[Closed] de shaving novice advice please

Boy1 bought a Futur clone after using my Merkur. It’s very slightly “tougher” around the edges compared to the Merkur. But it shaved just as well. It’s the best £9 razor I’ve ever used.

Try as many different blades as you can, but from experience you won’t go far wrong with an Astra Platinum. Until you get used to the DE shaving technique then keep it dialled back to a 1 or 2 setting, the least aggressive.

I use Feather blades and rarely set mine Futur any higher than a 3. Any higher than that and I’m likely to lose a lip or nose.

The DE shaving technique is pretty straightforward, but the best results are from concentrating on the prep. Lots of moisture in your facial hair, maybe a pre-shave oil, shaving cream would work without a brush, just work it to a lather with your fingers. The more prep the better, don’t just wipe the shaving cream on, scrub it round and round to build some foam.

You can get shower proof mirrors that don’t steam up.

Welcome me to the best shave you will have without paying an antique Italian barber for the pleasure.

For a second razor you could look at a 60's Gillette rocket or superspeed.

I have the latter and haven't used my Futur in a couple of years as the old ones just shave so well!

Hot water on the face to open the pores and soften the hairs.  Good quality lather - not too wet or thick.  Use the weight of the razor and definitely do not push hard.  Rinse with hot water then cold - this cleans all the dirty soap out of the pores then closes them to reduce the chance of infection.

The thing to remember is that you are reducing the hair not removing it - you can always have another pass so don’t try too hard!

my mix of blades are:

10 x Supermax Stainless
10 x Persona Plantinum
5 x Astra Superior Platinum (green)
1 x Shark Super
1 x Feather

small/travel shower mirror might be a good idea.  might get a badger bristle brush for at home too...but work shave is a quick maintenance scrape, hoping not to faff much there...currently its bar of soap, lather in hands, rub on stubble, scratch and scrape with the mach 3, i hope it will be similar with the de.

watching a rocket hd on ebay, currently at £14.50, I read they go for £16 ish.  I paid just over £30 for the futur which felt fair.  hmm decisions.  I like the idea of using the same razor, also see the benefit in trying a second.

BBS, I found a review that said the futur clone is super aggressive, even after the guy ground the tabs/stops to get it to wind closer to the blade he reckoned it was ~2 increments more aggressive than the german original.  sort of sounds like its not really usable on more than 1 or 2 settings which kind of removes the adjustability.  Have you/your lad found that?

Second hand razor?

Would you like to borrow my tooth brush?

No-one's mentioned it yet but - styptic pencil.

*edit* especially if you go for the feather blades. Astra platinum work well for me.

I've got a 2nd hand Futur and also use Astra Platinum (although the latest batch of blades seem different, first blade and I needed plenty of styptic pencil!)

Mine is seized on setting 3, must try and sort it out.  I've been using mine several years with a short break in the middle where I tried razors from Harrys and Cornerstone but I started getting the old ingrowing hairs so went back to DE.

I wouldn't ever try and use it in the shower or without a mirror, I think it would be a bloodbath 🙂  I used to use a soap stick and brush, but I found I get less nicks using a decent shave cream, bodyshop do a good one that comes in a round tub, but at the moment I've got Bulldog sensitive cream (stubby toothpaste tube style) and King of shaves 2in1 cream and moisturiser seems almost as good.

If I was shaving at work I'd use the 2in1 (you shave, wash, and then put a bit more 2in1 on as moisturiser which is less faff) but I'd also want a butterfly style DE razor where it closes up over the blade.  I rarely put the Futur in a washbag as grabbing the wrong end instead of your toothbrush would result in lots of claret!

Sbob...whats wrong with a second hand one?  There must be lots of people who have two shaves and cut themselves raw and decide its not for them...its not as if you are sharing the same blades!  Its still a perfect razor and its all metal so not like it can't be cleaned 🙂

Nivea shave gel works best here. I tried the shave soap & brush .. it was a faff. I never liked the alum block either.

i got the Futur & Chinese clone ... both great, but just too big to get under nose etc. I have used both on most aggressive setting without issue .. I like to feel the blade; safe enough after a few goes, and a mirror helps.

