Actually, I think back in the late bronze age, when I was a kid, I must have used DEs, but not in living memory.
Anyway, at the suggestion of a friend who was apparently tired of listening to how much I hated shaving, I thought I'd give it a try. Up to this point, I thought DE technology was extinct and was using twin-edge disposables, which I cordially hate. I get about 1.5 unpleasant and unsatisfactory shaves from them and that's with a mustache and a soul patch that aren't involved.
My beard is coarse and grows every which way on explosively sensitive, atopic skin.
My usual routine is to get a terry washcloth, saturate it with water and throw it in the microwave. While it's heating, I rub as much water over my face as I can and then wrap the scalding hot washcloth over all the areas to be shaved and hold it in place until it's cold. Then I rub in the shaving cream and go do something else for a few minutes while it works its alleged magic. At this point, I take a deep breath and dig in.
When shaving, my goals are modest:
- I want it to be over
- I want to look at least a little better than before I started
- I want to minimize loss of blood, time, effort and expense
- I don't want to look like I've lost a slap-fight with a drunken woman
I barely make a dent in that wish list with the twin-blades I've been using.
Rooting around in some inherited junk, I discovered a 1956 [B2] Gillette Super-Speed, which cleaned up extremely nicely and works perfectly, with everything properly aligned. I figured I might have a problem finding some test blades, and I did, but the local 99 Cent Only [sic] Store had these for a buck...
...so I tried them, for lack of any other options. As far as I can tell, these are just their regular USA stainless blades from the Virginia plant in a different package with arrows on the blades instead of the other graphics.
After going through the prep above, I shaved.
I don't know what I expected, but it was a tremendous improvement over the twin-blade disposable! I got a much closer shave without any cuts at all and no perceptible pain and did so much faster and more pleasantly. I was amazed.
I still had some irritated spots, though less than usual. Strangely, the next day my face was somewhat sore. I don't really understand that. I had a similar experience the first time I used an electric razor (which was a dead loss as those pricey blades were only good for some thirty shaves). Why my face should hurt and feel swollen a day later seems a great mystery.
I assume this is some technique issue...but aside from that, it was great. I haven't yet shaved again since this first try.
I don't know how this blade really rates for me and this razor, as I have nothing else to compare it to. I've ordered a "sampler" pack off eBay and I imagine it will get here at some point, though most of the blades seem to be ones that get low/mixed reviews here. I'm open to suggestions. I think it's against the rules to put personal contact info in a public post, but if you have a couple of odd blades you want to contribute to a new DE shaver's experience, PM me and I'l give you my POB address. I promise to post my impressions here.
I'm also open to suggestions on how to reduce the facial trauma if it doesn't appreciably add to the amount of time and effort on prep over what I'm currently doing.
Thanks for any help!
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Survived First DE Shave, Seek Sage Advice & Optimum Blade
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