Interesting that you say this since you seem to have good shaves with the Feather, which is often viewed as the sharpest blade out there, but as always YMMV
Rookie's journey
- Thread starter Onimaho
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #62
Luckily it is nothing too bad. I'll be healed by the morning. Thank you for the kind words and I'll be a little more careful next time.
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- #63
Indeed. Hence why I also think my technique was lacking tonight (together with the high variability in smoothness and discomfort) . I think I can get a smoother shave out of the personna blades.
In conclusion, I don't believe we should take tonight's experience as the be all and end all and see for a couple more shaves.
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- #64
Preshave soap and after shave were all cella extra bio.
Razor: r89 with personna lab blue (2nd use)
3 standard passes except for the neck (2 passes) and upper lip (wtg xtg xtg).
Result: near bbs without pressure with some dfs on the difficult spots in the neck. No blood and very minimal discomfort afterwards. No alum used.
Today's shave was slow and methodical. It started with face lathering the soap where I really added a lot of water. Way more than usual and I believe I could have added more. This really showed that I was under hydrating the cella. Then I proceeded to shave with minimal pressure and it confirms the original thought I had on the blade. It is an excellent but you need to respect and trust it. Shave with minimal pressure and it shaves really well. I do feel like my skin is a bit more sensitive to the blade compared to others but this might just be because I'm combining face lathering with a top sharp blade. After I use up this blade I will need to test feather again to benchmark mark it. I'm thinking of getting a softer brush as facelathering does seem to make my skin a tad more sensitive. It needles the skin somewhat and I don't care for that feeling.
All in all a fantastic shave with probably the smoothest results yet.
Razor: r89 with personna lab blue (2nd use)
3 standard passes except for the neck (2 passes) and upper lip (wtg xtg xtg).
Result: near bbs without pressure with some dfs on the difficult spots in the neck. No blood and very minimal discomfort afterwards. No alum used.
Today's shave was slow and methodical. It started with face lathering the soap where I really added a lot of water. Way more than usual and I believe I could have added more. This really showed that I was under hydrating the cella. Then I proceeded to shave with minimal pressure and it confirms the original thought I had on the blade. It is an excellent but you need to respect and trust it. Shave with minimal pressure and it shaves really well. I do feel like my skin is a bit more sensitive to the blade compared to others but this might just be because I'm combining face lathering with a top sharp blade. After I use up this blade I will need to test feather again to benchmark mark it. I'm thinking of getting a softer brush as facelathering does seem to make my skin a tad more sensitive. It needles the skin somewhat and I don't care for that feeling.
All in all a fantastic shave with probably the smoothest results yet.
- Thread starter
- #65
Preshave proraso white
Soap cella extra bio
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (third use)
Two and a half passes wtg xtg and an elaborate clean up pass
Result ccs dfs bbs
No discomfort one weeper in the neck that stopped bleeding after the use of alum
I have to say that I was tired when I started shaving. So when I saw that I had nicked myself during my second pass I decided to just wrap it up. Really glad I did as the result is still more than acceptable and I probably would have caused more harm than good on a third pass.
Really happy with the shave dispite the weeper.
Soap cella extra bio
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (third use)
Two and a half passes wtg xtg and an elaborate clean up pass
Result ccs dfs bbs
No discomfort one weeper in the neck that stopped bleeding after the use of alum
I have to say that I was tired when I started shaving. So when I saw that I had nicked myself during my second pass I decided to just wrap it up. Really glad I did as the result is still more than acceptable and I probably would have caused more harm than good on a third pass.
Really happy with the shave dispite the weeper.
- Thread starter
- #66
Preshave proraso white
Soap TOBS cedarwood
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r41 with personna blade lab blue (4th use)
Two passes wtg xtg
Result solid dfs no blood minor feedback
I'm tired today but I have meeting tomorrow so I needed the shave. I looked at my cartridge razor and didn't want to use it as I know it will cause visible irritation in my neck. So I decided to use the Mühle r41 as it forces me to pay attention.
This shave really reminded me why I love the R41. It feels more honest. When I get cut or irritation from the R89 I always feel betrayed. Because it gives zero warning. R41 allows me to really feel in touch with the process and adjust my shaving during the shave. 'oh sensitive area, I'll ride the cap some more' ' oh the hard to shave upper lip? Ride the teeth'
Despite the more reluctant start of the shave I'm really happy to have shaved with the R41 as it gave me smooth dfs and a renewed appreciation for my r41.
Soap TOBS cedarwood
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r41 with personna blade lab blue (4th use)
Two passes wtg xtg
Result solid dfs no blood minor feedback
I'm tired today but I have meeting tomorrow so I needed the shave. I looked at my cartridge razor and didn't want to use it as I know it will cause visible irritation in my neck. So I decided to use the Mühle r41 as it forces me to pay attention.
This shave really reminded me why I love the R41. It feels more honest. When I get cut or irritation from the R89 I always feel betrayed. Because it gives zero warning. R41 allows me to really feel in touch with the process and adjust my shaving during the shave. 'oh sensitive area, I'll ride the cap some more' ' oh the hard to shave upper lip? Ride the teeth'
Despite the more reluctant start of the shave I'm really happy to have shaved with the R41 as it gave me smooth dfs and a renewed appreciation for my r41.
