I'm having a little trouble; I've got a Quatro with disposable blades, but the gap between them is getting clogged so it's not shaving very well. Anyone got any tips?
I had the same problem with the Quatro. It would get clogged with thick hairs on the very first day of use, which could get expencive if you replaced it everytime...
Sometimes holding it under the showerhead upside-down would work for me, but sometimes it wouldn't...
My final solution was to stop using the Quatro. :/
To give you an idea of what you could do to stretch a bit of life out of the disposables; use a pair of tweezers (or a similar thin flat metal object) to get the hairs out from under each blade. The blades still get dull after a while, but at least no hairs poke you in the face when you're shaving.
That's the point of disposables - when they get messed up, just replace it.... unless I'm not understanding your actual problem...
The blades are still sharp, but they're not able to cut well thanks to the surface of the blades not making much contact with the skin- So I'm wanting to avoid replacing a perfectly usable blade every time it became blocked >.<
I'll try the tweesers and shower technique, as well as a pin- Thanks guys!
Stimulus check finally came in the mail today (darned social security number! Of course I'd be in the LAST batch!) so I ordered my way to shaving nirvana.
I just bought a Merkur 'classic' DE saftey razor
Tweezerman brush (start cheap, maybe pick up essential when it comes out)
Proraso original cream.
I can't wait for the stuff to come in the mail. Updates when i slice my face apart for the first time.
You know what I love? My Merkur LHC with Feather blades.
Lynx, you gotta pick up some other blades. The Merkur comes with a single Merkur blade, and while their razors are nice, their blades leave much to be desired. Try it once or twice, but then switch to something like a Persona.
You know what I love? My Merkur LHC with Feather blades.
Lynx, you gotta pick up some other blades. The Merkur comes with a single Merkur blade, and while their razors are nice, their blades leave much to be desired. Try it once or twice, but then switch to something like a Persona.
I've been using persona blades for about 5 months now, and I think they're much better (and cheaper) than the merkur blades. GH was just telling me the other day that he found a cheap brand on the internet hat was even better (He was using Persona too), but I cannot remember what he said it was.
Where do you guys buy blades? If online, is classicshaving a good place to buy?
I'd prefer to find a local stop for blades, since I'll need to buy them frequently. Unfortunately, there are no barbershops near my house, really nothing within a half hour drive.
I've been using persona blades for about 5 months now, and I think they're much better (and cheaper) than the merkur blades. GH was just telling me the other day that he found a cheap brand on the internet hat was even better (He was using Persona too), but I cannot remember what he said it was.
That was the 100-pack of Derby blades I picked up on eBay for $15. BuddyJ isn't a fan. Personally though they're the best blades I've ever used in my LHC. Smooth and comfortable shaves every time for me. I'd give the Feathers a shot, but the Derbys just work so well already...
They're right, though, Lynx... I highly recommend trying something other than the Merkur blades. The Personnas that CB refers to are sold at Wal-Mart for $1.50 or so per ten-pack. They're American made and don't have as great a reputation as Israeli Personnas, Derbys, or Feathers, but they're cheap and accessible. I used Wal-Mart as my blade source until I found that Derby deal... but I wouldn't recommend you go with a bulk pack of anything until you've tried multiple options. The variety demo packs you can find on some sites would be a good start.
Yep. I tried a Derby and it didn't work for me but I think it might have just been a bad blade. I'd try them again if I came across a pack. Derby, Crystal, Persona, Feather... they're all worth a shot.
I don't know how far away this place is, http://www.laville-vogel.com/home , but you might give them a call and see if they have anything. It sounded close to you.
Yep. I tried a Derby and it didn't work for me but I think it might have just been a bad blade. I'd try them again if I came across a pack. Derby, Crystal, Persona, Feather... they're all worth a shot.
I don't know how far away this place is, http://www.laville-vogel.com/home , but you might give them a call and see if they have anything. It sounded close to you.
Crap, I practically drive by that place on my drive home from work... I'll give them a call, or maybe stop in when I get off work on Thursday. Nice find.
Thanks for the blade recommendations too. GHoosdum, I think I'll swing by WalMart and try out those Personnas for a start... then move forward from there.
Man, I'm excited. Can't wait for the gear to show up.
What about traveling? I was always telling myself that I'd use my electric when I travel (when I got to LA for a week next month, for example), but now the more I'm thinking about it, I doubt I'm going to want to touch that electric once I learn how to properly shave with a DE. (Too bad, it's a rather new and very nice electric. Waterproofed for easy daily cleaning). Since the Proraso cream I bought is in a tube, that can be transported no problem. But do you guys have any kind of special set up for traveling, or do you just not recommend it?
