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I’ve started shaving my head daily, so am trying a safety razor for economy and for a nice close shave.
Bought a Gillette King C and used the blades that came with it. So far I’ve been a bit disappointed with it, so what’s up? Is it my technique, the blades that come with it, the lube I’m using (head blade slick) which is like a cream rather than a foam, or are they not actually as good as I’d thought?
I have to do several passes to get all the hairs, whereas with my Headblade it does the whole lot in pretty much one or two passes, but the blades are a lot more expensive.
I've just got a Gillette King too. The supplied blades aren't very aggressive. I'm using King of Shaves shaving oil and shaving once with the grain and then against. The shave is noticeably closer than with a Gillette Fusion.
BTW, the blades are from Russia - all the P&G brands seem to be made in St Petersburg. You can get non-Russian blades e.g. Personna, Tatra and Tiger.
May try oil, yeah the blades do seem a little ‘safe’ - no cuts yet.
Any suggestions on decent replacements?
If you've only ever used a modern razor then you need to practice.
Modern razors have flexible heads that follow your face/bonce without you having to do anything.
If you're using a traditional 'safety razor' then you are the flexible bit (your wrist) and you have to get the angle of attack just right to get the closest shave.
It has taken me several years of using a safety razor to figure this out!
Any suggestions on decent replacements?
Feather blades have a good reputation (and are made in Japan so no guilt in buying Russian), I'm just trying a wide variety.
Now is not a good time to be buying Procter & Gamble's razor blades from Putin's hometown and contributing to Russia's funds for war.
https://nazk.gov.ua/en/news/procter-gamble-is-recognized-as-an-international-sponsor-of-the-war/
Just bought 100 Bic blades (made in Greece) for £10, should give me plenty of time to perfect my technique
I’m a head shaver too, and use a Merkur Futur adjustable safety razor and Feather blades. I don’t know about the Gillette you have but the first thing I’d do is buy a pack of feather platinums and some nice shaving soap.
I found that when I started I would nick my head quite a lot but now have the technique down and (other than around the back of the ears) get a clean and cut free shave each time.
Feathers are bloody sharp but do lose their edge after around 3 full head and chin shaves for me.
Just bought 100 Bic blades (made in Greece) for £10
Nice one! Bargin!
This cream is really nice…
https://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/en_gb/saponificio-bignoli-parma-violets-shaving-soap.html
Blades - I bought a sample pack - Personna where the ones that worked best for me…
https://connaughtshaving.com/samplepack.html
I started with a Gillette King C too but found the handle a bit too fat and smooth.
I’m on a Merkur 23C now - a bit longer, grippier and lighter.
If you’ve only ever used a modern razor then you need to practice.
or not ... it really depends what you want out of it.
I tend to get a decent head of stubble every so often and the fancy razors just clog and/or cost too much.
With the safety razor I can go from a cheap amazon hair shaver to that where a fancy razor would clog up..
If for some reason I want to get a closer shave I have some fancy twin blade pivot thing...
<p style="text-align: left;">I've got two razors, can't remember which is which but one is a Gillette.</p>
I think the Gillette is less close and I use it when I'm away from home, much easier to use in a rubbish campsite mirror with bad light, or in the campervan when I can't see properly! Not as close but less likely to cut myself with it.
So I'v if different blades and angle don't sort it, you might just be one that's a bit more adjustable, or aggressive.
Try rinsing the razor in cold rather than warm water as you shave. I learnt it from a proper celeb hairdresser and it is a thing. The cold water makes the blade contract and tighten, you get a nice smooth shave and it feels lovely on your bonce
Seems to work with any razor in my experience