- Thread starter
- #67
Preshave proraso white
Soap TOBS cedarwood
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r41 with personna blade lab blue (5th use)
Two passes wtg xtg plus clean up
Result solid dfs one weeper (went away with alum) minor feedback
Wanted to shave again with the R41. This time I wanted to go as mild as possible and I was surprised how mild the R41 can feel by riding the cap. Really fun shave. I could probably get a third pass done but if I were to do that I'd probably end up chasing bbs with unnecessary blood and irritation as a result.
In conclusion really happy with today's shave and wondering about the ability of aggressive razors to shave mildly but not in reverse.
Soap TOBS cedarwood
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r41 with personna blade lab blue (5th use)
Two passes wtg xtg plus clean up
Result solid dfs one weeper (went away with alum) minor feedback
Wanted to shave again with the R41. This time I wanted to go as mild as possible and I was surprised how mild the R41 can feel by riding the cap. Really fun shave. I could probably get a third pass done but if I were to do that I'd probably end up chasing bbs with unnecessary blood and irritation as a result.
In conclusion really happy with today's shave and wondering about the ability of aggressive razors to shave mildly but not in reverse.
- Thread starter
- #68
Preshave, soap, and post shave balm were cella extra bio.
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (6th use)
Three passes wtg xtg atg
Result dfs+ (with the exception of two trouble regions in my neck True bbs)
some blood during the shave but nothing visible after cold water and alum block
After today's shave I'm thinking a bit further on my previous thoughts. I believe that it is easier to get a shave out of the R41. You don't need to pay that much to get it to cut, it just works.
That said I find it easier to get a homogeneous and good out of the R89. Because it is so mild you need to have the angle down and if you deviate it will be less close but you can try and get closer on a next pass. This is not the case for the R41 if you mis in technique you are more likely to damage the skin preventing a next pass over that area.
I believe with my current skill level I will get more satisfying shaves out of my r89 but at the same time I believe that with better technique a r41 can get the work done in fewer passes (all veterans gasp at the rookie reinventing the wheel).
Really happy with today's shave and really surprised that the lab blue is still going strong. Usually I toss blades around shave 5 as the start to struggle at this point.
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (6th use)
Three passes wtg xtg atg
Result dfs+ (with the exception of two trouble regions in my neck True bbs)
some blood during the shave but nothing visible after cold water and alum block
After today's shave I'm thinking a bit further on my previous thoughts. I believe that it is easier to get a shave out of the R41. You don't need to pay that much to get it to cut, it just works.
That said I find it easier to get a homogeneous and good out of the R89. Because it is so mild you need to have the angle down and if you deviate it will be less close but you can try and get closer on a next pass. This is not the case for the R41 if you mis in technique you are more likely to damage the skin preventing a next pass over that area.
I believe with my current skill level I will get more satisfying shaves out of my r89 but at the same time I believe that with better technique a r41 can get the work done in fewer passes (all veterans gasp at the rookie reinventing the wheel).
Really happy with today's shave and really surprised that the lab blue is still going strong. Usually I toss blades around shave 5 as the start to struggle at this point.
I am certainly no veteran when it comes to wet shaving, but that sentiment is very true. It is kind of thinking that you have come up with a new invention and then you check online just to find that it has already been invented. Such a killjoy. cheers!
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- #70
100%! I read through a lot material and I can now see how my experiences fit in the literature. But I have to say that experience allows you to truly understand what the people and literature say. So I do believe we do deserve our eureka moment!
- Thread starter
- #71
Preshave proraso white
Soap trumper almond (sample)
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (7th use)
Two passes wtg xtg
Result dfs with no blood or discomfort
Today's shave was not in the optimal circumstances as I am tired. Combined with using too little soap I decided to stop after two passes. I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to stick to two passes. The third pass does make it closer but not entirely sure if it is worth the hassle. For me ccs is the bare minimum with my goal being dfs without drama. Anything closer is a bonus but not something I strive for.
Very possible I'll keep the third pass for when I want to pamper myself.
Very happy with my shave today.
Soap trumper almond (sample)
Post shave Nivea sensitive balm
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (7th use)
Two passes wtg xtg
Result dfs with no blood or discomfort
Today's shave was not in the optimal circumstances as I am tired. Combined with using too little soap I decided to stop after two passes. I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to stick to two passes. The third pass does make it closer but not entirely sure if it is worth the hassle. For me ccs is the bare minimum with my goal being dfs without drama. Anything closer is a bonus but not something I strive for.
Very possible I'll keep the third pass for when I want to pamper myself.
Very happy with my shave today.
- Thread starter
- #72
Full cella extra bio
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (8th! Use)
Solid dfs minor discomfort but the strangest wounds. They only started bleeding a minute after applying the after shave. 2 tiny drops of blood. Pushed it away ant it didn't come back.
This was the last use of this personna blade. I'm really surprised at how long it lasted and how well it deteriorated. Only now I got some tugging but somehow this tugging wasn't as discomfortable as I remembered?
