Recommendations for a newish daily shaver…..

Hi all,

Little update. Today was the first DE wet shave of my life! And.....it was ok! Not too bad for a first go I think.

Out the shower, on with the Cube pre-shave whilst I made up the lather (Body Shop Maca Root) in my bowl and loaded an Astra SP into the EJ.

I did 2 WTG and 1 XTG passes. The first WTG pass was terrible, as I was in and out of the right angle for different parts of my face and I think my lather was too stiff and dry. I noticed that between the blade and the base plate the lather/hair mix was being quite stubborn to rinse away. Second WTG pass I added a little drop more water to the bowl and the lather was much better and I concentrated on getting a consistent angle and blade contact with the skin. And the razor cleaned off much easier.
Similar story to my XTG pass to finish off.

Result I would say is similar to the final result I get with my Braun Series 9. But with much less irritation! This will hopefully get better as my technique improves and I get more consistent. There are a couple of patches that could be closer but I get that with the electric anyway. I think these happened where I lost my angle and just scraped off the lather.

Got 2 nicks. One was where I've had an ingrown hair lately so it was raised already and the other was me just catching the edge of my mole so to be honest I'm quite happy with that for a first go. Especially as that was with 5 days stubble growth.

I didn't want to push it any further today. Want to let the skin recover for 48 hours before I give it another go. I'm hoping that a combination of my skin have less bumps/ingrown from using the electric and my technique improving will give me a much closer, smoother WTG and XTG shave. Once I feel confident, I'll give a ATG pass a go to really try and get BBS.
 
Hi all,

Little update. Today was the first DE wet shave of my life! And.....it was ok! Not too bad for a first go I think.

Out the shower, on with the Cube pre-shave whilst I made up the lather (Body Shop Maca Root) in my bowl and loaded an Astra SP into the EJ.

I did 2 WTG and 1 XTG passes. The first WTG pass was terrible, as I was in and out of the right angle for different parts of my face and I think my lather was too stiff and dry. I noticed that between the blade and the base plate the lather/hair mix was being quite stubborn to rinse away. Second WTG pass I added a little drop more water to the bowl and the lather was much better and I concentrated on getting a consistent angle and blade contact with the skin. And the razor cleaned off much easier.
Similar story to my XTG pass to finish off.

Result I would say is similar to the final result I get with my Braun Series 9. But with much less irritation! This will hopefully get better as my technique improves and I get more consistent. There are a couple of patches that could be closer but I get that with the electric anyway. I think these happened where I lost my angle and just scraped off the lather.

Got 2 nicks. One was where I've had an ingrown hair lately so it was raised already and the other was me just catching the edge of my mole so to be honest I'm quite happy with that for a first go. Especially as that was with 5 days stubble growth.

I didn't want to push it any further today. Want to let the skin recover for 48 hours before I give it another go. I'm hoping that a combination of my skin have less bumps/ingrown from using the electric and my technique improving will give me a much closer, smoother WTG and XTG shave. Once I feel confident, I'll give a ATG pass a go to really try and get BBS.
Well done Sir...
Yep it definitely gets better with practice.
When I first started with a DE coming from electric. I watched a fair few videos on YouTube about lather and follow the rule that it needs to have a sheen like whipped egg-white. (Not a help if you have never whipped up egg whites I know) Then you know you have a decent hydration level in the lather.
 
Try Executive Shaving on youtube Brian has a short instruction video.
it’s worth a watch if your unsure.
But well done on giving it a go.
My first few shaves had me looking like the Elephant Man
mind you some people would say i always look that way
 
2nd shave today. For some reason, didn't feel like it went as well as the first. Same prep as the first. This time I decided to start on my very sensitive neck area, where my hair grows sideways out from my adams apple. This is probably about a shaver width that grows that way, with the rest of the hair on my neck growing down. Went WTG and then moved onto the rest of my face like normal but my neck seems a lot more irritated and red post shave. Everywhere else is fine. My neck was one of the main trouble areas when I was using my electric and the main site of my bumps and ingrowns.

So I think I'm going to have to take a bit more care on the neck. I've just ordered some bump stopper to see if that helps but I think I'll give a cold water shave a go next time.
 
2nd shave today. For some reason, didn't feel like it went as well as the first. Same prep as the first. This time I decided to start on my very sensitive neck area, where my hair grows sideways out from my adams apple. This is probably about a shaver width that grows that way, with the rest of the hair on my neck growing down. Went WTG and then moved onto the rest of my face like normal but my neck seems a lot more irritated and red post shave. Everywhere else is fine. My neck was one of the main trouble areas when I was using my electric and the main site of my bumps and ingrowns.

