Troubles Converting From Disposable

[Mitzie]

 

[StewB]

It's probably possible to shave with a DE without a lather and just water, but I would say it's not recommended due to the potential for skin irritation.

As someone else noted, you probably already use soap. I would suggest to rub soap on your wet face and rub it into the skin with wet fingers to hold the water on your face and to create a slick layer for the razor to glide on. A damp shave brush can help by uniformly distributing the slick soap layer on the skin. Applying a slick soap lather makes it easy for the razor to glide on the skin and reduces the potential for irritation. For me, slickness is key.

Also, as already noted, shaving with a DE razor needs a different technique. My preferred way of staying this is "use a light touch." All you should need is to glide the razor over the skin without extra pressure. Cartridge razors usually encourage a fair amount of pressure in order to get the skin in contact with the blades. You need far less pressure with a DE razor, and it's a technique you'll need to develop and this will take a bit of time.

IMO your expectation that there's a DE razor that exactly mimics the cartridge razor you're using is probably unrealistic. However I would say that DE razors work really well once you take the time to learn to use them properly.

 

[dmshaver]

Welcome to B & B, enjoy!

 

[marmadmax]

I'm in my 40s and am somewhat stubborn and stuck in my ways. I want to switch away from those 4-blade disposable carts but I can't seem to solve my biggest problem (which may be unsolvable, I'm not sure).

I don't know how common this is, but I don't use any shaving cream. Haven't since I was 16. I jump out of the shower with my face still hot and moist, and just shave with water rinses between passes. I don't bleed, don't get ingrown hairs, and it doesn't hurt. I usually only shave about once a week, so even with pretty heavy stubble I can hack it down to clean shaven in a matter of 2-3 minutes. I only change the blade every 2 months perhaps - when the blades are so dull that it takes too many passes and takes too long to finish the job. It's lazy, it's very quick, and it's always worked for me.

I've tried moving to safety razors but as you might have predicted - I end up a bloody, raw mess. Shock, surprise, I know. I know the solution is "use shaving cream" but that's my problem - I have a severe aversion to creams. Always have. I don't like sunscreen, I don't like moisturizers, I don't like oils, etc.

Is there any safety razors out there that mimic the forgiveness of the ****ty disposable cartridges? I've heard of "negative blade exposure" options - is that perhaps an option? I'd really love to move away from expensive and wasteful cartridges but after shaving as I have for decades I'd really love to find some solution that works like I'm used to.

I was sort of in your situation up until several months ago. I used 3-balde disposable's for years. Got a fairly close shave but with tons of irritation. I decide to try DE shaving. I got the Henson mild and thought it was better - less irritation but not as close a shave. I tried the Leaf Twig single edge and found that it was really on good for me to clean up hard to reach areas. And then, about 6 weeks ago I got the Leaf 3-blade razor. I also has a pivot head. For me, it has been terrific. I can get close smooth shaves with much less irritation than anything else I have tried. You might check out some YouTube videos on the Leaf razor. Good luck.

 

[sternej]

It's not a common problem. Any dermatologist or barber would recomend you use cream.