Wet shaving!

My neck hair grows front to back and I agree 100%, it's pretty much impossible to get a good angle with a safety razor against the grain there. My Ikon Slant does a little better on the neck, but I'm not a big fan of that razor. Luckily I can usually get away with some stubble, otherwise I'll do a thorough pass with my Braun electric to clean it up a bit more.

 

Actually the weight was the thing that made me fall in love with the safety razor. Lets you feel more natural using a lighter touch. I got my Jagger like 4 years ago, loved it, and petitioned my wife to let the beard stay gone for longer periods because I actually didn't hate shaving. We are still negotiating that point...

 

Ordered some blades from this site. Derby Bluebird was satisfactory. Didn't feel the actual cutting, it was very smooth. Not looking back to Sputnik or Gillette Plat. ( i have thick facial hairs, which can be a b1tch)

Going to see how the Super Iridium and Derby Extra performs when i need to switch.

 

It really also depends on the person, I started with feather blades and had almost no trouble from the beginning. And now I really cant stand using any other style of blades. I remember I bought a bunch of Sharks cause someone said they were like 95% as good for drastically less money, but what i found was that I could only use them once before they were unusably dull, whereas with Feathers i can use them quite a few times without trouble.

Though I also dont grow facial hair very quickly and its not super thick or strong as it were.

But yes, with a DE razor, the weight of the razor is what does the cutting, you just glide it across your face. it's not like a cartridge razor where you need to drag it across your skin to get a good shave.

Though i also dont get how people always talk about shaving against the grain, that just seems crazy to me haha I usually do one pass with the grain and one across the grain. Sometimes i get real adventurous and do an against the grain pass at the end and even with my crazy light facial hair growth it is always just a huge agitation to my skin and I always inevitably end up knicking myself a few times. face is always red afterwards as well, so i dont do it frequently and usually regret it when i do

 

Why don't you buy a proper handle for Gillette cartridges? Adds the weight and class, and you can continue to use the disposable heads.

https://www.edwinjagger.co.uk/razors/gillette-fusion-proglide-razors.html

https://www.edwinjagger.co.uk/razors/gillette-mach-3-razors.html

Check for American prices on Amazon.

 

I started with Feathers too. Somewhere along the line I bought a sample pack with 5-10 razors from damn near every brand, so I tried everything. I really liked the Feathers, but ended up settling on Wilkinson Swords. I found they were still fairly sharp (definitely not as sharp) but seemed to last a few more shaves and were slightly cheaper. But everyone's skin is and beard is different. What works for me won't necessarily work for you.

 

Man, I think the Trac 2 (and then the sensor) was the pinnacle of multi blade set up. I remember being so excited at the idea of progress when the Mach 3 came out, but honestly I've never had an easier cartridge shave than with the trac/sensor set up. (I am including the pink disposable versions in my sample set...)

Not that shameful, especially in response to what amounts to my shitposting in a productive thread. I was going to PM you about removing the entire episode, including my stupid inanity, but, transparency and clear communication to repair misunderstanding goes a long way towards forum peace. Cheers!

 

Yeah I ordered a mega combo pack from Amazon several years ago, and have few still lying around...

 

Your post is one of my favorite on SBAF, if that helps! It reads like you're playing along.

And I'm in kinda the same boat as you regarding needed a very close shave and not looking like I rubbed my face with sandpaper. Cartridges have worked well, but I think I'd like to try fancy cream and a nice handle as recommended, to start with. May try the other good advice going forward.

 

Sharpness and balance are different qualities to consider. A balanced blade will cut evenly, regardless of its intrinsic sharpness. It won't cut close if it isn't sharp, but it will cut evenly.

I'm not totally sure what gives a blade balance. The edge's evenness on the microscopic level and the consistency of how the blade flexes seem to be important factors. Feathers are fairly flexible, and Personna Med Preps are firm; but to the extent that each flexes, it flexes evenly.

A sharp blade that isn't balanced will be inconsistent: alternating between too close and nowhere near close enough. The result is both uneven and irritating. I call those blades "scratchy" because you end up scraping against your face. For example, Kais (9/10) and, to a lesser extent, Crystals (8.5/10).*

There are balanced blades that aren't particularly sharp. For example, Astras (4.5/10) and popular Gillettes (6/10). Feathers (10/10) are very balanced, as are Personna Med Preps (8/10). Different people will need different degrees of sharpness depending, primarily, on their hairs' thickness. But everyone enjoys the feel of a balanced blade.

*Numbers denote degree of sharpness

 

Merkur Progress + Feather blades haven been my weapons of choice for the last 10 years. Works like a charm.
This morning I noticed that the adjuster screw on the Progress had somehow been damaged so that it doesn't catch on after changing blades...
I have to really hold the "cap" down and then twist the adjuster to get it to fasten.
Anyone had an experience with the life-long warranty from Merkur, or should I just give up and buy a new handle?

 

I haven't had any issues with mine yet, but I've only had it for ~4 years.

 

Edwin Jagger Razor: https://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger...485192393&sr=8-24&keywords=edwin+jagger+razor

Parker Brush: https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Safet...910&sr=8-8&keywords=parker+safety+razor+brush

Sharp Super Chrome Blades: https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Double...1485192957&sr=8-1&keywords=shark+super+chrome

Prorasso Cream (sold by Bath and Body Works): https://www.amazon.com/C-Bigelow-Premium-Eucalyptus/dp/B00WVPQNVM

Nice and simple and works like a charm.

 

Thanks again for the advice. I got a 100-ct box of Derby blades and have had significantly better experiences the last couple times. No nicks last time, and a much smoother shave than I was getting with the the generic 3-5 blade monstrosities. With the Popular and these blades, seems like I'll be set for roughly five years. Can't believe how much cheaper this will be as well!

 

+1 for Derby, I got 100 about 10 years ago and I'm not even halfway through. Mind you, I don't change the blade for a couple of months..

 

Merkur is made of pot metal trash for the most part. I found this out the hard way with my old 34C. The chrome plating became compromised on a corner of the head and part of it just fell off within five years.

 

Ok, seems like I'm not the only one then.
What's a good replacement?

 

I don't know as I use more mild razors due to horrible skin.The Edwin Jagger razors have better plating but are still pot metal. The Feather ASD2 rules but is probably way too mild for you if you like the Futur. My favorite razor is actually the Wilkinson Sword Classic right now which is under $10.