Thoughts requested

[BabyBudaNedly]

Hello all. Today I shaved my 2-day course hair with a Henson Mild and a 7 o'clock yellow. Cremo Shave cream (2nd time using)

Shave was rough, not close at all in many spots even after 3 passes. minor irritation. Touched up to DFS with my newer Panasonic electric shaver.

Shave #1 with Rockwell 6C plate 4 was similar. I will try a new blade next in Fatip Gentile as I work my way to my last 2 razors with this blade. Fatip and Henson Med. ++.

I was considering a Fatip Open Comb or a mild Edwin Jagger as I chase this dragon. I like the Fatip more than the Rockwell so far in my Battle.

Anyone who has course facial hair have any input on this one?
Since Porasso Green is not slick enough I wonder if mixing some Cremo with it until I use them out would be ok. The Cremo has no scent. So far my favorite creams are Porasso Red and TOBS sandalwood.

Look forward to hearing from you!

 

[Jay21]

I tried the Henson early on when transitioning to DE razors. It didn’t work for me because it was very irritating and the angle of the blade scraped my skin and did not leave me with a close shave. It also taught me to hold other razors at too steep of an angle from muscle memory, leading to the same outcome. My advice is to shave at a shave at a shallow angle. Usually, it’s technique and not the razor. In the case of the Henson, it was a problem with the razor for me due to its fixed shaving angle. Other razors with a more traditional head design work better for me because I can find the angle that works best. Once you find the right angle, you can get any razor to worn for you.

Maybe check out what I wrote earlier:

Jay's Easy Cartridge to DE Guide for Noobs

For many people, the transition from cartridges to DE wet shaving is easy. However, for others, like me, it was required a steeper learning curve. I decided to share the method that worked very well for me. I understand that this is very much a YMMV lifestyle. What worked for me may not work for...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[NorthernSoul]

If you are new, it is tempting to keep changing things, trying new products, etc. but you should probably resist this urge. Pick out your favorite setup and just use that consistently while you work to improve your technique.

Most people can get a good shave with Proraso Green or Red -- you can, too. Use the same brand of blade, change to a new blade after four shaves or so. Use the same razor -- Fatip, Rockwell, whatever you like. Medium aggression is probably what you want. Don't go too mild right now, you can experiment later on.

Don't make your goal getting a BBS result. For now, your goal should be to get a reasonably close shave without irritation and be able to do this consistently.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Like others recommended, if you're newer to this crazy hobby, I'd stick with what you have. Keep working on your technique, that will serve you very well regardless of what equipment you eventually use.

Drawing from what you have and sharing my experience, I would try a sharper blade and a lighter touch in the Hensons. That made all the difference for me, initially I was using too dull a blade and too much pressure. Try your Henson medium with a very sharp blade and don't buff, see how that works for you.

Work on your lathering, that was another skill I had to learn. I didn't know how poorly I was doing until I did better. For me part of the solution was to use way more soap, then slowly mix in water. Proraso croaps never have worked well for me, so if you have other options, give those a shot.

You've got this @BabyBudaNedly! These are all skills one has to learn, take your time and enjoy the journey. Check in here and share how it is going.

 

[JimL911]

If you are new, it is tempting to keep changing things, trying new products, etc. but you should probably resist this urge. Pick out your favorite setup and just use that consistently while you work to improve your technique.

Most people can get a good shave with Proraso Green or Red -- you can, too. Use the same brand of blade, change to a new blade after four shaves or so. Use the same razor -- Fatip, Rockwell, whatever you like. Medium aggression is probably what you want. Don't go too mild right now, you can experiment later on.

Don't make your goal getting a BBS result. For now, your goal should be to get a reasonably close shave without irritation and be able to do this consistently.

This.

 

[Barley]

When I first started using DE razors (a Henson Medium, actually), I thought I would just use the rest of my Cremo that I was using with cartridge razors, before switching to shaving soap and brush. That experiment lasted about 2 shaves. I started using a Simpson Trafalgar 2 brush and Stirling Unscented with Beeswax soap and never looked back. Shave quality and comfort instantly improved.

Also, there is a thread around here about testing different blades in a Henson. Two good blades that come to mind are Perma-Sharp and German Wilkinson Sword.

 

[AshleyC]

Cremo should certainly be slick enough. I've no Henson or 7 O'clock Yellow experience though.

Like others have said, technique. One thing I think I am prone to with mild razors with a small range of blade angle effectiveness is I go too fast. I rush it. Maybe because I am far less concerned about getting nicks or cuts. And I may be applying too much pressure in an attempt to force the razor to be more aggressive.

This is probably why I gravitate towards more "dangerous" gear. I have to respect it more.

 

[KW Driver]

If you’re new, stick with a complete set up for about a week. Change one thing at a time. Technique is 95% of a good shave. It takes time to build that skill. Good prep, lather, shave, post shave care all matter once you figure out what works for you.

I tried creamo a couple times and quit well before I could dial in its best. I don’t miss it at all.

 

[brucered]

If Proraso Green (soap or cream) isn't slick enough for you, it's user error.

If you need 3 passes, still have rough spots, have to finish with an electric and have irritation , you are doing something wrong. Switching razors won't help, it will hurt.

Similar to everyone above, stick with one setup, work on your lather technique as well as your razor handling skills.

 

[EdHeart]

FWIW, I agree with those who have stated the need to stick with a setup as a new DE user. I'm not familiar with the soap/cream you're using, though I've certainly heard of it.

My prep is perhaps longer than most in this forum, at least my perception based upon what I've read.

