DE shaving for the non-enthusiast?

[Rufusdog]

All excellent advice above. One important thing I have learnt over my +50 years of shaving is to skip lathering in a bowl and to lather directly on my face. I find that face lathering results in a slicker, more cushioning lather than that made in a bowl. As well, I find that a quality badger or boar brush gives me a denser lather than a synthetic brush. Also, I prefer the face-feel of badger and boar over that of synthetic. Be aware that what I’ve written is entirely subjective and based on much trial and error over the years.

 

[Dave-the-rave]

Doesn't matter what brush he uses.

 

[Wayne]

Doesn't matter what brush he uses.

I have to endorse this 100%, Badgers are only for shaving enthusiasts and add nothing of value to the shave over a synthetic bristle, why kill a poor animal to get a shave? I was suckered in to this early in my shaving journey. I have learnt since and honestly I'll put my lathers up against anyones.

 

[Morpheus]

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 . . . .

From one noob to another and without reading the other comments, I’ve put a check list below for you to look at. I was in the same place a few months ago but now I could easily shave daily.

- Buy a cheap brush and a bowl / this will help you create a rich lather that will protect you during your shave, instead of just using a cheap foam cream and Lathering with the hands
- Buy a decent shave cream, doesn’t have to be wildly expensive and I’m sure many people here could recommend some affordable options that offer good protection and residual slickness
- Stop trying to get a BBS shave to begin with, you should be willing to settle for a less than adequate shave until you’ve got your technique down
- Use ALUM, the first time I gave alum a go was the first time I truely eliminated irritation / razor burn etc.
- Obtain a decent aftershave splash and balm, Proraso have some good products and don’t break the bank

Finally, I would suggest checking out the GeoFatboy YouTube channel. He does many tutorial videos that will help you home in on your techniques and knowledge.

I would also mention that while DE shaving ‘CAN’ be a more affordable option, there is more of an upfront cost to get going. It really isn’t as simple as just buying a razor and some blades.

Hopefully you find some useful info in here, it’s all really helped me over the past few months.

Cal,

 

[TheChrisC]

You’ve had loads of great advice here, so all I’ll add is that you don’t need to become an enthusiast to enjoy shaving this way. I got a mate into it and he’s happy with a cheap synthetic brush, a DE89 and Proraso. What I would absolutely say however is that you’ll need to be flexible with your five minute rule. You may get there someday, but for now focus on shaving well and learning the technique.

 

[inexor]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Greatly appreciated. I think I may try a shaving stick like the Derby, see if that works, and maybe make a concession and get a cheap brush. If I can just smash that stick against my face then work up a quick lather, I can work with that. How long do these types of things usually last before you have to reup?

And regarding the razor, the Feather Popular is super, super light. Should I try holding it further down on the handle, so that gravity has more to work on?

 

[Morpheus]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Greatly appreciated. I think I may try a shaving stick like the Derby, see if that works, and maybe make a concession and get a cheap brush. If I can just smash that stick against my face then work up a quick lather, I can work with that. How long do these types of things usually last before you have to reup?

And regarding the razor, the Feather Popular is super, super light. Should I try holding it further down on the handle, so that gravity has more to work on?

Hi mate,

Maybe try the Arko shaving soap, it comes in a stick like form and should last you a good few months, only costs around £2-£3. I’d also suggest a cheap synthetic brush, you can get a good one for around £10-£15. I’d also suggest an ALUM block for post shave, probably the OSMA Alum which is around £5 and will last you literally a year. When it comes to the razor, heavier razors will supply you with enough pressure just in the weight, usually if the razor is lighter it does require a little bit of pressure from you to get the right pass.

- Wet the bristles
- Rub the soap-stick in to the bristles
- Build face lather with the brush / adding water until you’re happy with the slickness
- With the grain pass / rinse / lather
- Across the grain pass / rinse / lather
- Against the grain pass / rinse
- Rub Alum block over the wet shaved face then rinse finally with cold water / dry face
- Then apply a post-shave

 

[Tonyschin]

If I can just smash that stick against my face then work up a quick lather, I can work with that. How long do these types of things usually last before you have to reup?

No need to "smash" the stick, use it like a large crayon applying a thin covering around your stubble or rub the brush over the stick until you get a covering on the brush, work it up into a lather with the tips of the brush, adding droplets of water to the brush as needed, building the lather will help soften and lift your beard ready for the razor.
Its been mention in previous posts, start with the razor handle at 90* then gently drop the handle until you feel or hear it cutting, "Riding the cap" this is will keep you on the right track until the muscle memory kicks in. Aim to remove the lather and the bristle should come away with it. Try not overshave the same area especially without soap protection, you should get 2-4 shaves per blade, do not push for more, they are cheap enough and not worth the weepers and irritation.
It's all about stubble reduction.
1 day it will just click.
Stick with it & Good luck
T

 

[Jfett]

End of the day. A five minute shave is always gonna be SH£T. I’d suggest shaving at night or just don’t bother. A shave is a shave and 5 minutes doesn’t exist

 

[culcreuch]

And regarding the razor, the Feather Popular is super, super light. Should I try holding it further down on the handle, so that gravity has more to work on?

If you want to stick with DE the Gillette heritage would be good to start with. I comes with decent blades and a good weight Your Feather is probably too light and that encourages pressure and then irritation.......and it doesn't cost much!

 

[sev-8]

And regarding the razor, the Feather Popular is super, super light. Should I try holding it further down on the handle, so that gravity has more to work on?

I have and enjoy using a Feather Popular, but it wasn't my first razor so what I learned from others I could apply to the Popular. I have my thumb and middle finger about 40% of the way down the handle and that's the perfect place for me to control the angle and pressure, so that might be a good starting point

To add to what others have said, I can't lather and shave in 5 minutes. I can lather and do a single pass shave in around 7.5 or 8 if I'm being super speedy.

 

[Wayne]

The trouble with shaving forums is that every single member has their own idea and opinion, all valid, but confusing to a newb. Round about now your head should be spinning wit information. Keep it simple. Palmolive or Arko shave stick. Synthetic shaving brush. Voskhod blades. Muhle r89 Razor. You'll be sorted. If you get irritation then buy some Naissance Aloe Vera Gel, it's all available on that shopping site that sounds like a River. Don't over complicate it. That lot will do you. Mark my words.

 

[Chris]

End of the day. A five minute shave is always gonna be SH£T. I’d suggest shaving at night or just don’t bother. A shave is a shave and 5 minutes doesn’t exist

I beg to differ, it takes me ten minutes on average and I'm sure I could cut that in half if I wasn't shaving my head too. Once the lather's there a DE is no slower than a cartridge.

 

[Jfett]

I beg to differ, it takes me ten minutes on average and I'm sure I could cut that in half if I wasn't shaving my head too. Once the lather's there a DE is no slower than a cartridge.

I like to enjoy my shaves a no way could I enjoy a 5 minute shave. Minimum of 40 minutes. Slower the better.

 

[Blackmass]

I beg to differ, it takes me ten minutes on average and I'm sure I could cut that in half if I wasn't shaving my head too. Once the lather's there a DE is no slower than a cartridge.

I'm sure you can shave in a few miniutes but we're talking about a complete beginner here.