I got a couple Rocket HDs off eBay .. I have seen some go for less than £20 posted, and others closer to £40. It all depends who’s bidding I guess.

the HDs are similar to my Red tips .. I find the standard super speeds & Rockets very smooth; the HDs and Red tips just feel better because you can feel a bit of blade; but neither are overly aggressive.

My fave DE is a New SC .. it took awhile to get used to it; often got razor burn .. but now it’s perfect; can feel the blade but no nicks - and head is great for under the nose area etc

ps. Astra blades for me. Feathers may be supposedly sharper - both sharp enough to me! But Astra stay sharper for longer - Feathers lose edge quickly.

Regarding blades - I got a mixed pack of 10 & ended up finding the Wilkinson Sword & Gillette silver blue blades gave me the best combo of shaving ability, comfort & longevity.
I initially tried Astra Platinum & found them fine, but after going back to them once I'd tried a few others, I realised that the ones mentioned above suited my face better.

I prefer a shaving cream to a soap, as it seems to stay on the skin a bit better & so you can get away with 2 or 3 passes; with soap, I find one pass & there's nothing left to lubricate your skin for another pass.

I don't always, but generally rub an alum block over my face afterwards & then stick some Nivea aftershave balm stuff on. I'm sure there's better out there, but this does the job at a reasonable price.

Astra's here, and I can get baby bottom smooth. But.... If you want smooth do it incrementally, first pass to get down to work acceptable (being fair haired one pass is enough to make me look shaved) two passes gets you to a level where you have to search for any slight roughness and a third pass leaves you as smooth as...,

Also as said, a hot as you can stand flannel over the beard for 30s before starting to soften hair and open pores

i'm using Bolzano blades  -100 for £13. Reviews range between 'marvellous' and 'hell on earth', but for me they're very good. It's very subjective though

And just got a new stainless razor from Shave Lounge. Now out of stock, but my word it's lovely. Much better than the older one I was using (a Ti Baby Smooth)

And I always shave after a shower (the fabled "Triple S"); never really have any issues.

Just started out on de shaving, probably used it about 10 or 15 times so far. Best shave I've had. I bought the qshave futur clone and use it on setting 4. I don't know if this is aggressive or not?. Astra green blades. I wouldn't use it without a mirror. It does need more concentration and is a different technique to mach 3 etc. I'm just lathering up normal soap, but have to reapply for each pass, usually twice.

I bought another for work, but have a bit more trouble there because we're chatting before work, men and multitasking eh? Still, I think they are great value for £8, even come with 5 blades although I've yet to try them.

What I would like is some kind of washable plastic case to keep them in/away from fingers. Anyone using anything?

OP

The clone razor is, if anything, slightly less aggressive than my Merkur. I can't use either wound out to 6. Both are fiercely aggressive. I did strip both down, cleaned, "sterilised" with Milton's tablets, and then reassembled with some Vaseline on the threads and moving parts. I redo mine about once every 3 months, but TBH it really didn't need it last time

As with all DE shaving it's the combination of razor and blade, and everyone is different. What works for me might not necessarily work for you. Sharks for me felt like rusty barbed wire. Gillette 7 o'clocks were super sharp but dulled very quickly.

If your shave at work is only a quick tidy up, then a non-adjustable razor would probably suffice. Keep the Futur for home, along with a good brush, soap or cream, etc. Porrasso shave cream in the tube works well enough rubbed in with fingers and will give you a nicer shave than random soap.

Have a look on YouTube for GeoFatBoy shaving videos. He does a Futur v clone review and is genuinely surprised at how good the clone is.

Oh crikey. Here we go again...

Opposite bookend to the hot flannel - I keep another flannel in the icebox. I time it’s extraction for in between the final soap on the brush and it’s application. After final rinse and before the post-shave balm goes on, the cold flannel has lost enough stiffness to be applied on the face for a shockingly invigorating wake-up call.

My products:

Merkur 23c

Wilkinson Sword DE blades

Bluebeards Revenge badger hair brush

Bluebeards shaving oil

Wilkinson Sword shaving soap

Bluebeards post-shave balm

Happy trails, OP.

I wouldn’t ever try and use it in the shower or without a mirror, I think it would be a bloodbath

In my 50's so have been shaving for 40+ years and wouldn't shave without a mirror.

