Multi-blade razors

[Gad-Westy]

HustleRussell said:

I’ve run out of Mach 3 blades and have decided to join the DE band wagon

Would anyone care to comment on the Edwin Jagger DE starter kit? Is it a good starter kit or would I be better off doing it another way? I obviously don’t know what I’m doing and the choice is bewildering but I like the idea of having an E.J. and if all the other stuff in the kit is half decent and good value it is at least a complete starter kit.

My skin seems somewhat sensitive and my facial hair growth is glacial and patchy so I’m hoping that I can ditch the perfunctory twice-weekly cartridge shave and establish a ritual I can enjoy.

Watching replies to this with interest. In the same boat and sick of forking out Gillette stuff.

[HustleRussell]

Bonefish Blues said:

LordGrover said:

EJ is good stuff, but crikey, that's a lot of dosh!
Just get the razor, brush and a decent cream/soap. Maybe an alum block and/or styptic pencil.

Go for the (women's) creams/potions/smellies if you need them, once you've got used to shaving properly.

This, for sure.

OK, I was intimidated by '£400 budget shaving kit' guy. I did think that the tubes of gel / lotion probably weren't very PH

I hope my next shave will be more satisfying than my last (fairly well used mach 3 and gelatinous foaming green goo)

[LordGrover]

DE89 or equiv. c. £25
Badger brush c. £35
Shave cream c. £15
Alum block c. £5

My list is more expensive though. D'oh!

As you were.

[LordGrover]

A bowl would be good too.

[HustleRussell]

So considering I was looking at the long, lined handle DE86 anyway the E.J. starter kit for £61 probaby isn’t too bad value wise even if the lotion etc are superfluous?

ETA: Ooh look at that, 14,000th post hand me the razor blades

Edited by HustleRussell on Tuesday 3rd April 15:45

[jingars]

Bowl required if you want to later up "off your face" so to speak, or 50 pence shaving stick from Wilkos and no bowl required if you want to lather up on it.

[NDA]

LordGrover said:

A bowl would be good too.

I use hard soap (comes in a wooden bowl) and lather directly from the soap..... I'm so used to it I'm not sure why everyone doesn't do the same.

The soap lasts for many months too.

[Bonefish Blues]

Poraso is good, incl integral bowl.

[ollie05]

Bonefish Blues said:

Poraso is good, incl integral bowl.

That's what I've got to try next, old ones nearly done so thought I would give that a bash

[Bonefish Blues]

ollie05 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Poraso is good, incl integral bowl.

That's what I've got to try next, old ones nearly done so thought I would give that a bash

I find the white bowl sensitive one best.

[HustleRussell]

Having now read the last 30 or so pages I’d like to thank thread regulars for patiently dealing with questions like mine for the ‘n’th time

Have more or less exactly followed LordGrover’s recommendations, undecided on cream vs. soap so left that out, the Bluebeards stuff are ‘free’ gifts... Same price as the starter kit I was considering but instead of EJ lotion / cream / styptic stick I’ve got brush upgrade plus alum block and blade guard

[Sway]

Nice list - that'll serve you well.

Only thing I would suggest adding is some Feather blades - they really are the sharpest by far, and therefore cut hair with the least pulling/irritation.

[Mr Happy]

The blades with the DE89 are probably Feathers anyway. They were when I got mine.

Personally though, I'm a fan of personna platinum over the feathers.

[HustleRussell]

All this gear has arrived now but there was a delay so I did have one more Mach 3 shave. With recent shaving learnings I did note that I have spent my entire adult life shaving up on my neck (against the grain) so my shaving game is already improving.

Looking forward to having ago with the safety razor for the first time. It did indeed come with 5 Feather blades as well as 10 Bluebeard ones.

Did I mention that my hands are so shaky that I was once checked out for Parkinson’s?

Finally my man maths is strong with this one, I can’t remember when I bought my last 4 pack of Mach 3 cartridges but it certainly wasn’t this year... i might break even by 2020, provided I don’t buy anything else

[HustleRussell]

First DE shave today, put a Feather blade in and did one pass WTG and one XTG. It was much easier than I was expecting- just the one tiny cut. The EJ razor is not at all aggressive. Achieved a closer shave than with the Mach 3 however the skin felt very tight afterwards so I imagine my technique leaves a lot to be desired. Must’ve spent at least 10 minutes at it too.

[NDA]

HustleRussell said:

First DE shave today, put a Feather blade in and did one pass WTG and one XTG. It was much easier than I was expecting- just the one tiny cut. The EJ razor is not at all aggressive. Achieved a closer shave than with the Mach 3 however the skin felt very tight afterwards so I imagine my technique leaves a lot to be desired. Must’ve spent at least 10 minutes at it too.

It'll get quicker as you learn how to do it in a way that suits your particular face/stubble growth. Don't use any pressure, short strokes, with the growth (not against it) etc etc. Stick with it.

[Blue62]

Has anyone used the 'feather DE' razor? I'm due a change from my Muhle but it's pretty pricey at @£170 so would appreciate any first hand views. As an aside, I recently tried the sample kit of a rather expensive Norwegian shaving cream company (Fitjar) and was majorly disappointed just in case anyone else is contemplating it, almost odourless and difficult to lather.

[NDA]

Blue62 said:

Has anyone used the 'feather DE' razor? I'm due a change from my Muhle but it's pretty pricey at @£170 so would appreciate any first hand views. As an aside, I recently tried the sample kit of a rather expensive Norwegian shaving cream company (Fitjar) and was majorly disappointed just in case anyone else is contemplating it, almost odourless and difficult to lather.

Yes, I have one.... I used it about once and found it way too mild. Still in it's box somewhere.

But, it's beautifully made and if it was 'just right' then it would be a razor for life.

[Dermot O'Logical]

Blue62 said:

Has anyone used the 'feather DE' razor? I'm due a change from my Muhle but it's pretty pricey at @£170 so would appreciate any first hand views. As an aside, I recently tried the sample kit of a rather expensive Norwegian shaving cream company (Fitjar) and was majorly disappointed just in case anyone else is contemplating it, almost odourless and difficult to lather.

Yes, I have a Feather razor. It's considered a "mild" razor, but with Feather blades, which are very sharp, it's superb.

[NDA]

Actually - they've changed model - mine is the AS - D1, the latest is a D2. Is it more aggressive? I am having a read to see.


ETA - it's reported that the D2 is still too mild for many.

Have a peek at the Rockwell 6C razor. Very well made and adjustable.

Edited by NDA on Sunday 15th April 18:54