 200 injector blades from Connaught Shaving. http://connaughtshaving.com/injectorblades.html

I didn't mean to break your heart, Progress. I'll always remember how you saved me from the Fusion and canned goo, and you'll always have a place in my den. Maybe someday, we can have another shave together, but now, my heart belongs to the Schick Injector Type G.



Does anyone else share my love and adoration for the Injector?? Do any of you Injector Junkies use the DEs anymore?

 

[beisler]

This is one of the best and most imaginative posts I have ever read and yes i share your love of injectors. I use SE's and injectors now. The first time I used a SE,which I think was a bullet tip,my DE's
went onto the B/S/T,never to be missed . Anyhow,great post

 

[morseman]

Just wait untill you try an e or maybe the pal injectormatic, i hope you have a good laywer you cheater.

 

[dcobranchi]

Injector (Golden 500) this a.m. Yesterday was a New Improved (Bostonian). Tomorrow is probably the Yankee lather catcher. I am ​such a slut.

 

[razorx]

Well, after a couple months of mostly DE shaving, I had to break down and confess something to my Merkur Progress...

Just in case you think I'm bluffing, I want you to know that I'm about to seal the commitment and purchase 200 injector blades from Connaught Shaving. http://connaughtshaving.com/injectorblades.html




Does anyone else share my love and adoration for the Injector?? Do any of you Injector Junkies use the DEs anymore?

Well all right !
They're sort of from the wrong side of the tracks and not as classy looking as many other razors but they know how to make a man feel good

Ha! Same as you,the 200 blade order from Connaught was also my declaration of independence.... Viva La Revolution

 

[HUF]

Well, after a couple months of mostly DE shaving, I had to break down and confess something to my Merkur Progress...

Progress,

You were my first DE razor and consequently, we've been through a lot. You taught me a lot. A lot about shaving, and a lot about myself. We've been through thick and thin lathers, sharp and dull blades and we've gotten into some hot water together more than once. When we first got together, I was unsure, scared even, but you were strong and sure of yourself and started out gentle with me. As I learned how to turn you up and down it all fell into place. You know how rough I like it, where all the right spots are and when to back off and take it easy. I know how to hold you just right, how fast you like it, and which angle suits us both best, and must admit, it's been a heck of a ride! I've never used a razor so complex and diverse as you, yet so comforting and simple in elegance.

But I have something to tell you - please don't talk, let me finish - I have a confession... I don't want you to hate me when I tell you this, I know how it will sound... I've been using a Schick Injector on the side! I know. I know the Injector lacks your personality and unique qualities. I know that it only has a single blade, but in this case, less is more. The Injector fills needs that you can't and frankly I don't know if you ever can. The Injector gives me smoother shaves, increased blade life, ease of maneuverability around the chin and upper lip, glides over my skin without skipping, basically, all the extra things you promised me, but haven't been able to live up to. I know, I've read on B&B about the danger of the Injector, that it has been the fall of many men into the deeper dark side of SE shaving, and that may be me one day, I don't know. I don't know how far my descent into madness will take me. I thought I could resist the Schick's Siren Song, but alas, I could not and have made you the victim of my cheating face.

Nothing you can say now will stop me, I've got a place for you in the cabinet, sure, it's no bathroom counter, but it's comfortable. I know you'll get along well with the Fatboy. Just in case you think I'm bluffing, I want you to know that I'm about to seal the commitment and purchase 200 injector blades from Connaught Shaving. http://connaughtshaving.com/injectorblades.html

I didn't mean to break your heart, Progress. I'll always remember how you saved me from the Fusion and canned goo, and you'll always have a place in my den. Maybe someday, we can have another shave together, but now, my heart belongs to the Schick Injector Type G.



Does anyone else share my love and adoration for the Injector?? Do any of you Injector Junkies use the DEs anymore?

Bravo! I was wondering whether you write essays for a living.

 

[Xeno_basso]

Coincidentally, bought a bunch of bargain Injectors from Nav, a forum member here, on BST. They came in yesterday and shaved with an M I think this morning (for no other reason that i thought it looked the coolest)...WOW! All this rap that these have been getting is not BS.
For the first pass, I didn't think anything was happening, thought that the blade was gliding over the one day growth but on washing for second pass prep, I felt that it had actually shaved extremely well. I don't know, had shaved with a 1912 the other day and I guess I was expecting the feedback but it was eerily silent for me. Quick second pass and DFS. Had some nicks and under my chin is tender (most likely wrong angle?) but I put that down to first Injector shave ever. Splash of Proraso and a spritz of cologne and away I go...too easy!
These injectors died out about the time I started shaving so a warm thanks to the forum and the members here for getting me sufficiently motivated to buy a few for literally pennies and a bunch of blades. Now it's a case of some training and I think I have a damn fine combo.
Whilst not as eloquent as ever_learning, my sentiment is essentially the same...that a se injector is a killer shaver! Why oh why were these ever discontinued is beyond me. Another example of marketing power killing something that was too good?
A happy Easter to you all.

