Four Bad Pieces of Wet Shaving Advice 

That lamp is awesome

I'm beginning to learn that going more aggressive is actually better for my skin... You're completely right!

I use a 1960 Gillette Fay Boy razor. I have very sensitive skin. I discovered that setting it to the medium setting (number 5) was just the right amount of blade exposure. A good tip for those who have sensitive skin is to shave with COLD water. This really works. Also, shave every other day. This stopped all of my shaving irritation problems.

Excellent advice - that "no pressure" thing has been annoying me too. Just btw, I'm a chauffeur and have to be clean shaven all the time. I typically shave twice a day - once at home in the morning, and once in the afternoon in the car. I did try a DE and became quite proficient, but I've come back to cartridge razors. (in fact I'm currently using a very simple disposable dual blade which works wonderfully) I've made an interesting discovery - the right moisturising lotion actually allows a very effective "dry" shave - i simply rub some on one area at a time, and then shave that area with no water at all. I started off using this method in the car only, but have now switched to doing it this way at home too. Very quick & easy, with no messy dripping water. I can just leave my shirt on too. When I'm done, I wipe my face with a cloth to remove any lose whiskers and that's it - the moisturiser disappears into the skin. Excess bristles on the razor can be tapped off into the sink or bin etc.

This was so helpful. I’ve been DE shaving for about 2 years and have struggled with irritation and razor bumps. I tried every combination possible of hardware, software, and technique. One pass, three passes, WTG, XTG, ATG, stainless steel, aluminum, brass - didn’t matter…irritation and razor burn. The one variable I didn’t ever think to change was pressure. Every video I watch out there said “no pressure. Do not press the razor. Let it glide over your skin.” This morning I was very intentional about adding pressure and using good technique and boom. One of the best shaves of my life. BBS with minimal irritation. A couple of small nicks but I was very satisfied with my shave. Nothing an alum block couldn’t take care of. Looking forward to my next shave in a couple of days to fine tune my technique. It was like butter. No more skipping over the hairs and tugging. Sliced right through with ease. And I have a very coarse beard…not dense, but very coarse. Thank you so much for this video as it gave me some freedom to add pressure to my DE razor. Been going through your content and it all has been very informative!

Cold water shaving. That's right COLD WATER ! ! ! Luke warm water/hot water strip away one natural oil & moisture therefore leading skin irritation. Cold prevent that from happening... leaving your skin more HAPPY ! ! ! Great advice & HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! !

i think bad shaving advice is how everyone starting out wetshaving gets told to buy like a merkur 34c or some other extremely mild razor. Then if they dont know any better they may be like wow this type of shaving sucks doesnt even take hair off..(i know my first thoughts with a 34c felt like i was trying to shave with a butter knife.) My starter advice would be to just buy a good cheap adjustable like the rockwell 6c. Then once you know what you like buy a higher end razor that correlates with those needs/preferences.

One of the most informative and useful wet shaving videos I've ever seen. Keep up the magnificent work.

This video is a reminder of giving value before asking for money in business. Im appreciating this content, once I get my technique down I will have to get one of your guys razors 💪

Good points - esp. No. 4. I get the worst razor burn from mild razors because I spend so much time buffing, trying to get all the stubble. An efficient razor means I work less and end up smoother with next to no stinging from the alum or splash. And finished quicker too.

You are right on all counts. My biggest mistakes DE shaving were watching all these shaving gurus and trying to piece meal my routine from them. Long story short, very effective razors (aggressive) and common sense go a long way to irritation free, close shaves. The no pressure thing used to trip me up too.

Hot Tip for first time users: Double check to make sure you're only putting one blade in - the first time I used mine, I didn't realize that two blades were stuck together when I assumed I was taking just one out of the package... whoops! What a _terrible_ experience it was! I nearly threw out my new DE razor until I discovered _my_ mistake, and am surprised I managed to not hurt myself.

Thanks for a very interesting video. I think you hit the nail on the head with all four points, especially what you said about using a more efficient razor. So many videos use the word ‘aggressive’ and advise ‘beginners’ not to use them. It certainly put me off buying certain products which, in the end, were exactly what I should have bought. We live and learn. Subbed. Cheers!

Happy New Year, Shane and all the best for 2023 !!! Loving the Myth Busting.