Anyway, Merkur Futur (original) on 3 at home, Gillette Superspeed (which according to the date stamp is the same age as me) when away and Bluebeards Revenge shavette for more than a few days growth.  Love them all, prefer the handling of the Futur but think a slightly better shave from the Gillette and the shavette is just an interesting way to shave.

Blades are Derby, Feather and Gillette.  All fine, but Feathers probably best.  No prep other than hot water and soap, sometimes Arko other times Mitchell's Wool Fat (ok but when done will replace with something else).  Preferred aftershave is Proraso Green, lovely cut grass smell, doesn't last but feels very refreshing when applied. Post shave rub with alum block once a week or so (local shave shop says not to use daily as skin will dry out)

Take it easy, rest the razor on your skin, don't apply pressure

FWIW, I'm lucky enough to have this shop locally

https://www.thegentlemansgroomroom.com/

I've also bought the qshave futur clone and use it on setting 3.  A great shave, however I used a feather blade for the first time this morning and got a nice nick in the neck to show for it!  I also bought a leather cover with chrome poppers off ebay for travel purposes; great design and works well - Spanish company "residualrazors".

Thanks for the tips and suggestions

I suspect i'll get one of these soon

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultimate-Travel-Shaving-Make-Up-Mirror-Fog-Free-Shave-Well-in-the-Shower/121940519057

and will get one of these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Cowhide-Safety-Razor-Leather-Case-Classic-Double-Edge-Shaving-Pouch/302268944445

Will also get a styptic pencil, I've not heard of those before but sound essential!

I tend to use moisturise after every shave, vaseline intensive care does it for me and is cheap

my blades arrived today so over the next few weeks I'll be trying them out to see what i like, I'll try some of the other suggestions too, thanks for those.

I'm looking forward to shaving tomorrow!

Real men use the Merkur R41. Damn that thing is aggresssive. I have cut parts of my face no razor had ever drawn blood from.

I normal use the 34c with a Gillette yellow. Lovely combo.

forgot to bid on the gillette rocket hd and it went for £16.  pff.  I've put a cheeky bid on a couple more futurs.  suspect i'll not get them and will go for a clone. like the look of some of the vintage gillettes though too

If you fancy something a bit different to your Futur, I highly recommend the Fatip Piccolo. Open comb, great close shave, but not quite as aggressive as an R41. Cheap as chips

I have seen the occasional Rocket HD go for less than £20 posted - not in last week or so though - paid just over £30 for mine .. I feel cheated!

As for the Merkur41 cutting. I would suggest reviewing your technique - if your new to DE maybe angle & pressure needs tweaking.

*did you mean Muhle 41?

i read they can take some practicing if you new to DE shaving; the Merkur 41 is typically mild as most Merkurs.

Blimey this has got really complicated in the 40-odd years since I gave up shaving.

?

(been shaving for 30 years)

Blimey this has got really complicated in the 40-odd years since I gave up shaving.

Agreed. (Apart from me not giving up shaving!)

My grandfather gave me a DE razor when I was in my 20s, I think. I buy blades from supermarkets, buy new handles, shaving soap or gel as needed. Never needed to spend hours with hot towels, never bought or needed styptic pencils, rarely cut myself, and never, ever felt the need to try out different types of blades. I might, one day, buy an expensive razor. But that would just be for the sake of having an expensive thing. 😀

But.... I’ve got a fairly easy face to shave, I guess. I use DE razors simply because they are dead cheap and don’t over-complicate it.

... so now imagine if you hadnt been given that DE razor in your 20s by your fantastic grandfather.

Youd likely be trying to find the ideal razor head to compliment all those new handles you buy. I guess you were just lucky to find the perfect DE all those years ago ... no doubt your grandfather did all the hard work finding it for you.

I tried the Feather blades just to see if there was an improvement on the Astra Platinums; there wasnt.

I tried the Arko and badger hair brush for lathering; it was much easier and better foam using Nivea gel.

I tried the alum block ... but cos I never cut myself. it was just faster and easier to use Nivea aftershave balm afterwards.

OP, send me a PM

I have lots of stuff I don’t use I can send you

Interesting that someone mentioned stripping down cleaning and a bit of grease (true STW) my Merkur Futur has recently been a bit dodgy on one side, even with different blades.  Wonder if the adjuster has seized on one side? How do you get into it?

