I signed up a short while ago, and have posted a few things but figured I’d properly introduce myself.
My wet shaving journey began in my mid twenties, late 2011/early 2012 when a friend and I walked into a TAOS and both bought a bunch of stuff to get started. I got a badger brush, a set of pre shave oil, cream and after shave balm, a merkur progress and two tucks of Gillette platinums (dark blue) blades. I used the progress only a couple times as it was basically a scene from a slasher film on my sensitive neck. I used the tub of cream and went back to my Mach 3. After that first tub of cream was gone, back to goo in the can.
Some years later, I saw an ad for the supply single edge and was intrigued. I was promised the smoothest shave of my life. I bought one along with a few packs of the yellow chicks. Similar story, shaved with it maybe twice and into the linen closet it went while I went back to my Mach 3 and canned goo.
I became quite frustrated and decided to try a Braun electric shaver. Used that for maybe 6 months and honestly once my skin adjusted, it wasn’t too bad however I never felt like I got a good shave, and sometimes my neck would be pretty irritated. Once again, the Mach 3 and aerosol gel were part of my morning routine.
Fast forward to about 6 weeks ago, and I had the urge to try out the supply razor again. I used it for a few days, and you guessed it, more neck carnage. Once again frustrated, I did a bit of reading and picked up a Parker Adjustable Injector, version 2. First time I used it I was wowed. This was the most mild safety razor I had ever used, literally the only time I used a safety razor without cutting my neck or having excruciating razor burn.
After a week or so of using the Parker, I decided to dig the merkur progress and those Gillette platinums out of the closet and give that another go. Not great at first, but nowhere near as bad as in 2012. I think using the Parker for a week got me more accustomed to a light touch.
I picked up a merkur 34c for some variety (and to use when I was repairing my merkur progress as I detailed in another thread) as well as a sampler of blades. I feel like this whole safety razor thing is finally clicking for me, just wish it had taken less than a decade!
The things that have made the most difference are:
My wet shaving journey began in my mid twenties, late 2011/early 2012 when a friend and I walked into a TAOS and both bought a bunch of stuff to get started. I got a badger brush, a set of pre shave oil, cream and after shave balm, a merkur progress and two tucks of Gillette platinums (dark blue) blades. I used the progress only a couple times as it was basically a scene from a slasher film on my sensitive neck. I used the tub of cream and went back to my Mach 3. After that first tub of cream was gone, back to goo in the can.
Some years later, I saw an ad for the supply single edge and was intrigued. I was promised the smoothest shave of my life. I bought one along with a few packs of the yellow chicks. Similar story, shaved with it maybe twice and into the linen closet it went while I went back to my Mach 3 and canned goo.
I became quite frustrated and decided to try a Braun electric shaver. Used that for maybe 6 months and honestly once my skin adjusted, it wasn’t too bad however I never felt like I got a good shave, and sometimes my neck would be pretty irritated. Once again, the Mach 3 and aerosol gel were part of my morning routine.
Fast forward to about 6 weeks ago, and I had the urge to try out the supply razor again. I used it for a few days, and you guessed it, more neck carnage. Once again frustrated, I did a bit of reading and picked up a Parker Adjustable Injector, version 2. First time I used it I was wowed. This was the most mild safety razor I had ever used, literally the only time I used a safety razor without cutting my neck or having excruciating razor burn.
After a week or so of using the Parker, I decided to dig the merkur progress and those Gillette platinums out of the closet and give that another go. Not great at first, but nowhere near as bad as in 2012. I think using the Parker for a week got me more accustomed to a light touch.
I picked up a merkur 34c for some variety (and to use when I was repairing my merkur progress as I detailed in another thread) as well as a sampler of blades. I feel like this whole safety razor thing is finally clicking for me, just wish it had taken less than a decade!
The things that have made the most difference are:
- an adequately hydrated lather
- cold water for rinsing the razor
- beard mapping
- proper angle (I find a shallow angle best for me)
- most important of all, a very very light touch. That was the final piece that clicked for me. I’m fairly heavy handed (I cannot write with pencils as I constantly break the lead) so even though I felt like I was putting no pressure on the razor, in reality I was putting way too much.