Technique Trumps Tools

To address the topic specifically:

Technique is an important variable that affects the shave enormously.

But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start
to do its magic.

Even the most accomplished technique cannot rescue a razor whose geometry does not suit your
face and beard growth.

Sorry, Tester...gotta disagree with this one. Techinque is a "moving target", even though the basics always apply. As we know, it's nothing more than angle and pressure (or lack thereof, especially when switching from a cartridge razor). As Shane from Blackland often points out, you need to adjust to the tool, not the other way around. Every razor has some nuances, such as a sweet spot. 

So long as I do my job properly, I can get a great shave with any razor. I'm not professing to have perfect technique - I make screwups on occasion. When switching from one razor to another, sometimes it takes a couple of shaves before I get the feel for it again - especially true when I get out the Blackland Dart after not using it for awhile. After a few shaves with a razor, muscle memory kicks in, and shaving becomes a little more automatic. 

Hence the reasoning behind sticking with the same gear for at least 30 days. It allows for familiarity and lets you get your technique dialed in for that setup. When you do eventually change to another razor, a slight adjustment in angle might be necessary, but should come quickly and easily.

To address the topic specifically:

Technique is an important variable that affects the shave enormously.

But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start
to do its magic.

Even the most accomplished technique cannot rescue a razor whose geometry does not suit your
face and beard growth.

Sorry, Tester...gotta disagree with this one. Techinque is a "moving target", even though the basics always apply. As we know, it's nothing more than angle and pressure (or lack thereof, especially when switching from a cartridge razor). As Shane from Blackland often points out, you need to adjust to the tool, not the other way around. Every razor has some nuances, such as a sweet spot. 

So long as I do my job properly, I can get a great shave with any razor. I'm not professing to have perfect technique - I make screwups on occasion. When switching from one razor to another, sometimes it takes a couple of shaves before I get the feel for it again - especially true when I get out the Blackland Dart after not using it for awhile. After a few shaves with a razor, muscle memory kicks in, and shaving becomes a little more automatic. 

Hence the reasoning behind sticking with the same gear for at least 30 days. It allows for familiarity and lets you get your technique dialed in for that setup. When you do eventually change to another razor, a slight adjustment in angle might be necessary, but should come quickly and easily.

Exactly

I am going to defend Tester here to a degree. Here is part of what he said:

"But technique requires the equipment to meet an acceptable standard...before technique can start to do its magic."

I think the important part is that the equipment must meet "an acceptable standard". To that extent I think he is right. As I said up thread, I can not get a decent shave with Cremo and a cheap Dorco twin blade disposable razor no matter how hard I try, and I have tried multiple times. The blades are too dull and the so called "shave cream" has no cushion whatsoever.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment from our related thread, so even by Tester's standard our hypothetical new wet shaver should be able to get a good shave with the right advice.

Also, I want to complement everyone for disagreeing thoughtfully and without being disagreeable.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment

Just to point out, it's not that easy...
Gear competence is always in the eye of the beholder. One man's favorite gear could be considered awful to another man... and that can hold true even when they generally agree on other gear.

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment

Just to point out, it's not that easy...
Gear competence is always in the eye of the beholder. One man's favorite gear could be considered awful to another man... and that can hold true even when they generally agree on other gear.

Well then, that creates a conundrum. In our previous thread ( https://damnfineshave.com/thread-poor-ma...light=poor) it appeared that we accepted the premise that there was some basic under $100.00 set up that would be acceptable to transition someone to a "poor man's" luxury shave. If that premise is flawed, then this thread is pointless? Are we lost in a forest of equipment vagaries that leads a new wet shaver to endless gear testing to match a particular biology, geometry, tastes, etc. Are we on a fool's errand?

This is an interesting point you are raising, there is choice yet the abundance of choice (which is enjoyed by many) also leads to rabbit holes which then likely keeps possible switchers from making the switch.
How is it that as a group we cannot define a base line kit comprising of say a Gillette Tech and a Cella shaving soap with a Omega badger brush and a tuck of Astra (all for about $50) does give one pause.

This is an interesting point you are raising, there is choice yet the abundance of choice (which is enjoyed by many) also leads to rabbit holes which then likely keeps possible switchers from making the switch.
How is it that as a group we cannot define a base line kit comprising of say a Gillette Tech and a Cella shaving soap with a Omega badger brush and a tuck of Astra (all for about $50) does give one pause.

That is a great starter kit btw. ?

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

This is an interesting point you are raising, there is choice yet the abundance of choice (which is enjoyed by many) also leads to rabbit holes which then likely keeps possible switchers from making the switch.
How is it that as a group we cannot define a base line kit comprising of say a Gillette Tech and a Cella shaving soap with a Omega badger brush and a tuck of Astra (all for about $50) does give one pause.

One minor point: did you mean to say "Omega boar brush"?

But here, in our example, the new wet shaver is starting off with competent equipment

Just to point out, it's not that easy...
Gear competence is always in the eye of the beholder. One man's favorite gear could be considered awful to another man... and that can hold true even when they generally agree on other gear.

Well then, that creates a conundrum. In our previous thread ( https://damnfineshave.com/thread-poor-ma...light=poor) it appeared that we accepted the premise that there was some basic under $100.00 set up that would be acceptable to transition someone to a "poor man's" luxury shave. If that premise is flawed, then this thread is pointless? Are we lost in a forest of equipment vagaries that leads a new wet shaver to endless gear testing to match a particular biology, geometry, tastes, etc. Are we on a fool's errand?

If you search around, the consensus is always "there is no consensus". Particularly with razors and blades.

Just to point out, it's not that easy...
Gear competence is always in the eye of the beholder. One man's favorite gear could be considered awful to another man... and that can hold true even when they generally agree on other gear.

Well then, that creates a conundrum. In our previous thread ( https://damnfineshave.com/thread-poor-ma...light=poor) it appeared that we accepted the premise that there was some basic under $100.00 set up that would be acceptable to transition someone to a "poor man's" luxury shave. If that premise is flawed, then this thread is pointless? Are we lost in a forest of equipment vagaries that leads a new wet shaver to endless gear testing to match a particular biology, geometry, tastes, etc. Are we on a fool's errand?

If you search around, the consensus is always "there is no consensus". Particularly with razors and blades.

So what do we tell our new wet shaver? There is no consensus on a beginner's kit so here are your cartridges and caned shave cream back?