I changed the blade in my razor.

I did't shave all weekend, loaded a new Feather up, and got a brilliant shave in one pass. Not one zing from the aftershave.

Next week I've got a Shark to try out. I hear good things, but those Feathers...damn, they good.

Osterkraut wrote: Next week I've got a Shark to try out. I hear good things, but those Feathers...damn, they good.

I really, really like them. Some people find them a too aggressive. I've found that with some shaving creams I agree and they're a bit much. But with others, the feathers are the bee's knees.

I guess my combo of mild razor (Edwin Jagger DE89) and the Feather is the tits.

Though I just succumbed to my urge to modify everything and ordered a sample pack of 22 different blades, so we'll see if I find better.

Osterkraut wrote: I guess my combo of mild razor (Edwin Jagger DE89) and the Feather is the tits. Though I just succumbed to my urge to modify everything and ordered a sample pack of 22 different blades, so we'll see if I find better.

22? Nice. Where did you order it from?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z85VJK It's missing some of the apparently good Israeli made blades, but still a pretty solid collection.

Two day shipping with Amazon Prime, too!

ProDarwin wrote:

DrBoost wrote: Do tell us what you think after using a safety razor for a few weeks.

I hope its better after a few weeks than after a few days. I've shaved with it twice. I don't think I've got the hang of it yet. Above the jaw was ok, but not super close. Below the jaw was very close, but looked like I got in a fight with a chainsaw.

What blades are you using and what have you tried? One thing I'll say is this. Let the weight of the razor do the work. In the beginning you'll do more than one pass I'd bet because you aren't putting any effort on the handle. When you get the hang of it you'll get it in one pass.
Now, I think my facial hair is the Chuck Norris of facial hair. If I shave every day I get an amazing shave from just one pass. I find that after 3 days 2 passes is ok, 3 is great. No matter what, it's soooooo much better than a disposable blade. And I'm not loading the landfills up with plastic and bloody stainless steel.

I checked and it came with Shark blades. Only ones I've tried so far.

I think I'm still being too aggressive with it.

I've doubled the usable life of my Fusions, by stropping on my forearm.

And the shaves, after the third, are MUCH closer and more comfortable.

All the talk about safeties is making me nostalgic for my late Dad's old razor. I have no idea what brand it was (solid stainless), but I do remember he used Wilkinson Sword blades.

Update: Been using the safety razor for about 2 weeks now. The first blade is shot. I've been stroping on my forearm after each shave (every 2 days) and storing in rubbing alcohol. Now it feels like its pulling hair more than cutting it.

The good news is that after a few shaves, I was able to get a really good shave with it. It just takes twice as long as using a Fusion.

Better news is that the blades are $0.25 so I don't really care if they wear out quickly

Wow. I was patting myself on the back for getting sixteen months (so far) out of a 10-pack (one still left). I still use a Gillette Sensor double blade razor from the eighties and get almost two months out of each one by just drying off the razor. My beard is "old manly" as it comes in like Walter Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

One year out of the same blade. I have so much to learn.

Nothing to do with shaving but "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is one of my favorite movies.

Update 2:

Another 2 weeks, another safety razor blade shot. shrug

I am much better at shaving with it now. This morning I shaved after 3 days of not shaving and got the best shave I have gotten yet. Don't think I could keep that up though, as after 3 days I begin to appear very bum-like.

Stroping seems to make no difference.. not sure why. I definitely don't see this phenomenon where the shave after the 2nd or 3rd is better. For me, the very first shave with a blade seems to always be the best.

I've ordered myself an Edwin Jagger DE86 and some Feather blades from westcoastshaving, after blunting another lot of disposable Bics.

Hopefully my transition to DE razor will be smoother than yours...although it sounds like you're happy with it now.

7 months and the 5-bladed Gillette razor is going just fine.

Stored soaking wet, with soap running over it.

Stropped on my forearm every single time I shave.

I'm amazed at the life you guys get. The Fusion, or Mach 35 blades NEVER last more than 5 shaves with me, and that's shaving 5 our of 7 days. By the 4th shave it's pulling as much as cutting, if I push it to 6 shaves it would make me cry.
My DE blades last about the same 5 shaves, but I can easily push it to 8 and get a better shave than the 2nd pass with a mach or fusion.
For those that can get away with the Bic, Gellettes and so on, more power to you because it is an easier shave. Flex heads are nice.

