Shaving Guru's

dfk41

For 45 years I have had a moustache, but recently decided to shave it off. When shaving with it, I tried a variety of razors but always go back to a current 5 blade system. However, I find the head too big for the area beneath my nose! The Harry’s razor is like shaving with a double decker bus! Needing more blades for my Gillette Fusion I found an older Gillette ProGlide that takes a battery in the handle. The cartridge seems a little smaller but I cannot find replacement heads now. So, I bought a Feathers Twin blade razor but my technique is probably to blame and I need multiple passes. The blades are really sharp as well!

So, I am looking for a 5 blade razor for beginners, and as small a head as possible. I have several traditional razors as well, the non safety type

Inspirado

I cannot answer your exact query I apologize. I will, however, leave this here:

https://damnfineshave.com/

The fine shaving goods hobbyist community and the espresso hobbyist community have quite a bit of overlap in my experience (probably most hobbyist communities do when it really comes down to it).

Inspirado

Specifically, if you want what I consider the best razor for getting in tight spaces, I recommend the Blackland vector. Entry price is not insignificant ($200-300 depending) but it’s bulletproof and will last a lifetime. As with all these razors it has a learning curve

JammyDodger

I too have tried a variety of shaving methods and have struck a happy balance of speed and (relative) closeness with an Andis D-8 slimline pro trimmer for my beard (it comes with a selection of short combs) and it clips a good edge as well. Having zero-gapped the blades I would say it gets my neckline to a similar closeness I would previously get at around four hours after a good shave with a safety razor.

I’ve decided the ease and speed with which I can achieve this, as well as avoidance of the inevitable bloodbath when trying to rush things is worth the slightly poorer finish. If I want anything closer I have a safety razor I use to get a ‘proper’ finish, but I rarely reach for it unless I’m shaving for the experience of a wet shave. Hot towels and a good lathered shaving soap cannot be beaten, but my other responsibilities (ie kids) rather get in the way of a regular wet shave at the moment.

I’m interested in getting a foil shaver to get the extra closeness, and would be interested in anyone’s thoughts and recommendations if they use one regularly!

Tal

I have zero experience with wet shaving my face, but have plenty of experience with shaving my head should that be interest to anyone! :)

Fatip Piccolo handle and Nacet blades are excellent, paired with a basic Arko stick and boar bristle brush.

wintoid

Have you tried shaving left-to-right (and or vice versa) under the nose? That way the head size doesn’t really matter.

dfk41

wintoid I have kind of tried that method Wintoid and will explore it further. I only shave twice a week as a rule, so by the time Sunday mutates to Wednesday, I have normally forgotten!

dfk41

wintoid Have you tried shaving left-to-right (and or vice versa) under the nose? That way the head size doesn’t really matter.

I did try that and you are absolutely correct matey!

Amberale

I can recommend Occam’s razor for you. :)
Truthfully, as a man in his sixties who still has the bum fluff of a 14 year old, I still use an electric shaver.

dfk41

Amberale With the added advantage of not needing sharpened!

dfk41

This morning I shaved with my new Feathers Twin Blade. I took care, had multiple passes yet when I run my hand over my face, overall it is far from smooth. I am going to go and have another shave using my 5 blade razor and see if it makes it any smoother

Elcarajillo

One of the reviews for this razor states exactly the same as you have said, multiple passes and stubble still there.
The suggestion was to use aDE razor.
I have used Feather blades and they are exceedingly sharp. I have since started using DOVO blades, these are very sharp but they maintain a sharp edge for a number of shaves. This with very tough stubble. Smooth shavew and comfortable.

dfk41

Elcarajillo One of the reviews for this razor states exactly the same as you have said, multiple passes and stubble still there.

After having shaved with the Feathers and being left with a very poor, patchy finish I shaved again with my Gillette 5 blade Fusion and it gave me the finish I wanted, baby smooth…..….so, many thanks to Frank aka @Elcarajillo and @wintoid

Loonster

Elcarajillo I use feather blades in my feather DE razor. Although the blades are insanely sharp, I have not cut myself yet. The razor tames the blades. I can’t imagine trying the blades in another razor. I would cut myself so much.

Teaboy

Maybe one of the cut throat ones are very close like barbers use for trimming round head when doing final exacting.

Mattius2

Having tried everything and been somewhat of a collector of vintage Gillettes, cut throats and all sorts I have reverted back to a daily shave with the Merkur 34c HD, and a selection of DE blades. Often touted as a beginners DE razor but anything but, very very accomplished. 2 passes is babies arse smooth.

Teaboy

dfk41 have you been naughty and put in detention to do lines?

dfk41

Teaboy have you been naughty and put in detention to do lines?

Ha, the first time I edited it I remove 6 duplicates of that line……..and still missed one!

chlorox

Loonster
The feather DE razor has relatively low gap so that mutes the sharpness of their blades. It is a good combination though if one wants to cut through a lot of growth one should go for a higher gap DE razor. My own favourite razor is probably the Wolfman that comes in various gap specifications - its fit and finish and craftsmanship are on a very high level that few boutique razor makers can even approach.