Thread: How many of you started out with (or still periodically use) a DE?

I'm curious as to how many of the straight razor shavers here started out with a DE, and if so, whether or not you think it helped you to prepare for ultimately moving to the straight (technique, etc.). Is it more forgiving, or did it possibly help due to removing one of the big variables (knowing that you have a sharp, ready-to-go blade?) Also, I'm curious as to whether or not you solely shave with a straight now, or still use a DE from time to time.

I realize this is a straight razor forum and I am still very much interested in learning to shave with a straight, but I'm also wondering if DE shaving is a good stepping stone for some folks instead of simply going from Mach 3/Fusion -> directly to a straight. Again, no offense intended to the straight razor gods! Just looking to hear about your experiences on the road to shaving with a straight.

IMO, the best thing you can do is to jump right in. I also would advise you to not use a shavette or feather with disposable blades.
I have used both, and regular straights are much more forgiving of imperfect technique. With disposable blades, any mistake however slight is a cut.

I have never shaved with anything other than a straight or a feather since I picked up straight shaving again.

For traveling I have the feather because I don't want to deal with stropping and moisture in hotel rooms.
No cartridge will touch my face ever again if I can help it. I'd rather shave with a sharpened spoon or clam shell.

I went from a Mach 3 to a DE, and then to a straight. I still shave with a DE mostly, because I just can't seem to get the technique down with a straight for my neck, where the hair grows in such a way that I can't manouver a straight to cut it really close. I always end up with stubble in some areas of my neck. I keep telling myself it's just a matter of practice...

I think the DE helped me in that I had the basics down already when I started with the straight, i.e. little or no pressure, letting the blade do the cutting on its own, and knowing the blade to skin angle. But that's just what I personally think. Another observation I have made is that a straight razor is much gentler on the skin than any safety razor. I can't recall ever getting razor burn or lots of tiny nicks from a straight, but that has happened with a DE. Not entirely sure why this is.

The only nicks I have receved from a straight razor have been slightly larger ones, and all but two of those have been due to me losing track of the tip - the proverbial "slicing your ear off"... Not that bad, though.

I think it would be possible to successfully go directly from a Mach 3/Fusion to a straight (and many have) as long as you read up on it properly and don't just jump right in without knowing what to do. I think Lynn posted a comment about someone shaving with the blade at a 90 degree angle to the face, for instance. But I would definitely suggest going with a "real" straight razor, honed and shave ready, from the start.

/Nicholas

Originally Posted by Bruno

I'd rather shave with a sharpened spoon or clam shell.

Give us a yell if it comes to that mate... I wouldn't mind taking a look

Greg Frazer

Should be a pole question.

Never. Never thought about it. Never cared.

X

I started with straights, but I do own a Gillette Tech and Feather Portable (see a pattern? ) I use them maybe once a month either out of laziness or on a whim.

I went straight to a straight! (Well, starting point was cartridge, but I tend to push that into the dark recesses of my mind now.)

I went from a DE to str8s and I only use the DE now maybe 3 times a year. I don't think you should pick up a DE with intention of using it as a training tool. Jump right in. There is enough good info available for you to learn.

Jordan

I went from the Mach3 to a Fromm-clone shavette for about 6 shaves, to a straight. Working on shaving stuff for the troops led me to try DE's so I could field questions if necessary. I still use both the straight & DE, just depending on time & mood. The straight gives a much closer shave everywhere except a couple of spots on my neck, just because the hair grows at a crazy angle and I have yet to find how to tackle them. The DE knocks these areas down easily, but the shave isn't as close and doesn't stay smooth as long.

I switched to a DE in 1993. Then got the whim to try a last winter so switched to a focus shavette type for a month then got my real straight. If you have the desire for a straight razor shave go to a straight razor the DE would help you just about not at all, while a shavette isn't as forgiving or as much fun as the real thing Its easier to learn with the real thing.