Trying not to quit

[StewB]

The Henson is a beast of a razor .. if it doesn’t work with it I can’t imagine shaving with anything else nowadays frankly.

For sure the Henson has many fans, and it's great if it works for you. There are also a number of folks (like me) for whom the Henson is just not a good fit. It may me that the OP is one of those people for whom the Henson, frankly, just doesn't work.

 

[Chelko]

The Henson is a beast of a razor .. if it doesn’t work with it I can’t imagine shaving with anything else nowadays frankly.

It is a very personal journey. I've shaved with razors that are loved by a majority and did not work for me as well as others that are cheaper and not as highly regarded, that work like a charm I'm with my face

 

[Orlandez]

It is a very personal journey. I've shaved with razors that are loved by a majority and did not work for me as well as others that are cheaper and not as highly regarded, that work like a charm I'm with my face

Oh yes indeed but a Ferrari is always a Ferrari .. with that said I greet you and quit the thread; when hardware is dealt with it always ends being divisive.
Bye.

 

[Ert1954]

It sounds like you need to add pressure. Since you're using the Henson, you can ignore all the "no pressure" advice. A razor needs sufficient force to cut hairs. This razor is too light to allow gravity to do the work.

Tugging means not enough pressure. Increase the force you're using and you'll find better results with this razor.

As for shaving taking too long, there is no free lunch. Cartridges are quicker, more expensive, wasteful, and (for some/most people) give poor results. Wet shaving is harder to master, takes longer, and has more inherent risk.

I used Mach 3 for yearling, starter getting irrationalismes ,bûmes. Trier 6 S Rockwell for 2.5 weeks, plate #1 , no issues but not a close shave. Changed to plate 2 for 1.5 weeks kept nicking chin bad enoughfor spticpencil everyshave.

Looked at mild razors, Merkur 23 c,ejd89, etc but finally went Back to Mach 3.
With Mach 3 razor continued with pre shave routine , hôt shower,
Warm cloth,shave oil,red porasso, no issues with Mach 3
Feel like I failed DE shaving, but at 70 yrs Old I gués un cant teach a Old dog new tricks

 

[Calyshaver]

I don't know how some of you got so many shaves from a cartridge. During my Mach 5 days, I could barely get 3 or 4 good shaves. The blades got gunked up easily and they rusted quickly. Granted I did not take care of them as diligently as I do my DE razors but these facts and the ridiculous cost for low performance is what eventually got me here with a Google search for "cartridge razor alternative".

Anyway, it is a personalized journey for everyone. I quit straight razor shaving after a few shaves realizing it was not for me. I think you know when it is time to throw in the towel. I did not go on the Straight forum asking for help to stay in the straight razor game, I knew it was time to 86 it.

The fact that the OP is here reaching out is a good sign

 

[DrStrange]

If I'm shaving in the shower,
then it's a Gillette Super Speed.

 

[Sami_]

Ive used various cartridge razors in the past and have switched to DE razors and never looked back again, anyone can have satisfying results with a DE razor when investing in technique and preparation.

 

[Orlandez]

… you may wish to try a good Henson Al-13 medium ++ razor with a Personna, Astra or Wilkinson blade using a good, veggie-based soap which easy to lather such as Proraso red label.
It should easily do the trick …

 

[Sethology]

I've used em all and to me cartridge razors feel far tuggier than my favorite de razors. But I did have to find the right blade. The ones that come with the Henson are pitiful. Rk blades right? I can use em but it's not enjoyable. If I had to shave with Rk blades forever id grow a beard. This might tell you something.

 

[ErkRusselReserve]

the DE Fusion!

 

[Phoenixkh]

I don't think speed or cost savings factored into why I tried it. It was always about getting a better end result and enjoying the process more. And I was genuinely willing to struggle with the latter, while I was learning, in exchange for the former. Kind of like golf, what gets you addicted is accidentally hitting a perfect shot.

But as others have mentioned, I already found how to get the best result. I had just heard so many people say how much smoother and gentler a single blade shave was, so I figured I'd give it a try. Yet to continue the golf metaphor, it seems I was already shooting under par with off the shelf clubs but wanted to try wood ones just because a few guys my age raved about them and the old timers wouldn't stop accusing me of cheating.