If I'm taking a quick weekend trip or a trip in which I only bring carry-on luggage, I'll usually bring disposable single bladed razors (like the Bic Metal I linked earlier) and a tube of latherless shave cream.
If it's a longer trip I'll usually bring my DE kit with my soap and just build the lather directly on my face. It's safe to put an unloaded DE in checked luggage.
0
adarrylNo Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child.Icrontian
edited July 2008
Ok, as a bearded "man of Icrontic," here's my 2 cents. First, you must get to know your beard. A man's beard has a grain and swirl pattern to it and it changes depending on location on your face esp. the neck. How well it cuts depends on the angle you take with the grain. I shave first with the grain then brush my non-razor hand against the grain of the part I just shaved and then shave against that grain. I have been shaving for nearly 40 years (I was the first bearded newborn baby in the history of the world); check Guinness; you'll see. And, I have found that soaps and creams don't make a difference and an electric is for senior citizens. One steel blade is as good as another, imho. Shaving is psychological, zen-like, "be the blade."
What I have found that does work (in addition to my with and against the grain blade approach) is this: (others have already touched upon some of this)
1. Shave after you shower but DO NOT dry your face! Go immediately to the sink, naked (this is the psychological part and the ladies love it; I can't tell you how many women have responded favorably to my invitation: 'would you like to see me shave?'). Lather your face with standard shaving cream from a can. Novelty soaps are just that.
2. Take your blade razor and run its blade(s) under HOT water for 15-20". You want the heat to expand the blade to its fullest.
3. Shave, with and against the grain with strokes about 2 inches long. If your skin appears dry between strokes, put a little water on the area with your non blade hand. I do not rinse the blade until shaving cream actually drips off the razor head. Once more, this is alluring to the ladies.
4. Aftershave? None used or needed. Wipe your face clear with a wet washcloth. The slight scent of shaving cream left on your face will be noticed by the ladies. This is psychological AND biological.
5. Keep styptic pencil handy for small nicks.
There's my recipe: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Any of you ladies out there want to come over and see how I shave?
I think you've just given a whole new meaning to the term "shave porn". As entertaining as that sounds, I'm strictly a soap user, plus my husband would tie me up and lock me in the closet.
Susie
0
adarrylNo Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help a Child.Icrontian
edited July 2008
Susie, I am glad you appreciated my analogies. :bigggrin:
I shaved with an electric shaver for several years, when it finally broke, I started using regular blades and never got around to getting another electric one.
I use Bic comfort 3 razors, with 3 blades in them. Long ago, I tried several different kinds of shaving creams, including sensitive skin ones, but shaving with razors always tore my face up with them.
What do I use now? Regular Coast bar soap. Yeah. Regular bars of Coast soap. It works for me and my face NEVER gets razor burned! If I take too long shaving the soap can dry out, but no big deal, just put some more on.
I usually shave before a shower, but it doesn't make much difference in shave quality for me if I shave before or after a shower.
Someone else mentioned that the grain goes in different directions depending on where it is, and under my chin on the right side is definitely the hardest part to get shaved down good. I have to hit it from several different directions to get it good there. I'm left handed, that might be part of the problem.
I've never gone more than 4 days without shaving, it's just not the look for me.
Here's a question for everyone - how long do your blades last? I can get 2 weeks or so out of a razor before it's time to go to the next one in the pack of 4.
Well, my Merkur DE classic came in the mail yesterday, along with the proraso cream. The Tweezerman, however, didn't show up. I was slightly disappointed.
So I folded. I wanted to try it so bad this morning, I ran to walmart and picked up a cheap $4 boar brush. Impulse buy? You bet! Crappy, cheap brush? You bet! But did I get to shave? You bet!
So I loaded my razor with the included Merkur blade (I bought some Personna blades as well, but figured I'd get the Merkur blade out of the way first.)
My lather wasn't very good for the first pass. I had to use a bit more cream than what I've seen on tutorials. Most people say a dollop about the size of a nickel... I used about twice/thrice that much. The lather took about 2 minutes to work up, but didn't go on very thick on my face. I think it's because I didn't have enough lather.
Did a with the grain southward pass first. Everything was fine, using the brush and real shaving cream was significantly more enjoyable than regular canned goo. Short, slow cutting strokes. First pass didn't accomplish a terribly close shave (as expected), but no bleeding, so it was all good.
I pretty much made a new lather for the second pass. This one went on thicker and more smooth. The blade was able to glide along a lot better. I did an across the grain pass next.
The end product was a pretty smooth shave. Not the best I've had - I had to touch up tough spots (like below my ears) with my electric. But it was fun, and with practice I can see this being ultimate.
