Thread: My first DE

After using my first straight razor for a few weeks and perusing this forum I thought I would try a DE. After some searching I bought a Maggard MR1. Cheap with good reviews. Now I can only say WTF!!! Why has no one told me about DE's before! I blame all men for not spreading the word.

My first shave was very timid as I had no clue what to expect but in the end I was shaving like I'd been using one my whole life. End result was my best shave ever with 0 nicks. I gotta say this has definitely sealed the fate of my cartridge razor for good. Now it wasn't as close as I have gotten with my straight but then I havent been able to do my whole face with the straight yet so it wins the title of best shave ever by default over my Dovo. As soon as my schedule gets better I hope to meet up with Badgister and finally figure out how to do under my nose and around my chin, but until then I'll continue to finish up with the MR1. In fact when I'm in a hurry I just use the DE. I can shave faster and better than I ever did with a cartridge razor.
I have nothing to compare the MR1 to and will pester my wife into getting me something for Xmas to compare it to. Seems Merkur is highly regarded but I have lots of time to research that before then. Then I can compare the two, hopefully by then I'll be fully competent with the straight, or at least able to do my whole face

People seem to Gillette Fatboys too, I would say check out the Merkur barberpol. Its heavier and the shaft appear to be a little longer.

Thanx the fat boy looks interesting.

Originally Posted by AlanQ

Thanx the fat boy looks interesting.

The oils Thorpe's hammer is nice , a tad pricey

Great choice for a starter DE. I have a Maggard - I think it's an MR18 - and liked it so much I gave a couple as gifts a couple years ago at Christmas. Excellent value.

Also, good idea to meet up with Badgister when you have the chance. Zayid is a great guy and you will learn a ton.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Great choice for a starter DE. I have a Maggard - I think it's an MR18 - and liked it so much I gave a couple as gifts a couple years ago at Christmas. Excellent value.

Also, good idea to meet up with Badgister when you have the chance. Zayid is a great guy and you will learn a ton.

I am going to try and meet up with him soon.

Originally Posted by whoever

The oils Thorpe's hammer is nice , a tad pricey

cant find this anywhere (my google foo has failed me yet again)
Got a link?

Having started shaving when DEs were the norm I am always a bit surprised when a newb has not heard of them. Showing my age I guess. I would say that before accumulating more DEs that it would be a good idea to get your shaving technique with a SR tuned to the point where you are getting great shaves with them first. That will teach you how very light a touch is needed and the importance of using the proper angle on the blade.

That in turn will improve your DE shaving experience and allow you to use more aggressive DEs without too many disasters. Oth an adjustable DE will allow you to use progressively more aggressive settings as your shaving technique improves. A new or used vintage Gillette adjustable might make a good choice as a second DE for that reason.

Don't forget the brand of DE blade can make a big difference in how a particular DE shaves. If you combine an aggressive DE with a very sharp blade, like a Feather, you may be looking at trouble for a beginner. You can get sample packs of blades to see which work best for you in which DE.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Having started shaving when DEs were the norm I am always a bit surprised when a newb has not heard of them. Showing my age I guess. I would say that before accumulating more DEs that it would be a good idea to get your shaving technique with a SR tuned to the point where you are getting great shaves with them first. That will teach you how very light a touch is needed and the importance of using the proper angle on the blade.

That in turn will improve your DE shaving experience and allow you to use more aggressive DEs without too many disasters. Oth an adjustable DE will allow you to use progressively more aggressive settings as your shaving technique improves. A new or used vintage Gillette adjustable might make a good choice as a second DE for that reason.

Don't forget the brand of DE blade can make a big difference in how a particular DE shaves. If you combine an aggressive DE with a very sharp blade, like a Feather, you may be looking at trouble for a beginner. You can get sample packs of blades to see which work best for you in which DE.

Bob

Seems like sound advice,
I knew about DE`s growing up, my father used one, but the switched ot electric before I was old enough to shave and so I started off with electric as well. First time I used an actual razor was a bic disposable, I needed to shave for work and my electric had packed it in, the only thing lying around was the Bic. I soon discovered that even a bic was better and less irritating than an electric and moved on to a gillette sensor excel. Where I have languished ever since. I did try one of those 5 blade things but hated it. It was only after my last haircut that I decided to try a straight razor (barber does the back of my neck and aroudn the ears with a straight) Since then I must say I have learned so much thanks to all the nice peopel on this forum.

What neither my father nor anyone else ever told me was how much better DE`s were than cartridge stuff or that Straights were even better yet. And no one ever told me how much better using a brush and soap was than canned foam. I have seen the light and will not look back. I can also assure everyone hear my son WILL know the difference when he gets older.

I am intrigued by the adjustible DE`s but I think I'll stick to what I have ATM. My wife will be recieving an Xmas wish list based on what I've read hear on this forum
As to the blades I bought a 7 variety pack with the DE but have only used the gillette 7 oclock so far so I havent been able to compare the ones I've got yet. I will look to see if I have the feather in the pack, If not I'll probably finish off what I've got then get some feathers and whatever I seemed to like the best and compare them. I did see the thread on peoples blade preferences and will slowly go through them all to see what I like.

Ideally I will eventually get good enough with the striaght that the DE will only be for when I am in a hurry/travelling or just plain lazy. I already liek it mor eI am just not that proficient with it yet.

Originally Posted by AlanQ

cant find this anywhere (my google foo has failed me yet again)
Got a link?

sorry this may help auto incorrect got me
Pils 101NE - Unboxing | TheShaveDen