DE Problems

So... I am in a rush this am so reach for the DE. Followed the usual lathering routine, new blade, hot hot water etc so what's with the blood and razor burn everywhere?

I used to use a DE every day with no problem, what's going on?!?!?

I find that my DE chops start to deteriorate if I'm not using it every day. :shrug: The technique between a straight and DE is pretty different. The straight is more forgiving in terms of pressure, I think.

Maybe the DE is harsher on your skin, so you'd need to readjust to it by shaving with it for a week or two?

It's also possible that you got a bad blade--I've had that happen once or twice.

Maybe Randy will chime in--this is his territory. :)

Josh

I have the same problems returning to a DE. I think the requirement for the lather for a DE shave is thicker than the requirement for a straight. Straights are so much smoother against the skin. I can use a straight with very wet lather, a DE will irritate the skin if your not careful with the lather.

I agree with Alan about the lather. I learned to make lather when I was DE shaving, and I liked the really fluffy and thick. It seems like you need some cushion with a DE.

Now that I'm only shaving with a straight, I like my lather just a few drops of water shy of runny. That kind of lather used to give me horrid razor burn with the DE. Slickness is the name of the game here.

Josh

Same here, I'm really leery of the DE nowadays.

Even when I was shaving with a DE I've always made my lather as wet as it would go and have it not run down on my face, but I keep forgetting how touchy the DE really is. I got a terrible case of razor burn a week ago because I decided to touch up a spot I missed (neck under the ear, I forgot a stroke) with the DE. First pass against the grain is no problem there with the straight, but one stroke with the DE and it took several days for the rash to heal...

When i went back to a DE for a shave, i used a feather blade, which i hadn't tried before. I came out with 3 stripes of blood down my neck, which surprised me. I used to get great shaves with a DE, and now my knowledge of shaving is much better, and whilst the quality of my shave with the DE was better than it used to be, it was less forgiving when it came to irregularities in my skin.
I think its a great way to shave but its better to stick to one method and get used to it.
I haven't really gone back to my DE again.
Nick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nickyspaghetti

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I think its a great way to shave but its better to stick to one method and get used to it.
I haven't really gone back to my DE again.
Nick

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Your right there, back to the straight last night and it was far easier and much more forgiving...would never have thought I'd say that 4 months ago!

See you have left the UK now? Permanent or work related?

Simon

Its a temporary move for the moment. I'm over here for 2 months to teach english and to look for a permanent teaching position for september.
Now my first task is to recover from polish easter.......I don't think anybody has stopped drinking vodka since sunday!
Nick