DrBoost wrote: I'm amazed at the life you guys get. The Fusion, or Mach 35 blades NEVER last more than 5 shaves with me, and that's shaving 5 our of 7 days. By the 4th shave it's pulling as much as cutting, if I push it to 6 shaves it would make me cry. My DE blades last about the same 5 shaves, but I can easily push it to 8 and get a better shave than the 2nd pass with a mach or fusion. For those that can get away with the Bic, Gellettes and so on, more power to you because it is an easier shave. Flex heads are nice.

If you use the electric razor first the blade doesn't have to work nearly as hard and that is a major part of getting long life out of the blade. Well that and stropping and not storing wet so the blade edge pits.

You guys keep saying that, but using an electric razor first does 2 things:

A) Irritates my face B) makes hairs shorter which makes my safety razor not work as well, which in turn... irritates my face

You know... i have NEVER, EVER cut myself while shaving. I don't know why that's relevant, but i just had to post it.

I may need to try stropping and cleaning my blades. Although... i think i shave maybe 50 times a year, so not sure what it would do for me.

Shorter hairs are easier to cut. Longer hairs are what irritate your face.

I rarely cut myself either, except when I put a new blade on and then for a few days I get little micro cuts that you really can't see, but you can feel.

BUT I use the electric razor first. The electric razor is great for around the mouth and on your chin which are the places I cut myself when I don't use the electric razor. I hate slicing off part of my lip when I'm trying to get rid of those little short hairs that irritate my mouth.

carguy123 wrote:

DrBoost wrote: I'm amazed at the life you guys get. The Fusion, or Mach 35 blades NEVER last more than 5 shaves with me, and that's shaving 5 our of 7 days. By the 4th shave it's pulling as much as cutting, if I push it to 6 shaves it would make me cry. My DE blades last about the same 5 shaves, but I can easily push it to 8 and get a better shave than the 2nd pass with a mach or fusion. For those that can get away with the Bic, Gellettes and so on, more power to you because it is an easier shave. Flex heads are nice.

If you use the electric razor first the blade doesn't have to work nearly as hard and that is a major part of getting long life out of the blade. Well that and stropping and not storing wet so the blade edge pits.

See that's funny cuz 2 reasons. If I shave with an electric it's upping my outlay of cash by over $100 so I don't want to do that. If I'm going to shave with another razor first, then go to the fusion 34 or whatever, I may as well use my DE razor first, then use the fusion. Then my fusion is only wiping shaving cream off a clean face. I'll get 100's of shaves out of a Fusion

carguy123 wrote: Shorter hairs are easier to cut. Longer hairs are what irritate your face. I rarely cut myself either, except when I put a new blade on and then for a few days I get little micro cuts that you really can't see, but you can feel. BUT I use the electric razor first. The electric razor is great for around the mouth and on your chin which are the places I cut myself when I don't use the electric razor. I hate slicing off part of my lip when I'm trying to get rid of those little short hairs that irritate my mouth.

disagree...... hairs that are too short will cause irritation too..... ie shave yesterday decide to today because its date night an i assuredly will get razor burn note this is not my face but point remains. wait untill tommorrow and i wont get it.

DrBoost wrote: If I'm going to shave with another razor first, then go to the fusion 34 or whatever, I may as well use my DE razor first, then use the fusion. Then my fusion is only wiping shaving cream off a clean face. I'll get 100's of shaves out of a Fusion

I believe you just beat carguy's shaving method, handily! No crazy-ass shaving with a dull razor required, either!

KATYB wrote: disagree...... hairs that are too short will cause irritation too.

This.

DrBoost wrote: I'm amazed at the life you guys get. The Fusion, or Mach 35 blades NEVER last more than 5 shaves with me, and that's shaving 5 our of 7 days. By the 4th shave it's pulling as much as cutting, if I push it to 6 shaves it would make me cry. My DE blades last about the same 5 shaves, but I can easily push it to 8 and get a better shave than the 2nd pass with a mach or fusion. For those that can get away with the Bic, Gellettes and so on, more power to you because it is an easier shave. Flex heads are nice.

Same with me, till I started stroping. I would get about three good shaves out of a Mach 3 then 2 crappy ones. Now, with stroping and correct storage Im at 2 monthes with a Mach 3, and it's still going good, with no irritation. I didn't have such good luck with my safety razor though.

Joey

Speaking of storage... what do you guys use? Rubbing alcohol has only made a minor difference for me. I think mine may only be 70%, if that makes a difference.

Anyone use something else?