Nick Shaves did a good blade review series on RU-vid. He explains that the two qualities he looks for are sharpness and smoothness. In descending sharpness for me have been: Feather Gillette super stainless (Russia) Gillette perma sharp (Russia) Shark super chrome Astra SP Vokshod Derby The Vokshod are not sharp enough to cut my beard so I used it for one shave and that's it. I also know the Derby's won't work for me. The best advice for the beginner is to get 5 or 10 blade pack of the above and see what works for you. You want to limit the variables in the beginning, but you can't eliminate them all. Some blades will fail you regardless of technique. The standard beginner razors are Merkur 23c, Merkur 34c, Edwin jagger de89. It makes sense to start there, you recommend a beginner use a Muhle r41?

Hello! I'm with you one a few of these and not so much on a few. The reality is that many new people are looking for hard and fast rules to getting good shave with safety razors and the truth is that there really aren't any. People just need to start out carefully using reasonably good equipment and learn how to do it for themselves. I unfortunately bought into some of these as a newcomer, especially number one on your list. How the heck do I shave with no pressure?? It's not possible but I didn't know that at first. Thanks for putting these out there. Happy new year! -Eric

The "no pressure" bs is also taught in straight razor tutorials and it is equally fallacious for the cut throat razors for the very same reasons you mention. When you say "nuance" that is the perfect word to describe what each individual has to develop. Thanks!

When you say we are absolutely going to talk about the giant razor over your shoulder I hope it’s going to be about how one goes about acquiring one. I’ve tried a lot of razors and the Blackbird is my favorite. I’ve got blades that I rarely use as they don’t work for me in some razors. There is something to certain combinations, but the Blackbird is useable with every blade I’ve tried. Very nice job.

Thank you for this, Shane. I just started with a DE safety razor a few weeks ago and am still trying to find my groove. No/light pressure, tons of blades, incorrect lather technique...so many elements that seem to be tripping me up. Looking forward to seeing how your hot takes improve my routine. Going to try and add a bit more pressure for my next shave while eliminating the ATG pass. Appreciate this video!

Agree 💯% Technique and repetition equals "Competency". The different blades and soap combinations just add to the hobby. What works for me will not work for everyone (e.g. 3 pass BBS rule 🤣). Great stuff brother, and hope you put that lamp on a future "giveaway" 🤞🏽

I came to most of these conclusions myself, but it’s good to hear them out loud. As far as blade choice, there are differences, but they are minor when first starting out. My advice for a beginner would be to get a good mid price razor (you get what you pay for mostly) and perfect your technique with one blade (manufacturer and model). This might take a couple of months at least. Then, maintaining your technique, try different blades. As you said nuance is the key here.

I'd somewhat challenge what you said about mild vs aggressive razors, because, as you actually also said in the video, the cause of getting irritation with a mild razor isn't necessarily that the razor is lacking in efficiency, but that people use poor technique with it, because they can't tell whether it's doing the work and compensate. I have way too many razors for a mortal person, and there are a few things I've learned from using them all: - With a mild razor, flow-through matters a lot. If it's poor, hair and lather/gel/goo is going to accumulate under the blade and the razor will rapidly lose efficiency as a result. Using thinner lather or just shaving soap mixed with water is likely to help, though. - Mild razors tend to have a narrow range of angles where the blade can actually cut hair, and keeping the angle is the real challenge with them. A lot of people fail at this, and blame it on the razor. - Regardless of whether a razor is mild, aggressive or in-between, it needs glide. Even just watching shavers here on RU-vid go over a spot several times after they've removed lather from it, then get weepers, redness or complain about razor drag when that's just par for course. - Sometimes people (or at least I) can't get a close enough shave with a razor if it doesn't clamp the blade fairly close to the cutting edge and the hair grows in such a way where it's always close to the skin. Then the razor either just skips over the hair and doesn't really shave it, or, if there's enough blade exposure, skips and digs into skin just a little, resulting in irritation or weepers. A blade shim sandwich usually sorts this out, though. The point about shaving angle actually also stands with aggressive razors, but for a somewhat different reason - it's easy to get the blade dig into the skin too much with a razor with enough blade exposure, because there's no pressure needed for that, just a particular angle range.

Love these comments. I am in my first month using a safety razor. You helped dispel several misconceptions immediately. I appreciate your no nonsense approach too. Thanks

I agree with you on most everything you mentioned. I believe you have to try different technics yourself, although I do appreciate watching others shave and note their technic or what they use for razors and resources to get a good shave. I went back to wet shaving about five years ago and have about twenty different razors so it's nice to experiment as you mentioned with different technics and different blades or creams or what not. Unfortunately for me I seem to gravitate to those who recommend certain razors because as I watch them shave and I think they have a thicker or tougher beard then mine I figure that razor should certainly work for me. Another words they find it less aggressive and smooth or more aggressive and better efficiency like you mention. However until I buy it then I shave with it and it works just the opposite for me, again a really personal matter as everyone is different. What works for one may not work for another and vise versa!

