DE shaving for the non-enthusiast?

[inexor]

Hello all, brand new to this forum.

I am very new to DE shaving. I started out as a kid with an electric razor, then about five years ago switched to cartridges. Dorco Pace 3 was my razor of choice, and then once I couldn't get them directly from their warehouse anymore, briefly tried Harry's.

Harry's felt a bit harsh on my neck, and so I decided to finally try out DE. I picked up a Feather Popular (which came with two feather blades), and put together my own sample pack: Derby, Parker, 7am, Voskhod, Rapira, Big Ben, all three Dorco options, and the Personna options (black and blue, I think).

It's been a few weeks, and I just cannot get a shave without causing massive damage. The whole right side of my neck looks like a burn victim, with the rest of my neck slowly accumulating wounds, and after shaving I'm in pain all day. So far I've tried Derby (irritates the most, but stubbornly kept using it for the "newbie friendly" reputation), Parker (actually had one great shave, then the second tore me apart), and Dorco reds (tried it today, shave was less painful, but not very close). Oh yeah, the very first was with the Feather. Face on fire for two days straight. That was before I picked up some aftershave, never used the stuff before.

My goal is to be able to shave on consecutive days if I have to, and not tear my skin off. I have sensitive skin and very thick and coarse beard. With a cartridge, I MUST allow two days off before my next shave, or else it will cause too much damage (ideally three or four). With DE so far, I've had to shave every other day because I just can't get a close shave, and it grows back in fast.

Now here's where I'll get some eye rolls: I don't want shaving to become a hobby. I'm trying it to save money, get less irritation than a cartridge (utter failure on this point), and to avoid certain companies. I'm not interested in brushes or bowls or expensive soaps or taking 20 minutes to shave. I respect it and the tradition behind it, but it's just not for me. If I can shower in five minutes, I'd better not be shaving for any more than that. My routine is this: Shower, then shave using hand-applied Barbasol aloe mixed with some water to make it slick, using two passes (across on cheeks and neck/with in the center, then against on cheeks and neck and across in the center). Finish with Thayer's witch hazel. My thinking was that two passes should produce less irritation, but I find myself going over areas again in each pass.

Do the fine folks on this forum think that upping to three passes would help or hurt my irritation problems? Are the razors I've tried generally not good for extremely stiff beards? I'm close to giving up on this, but if there are things that I can do that conform to my goals (no brush, no bowl, as few accessories and products as possible), I would love some input. I've got a few shaves left in me before I end up going back to Norelco or something . . . .

 

[Holyzeus]

Just quickly
First off absolutely no pressure when you shave, let the weight of the razor do the work.
Technique, watch some videos.
Do you lather between passes?
Lastly, you may need a better quality soap

 

[inexor]

I have watched several videos, mainly Sinatra Lennon and Geo Fatboy. Geo gets into the products, I imagine because he sells all of them.

Yes, I lather again each pass.

With regard to pressure, I try my best not to apply any, but the blade will just sit on the beard and won't cut anything.

 

[R181]

To be honest, I think one of the biggest things against you getting a decent shave is using Barbasol . Unfortunately to get a better lather you'd have to use a brush and a good but inexpensive shave cream which is not in your plan.

Good technique is a key to a good shave. Using the right angle on the razor and maintaining that angle along the contours of your face. The head on a DE does not pivot like on a cart so you have to do that angle keeping. To find the right angle to use, place the head of the DE flat on your face with the handle parallel to the floor. Then rotate the handle down till you just start to feel the blade and that should be about right. Then let the weight of the razor and sharp blade do the work.

Slow down while shaving to learn good technique. Your speed will increase when you get that down pat.

Bob

 

[Ventastic]

Honestly, I‘ve been doing this for a while and I don‘t think I could get the job done in 5 minutes. IF I were in a hurry, I would use a pre-shave soap in the shower, then lather up in the face using a shave stick (Speick causes zero irritation), and a synthetic brush (fastest way to a useable lather).

I would aim for zero irritation before looking for a BBS result as the latter may actually require a change in razor. The first thing that came to mind when reading your post is that it is crucial that you take the time to map your beard growth. If you attack your beard ATG on the first pass, irritation is very probable.

 

[Zhang Doe]

I don't know what Barbasol aloe is, but for me, the slickest stuff is shaving cream with water rubbed around on my face until it's a soapy, slick mess. Still learning to bowl lather and I get a decent glide, but nothing like water and shaving cream directly applied to the face. Plus, it's thinner and you can see what you're doing.

For the razor, don't know about the Feather Poplar, but I think Rockwell 6C or 6S is the way to go with a start. With the selection of plates, you should be able to find something that works for you, technique be damned.

I started with the above two and progressed down the "correct" path that is usually espoused by others here. But for a starter for effectiveness, I think the above two should work well.

 

[Boycie83]

+1 to what @Holyzeus said above.

Go easy on the pressure and get yourself some better software. Keep it simple and cheap - Proraso creams or soaps will do the job. The creams can be applied brushless although I'd recommend picking up on - you don't need to spend more than £5 on a brush

 

[Shave to the grave]

You'll never get a decent shave unless you spend a bit of money on it. Getting a good shave is a process of elimination, you have to find what works for you and unfortunately that requires a bit of spending. It sounds as though you're really suffering with your shaves so it'll be worth doing.
For what it's worth, try a mild razor with a good blade, don't use any pressure, go with the grain. Should be OK.

