Saved My Friends Face by Dialing Down

[ackvil]

A friend of mine has been into DE wet shaving for about six months now. However, from the beginning he looks like he has been in a sword fight - and he came up the loser.

He switched to a Gillette adjustable and set it for five. It worked OK except for his neck. For AGT for some reason he reset it to 7. His cuts and nicks weren't too bad - but his face was irritated.

I convinced him to start at 1 for all of the shave and then work up to the higher numbers only if he needed it. Now he sets his adjustable to 2 and his problems are gone.

 

[Blue_2]

Good show! It's nice to be able to help out a friend. How's his choice in blades doing?

 

[Supernaut]

I had a similar problem when I picked up my Slim Adjustable. I had been using a Slant, so I figured I would dial it up to 9 and go at it.

Not so smart. I hang around 6 now.

 

[ackvil]

Good show! It's nice to be able to help out a friend. How's his choice in blades doing?

He is using Astra and likes them. He was using Wilkinson.

 

[dpm802]

I convinced him to start at 1 for all of the shave and then work up to the higher numbers only if he needed it.

This is the best way to climb the learning curve on an adjustable. Good advice for newbies and veteran shavers alike.

Remind your friend that he'll need to start all over at 1 each time he switches brands of blades.

Now he sets his adjustable to 2 and his problems are gone.

There's no reason why an adjustable razor needs to stay at one setting all the time. I often switch settings on my MerGress in the middle of a shave.

Usually, I'll start at about 4 and go WTG, dial down to 3 for XTG, and finish up on 1.5 with ATG.

My theory is that a more aggressive cut is needed when there is more whiskers to harvest. As I reduce the stubble and switch techniques for the next pass, I dial down the aggressiveness accordingly.

 

[Manco]

Blades really can change the shave, but Davids theory is a really good one, bout higher for more hair.

 

[a_bit_crafty]

Nicely done! I've recently aquired, or rather my husband aquired but forgot he had, an adjustable. Haven't tried it yet, but will remember the advice given here when I do.