My son & daughter in law were able to get me the Blackland Era for Christmas. I love it.. it’s the 4 plate.. and I think it’s perfect for my face. I am becoming a big fan of Blackland. Their customer service has been outstanding. I have made several purchases and they just seem to be a fantastic group of folks. Major praise coming from me. Thanks for quality products, but thanks even more for caring and giving quality service💪🏼. Happy New Year Team Blackland🙏🏼

You might want to include this for timeline marking purposes but doing that is up to you: zero colon three zero - use no pressure three colon one zero - try different blades with your new razor five colon five zero - three passes against the grain eight colon one five - sensitive skin needs a mild razor If you do put that into your description, be sure to use the numeral symbolized form so they become links for viewers to click on.

I agree with you completely, I was having sub par shaves for all the reasons you pointed out. Until I realized that one pass and a little touch-up was all I needed. After all a shave is only BBS for a few hours so why stress my skin for it.

Great advice there Shane and a Happy New Year that I hope will be happy and healthy for you and your family. Also another bit of advice which I'm not saying is right or wrong is, having an adjustable razor and people saying "you must start on a high number and reduce to a lower number on the razor for a second and third pass". For me personally that approach does not work too well, and I look at it in this way. If I am doing a shave and I want to do three passes, on the second and third pass the hair is at it shortest and having an adjustable razor on a higher number setting, for me allows me to catch the hairs a lot more easily than going to a lower number on the razor for the second and third pass. Love that lamp, and also I'm absolutely over the moon with the Blackbird that I got for Christmas, getting some excellent shaves with it. Looking forward to trying the open comb plate out in a month or so, when I've had a bit more experience with the Blackbird.

Great advice. We have all been guilty of not expanding our advice and just giving quick answers.

For me it's an extremely light touch so I would say no pressure... and I just fool around with the angle. I don't grip the razor hard at all.

When's the machined finish sabre going to be back in stock?

Hi Shane. Thanks for the advice. I recently bought an OC Era from you with plates 1,2,3 & 4. The only option to buy at that late stage was the razor with lvl 1 plate. I thought as many do that I needed a mild razor but I've discovered after only 2 shaves that plate 1 is no use to me. Tuesday I used plate 2 and cut myself a few times, weepers really, but got a closer shave. After watching this video I think I will try a more efficient plate and go WTG and XTG only and see how I get on. I sent you an email about my purchase but since I did I discovered I was "leading" with the comb rather than the blade. Lol I'll get better using it.

Thanks for this video! I just started wet shaving, got my first DE razor (not from your brand, but one that's recommended a lot for beginners lately)and all the accoutrements last week. I've been so excited to try all this stuff, I've forgotten why I used to take multiple days between shaves, because my facial hair isn't that thick and my skin is sensitive. I've seen so much about going xtg or atg, I figured I should at least try it, and after 3 days in a row of doing 2 pass shaves I am feeling baby smooth, but also feeling some irritation and noticing a little bit of razor burn, way less than if I was still using a cartridge razor, but enough that it's noticeable. I think I'm going to let my face chill for a day or 2 before the next shave and see how close I can get in one pass with the grain like I used to do, and stick with the same blade brand for a while until my technique is giving me more consistent results. Like any hobby, it's easy to get over enthusiastic when you first start off, this video really put that into perspective for me and i'm grateful, plus now i know about another razor brand that i didn't before, so bonus ;) !

Even though this video is dated, I watch is periodically to remind myself the keys to good shaving. No pressure-BS, 3 passes-BS. Great tutorial video.

Yes, yes, yes! Once you learn the razor, then start switching up blades. I lucked out with my first combo, and sometimes still use the razor as a constant to try new blades. King C. Gillette and Astra Green. Consistent and no issues. I like a way more aggressive shave now, but when I started, that was the most consistent.

Another piece of bad advice is to start out with a mild blade as a Derby. You need the shsrpest possible blade so use Feather blades from the beginning. I use a Muhle R41 with Feather blades and this super efficient combination works for me.

Yep. Good luck allowing the "weight of razor to do all the work" when you're going against the grain. I tell people to start by going just WTG every day for a couple of weeks just to get a feel for the razor and to help their face get a feel for the razor before they even think of adding XTG. I haven't been looking at "that guy". My girlfriend told me that size doesn't matter.