 

[Wayne]

You need a decent shaving kit to get a good shave mate. That means a well made, quality Razor, good Soap, quality blades and a brush. That doesn't have to cost a lot but to get started you'll want to be spending the equivillent of a years Cartridge razors. That means great shaves for life and you are not out of pocket.
A quality soap will cost about £15, a Good Razor will be around £30-50 and 100 blades £10-12, a Brush £10. You may get them cheaper if you look around or are prepared to buy used, check out the Bay, you'll save money on your kit there.
For me I'd be looking at a Palmolive Stick, super simple to use and really inexpensive, you wet your face, rub it on your beard until you get a nice application, you don't need a lot, then agitate with a wet brush (Synthetic fibre) and you'll be amazed at the lather. Blades, I's go for Voskhod or Gillette Yellow, both easily available, sharp and smooth, Brush, any Synthetic will do you, get a 24mm one and razor I'd say either a Muhle or Merkur.
Watch some videos I'd recommend the one from Brian at Executive shaving

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps88RU_BXlA

Happy shaving, you'll get there. We all were beginners once. Good luck.

 

[Blackmass]

I understand time is at a premium for everyone but you aren't going to get a good shave in five minutes. Sorry but it's a fact.

You say you want the shave to last no longer than five minutes. 1. Is this due to time restraints (going to work etc)?
2. Do you want to get shave out of the way?

1. Have you thought of shaving in the evening? You have more time to concentrate on the shave and you aren't rushing to get out the door.
This is what I do. I already get up early so I don't want to get up even earlier to shave and I don't want to monopolised the bathroom in the morning either.

2. The majority of people don't like shaving and find it a chore. This is fair enough but you have to shave so why not make it enjoyable and more importantly comfortable?

As for advice on the shave? Light pressure, this takes time as it's counterintuitive and after years of using a cartridge razor a difficult habit to break.

Look at a different soap or cream. You can get 'brushless' creams. I don't know where you're based but some of the creams which come in tubes will be better than the canned foam/gel types.

Good luck.

This is a great series of videos:

View: https://youtu.be/n1GMiwGoe9c

 

[culcreuch]

The easy option would be to get a Leaf

 

[Arora]

Once you wrote that you don’t want to shave for more than five minutes I noticed the problem.

I’d argue a good lather is more important than a DE razor. Unfortunately for you, a good lather requires a brush, a soap or a cream, and a little bit of time.

 

[Jfett]

Hello all, brand new to this forum.

I am very new to DE shaving. I started out as a kid with an electric razor, then about five years ago switched to cartridges. Dorco Pace 3 was my razor of choice, and then once I couldn't get them directly from their warehouse anymore, briefly tried Harry's.

Harry's felt a bit harsh on my neck, and so I decided to finally try out DE. I picked up a Feather Popular (which came with two feather blades), and put together my own sample pack: Derby, Parker, 7am, Voskhod, Rapira, Big Ben, all three Dorco options, and the Personna options (black and blue, I think).

It's been a few weeks, and I just cannot get a shave without causing massive damage. The whole right side of my neck looks like a burn victim, with the rest of my neck slowly accumulating wounds, and after shaving I'm in pain all day. So far I've tried Derby (irritates the most, but stubbornly kept using it for the "newbie friendly" reputation), Parker (actually had one great shave, then the second tore me apart), and Dorco reds (tried it today, shave was less painful, but not very close). Oh yeah, the very first was with the Feather. Face on fire for two days straight. That was before I picked up some aftershave, never used the stuff before.

My goal is to be able to shave on consecutive days if I have to, and not tear my skin off. I have sensitive skin and very thick and coarse beard. With a cartridge, I MUST allow two days off before my next shave, or else it will cause too much damage (ideally three or four). With DE so far, I've had to shave every other day because I just can't get a close shave, and it grows back in fast.

Now here's where I'll get some eye rolls: I don't want shaving to become a hobby. I'm trying it to save money, get less irritation than a cartridge (utter failure on this point), and to avoid certain companies. I'm not interested in brushes or bowls or expensive soaps or taking 20 minutes to shave. I respect it and the tradition behind it, but it's just not for me. If I can shower in five minutes, I'd better not be shaving for any more than that. My routine is this: Shower, then shave using hand-applied Barbasol aloe mixed with some water to make it slick, using two passes (across on cheeks and neck/with in the center, then against on cheeks and neck and across in the center). Finish with Thayer's witch hazel. My thinking was that two passes should produce less irritation, but I find myself going over areas again in each pass.

Do the fine folks on this forum think that upping to three passes would help or hurt my irritation problems? Are the razors I've tried generally not good for extremely stiff beards? I'm close to giving up on this, but if there are things that I can do that conform to my goals (no brush, no bowl, as few accessories and products as possible), I would love some input. I've got a few shaves left in me before I end up going back to Norelco or something . . . .

Try shaving in the bath. Red hot bath let the steam accumulate in the bathroom. Gives your skin a constant flow of heat steam and water. Try shaving in the bath and see how you get on. Many respects. J.

 

[Chris]

I reckon it could be done in five minutes, it takes me ten and that's with shaving my head too, I think if I was just doing two passes on my face five would be easily achievable especially with canned foam

More passes is definitely going to increase irritation not decrease it. In terms of lather you really just want something to act as a lubricant, my main concern with canned stuff is that it would be too thick because it's designed for a cartridge with someone pressing the hell out of it but you mention using water to thin it down so if you get it nice and sloppy it should work. Most likely your problem is with angle or pressure or both.

Don't go down the rabbit hole of trying to buy a better shave, I've never used the Feather popular, but from reading the description it's very light so letting the weight do the work may not work and you'll need to use some pressure but not much. Really I would have recommended starting with an Edwin Jagger 89, it has a bit more weight to it and they're user-friendly but get the job done. Dialling in the pressure with the Feather will be a bit harder but start with the angle, try letting the weight do the work and use extremely light pressure if it's not cutting.

 

[Dave-the-rave]

Poplar is an ultra mild razor.