Thinking of adding a DE to the rotation.

Hello there everyone. I've been SR shaving for around two months and recently been getting really into it, thanks for finally getting an idea and finding products that aid in a good shave. Before I would shave once a week, I'd get pretty wooly but didn't care, once I first started SR shaving I was doing about every 3-4 days. Now I'm every day and getting pretty good shaves. Unfortunately I've run into a problem. I am too slow to do this on weekends, I work from 6am to 8 pm between two jobs, and some weekdays before school. So I've been pondering pulling out my great grandfather's old DE razor I inherited and trying it out. I don't plan on stopping straight shaving just doing DE on days I work or sleep later in the morning. What do y'all think? What are good blades for a beginner? Any tips, precautions, or apprehensions? Thanks for your help.

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Devilpup

There are plenty of good blades ou there.
What I would suggest is ordering a sampler pack of DE blades.
That is a great, and cheap, way to find what blades suits you and your razor.

I know Bullgooseshaving have them, and probably a ton of other outlets as well.

After trying a lot of blades I settled on Feather, Gillette 7 O'clock yellows, Astra and Israeli Personna.

Devilpup,

+1 on Birnando's advice. Get a sampler pack of de razor blades. Any number of online vendors offer them--BullGoose Shaving, West Coast Shaving and DeRazor Blades to name just a few.

I too have de razors in my shaving rotation for days that I am in a hurry. My preference in blades are Wilkinson (Germany) Lord (Egypt), Gillette 7 O'clock Yellow (Russia), and Feather (Japan).

Well that's a + 2 on the sampler pack. My preference is for Treet, Astra and Feather. The DE is a learning curve too, but not all that steep a curve. You should get the hang of a DE very quickly.


Mick

My advice:
1. Scrubbing Bubbles and Never Dull to clean up great grandpa's razor
2. Get good blades, avoid the Merkur blades (I've heard) I buy the Wilkinsons at Walmart and they seem to work fine
3. Have fun!

I think in the situation you describe, lots of us would tend to pull out a DE. It will provide some flexibility and convenience for those days when you just don't have time for a decent straight razor shave. This way you not only get good shaves all the time but when you do have time for a hollywood 3 pass straight razor shave it will really feel like a luxury.

A DE is always an excellent addition. I have two straights and a DE (Merkur 1904 Classic) in my rotation and the DE is perfect on those days when time is an issue. I've been using Derby blades for a while now, but recently picked up a sampler pack from West Coast Shaving. As with a SR, you'll need to watch your angle and blade pressure, but don't have to worry quite so much about stretching the skin, as the safety bar on the razor will help w/ this.

I agree with the guys here. I cleaned up some old DE's with a solution of water and Borax and they shined up great. I used a toothbrush and some toothpicks to clean out the crevices. The Wilkinson Sword blades at Wally World are around $1.50 a 10 pack with no shipping, etc. They never seem to be in a variety pack either. I haven't used any other blades so can't speak to how Wilk Swords compare to the others, but they were decent, cheap, and handy.

Once I got my straights back from honing I began using them exclusively, but I keep a fatboy with some Wilk Swords around just in case...I would certainly rather shave with a DE than a cartridge razor.

I use a straight razor 90% of the time and a DE (Gillette FatBoy or Edwin Jagger DE89L) for 10% of the time. Being retired, I use the DE just because I also find it enjoyable. I often will do a WTG and XTG pass with a straight razor and a ATG pass with the 89L.

There is no need to feel apologetic. It is your face, do what you want. Ignore any Shaving Nazis who say you have to only use straights to be "pure."

Wet Shaving should be about having fun and enjoying your shave. While I generally prefer to use my straights, I get a heck of lot of enjoyment from also using my DE.
:tu

Here are some picture of the razor before I clean it up

Attachment 68723Attachment 68721Attachment 68722Attachment 68724Attachment 68725Attachment 68726

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Devilpup

Well what does it look like now that you have cleaned it up?



