TheBurgh
Loyal Order of The Overlander; Athena Afficianado
If you find the answer, either keep it to yourself (to avoid psychological damage to members here) or sell it for millions!
Newbie hardware question(s)
- Thread starter Miro
- Start date
Fear of missing out, treating shaving as a hobby, belief that a new razor will provide a better shave… take your pick.
Miro
Forum GOD!
Oh, i see. I guess i don't have much to worry about in this case.
For me, shaving is more of a burden than a pleasure, definitely not the kind i can describe as a hobby.
Missing out? if i can get a good shave, at least like the one i get with carts, i'm happy.
Better shave? okay. i can get that but i doubt one has to buy more than a few to realize what's the better shave.
I really appreciate the heads up on this. i'll try to get the best from the ones i've purchased and stick to them until i'll get the expertise i need
For me, shaving is more of a burden than a pleasure, definitely not the kind i can describe as a hobby.
Missing out? if i can get a good shave, at least like the one i get with carts, i'm happy.
Better shave? okay. i can get that but i doubt one has to buy more than a few to realize what's the better shave.
I really appreciate the heads up on this. i'll try to get the best from the ones i've purchased and stick to them until i'll get the expertise i need
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
Some, like me, enjoy using a 90-100 plus year old tool to accomplish a daily task.
Speaking from personal experience, if you find a razor that you’re happy with, stick with it. I can get good results from most razors if I’m prepared to stick to the same one for a while.
Miro
Forum GOD!
Thank you, personal experience is indeed the most helpful.
I guess that the blades quality matters too. So, before judging the shaving quality, it might be a good idea to try it with various blades. Unless i'm wrong and quality difference between blades is not significant.
BTW, almost 2 weeks since purchase and tracking says the (razors) shipment has arrived the country of destination. Perhaps it will reach me sooner than i expected.
I guess that the blades quality matters too. So, before judging the shaving quality, it might be a good idea to try it with various blades. Unless i'm wrong and quality difference between blades is not significant.
BTW, almost 2 weeks since purchase and tracking says the (razors) shipment has arrived the country of destination. Perhaps it will reach me sooner than i expected.
Sm29
Forum GOD!
There are various reasons to buy new razors. If you enjoy it and can afford it, there is nothing wrong with it.
My journey started with a Merkur 34c (which I never use anymore) progressed to vintage Gillettes and then went modern. Each had a purpose. The Tech was an easy shaving mild razor. The different NEW models (LC and SC) taught me a lot about pressure and to not use too much. The Old Type enhanced my technique. The Goodwill 164 is just plain cool with its Art Deco look. The E4 Fatboy is the only adjustable I still own and corresponds with my brother’s birth quarter. My A4 Red Tip Superspeed corresponds with my late wife’s birth quarter and my C4 Flare Tip Superspeed corresponds with my birth quarter. The vintage razors were great for helping me develop my technique and also provide a bridge to my past and those no longer with us,
My modern razors include a titanium Timeless, a Blackland Tradere, a Blackland SS Blackbird and titanium Blackbird. The SS Blackbird became my daily driver and could easily have been my last razor, but since I liked it so much I bought the same razor in titanium which is almost the same but more nimble and is now my daily driver.
Could I have started with the Ti Blackbird? I don’t think so. My technique needed to develop sufficiently to get the most out of the razor and to avoid damaging my face.
Just for kicks, I also have two Gems, an MMOC and a MM Clog Pruf purchased in the wild for next to nothing.
My advice echoes what has previously been said. Develop your technique. There is nothing inherently wrong with buying lots of razors or just buying one.
Miro
Forum GOD!
Just to make myself clear, i don't think there's anything wrong with buying many razors.
I recall reading about the Merkur 34c as a recommended razor for beginners in many places. I didn't buy it because it's way above my set budget
Quick Google search brings this line from a review
If i understand correctly, you have about a dozen razors. Do they all provide a better shave than the one you can get with the Merkur 34c?
If the Merkur 34c does give a smooth and comfortable shave with less skin irritation. What more one can ask for?
I recall reading about the Merkur 34c as a recommended razor for beginners in many places. I didn't buy it because it's way above my set budget
Quick Google search brings this line from a review
I feel like i'm missing a point here.
If i understand correctly, you have about a dozen razors. Do they all provide a better shave than the one you can get with the Merkur 34c?
If the Merkur 34c does give a smooth and comfortable shave with less skin irritation. What more one can ask for?
hotmetal
Forum GOD!
People just collect them. Some people are on a mission to get the perfect shave, some have #FOMO, some have razor acquisition disorder, some are serious collectors. There are people who have 150! Especially with vintage. For example, every Gillette since 1920, or every model of Gem.
A lot of us treat this as a hobby, we enjoy the variety of making what you refer to as a chore into a bit of an indulgence. That's all there is to it really. You don't "need" more than one razor, and there is no "perfect" razor. Some just like buying them to look at, some to use, some to show off, some to restore etc. If you're not into that you're not really missing out. I have 5 straight razors, 3 or 4 DEs and 2 Artists Club Single Edge style razors. I pick and choose depending on how I feel that day. I could have saved myself a bunch of notes by sticking with the one straight razor I started with, or maybe the Gillette Tech which cost the least of all my razors and shaves as good as any. But it's fun to try stuff out.
