- Messages
- 4
Having used cartridge razors for thirty years, I am happy with the results and stick with the Wilkinson Sword Quattro and its three blade earlier model. I have soft facial hair and I find that the blades last a long time, and are better on their second use. Perhaps I am shaving incorrectly, as I find a new blade makes minor grazes that take a while to stop bleeding. Despite being satisfied, I wanted a single blade razor and tried the Supply SE (with its own blade option). The reviews I read on the SE said that it was idiot proof and the closest thing to using a cartridge razor, allowing a smooth shave, using a single blade, less waste and better for your skin. This is the reality for me:
When experienced safety razor users say a razor is easy to use, what they really mean to say is that all safety razors require the user to shave carefully and if you do not then you will get a bad shave and cut yourself many times. In contrast, the village idiot can use a cartridge razor and not cut themselves. The Supply SE is only idiot proof when compared to many other safety razors, but still requires care. So, I learnt that lesson. Secondly, I learnt that blade feel can be a good thing. Initially, I assumed that nobody wants to feel the blade and the SE is described by many has having little blade feel. I proceeded to apply more pressure than required, as I could not feel the razor working, thereby cutting myself, albeit only modest grazes; so it is nearly idiot proof. I have since learned to shave by applying less pressure and the shave is better. Finally, I quite like passing the razor over my face twice, whereas many seem to pass over three times (with the grain, against it and then sideways). The resulting shave with two passes is not as close as a cartridge razor, but it is pretty close and I find this quite sufficient (sometimes I still go for the smoother cartridge razor option). Overall, the safety razor is not the same experience as a cartridge razor and people moving from one to the other may find their initial experience hard work. Having persisted, I am enjoying the new experience. I would recommend the SE for someone trying a safety razor for the first time and also for anyone wanting a daily shave that is fairly stress free. I wonder if some might find the experience tame compared to more traditional DE razors, but as I have not tried a DE yet it is hard to be sure. I am no way near finding the Supply SE tame - I still miss an annoying part of the jaw line, just on the right side, and I suspect that this is all about experience rather than blaming the workman's tools. My plan is to eventually try the Supply Pro and also the OneBlade Genesis, though I suspect the benefit might prove modest compared to the much higher price of the latter, as well as the limitation of only using one brand of premium blade. I shall keep people informed.
When experienced safety razor users say a razor is easy to use, what they really mean to say is that all safety razors require the user to shave carefully and if you do not then you will get a bad shave and cut yourself many times. In contrast, the village idiot can use a cartridge razor and not cut themselves. The Supply SE is only idiot proof when compared to many other safety razors, but still requires care. So, I learnt that lesson. Secondly, I learnt that blade feel can be a good thing. Initially, I assumed that nobody wants to feel the blade and the SE is described by many has having little blade feel. I proceeded to apply more pressure than required, as I could not feel the razor working, thereby cutting myself, albeit only modest grazes; so it is nearly idiot proof. I have since learned to shave by applying less pressure and the shave is better. Finally, I quite like passing the razor over my face twice, whereas many seem to pass over three times (with the grain, against it and then sideways). The resulting shave with two passes is not as close as a cartridge razor, but it is pretty close and I find this quite sufficient (sometimes I still go for the smoother cartridge razor option). Overall, the safety razor is not the same experience as a cartridge razor and people moving from one to the other may find their initial experience hard work. Having persisted, I am enjoying the new experience. I would recommend the SE for someone trying a safety razor for the first time and also for anyone wanting a daily shave that is fairly stress free. I wonder if some might find the experience tame compared to more traditional DE razors, but as I have not tried a DE yet it is hard to be sure. I am no way near finding the Supply SE tame - I still miss an annoying part of the jaw line, just on the right side, and I suspect that this is all about experience rather than blaming the workman's tools. My plan is to eventually try the Supply Pro and also the OneBlade Genesis, though I suspect the benefit might prove modest compared to the much higher price of the latter, as well as the limitation of only using one brand of premium blade. I shall keep people informed.
