Tips for using cobra?

I'll be taking delivery today, hopefully, of a cobra classic.





I'm really hoping I'll get the great shaves I have heard so much about. It got me thinking, I have no idea how to approach this thing. I've used injectors before so figure the style must be close. It's coming with Feathers and Kai Milds, I figure I'd start with the milds.

Can anyone offer me tips on using this beast?

Just use it the same as any other SE razor. You'll hear it when the angle is right. I can't help with blades. The one I borrowed came with one type blade and it was really good. I can't remember which blade.

It's so intuitive to use that there really isn't much to tell.

Nice razor!

I'm just learning to use mine too. I'm also starting with the Kai mild blades.
This thing is heavy and wide! It's nearly twice as wide as an injector razor.
Be gentle with your touch, it needs just the lightest touch.

First off you are a lucky dog. The Cobra is a great shaving razor and the Kai mild is the best of the best IMHO. Because of its weight absolutely no pressure. Enjoy your shaves

I never thought there was any trick or special technique necessary. When it is assembled, it doesn't have any sort of scary blade exposure or anything that appears dangerous. Even more than the slant, it has a "blood thirsty" reputation that in my opinion is unwarranted. I also found that it made really no differences between blades. Congratulations on finding one!

Like all razors, finding the angle is key, but it won't take long. As mentioned before, another key with the Cobra is no pressure. Hold it loosely in you hand. I rest the bottom of mine on my little finder and just cup my other fingers around it. I let the weight of the razor do the cutting. Not only are the results extraordinary, but the razor provides me with the only "no irritation" shave I get from any of my other razors.

I found the blades very different in terms of feel. I am sure you will find one you enjoy more than others. Let us know how it works for you.

Got the Cobra in the mail today and had it in use within an hour! Did I say I was excited?

I had one of those "where have you been all my life" moments!

This thing is incredible. I was terrified by it but after the first swipe I knew I would be okay. Did my entire face 3x and neck 2x with ZERO NICKS OR WEEPERS! Also little to no irritation on my neck which my neck is infamous for! After a few tries with the milds I'm going to get out one of the Feathers and see if I can do any damage

This may be the only razor I need for the rest of my life! One question though... how many shaves do people get per blade?

It depends on the coarseness of your beard. The coarser the beard, the fewer comfortable shaves you will get. I have a very coarse beard and change the blade after 6 shaves or so. If you have an easy beard to cut, I have heard of 12 or more shaves per blade.

Congrats on getting the Cobra! I had the same "where have you been all my life" moments on my first shave as well... Then I was kicking myself for missing so many opportunities to pick one up sooner

Hey I had a Cobra in my mailbox today as well! Hope for the same experience.

I have a medium beard with more coarse gray hair than I would like. Today I had shave number 10 with a KAI Mild blade. For comparison, I usually toss a DE blade after 3 shaves and a GEM SE blade after 6 or 7 shaves. Of course, YMMV.

eric.

My first reaction to the cobra was quite similar. However, for all of 2014 I've used the cobra a whopping one time. Don't get me wrong, it's a great razor. I just can get as close of a shave with others now at less risk.

Regarding blade life I say it has nothing to do with the coarseness of your beard. My beard is so coarse that I can't use DE blades at all and use SEs exclusively. I have gotten 19 shaves out of a Feather Professional once & 18 shaves twice. I typically get 15 shaves out of a blade and never has one lasted less than 10. I think the life is more related to how efficient your technique is and how good your lather is. My SE technique is really good as it's all I use and why I can get 12-15 shaves from most blades that I use.

My cobra love has waned but that doesn't detract from how great of a shaver it is.

I Cobra Classic

(04-14-2014, 05:04 PM)Agravic Wrote:

I Cobra Classic

Yet Straights > Cobra!

I think your Cobras may be slightly jealous Ravi.

(04-14-2014, 05:14 PM)SharpSpine Wrote:

(04-14-2014, 05:04 PM)Agravic Wrote:

I Cobra Classic

Yet Straights > Cobra!

I think your Cobras may be slightly jealous Ravi.

Ha!

Straights have been a more recent distraction, but there will always be a reserved spot in my den for Cobra ...

- easy learning curve
- intuitive
- efficient
- blade longevity
- 'cool' factor

To answer to the OP query ... as many have already discovered ... load it up and proceed. No special methodology here ... same rules as DE razors ... good prep/lather and minimal pressure, etc.

I am so excited about this razor! I got such a great shave. It's a gorgeous piece of art too.

Dustin, congratulations on the new razor!
The Feather Pros are probably the sharpest of the blades for it and they usually last 6-9 shaves, comfortably, depending on your beard type.
Enjoy.

Ok I'm sold first shave! 2 days growth off with ease in 2 passes. The wide head navigates easier than expected.

(04-14-2014, 07:20 PM)eengler Wrote: Ok I'm sold first shave! 2 days growth off with ease in 2 passes. The wide head navigates easier than expected.

How come we didn't get this razor sooner??? Is that WSO blash I see too? I think we might have similar tastes

They are not easy to find for sure. I knew I wanted to try one after using a Schick Injector. The WSO Blash is nice stuff.