So I think I'm going to have to take a bit more care on the neck. I've just ordered some bump stopper to see if that helps but I think I'll give a cold water shave a go next time.

I am a relatively new DE shaver of around 8 mths and 150 shaves. This is what worked for me.

Hold the razor with a very light grip.
A tight grip will lead to applying too much pressure and restrict the fine adjustments needed when following the contours of your face.

Apply only enough pressure to hold the razor against the skin.
This is probably THE most important technique to master, try to focus at all times on minimum pressure of blade to skin.

Do not make multiple strokes over the skin between latherings.
Try to use only two consecutive stokes for each blade width of skin between latherings.

Restrict yourself to 2/3 latherings (passes) and don't be tempted to do any "touch ups" for the next 5 shaves. Allow at least 30 mins after your shave before you assess the quality of it.

I believe following the above will give you comfortables shaves. You can adjust your technique later to achieve the closeness you desire.

Light grip and minimum pressure! :)
 
Can't go wrong with EJ DE89, loads of us have had it as first razor and still use it now and again.
If it's the only razor you buy it's a perfect choice. Bucking the trend to buy loads of different razors to get the best shave, the de 89 is fine if not perfect as it does the job well, paired with an astra sp blade. Spot on. (y)

Edit: ment to quote fridge 03 but i am a useless internet user. (Could have said twat) :ROFLMAO:
I can quote, I can quote, oh feck aye I can quote. Apologies, Matron spilled the good meds earlier and we had a scramble. Guess who won?

@jimmyc has it spot on. If you get on well with the EJDE89, you might just never need another razor. Ever. However that’s not to say you won’t want 63 different vintage Gillettes in a variety of plating options and configurations complete with age appropriate case and original shipper. Or 37 of the latest shiny, satin, bead-blasted (poor beads, what the hell did they ever do to anyone) stainless-titanium-bronze space age whisker whacking wackadoodles.

Nope, the 89 is just fine, in fact it’s quite sublime, and boy does it shine, this 89 of mine. @Mike Smart has ordered a maroon handle one (yes, you can get ‘em!) so he can show his true colours.

MATRON! Where’s she gone now? I need this damn catheter out sharpish…honestly, ruddy woman’s a menace!
 
I can quote, I can quote, oh feck aye I can quote. Apologies, Matron spilled the good meds earlier and we had a scramble. Guess who won?

@jimmyc has it spot on. If you get on well with the EJDE89, you might just never need another razor. Ever. However that’s not to say you won’t want 63 different vintage Gillettes in a variety of plating options and configurations complete with age appropriate case and original shipper. Or 37 of the latest shiny, satin, bead-blasted (poor beads, what the hell did they ever do to anyone) stainless-titanium-bronze space age whisker whacking wackadoodles.

Nope, the 89 is just fine, in fact it’s quite sublime, and boy does it shine, this 89 of mine. @Mike Smart has ordered a maroon handle one (yes, you can get ‘em!) so he can show his true colours.

MATRON! Where’s she gone now? I need this damn catheter out sharpish…honestly, ruddy woman’s a menace!
hahahaah your mental :ROFLMAO:
I would just like the world to know Mike Smart has absolutely nothing maroon in his house never mind a maroon handle
That just ain’t happening
EVER

i’m not senile yet
 
Hi all,

Just a little update after a weeks worth of reading and watching videos. I've taken the plunge and ordered the following.

- Edwin Jagger DE89 (with the knurled handle)
- 5 x Astra SP and 5 x Voskhod blades (razor comes with 1 feather blade)
- PAA cube for pre-shave
- Body Shop Maca Root shaving cream
- Barts Balms set of aftershave (to try out different ones)

Thanks for all the recommendations and advice.

All the bits should arrive this week, so will report back on my first DE shave in a week or so!
A great shave set up, which is all you will need for your introduction to the wonderful world of traditional wet shaving...Technique & shaving confidence is the key to good shaving results...Enjoy your shaves. Yours-Barry. (y)
 
Another 2 shaves done. Both with the same set up but I've done cold water shaves in the evenings rather than warm in the mornings.
I have to say, it's certainly an improvement for me. The cold water certainly leaves my skin less irritated. I'm sure some of that is getting better with the technique as well but I think I'll carry on with cold water for the time being.

I'm doing 3 passes on my cheeks/jawline. 1 WTG and 2 XTG. I'm doing 1 WTG pass on my neck around my problem areas whilst my in-growns/bumps from electric shaving continue to subside. I'm currently using Bump Stopper 2 on these areas. Applying a couple of times a day as well as straight after shaving. I think it is also definitely helping reduce down the bumps.

