Almost about to Give up

I'm really puzzled with this post, but perhaps its just me! I've used an Edwin Jagger DE razor for a few years now and can flash through a 3- pass shave in no time. Occasionally i also used a slant DE razor.
Initially I used Feather blades but just for conveience moved onto Sainsbury's own brand of blades.
I get a very close shave and Ive never had any problem with cuts. I think I'd find it very difficult to cut myself with the razor, even if i tried to!! Perhaps im just lucky my technique has always been good
I struggle to understand why cuts are an issue with a DE razor!
I've recently moved from DE to exclusively using a straight edge razor and did inially encounter a few cuts with this, but i think I've now mastered this technique too and continue to enjoy cut free shaves.
 
Thank you Mbarn for your very kind offer, which is very much appreciated. I think however I will perhaps try the examples that you have previously stated. However I think I am going to again allow my face to heal for a while, it's becoming a problem when one gets cuts every time one shaves. I can't unfortunately allow myself, what I believe to be the time needed, to carry out DE shaving on a daily basis. Thanks again, kind regards, whitesix.

Whatever direction you follow you might find investing in an Alum Block advantageous
 
Hello malc6552, I have looked at the alum block, but I thought that this would not mix with sensitive skin prone to being cut. I would appreciate your / any views on this matter.
 
I'm really puzzled with this post, but perhaps its just me! I've used an Edwin Jagger DE razor for a few years now and can flash through a 3- pass shave in no time. Occasionally i also used a slant DE razor.
Initially I used Feather blades but just for conveience moved onto Sainsbury's own brand of blades.
I get a very close shave and Ive never had any problem with cuts. I think I'd find it very difficult to cut myself with the razor, even if i tried to!! Perhaps im just lucky my technique has always been good
I struggle to understand why cuts are an issue with a DE razor!
I've recently moved from DE to exclusively using a straight edge razor and did inially encounter a few cuts with this, but i think I've now mastered this technique too and continue to enjoy cut free shaves.


As you suggest, you are very lucky and must have, both a good technique with a skin not prone to cutting, There are many people on this forum that get cuts from DE shavng. There are also many men that cannot tolerate wet shaving at all; hence the electric razor. I persnally need and want to shave quickly and also at say 5:00am in the morning there is simply no time to: pre-wash face > apply pre shave > stand brush in warm water > mix up lather > apply to face with brush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water (optional) > then repeat mix up / apply lather to face with bush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water (optional) > then repeat mix up / apply lather to face with bush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water > clean up Brush; Mixing Bowl and Razor (and dry razor) > apply calming balm > apply after shave (and that's if it all goes well ie with no cuts). I need to wash face > apply Gillette Sensitive Gel (by hand) > shave with Gillette Sensor Razor (or similar) with one pass (and no cuts) > rinse with cold water > apply aftershave lotion. I can usually do this in around 60 seconds approximately.

As previously said, I do not see shaving as a hobby; it's a function of my daily hygiene routine and to make me feel good along with: shower; hair wash; hair conditioner; clean teeth; floss teeth; mouth wash; apply deoderant; perhaps some moisturiser etc. I unfortunately cannot spend the time on the whole DE routine. If you can that's absolutely marvellous and with no cuts, absolutelly briliiant and on top of that, if you can do it all in 60 seconds; I sincerely take my hat off to you. All the very, very best - whitesix.
 
As you suggest, you are very lucky and must have, both a good technique with a skin not prone to cutting, There are many people on this forum that get cuts from DE shavng. There are also many men that cannot tolerate wet shaving at all; hence the electric razor. I persnally need and want to shave quickly and also at say 5:00am in the morning there is simply no time ...

...as previously said, I do not see shaving as a hobby; it's a function of my daily hygiene routine and to make me feel good along with: shower; hair wash; hair conditioner; clean teeth; floss teeth; mouth wash; apply deoderant; perhaps some moisturiser etc. I unfortunately cannot spend the time on the whole DE routine. If you can that's absolutely marvellous and with no cuts, absolutelly briliiant and on top of that, if you can do it all in 60 seconds; I sincerely take my hat off to you. All the very, very best - whitesix.

Given that your mornings are obviously rushed, might I suggest switching to shaving in the evening, even if you continue to view the process as a chore rather than a pleasure? I suspect that one of the few dubious positives of cartridge shaving with canned gel or foam is that it enables men to shave much more rapidly than their fathers or grandfathers would have considered possible, thereby changing perceptions of how long it takes. My maternal grandfather used Erasmic sticks, a cheap brush and a DE razor, as did many (though using ordinary soap was also commonplace), but I cannot imagine that many of them, even though shaving was as much of a chore for them as it is for you, would have attempted to shave in fewer than 3-4 minutes. Many of those who worked early shifts woud have either tried to get away with only shaving twice during the working week to give them a few minutes extra, or would have shaved in the evening. Certainly, for all but those with ultra-heavy growth, a multi-pass evening shave with a DE, SE or straight razor will be more than adequate for the next working day.
 
Chris has a good idea with the evening shaves or perhaps just use the DE at weekends until you master the technique needed to shave a little quicker or just get up 10 minutes earlier. Rushing with poor technique will lead to cuts but once you master technique you should be able to get two passes done in under 5 minutes.

Try face lathering your soap or cream to save time faffing and cleaning up a lather bowl each time as well.