Just unscrew, eventually the head shoots off because it's sprung.  Pick it up, clean it, grease the thread, screw back on.

Youd likely be trying to find the ideal razor head to compliment all those new handles you buy. I guess you were just lucky to find the perfect DE all those years ago … no doubt your grandfather did all the hard work finding it for you.

Sorry mooman, my grandfather just gave me some stuff he had lying around. He wasn’t trying to induct me into the secrets of DE shaving. And I haven’t bought loads of handles - I have bought exactly one cheapish razor because I lost the original one. Maybe I was lucky. 🤣

Apology accepted.

I guess how people go through their DE shaving routine is similar to how others go through their coffee making routine.

Some select exotic beans for their £1000 coffee machines; warm their cream or milk accordingly .. and select a particular sugar to sweeten it. Where as others will just have a spoonful of instant coffee, splash of milk and enjoy it exactly the same.

Your coffee analogy is what I was thinking. And that wasn’t an apology, I was just being polite. 😂

Very confusing idlejon; first you state you have bought new handles (handles being plural) for your safety razor .. then say you only bought one.

then you apologise - and later say it’s isnt an apology .. just politeness.

Do you actually have a DE safety razor now?

I think the last count my DE safety razor blades stock can last me until I am 120 yrs old ...

As for DE safety razor I think I have at least 16, mostly Gillette from the 40s to 70s, that I can hand it down to next generations ...  Favourite is Gillette tech barber pole.

Best DE safety razor so far is Iridium, plenty of fake ones so watch out, which I think has ceased production but Astra (green and blue) and Personna (blue) are very good for me.  Gillette blue, yellow and green are fine too but I think most are catered for SE Asia whiskers.   Wilkinson not good for me as it is dull but may be good for blue beard.  Turkish brand, can't remember which now, also dull rather fast.  Greek brand Big is low quality for me and only last a few shaves.

Feather cuts me to pieces as they are too sharp and one wrong move I get nicks.

😀

Wow.  This thread deserves as much scorn as any Hi-Fi thread 😜

All this fuss about grooming products and drawing out a quick shave into a multi staged time consuming event is indictive of how emasculated men have become and are trying too hard to find a bit of socially acceptable manliness in their lifes.

See also men who refer to their sheds as man caves.

It's a bit sad.

Wow.  This thread deserves as much scorn as any Hi-Fi thread

Why’s that, then?

All this fuss about grooming products and drawing out a quick shave into a multi staged time consuming event is indictive of how emasculated men have become

Don’t be a dick. 😂

HULK SMASH!

Why’s that, then?

No other reason than, like Hi-Fi, it’s appears to be an ‘interest’ where people will obsess over small (arguably inconsequential) details, that appear to be completely pointless to others.

Very confusing idlejon; first you state you have bought new handles (handles being plural) for your safety razor .. then say you only bought one.

then you apologise – and later say it’s isnt an apology .. just politeness.

Do you actually have a DE safety razor now?

One or two cheap handles. I’ve been using them for almost 30 years so haven’t kept a tally. Didn’t realise it would be so important. Would you like me to bring my shaving products to the CX at Aberystwyth tomorrow for your approval? Sorry btw. 🤣

No other reason than, like Hi-Fi, it’s appears to be an ‘interest’ where people will obsess over small (arguably inconsequential) details, that appear to be completely pointless to others.

Sorry for the delay, normally Saturday is my non-shaving day to give the skin a rest from the blade, but it’s Fiesta time in town tonight so I thought I’d have a lovely ‘all bells and whistles’ shave before venturing out.

Hot towel to open up the pores. Pre-shave oil to help avoid drag as the blade passes over the skin. Brush  and soap applied in a circular motion to make the bristles stand and then, of course, squeezing out and re-applying the creamiest soap back on to the brush before ‘painting’ on the final layer.

Clearing soap from the lips with the thumbnail. Drawing down the blade without pressure just letting it rest on the skin with slow, short strokes. Rinse. Dry.

Same procedure but draw from right to left, then all over again from left to right.

Finish off with a narrow plastic double-bladed razor for the nostrils and sideburn edging.

Rinse off with cold water.

Dry. Apply aftershave balm. Finish with second flannel out of the freezer straight to the face, now smooth as a baby’s bum.