Mick

I use my Merkur hd when am running low on time. Like others said it's a nice addition to the rotation. I read an article that said to soak a DE in peroxide for 8 hours to help break up some of the junk on them then a toothbrush. I did that with an old no namer DE I got from my uncle and it seemed to work a little. It still needs some more cleaning so I'm sure there are more effeicient methods. Just a thought. Bladewise I've had the best luck with Feathers.

That looks like an old Gillette Super Speed, yes?

I ran into a situation where I couldn't shave last night and didn't have time to use my straight this morning. Grabbed the ole Fat Boy off the medicine cabinet shelf, showered, used some Shave Secret shave oil and got myself a DFS in just a few minutes.

I used some borax and some SS cleaner in hot water. Soaked the razors until the water cooled, then I used a toothbrush and cleaned mine up. I'm pretty particular (read anal) so I used a toothpick in the crevices the toothbrush couldn't reach. It shined up really good though!

P.S. I used a Wilkinson Sword blade this morning, fresh from the wrapper.

Using a DE is is almost as odd as using a straight, lol. Good pointers above.

Only thing i can add, there is nothing right or wrong, just whatever you enjoy. Anymore, I can use the straight as quick as the DE. With time, you'll likely find the same. Speed not being a consideration, many find pleassie in mixing it up.

Even at that, I do grab the shavette or DE if I have finished shaving, cleaned up all the gear, and see a straggler on the back of my neck or somewhere.

I have no clue what it is. It says gillette on the bottom of the head but I couldn't find any numbers. I worked on it with scrubbing bubbles and a scouring pad. It's still got some grime but nothing compared to what it had just a little in the grooves and a couple little spots in the head. I'll post more pictures when it's actualy finished. I threw a wilkinson sword blade in it and it shave like a dream. This will defiantly be my new in a hurry shaver.

I just picked up a Gillette DE three piece for $4.00 this past Friday and left my phone number with the antique dealer because she said she had a adjustable Gillette somewhere at home. Ordered some blades and expect them to be in soon........I got the Personna blades. My straight shaving is still a bit slow too.

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dirtychrome

Anymore, I can use the straight as quick as the DE. With time, you'll likely find the same.

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When I was first looking into straight shaving I came across a video on YouTube of a guy going through lather and two-pass shave in just under four minutes. I can only assume he did beard prep before hand, but there were no nicks, no cuts, and it looked like a pretty good shave. Probably not a date-night shave, but a good work-day shave. I take about five times that long.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Devilpup

I have no clue what it is. It says gillette on the bottom of the head but I couldn't find any numbers....I threw a wilkinson sword blade in it and it shave like a dream. This will defiantly be my new in a hurry shaver.

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I picked up a few different DE and SE razors at local antique shops and that sent me researching them to see what exactly they were, how to clean them up, and how best to use them. I'm pretty sure that you got a Gillette Super Speed, and there's no Letter Number code on the bottom of the head b/c the Super Speed razors pre-date coding. If I remember right they were introduced in the 40's (late?) and number codes started being used in the late 50's (58?). Badger and Blade has a whole chart (somewhat confusing) of Gillette safety razor production.

Edit: Here's a link to the page I mentioned. http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ng_Information
According to this you've got yourself a Flare Tip Super Speed, which were produced from 54-66.
See here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ip_Super_Speed
You should find a letter/number date code as you clean yours up.
The one in this pic: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ge:B3_SS_2.jpg
Has a code of B3 (B is far left just below the "R" in "REG US", 3 is opposite the B)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HLS

I just picked up a Gillette DE three piece for $4.00 this past Friday and left my phone number with the antique dealer because she said she had a adjustable Gillette somewhere at home. Ordered some blades and expect them to be in soon........I got the Personna blades. My straight shaving is still a bit slow too.

Jim

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Good on ya Jim. As noted above, I've seen guys shave with a straight with lightening speed...but I'd look like the guy in your sig line if I tried that! It takes me about 20min to lather and shave...and that's my fastest. When I first started it took me about 45min.

If you don't want to wait on shipping, you could pick up some of the Wilk Swords at the local Walmart and be on your way!