You assumed right. No skin issues - except perhaps 1 ingrown hair 2-3 times per year, always in the fold of my neck.

Shower shaving definitely feels better than in the sink. And it is by definition, wet shaving. For one the constant steam means my skin doesn't go cold and the soap doesn't dry up. The shower stream cleans the razor faster and better than the faucet. I also find a higher ratio of water to oil lubricates the skin better. And I can't stand the dribble of stubble water running down my chest after I already dried myself off. Lastly, I can't fathom the people that fill the sink with water and reuse it - I find that ghastly unsanitary.

But I would disagree that I'm a utilitarian shaver. I think that is more apt to the guys who go for an SAS every morning and live in a chronic state of sandpaper face.

What I LOVE is the feel of BBS and my primary concern is how much pain/discomfort there is to achieve it. The main reason I wait to shave every third day is because longer hairs cut so easily, with the cartridge I don't feel a thing.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that my 24h of stubble was roughly equivalent to the result after a double pass WTG and XTG. (Yes, my beard grows so slow that less than 48 hours a WTG pass doesn't do anything)

So logically, the holy grail is a daily ATG shave. With the hope that one or two passes with a single blade is less overall skin scraping than the 5 blades in a cartridge.

So while I believe there is a combination of razor and technique that will achieve the same end result, am I fooling myself thinking it can also do it with less discomfort and irritation?

I should probably read the rest of the thread before I post this... But I'm throwing caution to the wind..

I was totally happy with my Fusion Power.... I know people poo poo the benefits of the vibration... but it does cut down on the surface tension...

Our youngest son gave me a RazoRock Lupo aluminum on a whim and said: Dad, I know you love your Gillette Fusion... but try this and see how you like it... Well, I did try it........ and disliked it immediately... However, traditional wet shaving did appeal to me so I bought a better razor: an Artist Club (AC) Claymore Evolution... It was pricey, but at the time, we some unexpected funds available.. And it was off to the races.

I didn't get into traditional wet shaving to save money, thankfully, as I've invested quite a bit in this hobby of ours... I just love it. Shaving has never been this fun... I've been at it for 3 years now... and found B&B just two weeks or so after I started....

That said... if you love your Fusion and shaving in the shower, it's a valid shaving option... I used my Fusion Power a few months ago to see if I was truly getting closer shaves with my current gear... Low and behold, my face is noticeably closer after using an AC or DE razor, but I do have old man, coarse and grey whiskers....

I've never used a Henson. I didn't even know they existed when I first started traditional wet shaving. That's sort of the blessing and curse of a wonderful place like Badger and Blade..... If you have an interest, you can discover so many great products that might add some enjoyment to your life.............. on the other hand, you'll see people who keep things very simple and spend very little... There all kinds of people here with varying viewpoints, all valid...

If you enjoy reading, you might enjoy the Journals and Diaries section here... You can see where someone started and read about their journey.

 

[Sethology]

I should probably read the rest of the thread before I post this... But I'm throwing caution to the wind..

I was totally happy with my Fusion Power.... I know people poo poo the benefits of the vibration... but it does cut down on the surface tension...

Our youngest son gave me a RazoRock Lupo aluminum on a whim and said: Dad, I know you love your Gillette Fusion... but try this and see how you like it... Well, I did try it........ and disliked it immediately... However, traditional wet shaving did appeal to me so I bought a better razor: an Artist Club (AC) Claymore Evolution... It was pricey, but at the time, we some unexpected funds available.. And it was off to the races.

I didn't get into traditional wet shaving to save money, thankfully, as I've invested quite a bit in this hobby of ours... I just love it. Shaving has never been this fun... I've been at it for 3 years now... and found B&B just two weeks or so after I started....

That said... if you love your Fusion and shaving in the shower, it's a valid shaving option... I used my Fusion Power a few months ago to see if I was truly getting closer shaves with my current gear... Low and behold, my face is noticeably closer after using an AC or DE razor, but I do have old man, coarse and grey whiskers....

