#1
Hi Gents would like some advice and your views if possible. I have EXTREMELY coarse hair and have always struggled with shaving it. I currently use razors that weight around 130 grams and some around 115 grams. I see alot of people enjoy lighter Razor and also titanium however the lighter razors IV used are awful for me as it won't cut through my hair and it's really a painful experience. Also IV tried most DE blades and the best one for me by far is feather blades as with most other blades I find they are not sharp enough and I struggle to cut through my hair, however even with feather blades I struggle to use them more than once especially if I go for a BBS shave with around 4 days growth, however I have heard of some people taking DE blades over 100 shaves. I was just wondering if anyone else can relate to me and has similar issues or do some of you think I'm doing something wrong?

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#2
I have a thick, coarse beard as well. I shave daily as well. My best tools to success are good blades and good prep. If either is off, regardless of my razor I will have a bad time. Conversely if those two elements are in point I will have a great shave regardless which razor I’m using. I gravitate towards efficient razors with fewer passes. 

Hot shower is a must for me. Proraso preshave cream helps but I can’t get the best experience without the shower. Also need a fresh blade. I toss my blades after two shaves. The falloff in experience is not worth the savings for me. My favorite blades are personna med prep, Gillette silver blue, Gillette nacet, and astras in that order

My favorite razors for a consistent shave are smart helix apollo, wolfman wr2 1.25, rocnel sailor 2020, oneblade genesis, timeless ti 95, karve C plate. In that order

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#3

Merchant
San Diego CA
I think it's important to understand that weight is just natural force. You can replicate this effect with a lighter razor by dialing in the amount of pressure required. In other words, replacing or replicating the effect of gravity with force from your own hand. It's just a matter of working on this skill and getting a feel for it.

Coarse beards require good prep, good lather, and good technique. If your blade only lasts one shave then that's fine. My guess is that technique and process adjustments could get you a lot closer to where you'd like to be.

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#4
I tend to use more feather blades because they seem to cut the whiskers with less effort. 
I'm sure others will argue this but you ask. I toss a feather usually after 2 maybe 3 shaves. 
If you aren't sure change it out in mid shave, I think it's a good test, of sorts.

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#5

Posting Freak
Canada
(03-16-2021, 02:10 AM)Blackland Razors Wrote: I think it's important to understand that weight is just natural force. You can replicate this effect with a lighter razor by dialing in the amount of pressure required. In other words, replacing or replicating the effect of gravity with force from your own hand. It's just a matter of working on this skill and getting a feel for it.

Coarse beards require good prep, good lather, and good technique. If your blade only lasts one shave then that's fine. My guess is that technique and process adjustments could get you a lot closer to where you'd like to be.

+1

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Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart
#6
Thanks alot for the advice, I found the point Shane made interesting about weight being natural force, as I'm used to shaving with heavy razors I always try to use no pressure so when I use a light Razor I use the same approach. Also a good point about changing the blade mid shave if it doesn't feel right. I still haven't found a great pre shave routine, I never shower before a shave as I have very long hair so by the time I dry it and style it my face is no longer moist from the shower. IV also tried hot towel but I find this drys my skin out, have used many pre shave products but can't really say anything actually softens my hair. I think the softer you can get your hair the easier the blade will cut through but Is very hard to soften the hair in my experience.

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#7

Merchant
San Diego CA
(This post was last modified: 03-16-2021, 04:35 PM by Blackland Razors.)
(03-16-2021, 04:24 PM)LORENZO44 Wrote: Thanks alot for the advice, I found the point Shane made interesting about weight being natural force, as I'm used to shaving with heavy razors I always try to use no pressure so when I use a light Razor I use the same approach. Also a good point about changing the blade mid shave if it doesn't feel right. I still haven't found a great pre shave routine, I never shower before a shave as I have very long hair so by the time I dry it and style it my face is no longer moist from the shower. IV also tried hot towel but I find this drys my skin out, have used many pre shave products but can't really say anything actually softens my hair. I think the softer you can get your hair the easier the blade will cut through but Is very hard to soften the hair in my experience.

Right. The “no pressure” saying really just means don’t add pressure because the weight of the razor creates enough pressure. When you remove that weight and go to a light razor you need to add pressure back in. Otherwise a light razor just gets stuck on the hair and tugs.

A shower will help you so much. You can probably figure out a way to keep your hair dry. I really can’t shave without a shower due to my own coarse beard. That’s probably going to give you the biggest return.

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#8
How about a face wash once the hair have dried out.... Post shower ofcourse.

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#9
(This post was last modified: 03-16-2021, 06:34 PM by BPman.)
(03-16-2021, 02:10 AM)Blackland Razors Wrote: I think it's important to understand that weight is just natural force. You can replicate this effect with a lighter razor by dialing in the amount of pressure required. In other words, replacing or replicating the effect of gravity with force from your own hand. It's just a matter of working on this skill and getting a feel for it.

Coarse beards require good prep, good lather, and good technique. If your blade only lasts one shave then that's fine. My guess is that technique and process adjustments could get you a lot closer to where you'd like to be.

I agree with all you said, but I think many believe their beard to be "coarse, tough, etc.", when in reality it's just normal. Asian hair is said to be a tad but more difficult to cut, but I believe that the most important factor IMO is not only good & thorough prep (Gillette says a minimum of 3 mins. of inundation), but what one washes their face with during their prep can really tip the scales in the favor of the person. It is the least researched (or at least discussed) aspect of shaving. Plain ol' bar soap doesn't cut it and leads to rougher shaves IMO. A top shelf facial wash really makes a difference and you need to lather it for at least enough time to slowly repeat the alphabet according to dermatologists. I can vary a shave's quality by merely changing the cleanser I use for prep. Just my 2 cents. 

As a side note, I think Gillette may know this but are hesitant to release that info for fiscal reasons.  Angel

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#10

Posting Freak
Canada
(This post was last modified: 03-16-2021, 08:08 PM by celestino.)
Wouldn't just a good old-fashioned face lather for a few minutes suffice to prep the beard?
I do this every morning and it seems to do the trick for my coarse, rough whiskers. Smile

Rebus Knebus likes this post
Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart


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