Getting back to shaving..

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I switched to gillette razor and astra blades for ever now, the razor is stainless steel and precisely weighted. Being weighed is the key, makes shaving a joy. I tried with old aluminum razor my dad still uses. It lacks the feel due to lack of balance.
 
iyengar said:
These two I just paid

20 Feather Razor Blades NEW Hi-stainless Double Edge https://amzn.eu/d/au0w43t

My wife won't agree bro. It's either beard or shaved.. no middle ground
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Those feathers are not very forgiving for a guy starting out and getting cut :(

I'd cork them. The expression in the shaving community is 'corking your feathers'.

Get some cork and run each edge of the blade a couple of times through the cork. It will take the edge of them.

I would have told you to go with either Gillette Black platinum or Astra platinum

Platinum are gentler, higher end. Hold their edge longer.

Stainless is sharper and the midrange loses its edge sooner.

And yeah, I know your feathers say platinum coated. So did mine from ten years ago.

When I saw the razor is by feather as well I wondered how aggressive it is

Check out this Amazon review of Feather Double Edge Shaving Razor

Good but not great.
www.amazon.in

Fortunately, it is not. Looks like a standard Gilette razor from days gone by. Gentle is what you want.
iyengar said:
yep.. not sure if pre shave oil is necessary though...
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Not required. But an after-shave balm to handle the sore skin is. You can go cheaper still and just use aloe vera gel. Ask the wife maybe she will let you use hers.

Also, get an alum stone and rub that over your face after a shave. If it stings like hell then you need to improve your technique. This is the best judge there is. You should feel nothing after a 3-4 pass close shave.

I picked up a lump of clear alum from a store when I was visiting a smaller town. They don't typically sell these online or if they do they are small lumps. If you get this offline you can pick whatever size you want and it will be under Rs.100. it will be rough and unfinished which you can sand down. Don't get it wet and it will last forever.
 
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dexterz said:
Which razor would you suggest for a close shave?
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An adjustable razor or one that allows adjusting the blade angle. They have a screw handle in the middle that you turn and it bends the blade. The more it bends the more aggressive the angle. You get cut easier if you're not careful. Other ways are with a cutthroat or straight razor.

Either will do the job with fewer strokes. And that requires more skill.

But a 3-4 pass with a double edge or single blade will match that. But you need the extra passes and the time.
 
I have my own routine, discovered/created after years of cutting myself in 2-3 places during every shave. Here's how I deal with it:
  • Shave immediately after a bath, just after pat drying your face
  • Even better, dab your face with hot water for 2-3 minutes before you start shaving
  • Keep your shaving brush dipped in hot water for 2-3 minutes before you use it. Make sure to wash off all soap from it after using
  • Put a little bit of savlon/dettol in hot water and dip your brush and razor in it, just extra bit of sanitization
  • Use regular shaving cream. Gel, foam and all are worse and cost a lot more.
  • Use a single blade razor. After trying expensive 2/3 blade razors like mach 3, I realised that single blade is the best. Now I use Gillette guard. ₹10 blade gives me about 12-15 shaves
  • If you still feel you're cutting yourself, use pre-shave oil. Apply it before you get into the shower. This is more important if you have dry skin. I use it only during winters when my skin becomes dry, don't need it at other times.
  • Finally, our skin is not all smooth. If you still cut yourself, maybe there's a spot on your skin prone to cuts. Be extra careful around that area.
Finally, remember that shaving cream only helps the blade glide through, it does nothing to soften the beard, despite what the ads might claim. Hot water is what really softens your beard and helps the blade cut them easily. This also makes your blade last long.
 