My Fatip Piccolo open comb is very picky when it comes to pressure. For me it isn't such a problem as I used straight razors for years where pressure and angle makes a massive difference. My eyesight is not up to it anymore though. As for blades I use Feather, BIC and Treet carbon in my three actively used razors.

One thing I've found is that I can still use Barbasol Sensitive Skin Aloe shaving cream in a can. I personally don't need expensive concoctions of soap to get a decent shave contrary to popular opinion. FWIW I just switched from a Gillette Mach 3 to DE. Using Personna USA blades.

What great advice!. I am new to Wet Shaving and I wish I would have seen your video a couple of months ago.

Good stuff, Shane - agree with all of them, particularly the 3 pass nonsense. Add one, which is probably a corollary of one of yours: The sharpest blade will give you the best shave. Nonsense. Define best? Is it closest? Not for me. I hate feather blades - sharp? you bet. also harsh and nasty. One of my go-to blades when I'm just looking for a clean fast comfortable shave? Astra Blue. Mild? maybe, but it's comfortable, gets as close as I need to get and it's made by P&G, one of the largest consumer goods companies in the world and it's dirt cheap. Win, win, win. Keep up the good work - One day, I need to try a blackbird.......

"Sensitive skin needs a mild razor" to be myth - This most likely depends on the person. A MILD razor is always better for me, and better when I use a sharp smooth blade. I get my best face shaves doing TWO passes with a mild razor loaded with any of three of my best choice blades. I also do have a 'standard' aggression razor head which I use sometimes just for a change, but I always have MORE irritation from using it (yes, also with just a two-pass shave).

Your on target 4 for 4 and bonus points for the lamp..... when's that getting added to the site? 😎

Tip #4 is excellent, i did this by feeling - have sensitive skin and what worked for me was an open coomb aggressive razor and Feather blades which in 1 pass took away all the hair with no irritation.....and with cold water that was the perfect recipe for me.

Totally disagree on point 2. I have around 5,000 shaves under my belt since 2006, and I own all of your razors. if blade "X" sucks for your face, you don't need to use it 10/20/30 times to find out if your technique is solid or not. It will be obvious when you find a decent (or bad) blade. FWIW, I love the Lab Blue now, btw. EDIT: I absolutely agree on points 1, 3, and 4. BIG TIME.

Wow. That pressure advice just transformed my last shave. Previously I found that without a particular pre-shave to soften my hair, my razor would pull and tug. I just tried without it but adding more pressure and the blade cut through so smoothly 😅. Thanks for correctly that advice 🔥

Awesome table lamp!

All good ideas to ponder. Thanks.

Thank you for this advice! It reassures me! 👋😀👍

Hey Shane, I agree with you 💯 on your shaving tips. It is absolutely proven with the blackbird.

The best shave and smoothest skin happens if you perform your shaving right after taking shower , the face skin and facial hairs will be cut easier for blade and at the end you are going to have a baby face .

The thing that annoys me the most is this idea that there are mild and aggressive razor blades. All DE blades are razor sharp. The difference between the least and most sharp is about 1.5% of the scale. Just a sliver. I think people confuse blades that work for them as sharp and blades that don't as dull. It's just not the case. There are a lot of factors that determine if a blade works for any given person. And there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason that helps newbies pick a blade.

wonderful advise for all shavers. regards dapper shaves

All good and valid points.

Yeah, I tried shaving my neck and under my chin without adding any pressure. I couldn't even get the lather off.

Great advice , thanks 👍

What razor do you recommend for someone with sensitive skins and coarse beard?

Excellent video, I totally agree, Love your lamp

Interesting! Ty

Excellent advice - thanks Shane!

Great video! Will the blackbird titanium continue to be sold out is it a limited batch?

I find putting your index finger on the handle (towards the blade) helps control the amount of pressure.

Great advice. When I started traditional shaving I followed some of that bad advice. Finally got most things figured out. Always improving though.

My first time wet shaving I was only doing the weight of the razor, I couldn't understand how people liked this since I was doing like five passes, after I started getting confidence that I would not cut myself and adding pressure now the shave was pretty good

Really really good advice and aperceat your article you are the great sir

Great advice…especially #4. Thanks Shane!

I am waiting for a Blackland adjustable !