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You are quite correct chrisbell; our grandfathers' generation had no choice; I can remember my grandfather used to shave in the evening. My father also used to only change the collars of his shirts, I believe after a 2 day wear and bathe only once a week (he informed me, that it didn't really matter, "as we were all in the same boat"). But times have moved on. I prefer to be clean shaven during the day (I usually shave again if going out in the evening). I appreciate that currently the unshaved look is deemed to be derigueur, but not for me. I have always used Pears Soap as a pre shave face wash. I believe that this the correct procedure to get oils and grease build up off one's face before then applying the lather / creams / gels etc to lubricate the face before shaving. It has never caused me a problem previously.

fly3k and chrisbell; my shaves thus far with the DE have not been rushed (I believe that I have taken the time necessary for the DE shave). I would not attempt a DE shave at 5:00am in the morning. Getting up even earlier is not an option really. But when you shave in the evening, in my opinion, you really do not feel freshly shaved after a further 12 hours. When I worked on site I did the evening routine; but this changed to a morning shower etc when I worked primarily in an office.

Kind regards, whitesix.
 
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Thanks Mbarn; but unfortunately the Excel, in my opinion, is nowhere near the standard of the Original Sensor. I do believe that the original Sensor blades were discontinued many years ago; they now therefore are sold (if you can get them) at a premium.
 
As you suggest, you are very lucky and must have, both a good technique with a skin not prone to cutting, There are many people on this forum that get cuts from DE shavng. There are also many men that cannot tolerate wet shaving at all; hence the electric razor. I persnally need and want to shave quickly and also at say 5:00am in the morning there is simply no time to: pre-wash face > apply pre shave > stand brush in warm water > mix up lather > apply to face with brush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water (optional) > then repeat mix up / apply lather to face with bush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water (optional) > then repeat mix up / apply lather to face with bush > carefully shave without using any presure > rinse with cold water > clean up Brush; Mixing Bowl and Razor (and dry razor) > apply calming balm > apply after shave (and that's if it all goes well ie with no cuts). I need to wash face > apply Gillette Sensitive Gel (by hand) > shave with Gillette Sensor Razor (or similar) with one pass (and no cuts) > rinse with cold water > apply aftershave lotion. I can usually do this in around 60 seconds approximately.

As previously said, I do not see shaving as a hobby; it's a function of my daily hygiene routine and to make me feel good along with: shower; hair wash; hair conditioner; clean teeth; floss teeth; mouth wash; apply deoderant; perhaps some moisturiser etc. I unfortunately cannot spend the time on the whole DE routine. If you can that's absolutely marvellous and with no cuts, absolutelly briliiant and on top of that, if you can do it all in 60 seconds; I sincerely take my hat off to you. All the very, very best - whitesix.
I'm up at 04:45am every morning and it takes me 10 minutes to get a 3-pass shave. Perhaps DE shaving just isnt for you.
 
Have just had two shaves with the old and trusted Gillette Sensor (not Sensor Excel) c/w Gillette Sensitive Shaving Gel. Good shave at least equal to or better than my DE experience. No nicks or cuts, extremely quick without the need for any DE shaving paraphenalia. There are of course cash reduction advantages when using a DE, but I am not so sure when all of the soaps, pre-shaves etc are added into the mix. Of course, if one really gets into it with razor, brush, soap collections it then takes on the mantle of being a hobby and that is another issue entirely. I recently purchased a few Gillette II swivel disposable razors and I will see if these blades can be used with my sensor handle. If they can, the cost will then be 25p per blade £13pa, which is very acceptable.
All the very best - whitesix.
 
Have just had two shaves with the old and trusted Gillette Sensor (not Sensor Excel) c/w Gillette Sensitive Shaving Gel. Good shave at least equal to or better than my DE experience. No nicks or cuts, extremely quick without the need for any DE shaving paraphenalia. There are of course cash reduction advantages when using a DE, but I am not so sure when all of the soaps, pre-shaves etc are added into the mix. Of course, if one really gets into it with razor, brush, soap collections it then takes on the mantle of being a hobby and that is another issue entirely. I recently purchased a few Gillette II swivel disposable razors and I will see if these blades can be used with my sensor handle. If they can, the cost will then be 25p per blade £13pa, which is very acceptable.
All the very best - whitesix.
If you're keen to cut costs even further, have you tried a Razor Pit? I've purchased one in black for about £12 a while ago, but if I'd seen the pink version at the time https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Razor-Pi...843755?hash=item3f5c33e22b:g:7tgAAOSws-ta-r3i, I would've gone for that! Really cheap £4.44 (at the time of this post).

I've used the same Gillette Sensor Excel cartridge nine times (sometimes weeks or months between shaves), whereas in the past I barely got one or two shaves out of cartridge. The makers of the Razor Pit claim to extend the life of a cartridge up to 150 shaves. I'm not sure about that, but I do feel ten or more shaves out of one cartridge is better for the environment if you must use a cartridge razor.
 
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Hiya,

Couple of things to keep in mind and one might even help! First of all, as you probably know, not all DE razors shave the same and it's very possible you haven't run across the best match up yet. Same goes for blades......gotta try a bunch once your technique is more perfected. In my case, some very well received razors like Weber and EJ/Muhle are just not a great fit on my face. No problem shaving with em, but not as comfortable as some others.

Has anyone in this thread suggested an injector? Pretty close to the Sensor technique wise and easier than a DE to get the hang of. Great sight lines and a decent selection of nice sharp blades.....mostly NOS but no problem finding plenty online. Currently, the Chinese Schick blades are good ones, but skip the German made version. Do not buy an early aggressive E type though......something like an L type head or even an adjustable one would be fine. I have one injector in my small, well culled rotation.

Something to think about anyway,

Martin
 
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