Aaaaanhhhhhhhhh..... shaving as a pleasure and the result feels lovely.

All the while, listening to music on my expensive hifi, each component carefully selected and all properly positioned and mounted to give me the absolute best bang for my buck, from the order in which the boxes are stacked to the way the cabling is arranged and the best speaker positioning to within the inch.

Happy days.

Tomorrow, it’s time to clear out and sweep the shed. Looking forward to re-placing and stacking all the contents in order.

Nothing like a properly-arranged shed for that feeling of efficiency ownership and reassuring aura of Blokeyness... 🤗

There is no way you go through that shaving regime and don't refer to your shed as a man cave.

No way at all.

Idlejon - apologies accepted ... although my patience are becoming a little tested.

so .. now it’s more than one handle you say?

i am not saying it’s important - just increasingly difficult to know how many handles you have actually bought ... more than one - then just one - and now, possibly more than one again😣

yes. if you need to, you can bring your shaving products to the cx tomorrow for my approval; that way I could also count how many handles you actually have - and finally help you know how many you have actually bought.

angeldust - did you not read the topic title? If you have no interest in DE shaving why did you click on the topic to read it? And more bizarrely - read the comments🤔

It’s a SHED.

’Man caves’ are for wimps.

I retract my previous comment.  The Hi-Fi arguments are entertaining, this is just dull 😜

A little browse through Angeldust forum posts to see what the intellectual forumites discuss ... apparently wanting to know Who is the strongest on STW forum, and a strange post about riding past a dog, and not getting bit are worthy to angeldust🤪 ... glad to say neither got my attention, so they really were completely pointless and desperately dull .. and neither topics have a reply off me to prove it👍

Hi mooman 🐮 How about applying some of that smoothing shave balm to the sensitive nerve I’ve touched 🤪

I may have upset you by not taking your hobby seriously - it wasn’t intentional, but hey, lighten up.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, or that it is emasculating (?), just desperately dull.  To reiterate my point, This is much more deserving of scorn than what we see in every Hi-Fi thread (and I like Hi-Fi).  Give me attack dogs and STW’s strongest man (really 😀?) anytime.

Gave the futur it's first run, setting 3, Astra premium.  Shaving blind in the shower.... Id have used the mirror as I was at home but it had fogged.  It was going ok until I got cocky and careless.... Then it turned quite hurty and my chin, cheek and neck turned clarety.

I can see I'll have to practice.  Carefully.

Found the smooth handle very slippery with wet and soapy hands, that might make it a no-no for in shower shaving, hmmm.

Still reading this completely pointless and dull thread then angeldust ... I bet you just too embarrassed to admit your DE fetish; come out of the (bathroom) closet .. and embrace your hidden DE desires (it definitely not a hobby).

neilnevil - steeper angle required - turn it so the edge of top cap touches before the blade.

You'll need "Feather" blades, adust. And remember to make sure your razor is on it's widest setting so the blade is completely loose...

Idlejon – apologies accepted … although my patience are becoming a little tested.

so .. now it’s more than one handle you say?

Ill tell you how many razors I own if you can tell me how many patiences you’ve got. 😛

Have a good race - I’ve got as far as Llandovery and had a contact lens failure.  Eating toasted tea cakes instead of racing. I’m disappointed in myself.

So now you not racing! I not surprised to hear that has changed too!!

You very indecisive to say the least ..

How many patiences you ask ... 4 in permanent residential; 2 awaiting discharge ... around 30 open in the community.

A lot more than you got razors, or handles ... I think anyways.

My face is on fire! 'kn' ell.  Thouht Id have a shave tonight and skip it tomorrow morning.  just a shave, sink and mirror, took my time....got a pretty close shave and no major cuts but lot of little ones and my face feels like it has had chilli sauce rubbed over it.

I can see this will be a long, and painful learning experience.

Dare you to use the alum block!

Neilnevill.

Wind the setting down to 1. At 3 you are exposing a lot of blade, which could be one  of the blades that irritates your skin.

DE shaving is not a competitive sport, you don't get extra points for self inflicted skin grafts.