I've never used a Henson. I didn't even know they existed when I first started traditional wet shaving. That's sort of the blessing and curse of a wonderful place like Badger and Blade..... If you have an interest, you can discover so many great products that might add some enjoyment to your life.............. on the other hand, you'll see people who keep things very simple and spend very little... There all kinds of people here with varying viewpoints, all valid...

If you enjoy reading, you might enjoy the Journals and Diaries section here... You can see where someone started and read about their journey.

Phoenix what is your favorite SE? I'm really trying to decide on what will hopefully be a one and done foray into ses. I love my osprey but so many praise ses that I want to revisit them but do it right this time and not throw in the towel after one shave.

 

[Odinarcade00]

Never had a Henson and hear it’s a narrow effective range of angle by design. I used more classical designs. Yes, there’s a learning curve. You may get better results with the feathers or a different razor. Blade quality is a factor. The right razor and blade combo on your face matters. Assuming you can master the use of it.

I’ve got a Trac II for TSA screens and they work well at a much lower price point. So that’s a cheaper option.

There’s any number of good, mild “starter” razors that are fairly inexpensive, especially if you buy used (here) or vintages. A Gillette Tech is a good example. I got one here for $5. Once I learned it, it’s as good as any I’ve used. Especially with Feathers.

Once I learned to shave a DE at the sink, I could take them into the shower like I did with carts before I started them. And using Castile soap. So it’s possible, but you have to master the technique first before getting fancy with it.

The real question is, how much effort do you want to put into learning a different system than the carts you started with. It’s different, but achievable.

funny enough hensons are based on a classic DE design. The only thing thats nuanced is the neutral blade angle and the fixed 30 degree angle.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Phoenix what is your favorite SE? I'm really trying to decide on what will hopefully be a one and done foray into ses. I love my osprey but so many praise ses that I want to revisit them but do it right this time and not throw in the towel after one shave.

For me, the La Faulx stands out.... I have a premium polish bronze (read: expensive) La Faulx Classic... I like it so much I bought the basic polish SS La Faulx razor head and mounted it on a Timeless Ti Crown handle... It's my travel razor for trips via airplane with checked luggage. A kind member here loaned me a machined + base plate and I didn't find it added anything to the shave... I can duplicate its shave with the Classic with a Feather ProSuper AC blade... I find the two Kai blades, guarded and unguarded to the be the best for me, though there are others who prefer the various Feather AC blades...

I also like the ATT X1 AC Slant razor but they are no longer being made... It's possible the new ATT/Blackland company might re-release them... The X1 is an excellent razor as well.

For me, the basic polish is worth the money over the machined finish, but that is a personal preference....

 

[Odinarcade00]

I say take a shower and shave at night for best results. Take your time to find the correct razor and blade. Try a feather blade in the henson. It gives me a perfect bbs in two passes in the mild one but that might just be me. Most other razor and blade options only give me DFS. I understand as I am a former gillette labs user and that thing never gave me any irritation and gave me bbs everytime in two passes. So i get it its just a boring way to shave and for me atleast the bbs only lasted for 24 hours. With DE if I can get a bbs it lasts for a day and a half. Most days I get a DFS but it still lasts longer than any cartridge shave. I dont have a super dense beard though. That might be what your dealing with. And that might take more time. You should look into an adjustable razor if you have heavy growth.

 

[Sethology]

For me, the La Faulx stands out.... I have a premium polish bronze (read: expensive) La Faulx Classic... I like it so much I bought the basic polish SS La Faulx razor head and mounted it on a Timeless Ti Crown handle... It's my travel razor for trips via airplane with checked luggage. A kind member here loaned me a machined + base plate and I didn't find it added anything to the shave... I can duplicate its shave with the Classic with a Feather ProSuper AC blade... I find the two Kai blades, guarded and unguarded to the be the best for me, though there are others who prefer the various Feather AC blades...

I also like the ATT X1 AC Slant razor but they are no longer being made... It's possible the new ATT/Blackland company might re-release them... The X1 is an excellent razor as well.

For me, the basic polish is worth the money over the machined finish, but that is a personal preference....

Only thing about atelier is it's hard to tell what needs to be manufactured and what they have on hand right now