Mine's as follows:

- Nylon scrubbing mit with Dr Bronner's unscented soap. This scrub is to force the hydration of my beard and ends up being way less irritating than scrubbing with a brush. I prefer painting the lather on.
- Wipe off with warm wash cloth.
- Apply PAA Cube 2.0 (non-menth) pre-shave soap. (Afer several years of DE I only recently added this to my routine about 10 months ago. I belive this soap is high glycerine and when worked into my rather coarse beard provides some really nice slick cushioning under the shave soap I'm using. By working into the stubble I mean: apply and then with damp fingers raise a slick thick lather. This doesn't really lather like shave soap. It will turn opaque. I hydrate just enough to keep it slick but not frothy.)
- At this point it matters not if you face lather or bowl lather. Bowl is my preference.

I'm not using a modern razor. I have a great fondness for my 30s Gillette New Long Comb. That said, blade selection can make all the difference. This is a mild razor. I've experimented with several different brands and have had great results with Wizamet, Bolzano & Astra (both tried for the first time recently), Perma-Sharp, and Persona Red. Everyone's face is different so as is often stated: YMMV.

Have fun on this journey...

 

[brucered]

@EdHeart My prep is a hot shower.

 

[rockviper]

@EdHeart My prep is a hot shower.

Sometimes mine is simply splashing water on my face.

But then again, I'm so ugly, the whiskers want to get away!

 

[EdHeart]

@brucered A hot shower was once upon a long time ago a way I could go. I'm very heavily facially furred and the mess I make of my beard while shaving my dome, cheeks and neck require the firehose I have in the shower to get all the soap out... T'were it was as simple as yours!!!

@rockviper I swear I heard my mirror crying just this week. At least it didn't crack!

 

[BabyBudaNedly]

If you are new, it is tempting to keep changing things, trying new products, etc. but you should probably resist this urge. Pick out your favorite setup and just use that consistently while you work to improve your technique.

Most people can get a good shave with Proraso Green or Red -- you can, too. Use the same brand of blade, change to a new blade after four shaves or so. Use the same razor -- Fatip, Rockwell, whatever you like. Medium aggression is probably what you want. Don't go too mild right now, you can experiment later on.

Don't make your goal getting a BBS result. For now, your goal should be to get a reasonably close shave without irritation and be able to do this consistently.

Thank you!

 

[BabyBudaNedly]

Like others recommended, if you're newer to this crazy hobby, I'd stick with what you have. Keep working on your technique, that will serve you very well regardless of what equipment you eventually use.

Drawing from what you have and sharing my experience, I would try a sharper blade and a lighter touch in the Hensons. That made all the difference for me, initially I was using too dull a blade and too much pressure. Try your Henson medium with a very sharp blade and don't buff, see how that works for you.

Work on your lathering, that was another skill I had to learn. I didn't know how poorly I was doing until I did better. For me part of the solution was to use way more soap, then slowly mix in water. Proraso croaps never have worked well for me, so if you have other options, give those a shot.

You've got this @BabyBudaNedly! These are all skills one has to learn, take your time and enjoy the journey. Check in here and share how it is going.

thanks appreciate it!

 

[BabyBudaNedly]

If Proraso Green (soap or cream) isn't slick enough for you, it's user error.

If you need 3 passes, still have rough spots, have to finish with an electric and have irritation , you are doing something wrong. Switching razors won't help, it will hurt.

Similar to everyone above, stick with one setup, work on your lather technique as well as your razor handling skills.

Thanks. Proraso Red is where it's at plus it's made for course beards. Much better for me. Although, I do like the scent of the green.

 

[StubbleTrouble]

As already mentioned, it's technique that's robbing your shave - almost certainly the razor use. I often shave without a brush and simply rub a little cream right from the tube onto my beard (think very little lather, just slick) with good results. Blade angle and correct pressure makes this possible, even with quite a few shaves on a blade, or a str8 that should have been honed a while ago. Prep and software plays much less of a role in shave quality once razor technique is dialled in.

 

[NotBloomingAL]

Shave with your arm and not your wrist. Keep the angle of the razor consistent. Shorten your strokes as needed.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

What others have said. Enjoy the learning process, take it slow, and stick with one setup until you feel comfortable. I'm a slow learner and it took me years before I was able to shave with one setup effectively.

 

[Goblin]

I agree with what everyone has said about sticking with a set-up and practicing.

BUT 7OC SharpEdge are not particularly sharp blades.

New shavers often cannot tell the difference between blades because their technique isn't there yet - or rather, they experience a difference, but their "findings" are all over the place because their technique isn't consistent enough to reliably distinguish between blades.

However, struggling with a blade that really isn't sharp enough can retard your progress, so it still pays to experiment a little in this particular area (keep everything else the same though).

Blades are personal, but I would try at least one from each row of:

• Lord Platinum / Silver Star / ASCO - Mild, but smooth
• Personna Platinum / Astra SP - Both solid, mid sharpness blades
• Gillette Permasharp / Silver Blue / Nacet - All at the sharper end of the scale
• Feather - The sharpest blades available

Once you find a blade that seems to work well - order a few tucks and stick with them for a few months whilst you build up your techniqe.

Finally, if your hair is genuinely coarse I would forget about the Henson and stick with the Rockwell on a higher plate. Take a hot before shaving to make sure your hair is properly saturated and shave using warm water for lathering, rinsing etc. - cold water rinse comes at the end.

It isn't clear whether you already have all the other razors you mention or are thinking about buying them. If it's the latter - stop. You really do need to stick with one razor for a while. Some folks get the hang of things in weeks. Some of us are slow learners - it probably took me 6 months to really start getting nice shaves. Patience is a virtue...and where patience fails a stubborn refusal to quit can be a good substitute!