I've got one more shave I have to do for work, before a few days off so I can rest the skin a bit and hopefully finally let the last of the bumps subside.

I hope that after that, I'll be able to do a couple of passes on the neck to get a better shave. I'm not going to chase BBS as I don't need that, but a DFS all over would do me.
 
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Another 2 shaves done. Both with the same set up but I've done cold water shaves in the evenings rather than warm in the mornings.
I have to say, it's certainly an improvement for me. The cold water certainly leaves my skin less irritated. I'm sure some of that is getting better with the technique as well but I think I'll carry on with cold water for the time being.

I'm doing 3 passes on my cheeks/jawline. 1 WTG and 2 XTG. I'm doing 1 WTG pass on my neck around my problem areas whilst my in-growns/bumps from electric shaving continue to subside. I'm currently using Bump Stopper 2 on these areas. Applying a couple of times a day as well as straight after shaving. I think it is also definitely helping reduce down the bumps.

I've got one more shave I have to do for work, before a few days off so I can rest the skin a bit and hopefully finally let the last of the bumps subside.

I hope that after that, I'll be able to do a couple of passes on the next to get a better shave. I'm not going to chase BBS as I don't need that, but a DFS all over would do me.
Great, honest feedback. Nothing earns success like keeping at it. Just watch the pressure, rest your skin when it tells you too and do what works for YOU. Don’t give in and ultimately, you WILL get great results. Oh, and for some but not all, BBS is a myth.
 
Great, honest feedback. Nothing earns success like keeping at it. Just watch the pressure, rest your skin when it tells you too and do what works for YOU. Don’t give in and ultimately, you WILL get great results. Oh, and for some but not all, BBS is a myth.

Thanks. I have to say I'm really enjoying the process of DE shaving. Taking the time to apply the pre-shave, build the lather etc. And the very satisfying cutting noise! I think I'm getting better with the pressure. I've tried a few different grips and I seemed to have settled on holding it like pencil. Gives me good control and whilst keeping the pressure light.
Got to work on keeping the angle consistent as I move over the face but I guess that'll come with practice.

Ideally I'd be leaving a bit longer between these initial shaves to allow the skin a bit more time to recover but I've gotta keep on top of it for work.
 
Thanks. I have to say I'm really enjoying the process of DE shaving. Taking the time to apply the pre-shave, build the lather etc. And the very satisfying cutting noise! I think I'm getting better with the pressure. I've tried a few different grips and I seemed to have settled on holding it like pencil. Gives me good control and whilst keeping the pressure light.
Got to work on keeping the angle consistent as I move over the face but I guess that'll come with practice.

Ideally I'd be leaving a bit longer between these initial shaves to allow the skin a bit more time to recover but I've gotta keep on top of it for work.
I don’t want to sound pretentious or patronising but that’s it mate, you'll be a winner at this malarkey. Great fun in the end and aye, the noise. Some razors are louder than others. It doesn’t really matter as long as you get the result YOU want but it certainly adds to the fun. I wonder what the consensus would be on opinions for the loudest razor?

Enjoy!
 
Probably yuz Flatboy, no? Or has JJ still got it?
I have the Flatfellow here but I’m too scared! Also, I think I’m going to change it for the base metal as I’m liking the two-tone idea and aye well, where there’s brass…

Oh yes, meant to say that JJ kindly sent me a Premium Special to trial and actually it feels more nimble and natural than he of no hills. Il Razorine!
 
Hi all

Just a little update. Quite a few shaves in and I'm certainly starting to hone the technique. Still got a couple of little trouble areas underneath my jawline that I have to go at from different angles but on the whole, my skin and face is definitely appreciating the switch to DE shaving. I've learnt not to chase BBS as I don't need that for work. Just a DFS and my skin thanks me for it. Just really enjoying the whole process of taking a little bit of "me time" to enjoy having a shave now.

The DE89 is giving me a really good shave. Just finished up my first 5 pack of Astra SP blades. Enjoyed using them. Efficient and irritation free. Gonna try my voskhod blades next so I have a comparison.
The bump stopper I used really did make a noticeable difference to my ingrown and razor bumps left over from electric shaving. It's good stuff, if somewhat expensive for the small amount you get. Since getting my technique down, I've not had to use it since.

Just another thanks to all the advice from everyone and to anyone else taking the plunge into DE shaving....do it and stick with it....your face will thank you!
 
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