Questions from a SLYETTE <3

[gutsygirl]

Lots of questions from a slyette who could use a little help as she's still learning the art of Sly life!

*  What is a DE Razor?  Why do some folks prefer this kind of razor?

*  Headblade vs Mach 3?  Pros/Cons and experiences?
(I have a hard time in the back of my head.  I tend to get irritation near my neck at the bottom of my hairline. I'm currently using Mach 3 but considering HB ATX.)

*  What's up with the fancy lather brushes, bowls, shaving soap sets I see online?  Are these any better than my can of old-fashioned Barbasol? 

*  Anything I can use that doesn't have lots of chemicals (I have tons of chemical allergies so I have to be very careful or I get rashes and very itchy!) which may decrease the razor burn I get on my neck below my hairline?  Looking for simple solutions.  I saw something about alum bars here...would that work?  Other ideas?

*  My hair is extremely thick and I can dull a Mach 3 in 1-2 shaves!  No joke.  How do you keep your razors in good working order?  Do you clean them after shaving?


Sorry for bombing with questions but you guys have been so helpful and I'm grateful for your support and I continue sly and otherwise! 

<3  <3  Gutsy Girl

[Lynchy]

Lots of questions from a slyette who could use a little help as she's still learning the art of Sly life!

*  What is a DE Razor?  Why do some folks prefer this kind of razor?

A DE razor is a double edge razor, an older type of razor that uses a double edge blade.

Common advantages include:
 - Cheaper 100 blades can be had for under $10 US
 - Closer shave (Debatable)
 - Less irritation

Cons:
 - Steeper learning curve
 - Could cut yourself worser

http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/
*  Headblade vs Mach 3?  Pros/Cons and experiences?
(I have a hard time in the back of my head.  I tend to get irritation near my neck at the bottom of my hairline. I'm currently using Mach 3 but considering HB ATX.)

Basically the Headblade is designed specifically for head shaving, more ergonomic. I have used both extensively and prefer the headblade (Sport/HB3), I find it has less tugging/pulling and the cartridges rinse much easier IMO

*  What's up with the fancy lather brushes, bowls, shaving soap sets I see online?  Are these any better than my can of old-fashioned Barbasol? 

See the same link http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/

Yes, much! Even if you don’t switch to DE a brush + Real shave cream/soap will be a big improvement. (Disclaimer, I still use Headslick for my head, 99% of the time as I find it quick and easy)
*  Anything I can use that doesn't have lots of chemicals (I have tons of chemical allergies so I have to be very careful or I get rashes and very itchy!) which may decrease the razor burn I get on my neck below my hairline?  Looking for simple solutions.  I saw something about alum bars here...would that work?  Other ideas?

A lot of the traditional shave soaps/creams don’t have anywhere near as many chemicals, eg: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/168575-Proraso-Ultra-Sensitive-Skin-success! http://www.prorasoaustralia.com/products_sensitive.htm
 *  My hair is extremely thick and I can dull a Mach 3 in 1-2 shaves!  No joke.  How do you keep your razors in good working order?  Do you clean them after shaving?

Risnse under hot water is all I need for both the headblade and the DE, with the Head blade I also use some isopropyl alcohol on it, as I use it for 7 days before changing it.
Sorry for bombing with questions but you guys have been so helpful and I'm grateful for your support and I continue sly and otherwise! 

Don’t be  
<3  <3  Gutsy Girl

[greatnessinc]

Lots of questions from a slyette who could use a little help as she's still learning the art of Sly life!

*  What is a DE Razor?  Why do some folks prefer this kind of razor?

*  Headblade vs Mach 3?  Pros/Cons and experiences?
(I have a hard time in the back of my head.  I tend to get irritation near my neck at the bottom of my hairline. I'm currently using Mach 3 but considering HB ATX.)

*  What's up with the fancy lather brushes, bowls, shaving soap sets I see online?  Are these any better than my can of old-fashioned Barbasol?

*  Anything I can use that doesn't have lots of chemicals (I have tons of chemical allergies so I have to be very careful or I get rashes and very itchy!) which may decrease the razor burn I get on my neck below my hairline?  Looking for simple solutions.  I saw something about alum bars here...would that work?  Other ideas?

*  My hair is extremely thick and I can dull a Mach 3 in 1-2 shaves!  No joke.  How do you keep your razors in good working order?  Do you clean them after shaving?