 

[Lothar101]

Excellent post! I'm headed down that road as well...Well maybe a little further, Lusting after Damaskeene's

 

[deoxy4]

Very amusing post. I have been wet shaving for five years or so with SE, DE and injector razors after shaving with a cartidge for many years. I started shaving in the 70's with a Schick. My father used a Gillette but taught me to shave with an injector. He has since passed. I recently wondered why he started me with an injector while he used a DE razor. I can only think he did not want me to use his shave supplies. Can't blame him.

I think DE shaving is way to complicated. Too many blade choices and adjustment settings on adjustable razors. Too many variables in the journey. With SE and injector razors your blades choices are narrowed to a few really decent blades and rigid blades which, I find shave superior to most DE blades. Shaving with a SE or injector, after finding the correct blade angle, is like taking a test with the answers written in the margin-easy shaving with foolproof results.

I will still use up my supply of DE blades and shave with my DE razors but won't purchase any more. My GEM 1912 and Schick type G are permanent additions to my rotation. It was an interesting and enjoyable journey, just wish I had started with an SE and injector at the start.

If I was to give a beginner advice, I guest it would be to try a SE or injector razor first and try using an inexpensive medium knot boar brush. If that works for you, your probably in a good place and it probably won't get much better. I have set a maximum limit of $12 for a soap or cream, which includes a ton of great performing products. I don't fall prey to purchasing every pre and post shave products. A little raw shea butter pre and post and inexpensive generic witch hazel post shave go a long way. I am in a good place now, reasonable cost shaving with really good consistent results, and not chasing down the latest trend and perfect shave. This is where I wanted to be when I started this journey, just got side tracked for a while.

 

[razorx]

Very amusing post. I have been wet shaving for five years or so with SE, DE and injector razors after shaving with a cartidge for many years. I started shaving in the 70's with a Schick. My father used a Gillette but taught me to shave with an injector. He has since passed. I recently wondered why he started me with an injector while he used a DE razor. I can only think he did not want me to use his shave supplies. Can't blame him.

I think DE shaving is way to complicated. Too many blades choices and adjustment settings on adjustable razors. Too many variables in the journey. With SE and injector razors your blades choices are narrowed to a few really decent blades and rigid blades which, I find shave superior to most DE blades. Shaving with a SE or injector, after finding the correct blade angle, is like taking a test with the answers written in the margin-easy shaving with foolproof results.

I will still use up my supply of DE blades and shave with my DE razors but won't purchase any more. My GEM 1912 and Schick type G are permanent additions to my rotation. It was an interesting and enjoyable journey, just wish I had started with an SE and injector at the start.

If I was to give a beginner advice, I guest it would be to try a SE or injector razor first and try using an inexpensive medium knot boar brush. If that works for you, your probably in a good place and it probably won't get much better. I have set a maximum limit of $12 for a soap or cream, which includes a ton of great performing products. I don't fall prey to purchasing every pre and post shave products. A little raw shea butter pre and post and inexpensive generic witch hazel post shave go a long way. I am in a good place now, reasonable cost shaving with really good consistent results, and not chasing down the latest trend and perfect shave. This is where I wanted to be when I started this journey, just got side tracked for a while.

Nicely done... +1

 

[ever_learning]

I think DE shaving is way to complicated. Too many blade choices and adjustment settings on adjustable razors. Too many variables in the journey. With SE and injector razors your blades choices are narrowed to a few really decent blades and rigid blades which, I find shave superior to most DE blades. Shaving with a SE or injector, after finding the correct blade angle, is like taking a test with the answers written in the margin-easy shaving with foolproof results.

+1! Exactly! I actually bought a Fatboy from a member here on B&B and he threw the injector in as a bonus. Little did either of us know, I would end up using the Fatboy only 3 times before shelving it along with the Progress in favor of the injector.

@ HUF - No, I wish I could write for a living. It would be much more fun and interesting than telling truckers where to go and how to get there all day...

 

[HUF]

@ HUF - No, I wish I could write for a living. It would be much more fun and interesting than telling truckers where to go and how to get there all day...

You are in wrong business! Try Reader's Digest.

 

[stvince71]

Great post. But I do have to disagree on one point. Injectors do have personality. They're just different and are just fine being that way.

 

[SEnSE]

I wonder how long until you pony up for the Cobra Classic?

Another SE fan here too. While I enjoy the injectors occasionally you'll have to pry my AutoStrop out of my lifeless hands to get it from me.