"Never judge a razor on its first outing"

There's a reason the title of this thread is in quotes. Because I did not say it.

Few days ago, I wrote about returning a razor to the manufacturer after one shave,
because I decided it was not for me.

Instantly, a few keyboard contrarians jumped in. 

Surely, you're being impatient.

You haven't given it enough time.

What arrogance, said one fellow with an avatar featuring Chewbacca, 
and a demeanour that matched the hirsute one.

Do you have experience with DE razors, one chimed in bravely.

How experienced are you, another opined.

Give it time, you haven't used the right shaving angle. 

And so on....

I gather from these statements that there is a school of thought which maintains that
if a razor did not work for you and you spotted it right away, it must be your fault
and you know nothing about using one.

THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE AND I'M STARTING THS THREAD TO COUNTER THIS NOTION.

I've never encountered a razor that disappointed me on first shave, and then miraculously
started to delight me as I continued to use it more and more.

Conversely, every razor that I've loved impressed me right from the first go...and continued to
improve as I used it.

I am sure others think differently but this is my opinion.

Share your thoughts, please.

For me it often takes a couple of shaves to find the optimal angle for my face. That said, I can see there being razors that you know right away just aren't for you.

I've received good-natured teasing from friends/members on the forum that know me due to this very thing. After a 1st shave if I wasn't impressed or didn't like the razor after the first shave they say "well that's off to the BST". I've also watched some members that have teased me routinely use a new razor for a week or more seeing the SOTD's and them giving it high marks in their comments only to then invariably sell it in the BST. I too know in a single shave if it was meant for me to enjoy. I never understood the mentality that if someone LOVED a razor and you didn't, something is wrong with you or your technique. I've since quit worrying what others think. I know what works for me and in a single shave can make an informed decision for myself that I can live with. I say don't worry about them if they can't 


This post by Dave in KY mentions views and opinions expressed and makes it known that they are "those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DFS or any other member, agency, organization, employer or company."

Totally with you. Ive sold a ton of gear after the first use. Some did not even complete the consummation. There are too many razors that fit my technique than to fight a razor that doesn't.

I generally can tell within the first 6" worth of travel if I should proceed or not.

Don't listen to the DE elites that enjoy looking down their noses at anything other than the standard recommendations on how to shave. It is your face. Do you, Boo.

There may well be razors that are not for you. I have a couple that I can use, but do not enjoy using.
I find the Muhle R41 is too aggressive for my sensitive skin. If I try to use a less sharp blade in the razor to protect my skin, the blade is no longer sharp enough to slice my coarse beard. Thus, I can use it, but rarely choose to do so.

I do think that it can take more than a couple of shaves to make that determination. The blade you pair with the razor can make a huge difference in the way it performs. Thus, you might need to try the razor with a variety of blades to determine whether the razor is for you or not.

However, there are some razor characteristics that can be quickly ascertained.
1. Is the razor handle too long or to short for your liking?. I like long-handled razors.
2. Is the weight of the razor too heavy or to light for your liking?. I like heavier razors.
3. Is the handle diameter too small or too large for your liking? I have large hands and like larger diameter handles. Of course, handles can be replaced if it is a three-piece razor.
4. Does the razor head properly center and secure the blade?. If it does not, the razor is a fail.

There are too many razors that fit my technique than to fight a razor that doesn't.

And who's to say that the razor doesn't fit your technique...maybe it's just not all it's
made out to be.

I've received good-natured teasing from friends/members on the forum that know me due to this very thing. After a 1st shave if I wasn't impressed or didn't like the razor after the first shave they say "well that's off to the BST". I've also watched some members that have teased me routinely use a new razor for a week or more seeing the SOTD's and them giving it high marks in their comments only to then invariably sell it in the BST. I too know in a single shave if it was meant for me to enjoy. I never understood the mentality that if someone LOVED a razor and you didn't, something is wrong with you or your technique. I've since quit worrying what others think. I know what works for me and in a single shave can make an informed decision for myself that I can live with. I say don't worry about them if they can't 


This post by Dave in KY mentions views and opinions expressed and makes it known that they are "those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DFS or any other member, agency, organization, employer or company."

Haha nice disclaimer Dave

I've received good-natured teasing from friends/members on the forum that know me due to this very thing. After a 1st shave if I wasn't impressed or didn't like the razor after the first shave they say "well that's off to the BST". I've also watched some members that have teased me routinely use a new razor for a week or more seeing the SOTD's and them giving it high marks in their comments only to then invariably sell it in the BST. I too know in a single shave if it was meant for me to enjoy. I never understood the mentality that if someone LOVED a razor and you didn't, something is wrong with you or your technique. I've since quit worrying what others think. I know what works for me and in a single shave can make an informed decision for myself that I can live with. I say don't worry about them if they can't 


This post by Dave in KY mentions views and opinions expressed and makes it known that they are "those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DFS or any other member, agency, organization, employer or company."

Haha nice disclaimer Dave

Thanks, decided to put it in my signature

I've received good-natured teasing from friends/members on the forum that know me due to this very thing. After a 1st shave if I wasn't impressed or didn't like the razor after the first shave they say "well that's off to the BST". I've also watched some members that have teased me routinely use a new razor for a week or more seeing the SOTD's and them giving it high marks in their comments only to then invariably sell it in the BST. I too know in a single shave if it was meant for me to enjoy. I never understood the mentality that if someone LOVED a razor and you didn't, something is wrong with you or your technique. I've since quit worrying what others think. I know what works for me and in a single shave can make an informed decision for myself that I can live with. I say don't worry about them if they can't 


This post by Dave in KY mentions views and opinions expressed and makes it known that they are "those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of DFS or any other member, agency, organization, employer or company."

Haha nice disclaimer Dave

+1

I think often times something as simple as trying a different blade can make a world of difference. Not many do this in the middle of shaves.

Sometimes I’ll hone a SR and am not super thrilled with the result and will contemplate going back to the stones. Often if I’m patient enough to try the razor again in a couple days, I find that the edge I was not thrilled with is, in all reality, fabulous