Please help - over half a year and still can't find a BBS razor

[Brutus]

Too many razors, too many blades.

You need to start over. Eliminate variables.


Don’t buy anything.

Precisely what went through my head.
What the OP describes is a classic example of the willy-nilly school of shaving…

If you were to try a new music instrument every other day, how could you possibly get proficient in any single one?

Settle on ONE razor and settle on ONE blade that most shavers agree on as excellent and then start getting proficient.
Consistency matters…


B.

 

[Frito Ray]

If you were to try a new music instrument every other day, how could you possibly get proficient in any single one?

That is an excellent analogy.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I guess it depends... I did use the same razor for every shave for 5+ months, so I did develop a sound technique.

Fast forward to 3 years later.. Today.. I have a family of razors all in a narrow efficiency range.. upper mild to lower medium..

For me, it's like switching 6 string guitars... I can play any 6 string. I might have to make minor adjustments due to string action, different body design, etc..... But I don't really have a problem picking up a strange guitar and getting it to sing for the first time... acoustic guitars only.. I can play an electric, but truth be told... they are a completely different instrument. I can't make an electric sing... using a technique that works on an acoustic 6 string doesn't translate to an electric... at least, to me...

I have no problem choosing a razor on a whim and getting a great shave.... but I get the sentiment... Especially, just starting out.

 

[sm29]

Glad the R41 is working for you. If you decide to try some others my vote is for the Blackland Blackbird. I have the Ti and SS versions and both are great. No other razor can shave my neck as well. Cheeks and even chin are much easier for me to get BBS.

The relatively small gap and high blade exposure are ideal for me. The blade feel is guiding and there is no skin irritation or razor burn.

 

[MichaelSch]

I have 7 razors in rotation and can get BBS from all of them, zero irritation, nicks or redness, and that includes head shave and DAILY.

IMHO the "secret" is in the technique first and foremost, and also in some good prep and good lather.

If your technique is off, that is, if you're applying too much pressure -- or any pressure! -- you will incur damage. NO PRESSURE is key here. Let the razor do all the work.

Also you need good prep. I shower before I shave, which works for me. I then use the bloom water from my puck and then apply Proraso preshave. This is my routine and it works every time no matter the razor. I make sure my lather is not runny but is well hydrated, adding drops of water to my lather bowl as I go along.

So in summary I dont believe its the razor per se that is the problem, it is most likely technique and pressure first, and then prep second.

I hope this helps!

PS: Wanted to add... blade selection is important. I never put much stock in what blade I used, assuming they were mostly all the same except for Feather which was "razor" sharp. However as I became more experienced I realised that certain blades just suit my skin better and work well for me... that blade for me is the Gillette 7 o clock stainless steel (in a green packet)... no nicks, cuts, irritation, just a BBS every time. It's the only thing I don't swap or change... I stick with it through all my razors now.

 

[Pacman225]

I'm only familar with a few of the razors on your list but for the most part they all get really good reviews. Could it be that maybe you haven't quite dialed in your technique yet? Just asking. If you're confident that you have then maybe an open comb might be in your future. I would suggest the Muhle R41 or maybe one of the Fatip open comb razors. Good luck. Hope everything comes together for you.

 

[zanxion]

Precisely what went through my head.
What the OP describes is a classic example of the willy-nilly school of shaving…

If you were to try a new music instrument every other day, how could you possibly get proficient in any single one?

Settle on ONE razor and settle on ONE blade that most shavers agree on as excellent and then start getting proficient.
Consistency matters…


B.

Awesomely stated! I had exactly the same problem with the OP. After using many razors, cheap and expensive, I gave up in despair. I could not get a proper BBS and trying too much was getting me nicks everywhere. Hell ya I thought, and started using mostly a Gillette Slim. After a month or so, it was remarkable how my shaves got better, and now it always delivers me a BBS effortlessly. I know how it feels at every setting, riding the cap, riding the safety bar, how much pressure to apply. I also limited my blades to just a couple of them, and I will not change to anything else until they are no longer sold. Now, I enjoy wet shaving more than ever.

 

[EdHeart]

Interesting question which evokes the following questions (these are general and not necessarily directed at the OG post and are ponderings based upon it.)

1. Are you shaving everyday?
2. If one shaves daily and the beard isn't particularly tall above the skin, is it even possible to get a BBS shave at all?
3. Wouldn't shaving everyday preclude one's ability to grab the hair in the right direction, to mow it down and obtain BBS?
4. Wouldn't chasing BBS daily be incredibly irritating to the skin?

Technique, understanding hair growth, feel while shaving are some of things that come to mind that would be key in getting BBS irrespective of the razor but not necessarily irrespective of the blade used.

My questions are based on my observations while shaving. I have reduced my shaving routine to once/week. I have zero issues with obtaining BBS with basically two (2) passes (ATG-WTG) on my head and my very sensitive neck can obtain a very respectable close comfortable shave with three (3) passes. I don't think I'll ever get BBS on my neck but with a week's worth of growth to work with I get really, really close (not unhappy about that btw.)

When I shave more often I couldn't pursue BBS because of irritation.