Anyhow 8 uses is more than enough. The blade lasted almost two weeks.
Confused by the shave but really happy.
If anyone has experience with 'post shave bleeding' let me know what could have been the cause. My current guess is that with the blade dulling it did a bit more damage than I thought.
Razor r89 with personna lab blue (8th! Use)
Solid dfs minor discomfort but the strangest wounds. They only started bleeding a minute after applying the after shave. 2 tiny drops of blood. Pushed it away ant it didn't come back.
This was the last use of this personna blade. I'm really surprised at how long it lasted and how well it deteriorated. Only now I got some tugging but somehow this tugging wasn't as discomfortable as I remembered?
Anyhow 8 uses is more than enough. The blade lasted almost two weeks.
Confused by the shave but really happy.
If anyone has experience with 'post shave bleeding' let me know what could have been the cause. My current guess is that with the blade dulling it did a bit more damage than I thought.
Weepers can sometimes act funny like that.
Sometimes, it seems that the aftershave, balm, or face wash can dissolve platelets in small cuts so they bleed later.
It is one thing to read about the Eureka moments of others...... and a completely different one when the light comes on for us personally.... It's one of life's little joys...
I've had that happen a few times.... Brilliant shave.... Then I head off for work and a couple hours later, when checking my appearance in the car visor mirror, I notice three or 4 spots of dried blood on my chin..... They usually pop up when I'm doing my post shave routine if they are there.... but not all the time, unfortunately... They are hard as the Dickens to remove if you don't have hot water and a micro fiber washcloth handy.
- Thread starter
- #77
Full cella extra bio
Razor r89 with tatara blade (1st use)
Three passes
Result solid dfs with no drama. Slight tension on the skin and one itchy spot
Wonderful first impression by the tatara blade. Sharp enough to cut through mu whiskers but not punish unlike a feather or lab blue. They remind me more of a Mühle blade. Which is a positive thing in my book. The big decider will be the longevity. Mühle blades generally don't last long with me.
I'd also like to take the time to really sing cella's praise. I really like their soap and balm and the fact they are in the same line makes it that the smell is present the whole day. And (at least in Belgium) it's super cheap.
But to be honest with the exception of the local waste free soap I have not had a bad experience yet. TOBS, Nivea, and cella have all been pleasant to me.
Razor r89 with tatara blade (1st use)
Three passes
Result solid dfs with no drama. Slight tension on the skin and one itchy spot
Wonderful first impression by the tatara blade. Sharp enough to cut through mu whiskers but not punish unlike a feather or lab blue. They remind me more of a Mühle blade. Which is a positive thing in my book. The big decider will be the longevity. Mühle blades generally don't last long with me.
I'd also like to take the time to really sing cella's praise. I really like their soap and balm and the fact they are in the same line makes it that the smell is present the whole day. And (at least in Belgium) it's super cheap.
But to be honest with the exception of the local waste free soap I have not had a bad experience yet. TOBS, Nivea, and cella have all been pleasant to me.
- Thread starter
- #78
Full cella extra bio
Cartridges razor gilet fusion
1 pass
Result ccsdfs
No blood but my skin feels tight and the alum block gave more feedback than I expected.
Today I'm visiting family followed by our yearly visit to the cemetery. So I didn't want to risk any nicks or red spots. So I decided to my gilet fusion and it was an uncomfortable shave. The result is subpar and my skin feels tight like a drum and I have some red spots next to my chin. Looking back I probably would have been better of using my Mühle r89. I had forgotten how scratchy and pulley a cartridge felt.
Oh well luckily the alum and aftershave balm seem to reduce the redness to a degree but from now on only emergencies will be able to make me fall back to the cartridge!
Cartridges razor gilet fusion
1 pass
Result ccsdfs
No blood but my skin feels tight and the alum block gave more feedback than I expected.
Today I'm visiting family followed by our yearly visit to the cemetery. So I didn't want to risk any nicks or red spots. So I decided to my gilet fusion and it was an uncomfortable shave. The result is subpar and my skin feels tight like a drum and I have some red spots next to my chin. Looking back I probably would have been better of using my Mühle r89. I had forgotten how scratchy and pulley a cartridge felt.
Oh well luckily the alum and aftershave balm seem to reduce the redness to a degree but from now on only emergencies will be able to make me fall back to the cartridge!
You might want to investigate some of the single bladed disposable razors like the BIC Sensitive, BIC Metal etc for situations like this. Practice with them before you make your trip. These are fixed headed single bladed ones and are the most similar to a DE except for the weight. You do need to use some pressure with them. Also if you a flying, at least here in the US, bringing only a carry on, you need an alternative to a DE since they will/could confiscate it in security. Even a bladeless DE razor they may take and you have no say. I do a shave with my BIC sensitive here and there to keep my skill level up with them for just that very reason.
- Thread starter
- #80
Luckily I don't need to travel often. And only very rarely need to travel by air.
I will take a look at these when the time comes. Or I might just deal with the discomfort. I did notice last time that good lather does increase the comfort.
