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As I look ahead to getting my first straight razor I am thinking about how often I will end up using it. Indeed, is there merit in combining it with continuing use of a DE razor?
While I appreciate the need to use often enough to master technique, is it feasible to think of a few "straight" days and a few DE days each week?
What do most people do here?
I tried to find a discussion about this but couldn't find one. Perhaps someone can provide a link to save repetition if there is one.
at first welcome.
the reason you cannot find information using them both same time it is very rare case . As soon as you start using straight no one goes back. May be one in 1000.
gl
Unless I am in a massive hurry and a shave is required, I stick to straights. It's just a better shave IMO. The 2 or 3 times a year when I am in a rush, I have a fat handle tech.
It's perfectly feasible to use both; it's all a matter of personal preference.
There are no rules. You can do what ever you want. I personally never shave with a gillete anymore. I held on to one though, as I was learning with the open blade( straight razor). So as to have a way out crutch, and a touch up vehicle. DO WHAT YOU WANT- Good luck
I recommend you keep you're DE for now. You will have good days and the odd bad day. For the first few shaves just shave the areas you are comfortable with and finish of with your DE. As you get more confident and competent you will need the DE less and less. Good Luck
Not true at all. many who use strights daily still find plenty of ocassions to use a DE. I shave with a straight every day but if I'm in a hurry or can't give full attention to what I am doing I will use a DE. I probably use one 3-4 times a month.Quote:
Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl
I continued to use a DE to finish up for my first two or three weeks. Once I learned to do a whole shave with a straight I haven't gone back to the DE. I wouldn't say that is carved in stone. I just enjoy shaving with a straight more and I am less likely to end up with a nick or weepers. As everyone else said after you're shaving with a straight successfully you will come to your own conclusion.
I taught myself straight razor shaving by using it after my DE. Using it on your face when the skin is relatively smooth and moist will teach you a lot about how the blade moves on the skin, how your beard grows, and how a long blade feels moving around your face. Just getting that wicked blade to your skin the first time can be daunting. Pre-shaving helped my confidence grow --and as time went on, I started doing easier stretches of my face with the straight first, always knowing that I could go back and get the difficult areas and the stragglers with the DE. This is fun, take your time and learn to enjoy it.
As a newcomer, I had the same questions. Since a straight razor shave takes longer than a DE shave, at first I started straight razor shaving only on weekends or days off. To avoid a time crunch, I used the DE for workdays.
I also had trouble around my chin until I learned the right techniques. Often I used the DE on a second pass over the chin to "clean up" after missing quite a bit of beard with the straight. For a time, I even shaved just the sides of my face and upper lip with the straight, using the DE for the chin.
Once I got a little better with the straight, the difference in shave comfort, shave results and how long my face felt smooth after a straight razor shave convinced me to set aside the extra time each morning for a straight razor shave (beginnning to end for me, about twenty minutes right now as a newbie). Not only is the shave better, but I found exactly what Lynn described in his DVD about straight razor shaving.... I start each day off in a much better frame of mind, calm and clear headed.
As I get more proficient, my straight razor shave will take less time, but it will never be as fast as two passes with a DE. Even so, I will shave with a straight each and every morning. Now I reserve the DE for the times that I am called in to work in the wee hours for an urgent problem.
Many of the expert straight shavers can shave quickly and cleanly, so the time issue is not a problem for them. I am clearly not in their league in straight shaving skills.
I double what he says. You never go back.Quote:
Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl
You will get hooked soon!
When I started with a straight, the only downside I saw was giving up my beloved DEs and SEs. So, I didn't. I frequently do a "hybrid shave," straight for 2 passes, DE or SE for the third and touch-up. I think of the straight as a machine gun -- mows down the enemy -- and the DE/SE as a sniper rifle -- picks off the remaining stragglers. That said, I enjoy a 100% straight shave, and also a 100% DE or SE shave as well. Kind of like having multiple girlfriends. Enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl
Thank you all for taking the trouble to post these replies. I am glad I asked the question. As with everything in life we all ask questions and then do what we want. But it is so useful to know what others think who have been where you are going before you. Some really good advice here.
I will take my time.
Yes it's perfectly possible to mix things around.
Once I'd learned to use straights I used them for about 2 years without any other type of razor, just to see if I could. But then I changed jobs and had to do lots of traveling, so I started taking a DE with me because I didn't like leaving my straight razor kit in hotels*.
Then I was traveling so much (every week), I stopped taking the straights and just used a DE for nearly a year.
My job changed again last month and now I am based near home, so I'm back to using the straights again (and it's great!), with the DE saved for days when I'm in a rush etc.
* One hotel I stayed in, I left my strop hanging in the en-suite bathroom and when I returned at night they'd kindly rolled it up and put it in a drawer for me! Another, I noticed my razor had been moved when I returned at night and opened it up to find fingerprints all over the blade and a really dull edge, like the houskeeping had tried to do the thumb pad test and tried stropping it.
Fido,
When I started with straights I used them exclusively until my skills were develeoped.
However, I continued to use DEs when I was away on buiness for the 'convenience' factor. I found it very strange not shaving with a straight though !
I have now got a stainless bladed straight, and this has now replaced the DEs for business use, so 100 % straights ! Resistance is futile :)
Best regards
Russ