I did have bleeding on my neck, especially near my adams apple. That's almost a standard for me shaving though, and once I rinsed my face with cold water, the bleeding stopped. Hopefully, better blade technique will prohibit the mass bleeding.
So the major lesson learned? Obviously as stated before, the better the lather, the better the shave. And a better brush will probably help produce a better lather.
How much shaving cream do you guys use? I feel like I used way too much today, yet still didn't have enough lather produced.
Anyways, actually looking forward to making this a regular routine and mastering this art. Progress!
When I shave with cream, I use a dollop about the size of an almond, but it's really tough for me to whip up a lather with cream and the boar brush. I did the same thing as you, though, and bought the boar brush first just so I'd have something to use. I didn't even use it enough times to get rid of the wet boar smell. Since the tweezerman brush arrived, I've been using it exclusively, and I will probably do so until I can get my hands on a B&B Essential.
I haven't used the boar brush, nor have I used cream, but the one thing I've found with soap is that if the lather looks a little thin, it's usually too dry. Adding a few drops of hot water and whipping it more usually helps. There's a certain point right before the lather becomes runny and loses the ability to hold a peak that's magical. The cream almost explodes, there's so much. (I know that sounds REALLY bad, but it's true)
Today I used my vintage Gillette Slim Adjustable, a Feather blade, and my regular Sandalwood soap. I'd been having a hell of a time getting the old razor to work for me. The size and shape of the silo door head is so different from my Merkur; it really takes some getting used to.
When I first got it, I tried to use it on the 1 setting. It barely cut any hair. Jacked it up to 2 and it was about the same. Tried 4 for a while, thinking it'd be a bigger, better step, and that worked well but gave me some irritation. Also tried 5, which is like shaving with no blade guard. It's scary (I don't dare set it to 9!).
Today I dialed it down to 3 and I think that's where it'll stay for now. Worked great. 3 passes with some touch-ups and I'm doing well. I think the Merkur is still better overall, but after this morning, I have a newfound confidence in the Gillette.
Comments
Sometimes holding it under the showerhead upside-down would work for me, but sometimes it wouldn't...
My final solution was to stop using the Quatro. :/
Sounds like the right solution!
The blades are still sharp, but they're not able to cut well thanks to the surface of the blades not making much contact with the skin- So I'm wanting to avoid replacing a perfectly usable blade every time it became blocked >.<
I'll try the tweesers and shower technique, as well as a pin- Thanks guys!
I just bought a Merkur 'classic' DE saftey razor
Tweezerman brush (start cheap, maybe pick up essential when it comes out)
Proraso original cream.
I can't wait for the stuff to come in the mail. Updates when i slice my face apart for the first time.
Lynx, you gotta pick up some other blades. The Merkur comes with a single Merkur blade, and while their razors are nice, their blades leave much to be desired. Try it once or twice, but then switch to something like a Persona.
I've been using persona blades for about 5 months now, and I think they're much better (and cheaper) than the merkur blades. GH was just telling me the other day that he found a cheap brand on the internet hat was even better (He was using Persona too), but I cannot remember what he said it was.
A fine statement!
I'd prefer to find a local stop for blades, since I'll need to buy them frequently. Unfortunately, there are no barbershops near my house, really nothing within a half hour drive.
That was the 100-pack of Derby blades I picked up on eBay for $15. BuddyJ isn't a fan. Personally though they're the best blades I've ever used in my LHC. Smooth and comfortable shaves every time for me. I'd give the Feathers a shot, but the Derbys just work so well already...
They're right, though, Lynx... I highly recommend trying something other than the Merkur blades. The Personnas that CB refers to are sold at Wal-Mart for $1.50 or so per ten-pack. They're American made and don't have as great a reputation as Israeli Personnas, Derbys, or Feathers, but they're cheap and accessible. I used Wal-Mart as my blade source until I found that Derby deal... but I wouldn't recommend you go with a bulk pack of anything until you've tried multiple options. The variety demo packs you can find on some sites would be a good start.
I don't know how far away this place is, http://www.laville-vogel.com/home , but you might give them a call and see if they have anything. It sounded close to you.
Crap, I practically drive by that place on my drive home from work... I'll give them a call, or maybe stop in when I get off work on Thursday. Nice find.
Thanks for the blade recommendations too. GHoosdum, I think I'll swing by WalMart and try out those Personnas for a start... then move forward from there.
Man, I'm excited. Can't wait for the gear to show up.