The prep is more important than the rest of it. When shaving, small smooth strokes with no pressure. Shave with the grain. You're not trying to shave baby smooth in one pass. Set the Futur to 1 and do 2 or 3 light passes, soaping up in between each pass. Don't shave against the grain. It will give you a very close shave, but next time lots of those hairs will still be trying to break through the surface of your skin, producing lots of tiny bumps which you will just nick the tops off.

just increasingly difficult to know how many handles you have actually bought

..as a matter of interest what kind of razor is it and where do you buy the handles from?

Wind the setting down to 1. At 3 you are exposing a lot of blade, which could be one of the blades that irritates your skin.

DE shaving is not a competitive sport, you don’t get extra points for self inflicted skin grafts.

The prep is more important than the rest of it. When shaving, small smooth strokes with no pressure. Shave with the grain. You’re not trying to shave baby smooth in one pass. Set the Futur to 1 and do 2 or 3 light passes, soaping up in between each pass. Don’t shave against the grain. It will give you a very close shave, but next time lots of those hairs will still be trying to break through the surface of your skin, producing lots of tiny bumps which you will just nick the tops off.

^^^ This plus using short "chopping" motion without pressure.

...so anyway, how do you lot wash your hair?

(Weird thread. I'd assumed a request for advice on "de-shaving" would be all about growing a beard, so thought I'd a have a look at the piss-taking responses. How wrong I was....)

Bbs, thank you, close shave/bumps/Knicks ahhh.  I thought I either did something different to cause it or the blade was blunt after just one shave, but I'd read must people seem to get multiple 3 pass shaves from Astras. I did think about what I did differently and do some more reading and have a few things to try, but interesting to think I may have shaved too soon after my previous days close shave.  It did give a very close shave last night, here I am at lunch time with something that is more than acceptable for stepping out the shower having shaved in the morning for work.  I may try a close shave on alternate days.

Last night was no shower, hot hot sink wash bit didn't try a wet towel/flannel (will next time).  Turned futur up to 4 for with and across grain, 1st pass caused the Knicks. Turned it down to 1 for last pass against the grain, .Felt like that didn't take much off but it did leave a good finish.... But mucho irritation!  Have left on 1 for the next shave.

Also need to try a pre shave oil and different soaps.  I realised I just used cheapo soap from the dish yesterday, when on Saturday I'd mixed with a squirt of some moisturising soap on the shower shelf, that might have been an important difference.

Definitely shaving at home for a while, to hone some technique..... And glad I'm not needing a shave today!

Best to stick on least aggressive when you start, up the aggressiveness until it's too much then dial back 1.  Don't rush it though, like neiln said, it's not a competition. Also try different blades, Astra don't work for me but do for others and blades cost so little that losing a packet only costs £2-£3.  I'm sure one of the on line sellers does a mixed pack of blades.  Soap also seems to matter - I have a dish of Wilkinson Sword soap - it's crap.  I've used Arko (stick - about £3), it's brilliant.  Brush matters as well as a softer brush whips up more lather which is better.  Some brushes soften after use, depends on what the bristles are

It’s all about finding what’s right for you

i don’t use pre shave oil and use sharp blades in very aggressive razors, two passes, minimal buffing and I get a DFS

Dfs?!

Dfs?!

Damn fine shave.

Also need to try a pre shave oil

Yes. This is probably why you’ve been suffering. The oil will help the blade glide over the skin instead of snagging on it.

A decent soap will do that

The oil will help the blade glide over the skin instead of snagging on it.

Wouldn't it help the blade glide over the hair instead of cutting it?

Never used oil myself, other than as a replacement for soap and that never really worked for me

3rd shave with the futur this morning and wow it's given a good result!  Possibly the best shave I've ever had.  Set at 1, still super close shave (is assumed aggressive=closer but perhaps not), 3 passes but was excellent after 2, pre shower, hot hot towel on face, used my Dove moisturising soap mixed with cheapo bar of hand soap which does give a better lather although it's not long lasting.  3rd go with the astra blade.  I did get a few small bleeders and used the styptic crayon for the first time, but no significant irritation and this shave will last until Friday I think.

Much improved, I'm enjoying this and wish I'd tried it 20-30 years ago!

Not traditionalist as a badger hair brush etc - but try Nivea shave gel. Nice thick foam gives a super smooth shave.