Thanks for breaking down these persistent myths! I don't know why there's so much orthodoxy and a need to over-complicate things with shaving. One thing I get tired of hearing is the villification of cartridges. I guess everyone is different, but a decent one can give me a very good shave with a bit less time and effort than a DE. The advantage to DE is the wide range of choices and flexibility, plus the old school coolness factor. I use DE solely for the cost savings.

Pressure is important.i get rash if i add pressure

I have found that the blade has been critical to my experience as a wet shaver. My first blade pack was a derby-very uncomfortable experience with a lot of tugging. Trying the sharper blades helped me realize what wet shaving should feel like. The #1 BS shaving advice: BBS shave = ideal shave. When in reality, it means irritation and razor bumps for many.

Tip one is SO bad! I tried to no-pressure shave for a while and it was WORSE than when I was pressing in a bit. This advice clearly was designed for open-comb aggressive razors! If you're using a milder gap/exposure razor with a closed comb safety bar, you can press a LOT before anything bad happens, and it helps the blade do its work. It makes sense, because cartridges are mild, low exposure set ups too, and you can scrub like crazy with those.

Great vid😊

Very interesting video. Thanks 🙂

Many thanks, that is very helpful.

I see a lot of shavers saying that you need to use warm water and to warm the blade up. I've been cold water shaving for about 2 years now and I've never had a problem with the performance

I agree with most of what you said here with one exception. To me its horrible advice to tell people to apply more pressure if you feel pulling and tugging. In my experience that's the quickest way to see red- either through irritation or bleeding. Instead I think its time to go to a new and/or sharper blade.

The point that rang out the most for me, was point 4. I have moderately heavy growth and sensitive skin, and I wholeheartedly agree with you. Amongst the many razors I own, I find the Blackbird fits the bill perfectly and it gives me a very good enjoyable shave every time.

Excellent Advice!

Do more aggressive razors always have a wider blade gap? There are times when I sometimes cut my lips with some razors.

Rock solid tips. 👊🏼🤠

1, Like you no pressure the Autistic part of my brain really has issue with that. 2, Blade stuff yes variables always need to be minimised when learning basic techniques. Just bought 100 derby so will learn for about a year ! 3. worse advice is Vegan brushes are as good, for the Badger yes for your foam no way.

Great advice bro totally agree

Couldn’t agree more on 3 passes are not required. It’s your face… 1-2 or 3 or 6 passes… it’s all up to the individual.. I’m a 2 pass shaver

"Three passes against the grain" to be a myth - I have never heard this myth. I use or try to use two passes; with usage on the blade, I go some fraction of a pass beyond 2; and if I reach to a three pass shave, usually it is because the blade is wearing out. Most of the two or three passes ARE NOT AGAINST GRAIN. Never seems fitting. Pass 1, mostly with the growth. Pass 2, cross the growth or against the growth depending on where being shaved.

No5 Always shave with hot water. I can only shave with cold water.

1 pass is enough don't do more than 1 pass for irritation

Great advice Shane.

Thank you 🤙🏻

1 Disagree NEVER apply pressure. 2 Disagree by using a SAMPLE PACK I was able to find what I needed to use in a blade. Technique takes1 minute to figure out and also I disagree USE MANY SOAPS too. 3 AGREE the number of passes depends on the person but there is nothing wrong with trying things like an extra pass or against the grain experiementation is fine you might find that 3 passes and against the grain works. 4 DISAGREE While sharp is best for sensitive skin but mild/smooth razor is also important it is a combination.

So funny common sense is not common. Mild razor are not mild for your skin. Over shaving must be a major cause of skin irritation. Thanks for the advice!

Outstanding advice

#4 in particular is great advice.

"Try different blades with the new razor" to be myth - this is misleading. True, at the beginning of wet shaving the person spends several weeks for technique development; but at the same instances, a blade or two which suit this person badly is/ are a bad choice for this person. I say, try different sample blades for ONE or TWO different razors; maybe pick just one or two specific blade products at the beginning, and after three or four weeks of experience, then switch to other blade samples more frequently.

There's shaving advice? I have somehow managed to do it perfectly without a lick of advice.

Lots of good things to think about!

Great and sensible comments. Now I need to order a razor

Just because of this video, I'm gonna drop some cash on your products.

Great video, Very informative. Thanks!

great video! Thank you. I love your advice on the number of passes! I have only been shaving with a DE razor for a couple of months, and I realize that my first pass goes really well. When I do a 2nd pass (or 3rd), I invariable cut myself, and create skin irritation. More aggressive blade, coupled with less passes may be the trick for me. Thanks again!