Just for kicks, I pulled out my very first DE razor: my Edwin Jagger DE89BA11 Barley. It's a beautiful razor, to be sure! I love the chrome plating, and how it has a very nice heft to it. I popped in a brand new Astra blade, whipped up some TGR Baker St. and went to town.
My first WTG pass on 2 days of growth went very well. However, the XTG and ATG passes weren't that great. I think it may have to do with blade exposure, but I find that the razor just doesn't glide across my skin after the first pass. It's like the upper and lower portions of the head are touching my face, instead of the blade (or in addition to the blade). The extra friction just means the razor doesn't glide like it should. Other razors I have glide just fine. My 40's-style SS, my cheap Ming Shi, and my Merkur slant all slide nicely across my skin. But not this DE89. Don't get me wrong, the shave was still very nice, when all was said and done. Not much irritation and only a small weeper on my upper lip area. It was nice. I just don't like the feel of the razor, after the first pass.
I'm pretty sure it's not my lather or my blades, as I've noticed this several times in the past, using multiple creams and soaps and different brands of blades.
Anyone else have this type of experience? Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just the style of razor?
My first WTG pass on 2 days of growth went very well. However, the XTG and ATG passes weren't that great. I think it may have to do with blade exposure, but I find that the razor just doesn't glide across my skin after the first pass. It's like the upper and lower portions of the head are touching my face, instead of the blade (or in addition to the blade). The extra friction just means the razor doesn't glide like it should. Other razors I have glide just fine. My 40's-style SS, my cheap Ming Shi, and my Merkur slant all slide nicely across my skin. But not this DE89. Don't get me wrong, the shave was still very nice, when all was said and done. Not much irritation and only a small weeper on my upper lip area. It was nice. I just don't like the feel of the razor, after the first pass.
I'm pretty sure it's not my lather or my blades, as I've noticed this several times in the past, using multiple creams and soaps and different brands of blades.
Anyone else have this type of experience? Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just the style of razor?