A lot of us treat this as a hobby, we enjoy the variety of making what you refer to as a chore into a bit of an indulgence. That's all there is to it really. You don't "need" more than one razor, and there is no "perfect" razor. Some just like buying them to look at, some to use, some to show off, some to restore etc. If you're not into that you're not really missing out. I have 5 straight razors, 3 or 4 DEs and 2 Artists Club Single Edge style razors. I pick and choose depending on how I feel that day. I could have saved myself a bunch of notes by sticking with the one straight razor I started with, or maybe the Gillette Tech which cost the least of all my razors and shaves as good as any. But it's fun to try stuff out.
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chazt
shaver
Smarmy reply caveat:
If you’re quoting an online review, it’s just one person’s opinion. Plus, he may simply be repeating what he’s read elsewhere. If the quote is manufacturer or retailer ad copy, then it‘s just that; ad copy. The 34C is a good razor. You’ll get a good shave with it when you’ve developed your technique. There are other razors that are good razors. You can get good shaves with them too, when you’ve developed your technique.
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Sm29
Forum GOD!
I feel like I can get an acceptable shave from any of my razors. A great shave from several. For me the Blackbirds keep my face smoother for a longer time. Other razors may not perform as well but are enjoyable for other reasons.
Everyone has a different face and skin type. There is no one best and there are many that can be good enough. Some find the blade exposure on the Blackbird to be too much. I do not, instead I find it to be both efficient and also guiding because while not uncomfortable the blade feel gives immediate feedback on angle and pressure.
My point was to develop your technique first and explore the various choices as you desire. As a slight modification, I would also suggest a razor like an EJ or Merkur if you like new, or a Tech or Superspeed, if you choose vintage and supplement that with either an Old Type, Goodwill or NEW to get a feel for a more efficient razor. Within the vintage choices many can be bought at reasonable prices. User grade is a good place to start and later look for a new or relatively pristine model.
Miro
Forum GOD!
I agree, i should have mentioned this was just one quot from quite a few reviews i found when i began with my research about switching to wet shaving. I read many great reviews about the Merkur 34c, Rockwell 6c and many others.
Spot on!!
This is exactly what confused me in the first place. As a beginner looking into switching from carts to DE shaving, the wide variety of models, terms and reviews is so very confusing. I'm glad to admit i have learned a lot by now and i'll be focused in acquiring the skill which is apparently much more important than the razor itself.
My demands are not high. for me, shaving with the Gillette Sensor & Sensor Excel carts was perfect and completely met my expectations. This was the case with other carts too. Including the private label carts i currently use.
That's the reason i've tried to understand (among other questions) in this thread if carts are considered mild or aggressive.
I believe i now have all the answers i need to begin, just waiting for the hardware to arrive.
"Efficient" gets mis-used here as a euphemism for "more bladey". Efficient means using the minimum required to get the job done. I can very effectively crack a walnut with a sledgehammer, but it's not efficient.
@Miro We all have different requirements and preferences, especially here where there are a lot of us that are hobbyists / collectors. When your hardware arrives you need to concentrate on refining your technique with what you have and, as you've stated that you don't want to go down the hobby / collection route, don't be tempted to buy more stuff until you've got a good few weeks experience and can pin down what it is that you want from another razor. Don't just blind buy in the hopes that the next one will be "better".
@Miro We all have different requirements and preferences, especially here where there are a lot of us that are hobbyists / collectors. When your hardware arrives you need to concentrate on refining your technique with what you have and, as you've stated that you don't want to go down the hobby / collection route, don't be tempted to buy more stuff until you've got a good few weeks experience and can pin down what it is that you want from another razor. Don't just blind buy in the hopes that the next one will be "better".
adrian ivanovici
Forum GOD!
If you are new to wet shaving the problem in chosing is fictional...almost all razors offer a good shave:
-a mild one like R89 goes hand in hand with very sharp blade(Nacet,Feather)
-an agresive razor (fatip, open combs, over 60 gap razors etc) works fine with mild blades (Bic Astor, Astra Green etc) and will work briliant with sharp blades once you master the technique and shaving becomes natural.
So, from my experience, if you are a daily shaver an agresive razor might not be best buy for you.
Regardless of how "efficient" a razor is, if you aim BBS it always comes to 3-4 pass shave. For me a 1-2 pass shave for BBS is just pure marketing.
When I started off in wet shaving R89 with any blade was to sharp and left nicks every time, or rash. But that was due to the uncontrolled motion of the razor, not having that experience and flow that comes natural in time.
After getting used to it i started to feel it not so efficient and went for much more agresive razors and ended up with new nicks and rash due to yet unproper tehnicque and wrong order of the shaving passes.
Now i can use any razor, mild or agresive and get same results, but still 3-4 pass shave for BBS no matter the razor.
The only thing I can agree with is that a mild shaver can be used for daily shave but an agresive razor for 2-3 days growth as the skin can't handle it.
At the end of the day the purpose is to get a clean shave. So stick to what you got for now and talk in a year time.
Also from.my experience one good over all razor is the classic merkur open comb, that is not agresive and is a replica of the old Gillette Ball End razor. All the innovation in the gear can't beat the flawless desing of the original 100years old desing: no gap at all, perfect blade alignment, ideal blade angle and exposure.
Miro
Forum GOD!
Thank you all for your answers and for all the information.
The razors i bought arrived today (16 days after starting this thread and purchasing them). but since i last shaved about 24hrs ago. i'll try wet shaving in a day or two using the blades included with the razors and a canned shaving gel (the shaving cream, brush & blades are yet to arrive).
I'll share my thoughts in a few days here.
The razors i bought arrived today (16 days after starting this thread and purchasing them). but since i last shaved about 24hrs ago. i'll try wet shaving in a day or two using the blades included with the razors and a canned shaving gel (the shaving cream, brush & blades are yet to arrive).
I'll share my thoughts in a few days here.