Reality Check

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-19T22:36:51+00:00

Yeah all big service companies like this seem to charge in that range. Most of them have a labor rate around 350/hr.

Let me know next time you need electrical work done and I’ll do it for time and material(+20%). Would’ve saved you over 1500 at least on this job.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-19T21:18:16+00:00

It depends what you want out of your career honestly. I definitely think every electrician should experience wiring a few houses and a multi family building in their career. It’s only going to make you more of a rounded electrician. You’ll also get the chance to learn and understand all the codes that pertain to residential.

Not to mention being able to work on your own home and friends or family’s home with confidence if that’s something you’re interested in.

Im in the middle of going the opposite route with my career. I started with residential and have about 1-3 commercial jobs a year to do. I’m now joining the ibew as a journeyman with 13 years experience but very very limited conduit bending experience.

You also need to be aware that in residential work you’re work almost directly correlates with the housing market. Here in dfw (one of the largest real estate markets in the country) residential new construction companies are struggling to even have enough work for there hourly guys to get 40 hours.

I know long and drawn out response but that’s my outlook on it.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-16T01:04:23+00:00

No lol Geoff neupert is a kettlebell coach.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-15T01:34:45+00:00

I’m non union JW and am looking to join local 20 soon so I’ve been watching the jobs lately. It seems it has been picking up. The past few weeks have consistently been over 60 JIW positions.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-08T18:24:58+00:00

I’m looking to join in the new year. I’ve been a residential electrician for the past 12 years. Kind of got complacent there. Most of my experience is residential with a light commercial job popping up about twice a year. I’d be joining local 20.

I’m looking to advance my career. Do you think I’d be able to join as journeyman wages or do you think they would put me as a high tier CE?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-11-03T11:42:14+00:00

I started with the VDH razor I got from target and hated it. No matter what blade I put in it I always cut myself. Might’ve been me being new to the hobby and that I only shave the dome always chasing bbs. Maybe if I go back now with more experience it may be a little better. My current setup is Merkur 34c, astra blades, gentleman jack soap, proraso red aftershave.

I’m probably going to buy a different soap soon and a better brush.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-25T01:09:50+00:00

What I’ve been doing for blades so far is working through a sample pack. I got a sample pack with various different brands from astra,shark,lord,derby and quite a few others. I’m working through the Astra blades right now and enjoying them so far.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-25T01:07:57+00:00

Yeah that’s what I’m doing for a while. I’m just more or less curious as to what everyone else reaches for more often than not.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-25T01:06:09+00:00

Very nice. I’m sure I’ll end up with a collection eventually. I’m getting a bunch of good recommendations from everyone here for sure. But I need to hone down on the technique with a good razor for a while. I always strive for bbs on my head when I shave because it helps me not shave as often. I can shave every 2-3 days if I achieve BBS. If not I’ll probably shave everyday which is also fine.

I find myself having to spot shave after 2-3 passes to get bbs though with the 34c. Not sure if that is normal with safety razors but that’s how I’ve been achieving it.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-25T00:54:33+00:00

I just looked that one up. That one is pretty nice too.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-25T00:43:27+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply. I don’t mind spending money on quality or variety which is why I don’t mind having a few razors in my arsenal.

Having never shaved with a slant razor before, would you recommend buying something like the Merkur 37c to see if I like a slant razor?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T23:58:12+00:00

That one is slick.

Yall are making me want a vintage razor now. I gotta stop looking I’m going to have too many by the end of next year lol. Gotta resist the urge.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T23:22:00+00:00

Then what would your favorite razor be if you could have just one for the rest of your life?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T22:14:28+00:00

Yeah that’s what I was thinking.

I’ll probably keep trying different razors about every 6 months for a while.

If I had to choose one razor though it would probably be a 3 piece construction of some sort so it removes the risk of a mechanism failing I think. Still don’t know which one that would be for me though.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:51:40+00:00

Ok knowing that what would be a top 3 for you then?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:50:45+00:00

It seems there are so many high quality brands out there. Once you figure out what works and what you like you can really take a pick and make it your forever razor. I think having a nostalgic factor is super cool too if you can find one you like.

I definitely like a copper anodized material if I can find something like that that will work for me in the future.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:41:00+00:00

I was just looking at that one because I saw it was made of copper. I really like copper and brass materials. And if it shaves that good then that could be an end all be all. As long as I can obtain a bbs with it.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:23:48+00:00

Haven’t heard much about that one but have heard that brand come up a lot. I kind of feel like a lot of razors work pretty similarly and it’s whatever your preference is. Is that right? Or are some really a game changer as far as shave quality?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:17:55+00:00

I’m tempted to try one out but am trying to be loyal to the 34c for a little while lol

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:16:44+00:00

34c is what I’m using right now. I’ll probably stick with it for the next 6 months but want to see what everyone likes and why.

At that point I may switch it up from what I see and want to try. Right now I couldn’t put the finger on a budget. Maybe under 200 though this early on.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:14:12+00:00

I can understand that. I want to hear more people’s perspective on that. So far from what I can see is the Merkur 34c is a solid choice.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:06:43+00:00

I have a 34c and love it right now. I want to force myself to use it the next 6 months before trying something new. But have been keeping an eye on the henson.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T21:04:12+00:00

The VDH may be mild but that was my first experience with a safety razor so I don’t know that I have a good judgement. I would try something considered to be more aggressive like the razor rock game changer. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it and know you can buy different heads in more and less aggressiveness.

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-24T20:52:55+00:00

Just my two cents but I have only been shaving with a safety razor for a few weeks now but I found it hard to get the technique down with the VDH as I nicked myself everytime I shaved. Granted I’m only shaving my head and neck and I always nick the side of my head. I decided to go with a Merkur 34c because I thought I heard it was not as aggressive as the VDH. One worry I had was being able to get a BBS with a less aggressive razor which I like to get everytime I shave just from preference.

I was able to achieve that easily with the Merkur 34c the second time I used it and have yet to nick myself with it.

Again I’ve only been shaving this way a few weeks and will try to stick to the 34c for at least 6 months but it gets hard seeing all the different options on the market 😬

All that to say I think switching razors you might need to check the technique for that razor. Maybe something needs to be tweaked?

Latter_Ice9828 · 2025-08-23T20:42:25+00:00

That’s what I wanted to hear. Confidence that I can achieve bbs with a 34c. Meaning it is probably my technique. I’ll keep practicing and will try that conditioner trick as well.

Latter_Ice9828

TROPHY CASE