#1

Member
north of Toronto (+US address)
(This post was last modified: 04-15-2016, 04:59 AM by DanielB.)
Hi all,

I'm Daniel from Canada (just north of Toronto), I'm 39, and I've been DE shaving my face & head since Christmas. I used to shave every day (sometimes even twice due to fast beard growth) with an electric razor and/or whatever free cartridge razor I could get my hands on - and I had many. When my electric razor became dull, and I remembered how expensive new cutters and foil were, I started exploring the world of safety razors. I decided to ask Santa for a Merkur 39C Slant for Christmas, along with some TOBS soap, a few packs of various blades, an apothecary style mug, and a cheapo boar brush - just to tide me by until I could get myself a Satin Tip - The Purest synthetic, a few weeks later. I got the ST and like it very much.

My first 2 DE shaves were bloodbaths... I filled a sheet a paper towel with red spots (each day). Soon got that out of my system, and was down to just a few weepers, but then irritation became a daily issue. 3 weeks in, I came up with the idea of using a homemade superslick preshave gel made out of xanthan gum+water and that was a revelation - 0 weepers, 0 irritation most days from then on. I even tried it with a discarded blade (a Crystal/IP with 6Face+2Head shaves on it) that I'd previously had lots of trouble getting smooth with and it was now like a whole new blade!

Shaving every day to 100% BBS against the grain, I was making good progress but I wasn't happy with the length of time it was taking me to shave. I watched many videos on YouTube and found it hard to believe that the WTG+XTG or same+ATG techniques I was seeing in use left those men with BBS. Doing the same would leave me "toasty", nowhere close to BBS. Even with a new Feather, it was taking me considerable effort and lots of buffing to get smooth. To save time, I cut down from WTG+XTG+ATG-buffing to "S-Path"+ATG buffing. I don't know if anyone else does "S-Path", but it's like lawnmowing your face, doing from ear to nose then back over the same swath in the opposite direction, then move down a bit and repeat. Rinse and relather, then do the ATG buffing pass. I was now doing 15-20 minute shaves (from preshave to alum), usually.

Curious about trying something more aggressive, I ordered a Fatip Piccolo. The first few shaves with that gave me incredible burn, but no blood. I mastered it a few shaves later. Using an exclusively shallow angle made all the difference! I find it is an efficient razor but it doesn't give me anywhere near as long-lasting BBS as the 39C - 5-6hrs vs minimum of 12hrs and 15hr-average until I feel the first hair growth ATG. The "Sledgehammer" gives great long-lasting shaves that are always bloodless and irritation free, now that I've got my technique down - but I do have to use a degree of care with it. The Piccolo by comparison is a pussycat, and I find it actually performs better when handled roughly. I've even done 1-pass (buffing) ATG shaves on 30hr growth, in 12 minutes start to finish. I rotate between the 2 razors, not necessarily every day but frequently for sure.

I've even forgotten to use my xg preshave a few times and not even noticed until the 2nd pass, then carried on anyway without any issue. I still use it daily though, as it's like less than a penny a day, but gives me a nice slick base in case my lather isn't as good as it should be. I've also now got Tabac soap and a tube of Nivea Men's Shaving Cream - Sensitive Skin - oh, and over 50 different brands of razor blades to try. AD was kicking in...

In February, I spotted a couple of super-hot deals and ordered a 45C Bakelite and a Progress short - but both orders, from different vendors, got cancelled on me due to non-availability. Damn, I wanted to try more razors! I'm in on the Rockwell Model T via Kickstarter, and will be getting a Fine Accoutrements Slant as soon as they're available. Maybe the soap, too. We'll see! I've also picked up a few other razor blades, too. I've barely made a dent in my blade sampler pack.

So far my top 4 blades are: Blue Bird, Polsilver SI, Rockwell Stainless and Feather. I've currently got 17F+4H shaves on my Rockwell blade.

Oh, and I'm here on DFS at another member's recommendation. I'm happy to see that DFS welcomes any shaving-related subject matter, not just shaving-related subject matter that meets hard content rules that promote the forum-owner's self-interests.

TheShaveSupply, wyze0ne, andrewjs18 and 3 others like this post
#2

Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
now that's an introduction. we're glad to see you on the site.

and dang....21 shaves on a DE blade?!?!!?

Freddy and Mickey Oberman like this post
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.
#3

Member
Toronto, Ont. Canada
Welcome, DanielB from another Torontonian who is just south of Steeles. Note my southern accent, eh.

Since it seems you like to experiment why don't you treat yourself to a near perfect shave with a single edge GEM razor.
They and their blades are inexpensive and old and amazing and readily available on eBay and Etsy and numerous other vendors.

Mickey

wyze0ne likes this post
#4

Super Moderator
San Diego, Cal., USA
Hi, Daniel, and welcome to DFS. For someone who has been tradtional wet shaving for only about 3½ months it looks like you have learned quite a bit and can offer some interesting insights. It's good to have you here and we look forward to your participation. Smile

kwsher and Mickey Oberman like this post
#5
(04-04-2016, 10:35 PM)DanielB Wrote: I've currently got 17F+4H shaves on my Rockwell blade.
Music to my ears. And thank you for your support for the Model T!

kwsher likes this post
Gareth, Co-Founder of Rockwell Razors - info@rockwellrazors.com - Toronto, Canada
#6

Brother
U S A
Welcome to Damn Fine Shave, Daniel.
DE Gillette
#7

Member
north of Toronto (+US address)
(04-05-2016, 12:29 AM)GarRockwell Wrote:
(04-04-2016, 10:35 PM)DanielB Wrote: I've currently got 17F+4H shaves on my Rockwell blade.
Music to my ears. And thank you for your support for the Model T!
I'm glad. I know there's a separate thread for discussion of the blade, and I'll post there soon, but in reply to your post above, I should say that it was rather Jekyll and Hyde - I did not enjoy each of the first 2 shaves with it. I guess I'm a masochistic, or cheap, or both - but it was only on the 3rd shave that it transformed into a fantastic blade. 0 weepers, 0 irritation since shave #2 on it.
#8

Posting Freak
Canada
Welcome, Daniel. Smile
Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart
#9

Member
north of Toronto (+US address)
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

(04-04-2016, 11:39 PM)Mickey Oberman Wrote: Since it seems you like to experiment why don't you treat yourself to a near perfect shave with a single edge GEM razor. They and their blades are inexpensive and old and amazing and readily available on eBay and Etsy and numerous other vendors.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm trying to limit my purchases... didn't I make that clear?! Big Grin

April is accounted for already, so maybe next month!
#10
Welcome to DFS.


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