Want to try SE

The Hawk arrived today and I was eager to give it a go so here's my first shave report with it.

Out of the box the first thing that strikes me is the weight, it just hasn't got any! So light compared to my 6S. This is going to get a bit of getting used to I thought. Obviously I could put a heavier handle on it but thought I'd try it as it comes.

So I lathered up with some P&B and got to work WTG and immediately I can tell there is a lot more blade feel than the 6S on plate 3. The Schick Proline feels sharper and more bitey too, I'm gonna have to be careful here I thought.

WTG done with a couple of small nicks. The next pass is ATG on my cheeks and XTG everywhere else, same as I do with my DE. I get several more small nicks on this pass, even using the lightest pressure so I decided not to go for my usual 3rd pass.

I reached for the alum block and it's stinging quite a bit in places, not the most comfortable shave.

In conclusion I'm not sure about this razor. I really didn't want anything more aggressive than my 6S. It might be my blade choice of course and I have heard that SE blades smooth out after a couple of uses so I'll definitely try again. Failing that I will try @globalm suggestion of Feather Softguard's.

On the plus side my face is almost a smooth as my usual 3 pass plus touch ups with my DE. I'm just not sure I can live with the aggression at this point.
 
The Hawk arrived today and I was eager to give it a go so here's my first shave report with it.

Out of the box the first thing that strikes me is the weight, it just hasn't got any! So light compared to my 6S. This is going to get a bit of getting used to I thought. Obviously I could put a heavier handle on it but thought I'd try it as it comes.

So I lathered up with some P&B and got to work WTG and immediately I can tell there is a lot more blade feel than the 6S on plate 3. The Schick Proline feels sharper and more bitey too, I'm gonna have to be careful here I thought.

WTG done with a couple of small nicks. The next pass is ATG on my cheeks and XTG everywhere else, same as I do with my DE. I get several more small nicks on this pass, even using the lightest pressure so I decided not to go for my usual 3rd pass.

I reached for the alum block and it's stinging quite a bit in places, not the most comfortable shave.

In conclusion I'm not sure about this razor. I really didn't want anything more aggressive than my 6S. It might be my blade choice of course and I have heard that SE blades smooth out after a couple of uses so I'll definitely try again. Failing that I will try @globalm suggestion of Feather Softguard's.

On the plus side my face is almost a smooth as my usual 3 pass plus touch ups with my DE. I'm just not sure I can live with the aggression at this point.
@DE Convert
I can't use this or, really, any SE razor with an unguarded blade. I don't tend to get nicks but I do get a 'hot face'. Drop me your address and I'll send you a Softguard to try.
 
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@DE Convert
I can't use this or, really, any SE razor with an unguarded blade. I don't tend to get nicks but I do get a 'hot face'. Drop me your address and I'll send you a Softguard to try.
That's very kind of you, thanks very much (y)
 
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Likewise if you drop me a PM I will happily send a Kai Captain your way as another mild blade to try

I tend to find SE blades a tad uncomfortable on a first time use and a touch of of pre shave oil goes a long way. After the first shave not an issue. Certainly a heavier handle changes the dynamics of the Hawk and makes it behave better.
 
Likewise if you drop me a PM I will happily send a Kai Captain your way as another mild blade to try

I tend to find SE blades a tad uncomfortable on a first time use and a touch of of pre shave oil goes a long way. After the first shave not an issue. Certainly a heavier handle changes the dynamics of the Hawk and makes it behave better.
That's brilliant, thank you very much :)
What a wonderfully generous forum this is!
 
Likewise if you drop me a PM I will happily send a Kai Captain your way as another mild blade to try

I tend to find SE blades a tad uncomfortable on a first time use and a touch of of pre shave oil goes a long way. After the first shave not an issue. Certainly a heavier handle changes the dynamics of the Hawk and makes it behave better.

Seconded about SE blades being uncomfortable on the first use. I don't think I've had one of any those available that wasn't, or, put another way, didn't vastly improve second time around. I did try "corking" a couple, but the effect was negligible. The very worst ones in my experience are the Kamisori blades.
 
Change the handle, and take your time.I have less chance of a mishap with the Hawk than with a DE
I put my 6S handle on the Hawk for tonight's shave with no change. the second shave blade hasn't calmed either, it's just as bitey as the first shave.
I was extra cautious tonight and I still drew loads of blood.
I ended up buffing with my Rockwell which I can fly over my face in no time with no fear of nicks.
The alum block left my face stinging like hell!
I fear my face will not be able to take a shave tomorrow for the first time ever :(
The Proline blades are definitely not for me, possibly the razor too but I will wait to try it with some different blades which a couple of members here are kindly posting to me.
 
The Hawk is definitely not for me, far too much blade exposure and aggression for my skin with all three blades I've tried.
I only have to look at it and it bites!
Has anyone got any suggestions on something tamer?
I don't want to give up on SE yet as keep hearing about how smooth they can be.
My search continues...
 
The Hawk is definitely not for me, far too much blade exposure and aggression for my skin with all three blades I've tried.
I only have to look at it and it bites!
Has anyone got any suggestions on something tamer?
I don't want to give up on SE yet as keep hearing about how smooth they can be.
My search continues...
Are you only looking for modern razors, or would you consider vintage? The only modern SE I've tried is the RR Hawk but I PIFed it as it was too mild and the blade width made it difficult to manoeuvre. The Schick injectors are very easy to use and easy to get into tight corners - the E3 is the best of the bunch IMHO. The Gem razors are not too aggressive on the whole - something like the Flying Wing or G-Bar May suit you well, although my personal favourite is the Ever Ready Natural Angle/Gem Featherlite - it's nothing to look at with its plastic handle, but the performance is a revelation. The Gem MMOC has a well-deserved reputation for being a bit of a beast, so avoid!
 
The Hawk is definitely not for me, far too much blade exposure and aggression for my skin with all three blades I've tried.
I only have to look at it and it bites!
Has anyone got any suggestions on something tamer?
I don't want to give up on SE yet as keep hearing about how smooth they can be.
My search continues...
Even with a Softguard blade? Your skin is even more vulnerable than mine! If you haven't tried am injector it's probably worth a go. A schick adjustable maybe?
 
Even with a Softguard blade? Your skin is even more vulnerable than mine! If you haven't tried am injector it's probably worth a go. A schick adjustable maybe?
Yep even with the Softguard although I found it slightly better than the others, but still too much.
I've not tried an injector, are there any modern ones? Really don't want anything used.
 
Yep even with the Softguard although I found it slightly better than the others, but still too much.
I've not tried an injector, are there any modern ones? Really don't want anything used.
The Supply razor, available from Connaught, might suit.
https://connaughtshaving.com/supply.html
It has 3 replaceable heads for mild - medium - aggressive adjustment and is a nice device. I tried one and sold it on because, although it worked very well, I didn't actually feel anything happening - the bristles just went away. This might well suit you with the mild head fitted.. One can sometimes find new old stock Schick Adjustables on eBay but they tend to be expensive for what you get. The clone of the Schick Type 'L' from PAA gets poor reviews.

Good luck with your quest.
 
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