What do you use to shave?

[Fredoka]

I have always used 3-blades razors (Gillette) until just a few days ago, I decided to purchase a Henson safety razor (AL13 is the model).
Supposedly they are great for people like me who are used to 3-blades and such.
I want to like it if only because it looks cool and less waste generated, will see with time

 

[aihpcfl]

I have always used 3-blades razors (Gillette) until just a few days ago, I decided to purchase a Henson safety razor (AL13 is the model).
Supposedly they are great for people like me who are used to 3-blades and such.
I want to like it if only because it looks cool and less waste generated, will see with time

Take razor advertising with a grain of salt. That is lesson #1.

Lesson #2 is today's razors are designed to take the skill out of shaving with a blade. You will have to learn how to shave with your your new Henson. It isn't difficult, but it is a learned skill.

Beware of acquisition disorder, whether it is razors, brushes, soaps, blades -- some go down the rabbit hole and don't come out.

 

[Fredoka]

Thanks for the advice, especially regarding advertising...
I'll have to try and see for myself. Honestly I wasn't so much sold on their "marketing" promise than dissatisfied with 3 blades that don't give me really great results unless I do many passings that leave my skin irritated and dry...

 

[LukeCham]

I mostly shave contours, so a straight blade ist the way to go for me.

Using a 10 year old Böker, that is still sharp and doing a great job. After learning the skill, I never had any more problems with burning skin. Probably taking the time to be precise and having just the one blade helps, compared to rushing over your face 5x with a 3 mach3 blades.
I prefers hard sope (Golddachs is my favourite) since it seems to soften my beard the best pre shave and is easy to pack for travel.
Favourite Aftershave is a balm either by Khiels or Proraso.

 

[aihpcfl]

@Fredoka you will probably find you need to do multiple passes with your new razor to get a close shave. You will start with a pass in the direction(s) your beard grows, and it is possible you may be able to get away with only one additional pass in the directions(s) against your beard. The key will be keeping a light touch. Don't press the razor into your skin, but instead just barely touch the blade to your skin.

Another tip I might as well add is that you will find blades will vary in your experience, but also depending on your razor, on you, and on your experience. It would be useful to buy a blade sampler and work your way through it. If you don't like a blade, remember it and try it again a year from now. It can be fun, and addictive, to acquire new blades you haven't tried before, and figure out what is different, what you like, what you don't like, and many other things.

 

[BGR]

I have always used 3-blades razors (Gillette) until just a few days ago, I decided to purchase a Henson safety razor (AL13 is the model).
Supposedly they are great for people like me who are used to 3-blades and such.
I want to like it if only because it looks cool and less waste generated, will see with time

Hi, Fredoka: I recently switched to DE shaving with a Henson AL-13 (mild) and got the hang of using it fairly quickly. It's definitely a learned skill, but it really didn't take me long to get used to it after having gone back and forth between Mach-3's and Fusions over the years. I've found the Henson AL-13 in its mild version to be a little too mild for me, as I like a close, smoothe shave. I agree, it's also good to try out different blades. I've also been rotating brushes, soaps, creams, etc. and found that I really like a silvertip badger brush with the Proraso sensitive skin pre-shave, shaving cream, and post-shave balm. I hope you enjoy your new Henson!

 

[Fredoka]

Hey thanks for sharing your own experience. I wouldn't have thought about the impact of different blades but reading a bit into it, it seems it can make a huge difference. Seems to me that's part of the fun in the game

 

[aihpcfl]

@Fredoka FWIW look up Razor Blades Club. What I remember is they provide details on blade brands such as the company that manufactures the blades and the country, as well as details such as material and coatings.