gourav said:
I have my own routine, discovered/created after years of cutting myself in 2-3 places during every shave. Here's how I deal with it:
  • Shave immediately after a bath, just after pat drying your face
  • Even better, dab your face with hot water for 2-3 minutes before you start shaving
  • Keep your shaving brush dipped in hot water for 2-3 minutes before you use it. Make sure to wash off all soap from it after using
  • Put a little bit of savlon/dettol in hot water and dip your brush and razor in it, just extra bit of sanitization
  • Use regular shaving cream. Gel, foam and all are worse and cost a lot more.
  • Use a single blade razor. After trying expensive 2/3 blade razors like mach 3, I realised that single blade is the best. Now I use Gillette guard. ₹10 blade gives me about 12-15 shaves
  • If you still feel you're cutting yourself, use pre-shave oil. Apply it before you get into the shower. This is more important if you have dry skin. I use it only during winters when my skin becomes dry, don't need it at other times.
  • Finally, our skin is not all smooth. If you still cut yourself, maybe there's a spot on your skin prone to cuts. Be extra careful around that area.
Finally, remember that shaving cream only helps the blade glide through, it does nothing to soften the beard, despite what the ads might claim. Hot water is what really softens your beard and helps the blade cut them easily. This also makes your blade last long.
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I follow all except for point 6. Since I go with two cycles- one in the direction of the hair and another against, I fear that I might end up with cuts if using a single blade razor. I agree that Mach 3 and others cost a lot but that fear of cuts along the neck and chin dissuades me from single blade. I Need something which glides easily over the contours.

To those who use Mach 3 blades, how often does your blades last before it starts irritating your beard? In my case, it's max 4. After that, I have to do multiple strokes when going against the hair to remove small hair.
 
Kaleen Bhaiya said:
I fear that I might end up with cuts if using a single blade razor. I agree that Mach 3 and others cost a lot but that fear of cuts along the neck and chin dissuades me from single blade.
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Well, what works for different people is different. Maybe it's just how I run the razor on my face, but I found that single blade gives me the fewest cuts. And yes, I don't run the blade against the direction of hair growth.


Kaleen Bhaiya said:
In my case, it's max 4
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Wow! A ₹~120 blade lasting for 4 shaves sounds insane to me. Your weekly expenses on blade would be more than my annual expenses on it :D
 
iyengar said:
How do you guys deal with it?
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I use 4 blade adjustable head razor during my shower. Takes only a minute and I use normal bathing soap. Most of my life I shaved 5-6 times a week like an army guy but these WFH days I can get by 2-3 times a week.

I don't have any more time to waste on shaving. And no I don't use Gillette.
 
Kaleen Bhaiya said:
To those who use Mach 3 blades, how often does your blades last before it starts irritating your beard? In my case, it's max 4. After that, I have to do multiple strokes when going against the hair to remove small hair.
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I used Mach5 lot more than mach3. At 3shaves a week I used one blade for around 2~3months before it needed replacing.
 
dissel said:
I use this since pandemic and very satisfied but lots of guys find not effective in their thickness and quantity.

Mine is full face and grow like thorn, not like hair.

downside only is running cost, else can shave anytime without any water or cream, no burn after shaving or any cuts, great product.

Require big mirror and light for clean shave. Need to drive opposite side of the hair follicle, it’s like yielding crops.
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Guys what are other electric shaver alternatives? Very Light beard, thin hairs, daily shave. El Cheapo.

Have been using Gillett vector Plus for years now, But I tend to cut myself too often. I guess electric would be better for not cutting yourself.
 
Gillette and other cartridge razors are a trap. You will keep on wasting money buying replacements. A good old safety razor does a better job and a pack of blades is dirt cheap. Don't worry about cuts, you will learn eventually.
 
bhp91 said:
Gillette and other cartridge razors are a trap. You will keep on wasting money buying replacements. A good old safety razor does a better job and a pack of blades is dirt cheap. Don't worry about cuts, you will learn eventually.
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yeah.. it's like buying printer for cheap and paying for ink cartridge life long...
 
iyengar said:
dont give me ideas.. i have already bought safety razors .. dont want to influence with too many ideas ....
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You do know that safety razors cut the most, right?

Nevertheless, simplest solution to cuts is to shave frequently. Your skin will "Man up" eventually.
 
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