Not traditionalist as a badger hair brush etc – but try Nivea shave gel. Nice thick foam gives a super smooth shave.

Or get the Gillette shaving gel with Cocoa Butter as I think this is better than the one with Aloe Vera extract.

Or you want it really cheap then get the shaving stick soap from Palmolive from Wilkinson, think it is 50p per stick and will last for a while.

thanks for those tips.  I'm generally a fan of cheap if its effective...75p soap stick not £20 sandalwood soap.  Searching the web Arko shave stick looks a worthwhile value option to try found a box of 12 sticks for under a tenner on ebay....that may be overkill

I've also been looking on ebay for collections of blades to sample...trying to resist for the moment..I could end up with years of blades if I'm not careful!  Found feathers at £17.80 for 100 seems pretty good.

I missed the postman today, who left me a card to go collect something and give him my autograph...I suspect its a package courtesy of @Holyzeus.  Looking forward to seeing what's there exactly...a few things to try out, some blades, and some lotions and potions, and a razor.  I'll try out any bits before buying more.

Has as already been said; some prefer different blades. I only tried Astra Platinum and Feathers .. both felt the same when new, razor sharp!! but the Feathers lost their edge quicker - and dragged a little.

So Astras were cheaper to buy - and longer lasting. I think I got a box of 100 blades for £6-7 ..they will likely last me till well into retirement.

I’ve also been looking on ebay for collections of blades to sample…trying to resist for the moment..I could end up with years of blades if I’m not careful

I got a mix-pack from Connaught Shaving:

https://connaughtshaving.com/popular.html

It's changed slightly since I got it. I would highly recommend getting something similar. I first tried the Astra Platinum blades, as I got a pack of 5 with my razonr & thought they were great - why would I need anything different?
I then went through that mix-pack and found a surprising difference between blades. I now use Wilkinson Sword.

I would personally stay away from Feathers

Crap on the first use, brilliant on the second and then you have to throw away, also slightly more expensive than other blades

right then gents.  I'm 4 shaves in and things are settling a bit.  my technique is better (loads more room to improve I'm sure) nd I an get a stunning shave with minimal to no irritation.  I've learnt, setting 1, and a good soap seems to be ESSENTIAL for me....if i mix a good squirt of my dove soap with the cheapo bar it is smoooooth, if I don;t its guaranteed bleeders a plenty.

4 shaves in with the Astra SP blade doing fine....I'll try it again but know shortly its going to blunt and disappoint.  what to do next?  try another Astra and refine my technique and futur settings?  I'm on #1 now btw and still getting a closer shave than I could get with the mach 3 without scraping away my face.  Or do I try another blade?  I'll save the one feather and one shark for a while, but could try the personna or the supermax.  both less sharp but smoother I believe.

After half a dozen shaves I turn blade in there upside down and it gives a good shave. I convinced it works - others not so. Try it and see.

i think you’ll benefit more by quality thick shave foam than blades at this moment.

mooman, cheers I'll try that (just turn the blade over in readiness for next shave).  I'd noticed the Astra blades have the edges/sides numbered 1 to 4 for some reason and had the thought about turning the blade over.  Given that the blade blunts largely by the edge rolling over I could see how turning it over could easily affect how it works.  Whether its any better and lasts a bit longer....I'll try it.

Good soap is worth every penny for me. A £10 tub from, for example, Taylor’s of Bond Street lasts me a year! Been using them for several years.  I shave average 6 days a week and enjoy it.  That’s pretty good value at less than £1/month. I don’t need a lot of soap per shave. Though I am going to try Arko too, seems dead convenient especially travelling.

3-4 shaves per blade is also darn good at less than 15p a blade. So I don’t see the point in trying to eek out more shaves than that. Though I’ve found some do last a bit longer, Lord and Astra for example. But this will likely be different for everyone. It’s personal choice. When I started DE shaving the first couple of weeks were poor, but once got the hang of it using no pressure and let the blade work it got much easier and quicker. I have two vintage Gillette razors, a Rocket HD and a 40’s open comb (shaves much closer).   Two passes is a decent comfy and close shave, not baby bottom smooth, but very good and feels way better and cleaner than ye olde Mach 3 which would last a week and was pretty disappointing at end of the week. DE shaving is all good, minimal plastic for starters!