Thread: To DE or not to DE

I "touchup" with my DE/SE razors..left and right sides of my neck where I still cant get those pesky hairs..and left n right sides of my adams apple exactly in the middle...a few extra pesky spiny hairs hide....its not a bad thing to get shaving "variety"

I started wet shaving again back in August, started using a straight razor (it was on my "bucket list") about a month ago.

I have days I wonder why I ever bothered, more days I wonder why I wasn't doing this decades ago instead of abusing my skin with electric shavers day after day and being perpetually irritated about the face.

I find when I feel pressed for time, I will use a DE razor and not be entirely happy with the result.

I actually got a BBS last week. This morning I took off a patch of epidermis suitable for grafting, but my face isn't irritated.

Keep at it.

Norm

I have to say at this point, and it is by no means an attack on anyone, having tried using electric shavers in the past, I fail to see how they make the process faster. For me to get one of those things to move on my face, I would first have to rub this stick of soft chalky cr@p all over my face before attempting to shave. The results were always fairly poor too. The time it took me would be the same as if I was using a can of foam and a cartridge razor, except the cartridge razor gave better results.


Mick

The one common motif I read in these SRP DE threads is that most members say they use them when "pressed for time". That's a shame, because DEs can provide a very enjoyable shaving experience by themselves. What's more is that when you find a good razor blade combo they are capable of giving awesome shaves too, just as smooth as a straight shave (if not as long lasting).

Every razor has its place in the shave den, and I would hate to see DE's written of as a utilitarian, only-for-emergencies backup.

Originally Posted by Ryan82

The one common motif I read in these SRP DE threads is that most members say they use them when "pressed for time". That's a shame, because DEs can provide a very enjoyable shaving experience by themselves. What's more is that when you find a good razor blade combo they are capable of giving awesome shaves too, just as smooth as a straight shave (if not as long lasting).

Every razor has its place in the shave den, and I would hate to see DE's written of as a utilitarian, only-for-emergencies backup.

Ahem. Not so much "written off as" but as early in the game as I am I know better than to rush using a straight razor. I'm far more facile with a DE razor having used one for several years - three decades plus ago - and recently reacquired the basic skill set to get a smooth not bloody shave.

As much as I like SRs I've only scratched the surface of the arcane art and after only 3 months' trial I've yet to find a combination of DE razor (Merkur Futur, Feather AS D1, MANY different Gillettes including the one I learned on in 1972) and blade that shaves as close as a SR without irritating. So much goes into this. Prep, the right soap/cream lather consistency, pressure, etc.

In "the old days" it was "here's a razor, here are the blades, this is goop in a can, watch me, now you do it" and I had a choice of Brut, Hai Karate or Old Spice, not the plethora of products available today, 4 decades later.

I figure I've got the other half of my life to get this right, but I really doubt I'll go back to an electric.

Originally Posted by normbal

As much as I like SRs I've only scratched the surface of the arcane art and after only 3 months' trial I've yet to find a combination of DE razor (Merkur Futur, Feather AS D1, MANY different Gillettes including the one I learned on in 1972) and blade that shaves as close as a SR without irritating. So much goes into this. Prep, the right soap/cream lather consistency, pressure, etc.

It's actually amazing, most don't realize it but the number of nuances involved in DE shaving almost rival those associated with straight shaving. So many variables go into both arts that it is sometimes really hard to pin down what someone is doing wrong, or right for that matter. My routine and combos seem to be working out more than well for me, so I'm going to continue doing whatever it is that I do .

Originally Posted by normbal

I really doubt I'll go back to an electric.

You bloody well better not, we'll make sure of that

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

DEs can be nice but frustrating too. They are recipe driven. This razor, with that blade will be different with anther blade. One DE and 10 different blade makers gives you 10 different shaves. 10 razor makers with 10 blade makers becomes a dizzying effort to find a good, nick free, shave.

And one man's zero point edge is another man's two by four.

I use a Feather stainless DE with feather blades and, while mild, I like it just fine most of the time, but lately I'm using a straight-razor, and have several, and find the same truism. I sent a couple blades out to Lynn, and to Wid, and while shave-ready, I just got another, much older, swedish steel blade delivered that I feel is MUCH sharper than any of the three I got back from the honemeisters.

The search goes on. Enjoy.

I replied to this thread but am not sure if it was submitted correctly.
In brief (will try) I recommend an Edwin Jagger double edge. This is a very well made DE and is not adjustable. Still, I've had great success with this with no nicks. My price was $39.95. Using it has taught me to recognize the direction of my beard growth. I started with Bolzano and then tried Feather DE blades. Both are excellent blades and reasonable in price. DE's are much better than the Fusion types. It just takes a light and accurate touch. Good results obtained WTG, XTG, and ATG. Would recommend a DE for head shaving though some may disagree. It would seem that shaving blind with it on your head would be less prone to misshaps.
I'm still a newbie but had my first SR shave today that is comparable to my DE and didn't need a DE final touchup. So I feel like I graduated. I hope this helps.
Phil

I got a Merkur with the longer handle and love it. I go back and forth between straight and DE, and as others have said, it's easy to grab the DE for a quick touch up after using your straight. I just use generic blades I find at the supermarket. If I only use the DE a blade lasts about a week.

Like some of the others here I had a vintage adjustable Gillette but have no idea where it went. I actually like the Merkur better and don't miss the adjustable feature.

I've used straight razors exclusively for the past few years, never owned or tried a DE. Lately I've been traveling a lot for work, often weeks at a time. I spent a lot of time (and money!) trying to create a "perfect straight razor traveling kit" with everything I'd need to hit the road. I took my set out for the first few trips, and it worked out well, but in the long run it was just a pain in the butt to haul all that stuff around (razors, strops, barber's hone) all over the place.

So I went to an antique store and bought an old, beat up, open comb Gillette razor for $15 bucks. I've been using that exclusively for the past 3 weeks and, for me, it's a much better option when I'm on the road. It wasn't hard to get the technique down, and overall I'd say the whole process, start to finish, is definitely shorter when using the DE vs a straight. I'm getting good shaves and, for now, that's all that matters.

Don't see myself getting into DEs long term though - just as a travel convenience. That being said I do plan on buying one more, just to replace the one I bought (it works, but the handle is cracked). But compared to traveling with straights, I love it.