Stick with what works or try new things?

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I am a month old-ish wet shaver. I have a newbie question. Should I stick with a certain razor, blade, shave soap for a period of time and build technique? If so, for how long? To contrast this, should I keep trying new things as in various razor, blades, and soaps instead....to learn? I have sensitive skin...just so you know. Here is what I have so far as far as tools (thank you to you all for the tools):

Lord Merkur Tech
Gillette Tech
57 Gillette SS
Gem SE 1912

Redbox IP's
Derby
Astra

Tweezerman badger
Ever Ready Boar
Ever Ready with synthetic knot

Williams
VDH deluxe
VDH orage puck
KMF fragrance free sample
Real Shave CO sensitive

Pinaud Clubman
Gillette series AS gel
Swan AV Classic knock off
Gillette AS lotion

Thank you all for the advice and help.

 

[fidjit]

My own personal opinion ......

I think that my technique suffered because I changed razors too many times. I had a sampler pack of blades and I'd find a new razor and ( like a kid with candy ) want to use it straight away. So for the first few months I had all manner of combinations of razors and blades. That's not to say I wasn't getting good shaves, just not consistently good shaves.

I then decided to stick with one razor for a longer period. Tried different blade only and to me that was when it all came together over a couple of weeks.

To me , I don't think the cream/soap made that much difference.

Of course, just like EVERYTHING on B&B YMMV

( Oh and BTW I'm still learning now )

 

[rth97601]

Try one combo at a time--not for months or anything, but weeks will do. I used a Merkur 1904 w/ Dorco 301s for a couple of weeks, was getting good shaves (BBS, with effort) and established a baseline. Then when I tried new blades (and now new razors), I'd something to compare them to.

 

[Bertilak]

I say a bit of random experimentation is OK. Mix it up good at first just to get it out of your system. Don't get too hung up on a precisely planned agenda for scientifically evaluating things. Have some fun with it!

After a week or so you should have a few things you feel relatively comfortable with and should stick with them until things settle down and you start to get somewhat consistent results, good or bad. Now pick something to experiment with and make a change.

Blades are probably the first interesting thing most people mess with. Since you have both an SE and some DEs you might want to try swapping an SE and a DE to see the difference.

 

[Sodapopjones]

I say a bit of random experimentation is OK. Mix it up good at first just to get it out of your system. Don't get too hung up on a precisely planned agenda for scientifically evaluating things. Have some fun with it!

After a week or so you should have a few things you feel relatively comfortable with and should stick with them until things settle down and you start to get somewhat consistent results, good or bad. Now pick something to experiment with and make a change.

Blades are probably the first interesting thing most people mess with. Since you have both an SE and some DEs you might want to try swapping an SE and a DE to see the difference.

I agree.

I have my go-to set now, but I still try new things probably always will.

Razor: Red Tip (No need to try another, its balance and shave is perfect)
Blade: Red IP (Willing to try new things here)
Brush: Omega Pro. Boar (Semogue maybe)
Cream: C.O. Bigelow/Proraso (Set choir bells off when I first used it )
Soap: Williams (Whenever I try a new soap, I kick myself in the nutts and go right back)
Aftershave: Swan/Ivy Club anything by Vi-Jon (Always try something new)

 

[82R100]

I'd say pick your best razor/blade combination yet and do a good two or three blades worth with that combination to get your consistency down. Try to use a given soap or cream for two or three days in a row, once again, to refine the process.

- Chris

 

[michiganlover]

The more variables you can limit as a new wet shaver, the greater your possibility of having consistently repeatable results as you hone your technique.

If you change too many variables at once, and experience a bad shave, you won't know which new variable was the culprit.

Like Chris said above, try to use the same setup for multiple days in a row.

I have found that I only really learn the ins, and outs of any product when I use it frequently, and as such have reduced my rotation to 2-3 shaving creams, and 1-2 soaps.

~John~

 

[s1mp13m4n]

OK, all this sounds good to me. I will stick with one setup for a few blades worth and work on my technique. Now I just have to figure out what that will be. I will let you know what I came up with. Thank you all for the help.

 

[Emmett]

If you're satisfied with your technique, go ahead and experiment. If you aren't getting good shaves, go back to what you know works and work on it for awhile. Your pace is up to you.