Sorry for bombing with questions but you guys have been so helpful and I'm grateful for your support and I continue sly and otherwise!  Cheesy

<3  <3  Gutsy Girl

1) Double Edge razor, it's more of a traditional razor. Folks prefer it because blades for these razors are easy to find and less expensive plus the blades are not specific to the model of razor. DE wins monetarily but be warned it requires more time. Typically DE has less irritation because it's a single blade.
2) I've never used M3 to shave, I've used it to clean up around my ears but never a whole shave. I do like the ATX, I found that the 6 blade gave me the closet shave but the 4 blade clogged less.
For your neck shave straight down don't go up.

3) shave brushes are designed to gentally exfoliate while applying the shave cream. shave soaps IMO give give a better shave than expensive canned creams/gels, plus they tend to last longer at least that's been my experience so far.

4) use Cortaid (found at most grocery stores and or drug stores) it'll reduce the burning/itching and help heal your neck.

5) Don't keep your razors in the bathroom, keep them in a nice dry place. If you have an old tooth brush use it to clean out the built up gunk/hair. I've heard that using a blow dryer on your blade after a shave can help extend the life of a blade, but I don't have one to test this out.
6) no need to appologize. You never learn new things if you don't ask.

[gutsygirl]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to help me out!    Good news to report!  I've ordered my first DE razor. 

I went a little razor happy and ordered two nice shaving kits:
http://www.italianbarber.com/razorock-shaving-kit-with-wilkinson-de-razor
http://www.italianbarber.com/ultimate-head-shaving-kit?s=1

As you can see, both kits take a different approach, but as headshaving seems like it's going to be a long-term commitment for me (given that my dermatologist has been less than helpful and I'm too sick and exhausted from other diseases to take time on hair anyways), I decided I wanted to really scope out my options.

I decided against trying Headblade for two main reasons: I am already using Mach 3 cartridges and still getting razor burn, so I feel that cartridges, as mentioned above, may just be too rough on my skin; and the cartridges are quite expensive for someone with such thick hair as me to be dulling out so fast.  DE and/or even the Gillette Guard is much more cost-effective.  Also, thus far since I started headshaving in October (knock on wood) I haven't nicked myself or cut myself.  I take my time shaving, about 10-15 minutes for a complete headshave.  So I think I have the patience to try a DE and HOPEFULLY not hack myself to bits.  (I'll be trying the G.Guard first!). 

I'm really excited about trying the RazoRock products.  Especially the alum block, as I've seen alum mentioned a few times now on SBG.  Of course I will let you know how it goes.  I'm glad that when my new equipment comes, I will be able to retire the Mach 3 addiction, which is really hurting my budget!  Even though I spent $60.00 on the DE and Gillette Guard cartridges and all the products, I feel like it was money well spent to improve my routine and save more money in the long-run.

I need to read more on the forum posts regarding DE shaving!    THANKS GUYS!!!!  YOU ROCK!!!!

[gutsygirl]

As a side note, I did begin "stropping" my Mach 3 cartridge on a pair of jeans, equal number of passes in both directions.  It does seem to help with maintaining the blades for a few more shaves at any rate.  Anyone here strop a DE??  Or do you just consider the blades so cheap anyways that it's not worth the extra effort?

[Lynchy]

Nice kits you got there Gutsy!

They should serve you well, if you end up liking the DE there are than many options for razors + Blades to experiment with. Although the razor + brush are of the beginner level the Razorock products are meant to be top quality stuff.

I don't strop my DE blades, I can already get 5 shaves easily from my preferred blade; so at $27 per 100 I'm already down to 5c per shave (on the face) doesn't seem worth the extra effort IMO.

Some guys/gals do though, you might find some more helpful advice on stropping the DE blades on badger and blade.

You will have to let us know how you get on. Good Luck

[gutsygirl]

Geez!  You'd think it was the week before Christmas at my house or something for how compulsively I keep checking the tracking location of my order from ItalianBarber.com!  I just CAN'T WAIT to get a REAL SHAVE and ditch my Mach 3 addiction! 

I guess you guys can understand the anticipation???   

[greatnessinc]

Most of the DE cost is up front. You pay a little more for the handle but the saving is in the cost of blades. I've gone back to using my Headblade ATX for head shaving as it's quicker and easier for me. Besides I like to support Headblade since they are one of the 3 companies that I love.

[gutsygirl]

I've been using the Gillette Guard and RazoRock shave soap.  I'm happy with both, especially the Gillette Guard.  Irritation is down to nothing now, though I shave every other day or every third day.  When I have more time, I'll post a picture of my goodies!