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would i better off getting a d/e to do touching up? i,m only doing cheeks at the mo with a str8 (got my first cut this morning looks good!)so have been finishing off with a mach 3,i,ve sent my str8s off to be honed so will be without them for a week or so,
i thought perhaps a d/e would keep me focused on being careful and keep my skin used to a blade. what do you think?
I stuck with the straight all the way when I was learning. that way was keeping my learning curves isolated to one tool. I didn't even use a brush when I started.
X
Go exclusively straight to avoid crutching and confusion. Once you learn, picking up the DE will be a lot easier.
Go fully straight! And stop the 'Carry On' style titles:roflmao
I use a DE to clean up, for those times when I'm in a big hurry, or if I've had even one frosty adult beverage. Funny, I never had a DE before I started using a straight. Yet another AD to overcome.
I agree with our two resident blabbermouth Canadians. :D
If you want to use a DE, stick with it for at least six weeks or so. There's a learning curve with a DE, although it's not as steep as with a straight.
Sometimes I think it would be a good idea for guys to learn to use a DE first, although it's not necessary. You do learn a lot about pressure, beard prep, lather, direction of beard growth, multiple passes... That stuff comes into play with a straight, too.
I took a break from my straights to learn a DE at the outset because the Mach 3 was mauling my face so badly... I was getting worse razor burn from the Mach 3 than from the straight, so I was in a downward spiral. The DE was my way out. :)
Josh
ooooohh matron!! i,m going straightQuote:
Originally Posted by Bradford Si
That's exactly how I started down this road. Began with a DE for about 3 months before trying out a str8, and it was worth it. As Josh mentioned, I learned a lot about pressure, and blade angle and mapped my beard growth. Sure all of this can be learned without a DE but there is a steeper learning curve. And, I still use my DEs for touch-ups or if I'm in a hurry. Or just when I want a slight change.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshEarl
I did it like xman. Straight all the way, from the very first shave. No Mach 3 touch-ups. I wanted to learn the same way men did before Gillette invented the disposable machine-made blade. First 10 shaves weren't all that great, but they were pure-straight, no cuts (a little razor burn, though). However, the first few shaves took more than an hour because I was being very careful, and didn't know which strokes to use on my face. Now, it takes about 20-25 minutes. So for me, it's either a straight shave or no shave if I don't have time. My family, friends and co-workers have gotten used to seeing me stubbly three or four times a month.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshEarl
I was DE shaving for a few months before going to a straight. It was never my intent to try a straight razor since I didn't think I would be into the maintenance side of it. The more I shaved, the more I enjoyed the razors where i could feel the blade on my face (Merkur Slant or a Fatboy set to 9).
Anyway...this blabber mouthed Canadian was well served by not having to deal with the soap/cream/lather/pre/post/yada yada yada stuff learning curve. I could tell right away if my prep was poor. Now I just know it's my technique and my-improving-but-still-have-a-long-way-to-go honing skills.
If I start with a shave with a straight, I finish with a straight. The only time I'll finish with a DE is if I'm dealing with my sucktastic edge.