 

[bladebuff]

You have enough for now, focus on getting your technique nailed down so you can get good shaves easily just about every day. Then sample to your hearts content. You will quickly find things you like and dislike, the good thing is that you can always sell or trade off items with other shavers to help absorb the investment. Most of us have been there, some of us still are...good luck.

 

[HeF]

I have experimented with several different razors, blades, creams and soaps. However, the only way for me to really be able to compare products was to reduce variables to the minimum.

I started with a mild adjustable razor and tried different blades with the same cream (Taylor's Avocado.) After, having narrowed the field to a few blades (Derby, Gillette 7 o'clock Sharpedge and Feather) I ventured out to try other razors. I understand that some people use certain blades with any given razor. For me, though, the best blades have remained consistent across razors.

The whole process has allowed me to find a couple of unexpected things. First, I always thought my facial skin was impervious to allergic-type of irritation but I have realized that certain scents/ingredients in shaving cream or soap leave my skin with a redness that lasts a few hours. On the other hand, I always thought that, being prone to ingrowns, acne and rash with my previous shaving method (electric), I would have to stick to mild blades and razors that were not aggressive. Surprisingly, my face has done better with sharper blades, aggressive razor characteristics (exposure, open comb, etcetera), and I have been able to go XTG every day, without problems.

Bottom line: I don't think I would have been able to find all this out had I plunged into wetshaving in a completely random fashion.

 

[ProphetNoir]

The only way to find what works best for you is to experiment. This is best done at the beginning of your journey and with only one thing changed at a time. I know that I will likely always use the same brand of blade because I tried several from a sampler pack and one stood out even as I moved past it to try something else. I will likely always use the same razor also, but for entirely different reasons. I haven't tried a number of different razors and I am not really interested in doing so. I experimented with different brushes and different creams and soaps. I have my "go to's" in those choices, but I can switch a cream or soap once in a while.
Experimentation is not limited to products either. Sometimes you can change something in your technique and find a slight or a great improvement in your overall shave. Whether it be a difference in your prep, or the way that you build your lather, or the direction and number of passes.
Sooner or later you will find some things that you know you shouldn't fool with anymore because of the results you get.
The only thing carved in stone should be patience.

 

[s1mp13m4n]

Here is what I have decided to do. I am going to stick with one setup and go from there. I may change out either the blade or the soap when I get my technique down. Here is what I have decided to use for learning my technique:

Gillette Tech (gold)
Redbox IP Blades
VDH Deluxe
Tweezerman badger brush
Swan aftersahve (AV Classic knock off) was used today

 

[Luc]

If this is the best setup and gives you the best results then it's all good!

 

[WhosYerBob]

When I test a new component to my shave I make sure that I'm using my baseline kit for a couple days first.

Then I change just ONE item in the mix, try it until I'm satisfied that I'm making a fair judgement of it, then go back to my baseline to verify whether the new component is an improvement or decline in my results.

Only then do I move onto the next item to be tested. It's a slow process.

 

[dpmtherrien]

The first thing that I'd do is to find the one razor you like the best. The razor only holds the blade, but it has to "fit" you and your hand. Once you find the razor, now you can find the right blade for you. Remember just because 10 people tell you its a great blade, that doesn't mean its going to be great for you. Again, find the right blade for yourself. Same goes for a brush, find the one that you like. Everyone else could tell you it sucks, but if it works great for you then that's the one.

Soaps or creams are kind of along the same line. You may like some and you may not care for another.

Make sure your prep is good, and then work on your technique. Everything will come together very quick, and the shaves will be a wonderful thing. Good luck.

 

[LittleJon]

When I test a new component to my shave I make sure that I'm using my baseline kit for a couple days first.

Then I change just ONE item in the mix, try it until I'm satisfied that I'm making a fair judgement of it, then go back to my baseline to verify whether the new component is an improvement or decline in my results.

Only then do I move onto the next item to be tested. It's a slow process.

This is what I've been doing, being fairly new.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

My own personal opinion ......

I think that my technique suffered because I changed razors too many times. I had a sampler pack of blades and I'd find a new razor and ( like a kid with candy ) want to use it straight away. So for the first few months I had all manner of combinations of razors and blades. That's not to say I wasn't getting good shaves, just not consistently good shaves.

I did this same thing. My shaves suffered as a result. I suggest if you're going to experiment, do it with creams/soaps/aftershaves/Edts. Stick with a good blade/razor combo for a month until you get more comfortable with technique!