What about traveling? I was always telling myself that I'd use my electric when I travel (when I got to LA for a week next month, for example), but now the more I'm thinking about it, I doubt I'm going to want to touch that electric once I learn how to properly shave with a DE. (Too bad, it's a rather new and very nice electric. Waterproofed for easy daily cleaning). Since the Proraso cream I bought is in a tube, that can be transported no problem. But do you guys have any kind of special set up for traveling, or do you just not recommend it?
If it's a longer trip I'll usually bring my DE kit with my soap and just build the lather directly on my face. It's safe to put an unloaded DE in checked luggage.
What I have found that does work (in addition to my with and against the grain blade approach) is this: (others have already touched upon some of this)
1. Shave after you shower but DO NOT dry your face! Go immediately to the sink, naked (this is the psychological part and the ladies love it; I can't tell you how many women have responded favorably to my invitation: 'would you like to see me shave?'). Lather your face with standard shaving cream from a can. Novelty soaps are just that.
2. Take your blade razor and run its blade(s) under HOT water for 15-20". You want the heat to expand the blade to its fullest.
3. Shave, with and against the grain with strokes about 2 inches long. If your skin appears dry between strokes, put a little water on the area with your non blade hand. I do not rinse the blade until shaving cream actually drips off the razor head. Once more, this is alluring to the ladies.
4. Aftershave? None used or needed. Wipe your face clear with a wet washcloth. The slight scent of shaving cream left on your face will be noticed by the ladies. This is psychological AND biological.
5. Keep styptic pencil handy for small nicks.
There's my recipe: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Any of you ladies out there want to come over and see how I shave?
Susie
I use Bic comfort 3 razors, with 3 blades in them. Long ago, I tried several different kinds of shaving creams, including sensitive skin ones, but shaving with razors always tore my face up with them.
What do I use now? Regular Coast bar soap. Yeah. Regular bars of Coast soap. It works for me and my face NEVER gets razor burned! If I take too long shaving the soap can dry out, but no big deal, just put some more on.
I usually shave before a shower, but it doesn't make much difference in shave quality for me if I shave before or after a shower.
Someone else mentioned that the grain goes in different directions depending on where it is, and under my chin on the right side is definitely the hardest part to get shaved down good. I have to hit it from several different directions to get it good there. I'm left handed, that might be part of the problem.
I've never gone more than 4 days without shaving, it's just not the look for me.
Here's a question for everyone - how long do your blades last? I can get 2 weeks or so out of a razor before it's time to go to the next one in the pack of 4.
So I folded. I wanted to try it so bad this morning, I ran to walmart and picked up a cheap $4 boar brush. Impulse buy? You bet! Crappy, cheap brush? You bet! But did I get to shave? You bet!
So I loaded my razor with the included Merkur blade (I bought some Personna blades as well, but figured I'd get the Merkur blade out of the way first.)
My lather wasn't very good for the first pass. I had to use a bit more cream than what I've seen on tutorials. Most people say a dollop about the size of a nickel... I used about twice/thrice that much. The lather took about 2 minutes to work up, but didn't go on very thick on my face. I think it's because I didn't have enough lather.
Did a with the grain southward pass first. Everything was fine, using the brush and real shaving cream was significantly more enjoyable than regular canned goo. Short, slow cutting strokes. First pass didn't accomplish a terribly close shave (as expected), but no bleeding, so it was all good.
I pretty much made a new lather for the second pass. This one went on thicker and more smooth. The blade was able to glide along a lot better. I did an across the grain pass next.
The end product was a pretty smooth shave. Not the best I've had - I had to touch up tough spots (like below my ears) with my electric. But it was fun, and with practice I can see this being ultimate.
I did have bleeding on my neck, especially near my adams apple. That's almost a standard for me shaving though, and once I rinsed my face with cold water, the bleeding stopped. Hopefully, better blade technique will prohibit the mass bleeding.
So the major lesson learned? Obviously as stated before, the better the lather, the better the shave. And a better brush will probably help produce a better lather.
How much shaving cream do you guys use? I feel like I used way too much today, yet still didn't have enough lather produced.
Anyways, actually looking forward to making this a regular routine and mastering this art. Progress!
When I first got it, I tried to use it on the 1 setting. It barely cut any hair. Jacked it up to 2 and it was about the same. Tried 4 for a while, thinking it'd be a bigger, better step, and that worked well but gave me some irritation. Also tried 5, which is like shaving with no blade guard. It's scary (I don't dare set it to 9!).
Today I dialed it down to 3 and I think that's where it'll stay for now. Worked great. 3 passes with some touch-ups and I'm doing well. I think the Merkur is still better overall, but after this morning, I have a newfound confidence in the Gillette.