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Hi guys
Do most people start off with a double edge and then move to a straight razor? I've been thinking about getting 1 but I'm not sure if I need it at this point using a straight razor all the time? Any benefits of 1 over the other? Is the double edge learning curve harder than the straight edge learning curve? I just see that a lot of guys use them an wondering if I need to use 1 as well If that will make the straight razor learning easier? Thanks for all your replies in advance!
I actually did the opposite, started with a straight and went to a DE for when I am in a hurry...you can't hurry a straight & I'm one fo those guys who can't stand going without a shave.
For me, I will stay predominately with a straight razor as the shave leaves my face simply smoother with zero irritation.
The one advantage to DE that I found is its more convenient traveling, not needing to strop. I can also shave a little quicker with DE. I do prefer a straight razor though.
I prefer straight razor myself so I guess I really don't need a DE then. I figure for traveling I'll get a feather ssQuote:
Originally Posted by wrench3047
I enjoy both styles of shaving and Single Edge Gems with modern blades also. The idea is to enjoy a shave and take the time when you have it to enjoy an exceptional shave. Either method will give a good shave.
The real secret is to find a soap and brush combination and then learn to lather. You won't go back to shave bombs after that. Van der Hagen from the Drug Store chains has a cheap and very good starter soap and boar bristle brush for under $15 for both. A wide shallow cup is sufficient to later the soap in.
~Richard
I think both are fine. A DE was my replacement for a cartridge razor for times when I want a decent shave on my neck and chin and don't have time or attention to do it carefully with my Feather straight. I'm not at all ashamed that I often like to mow down the cheeks and 'stache with a straight or Feather, then switch to a DE for the neck. They can complement each other nicely. Straights are still a bit sexier though.
As a person who just went from DE to SR, the learning curve is much higher for a SR. There is a reason the DE is called a safety razor. I would suggest getting a DE first just because you will have to change your shaving style compared to the normal cartridge razor and using a DE is a little safer and easier I think. You will notice the much better shave you get with a DE over cartridge almost immediately. Plus, after I shave spots I feel comfortable doing with the SR, I finish up with the DE and it really gets everything very smooth.
Started with using a DE some 40+ years ago and wound up last year starting with straights. I get just as good a shave with either and take a DE when I am traveling and disposables if I go by air. If you go from straights to DE you just apply all the same shaving techniques to DEs and the transition should be easier than learning a straight. The learning curve on a straight is much higher.
Bob
Used a DE when I was working. Since I retired I've been using a straight. Main reason was time. I know I number of members here will tell you it takes the same time to shave with a DE or straight. It doesn't, for me. If I was still working each day I'd only be using the straight on my 'Pass days'.
I use a DE razor, I prefer it over my electric and Mach 35 razors. I am restoring some antique SR's. When my SR are ready I do want to try them. Having a DE does help you with the way you shave. The way you have to stretch your skin, feel the razor, feel the cream. It's a lot different than using any modern Mach24 blades. Depending in the type of DE and the type of blades you can have very gentle, but also very, very aggressive shaves. You can cut your head almost clean of with a DE haha.
I do believe that you can enjoy a good DE shave as much as a SR shave. If you take your time, learn to prep, learn to make lather etc. etc. And its a good step up from any modern or electric razor for sure...
I think the progression from DE to SR makes alot of sense. The learnings carry over and it's precisely what I did. I agree that the learning curve for SR is much higher than a DE but it's also much more rewarding imo. With a DE, you learn a lot about angles, hair growth directions, skin stretching, making a good lather, how to use a brush. SR takes many of these skills to the next level but you build on it. I am still under the 100 shave mark with my SR but it also takes me longer to shave with a SR without a doubt - especially when you include the "maintenance time" of stropping, applying oil, etc.
If I was ready to teach my son how to shave (he is only 10) I will start him with a DE and then he can progress to a SR later if he chooses to.
Man!! A DE's learning curve to me is/was WAY less than a straights. Way less... especially if I wasn't looking for super close shaves.
The straight for me only takes marginally less time now to shave with. Actually really not that much at all. Sure at first it took longer, but not anymore. Maybe marginally, when you take into account stropping.
Once I got competent with my DE though - the closeness of shave wasn't that far behind my straight. Not far at all. As in very, very, little.
I enjoy both shaves, but I find I can leave my straight for a while, and come back to it and get great shaves - where that's not the case with my DE's. I haven't built the muscle memory with either of the DE handles I have (yet). Hence - if I focus sometimes it takes longer to shave with it than a straight shave... for me.
My DE is great for when I am feeling lazy and it rocks in that the consistency of blade is clearly second to none. I am not the best honer in the world, and sometimes I don't do the best job at it, so I'll get a bad shave now and again. Sometimes I have to "calm-down" my straight too! That never really happens to me with my DE - at least not on the scale it does on my straights.
That's all to say if you like a little bit of challenge and to keep it sporting :) - a straight is awesome! Just awesome. I still use my straight 97% of the time, but now and again I'll throw the ole DE to my face... those days I am feeling lazy. Or those days when the night before I may have drank a few to many and my hands are shaking like mad lol.
They are both great tools - each does the job very well!! Get em both lol!!
There is no need for a DE, even when traveling. I strop my straight before I hit the road, and if I'm gone for more than one night, well, I take a razor for each day, stropped before I leave. If I fly, then I check my luggage. Not that big a deal. I did get a DE after using straights, and I gave it to my 16yr old son, who loves it.
In my shaving lifetime I have progressed from disposable razors, to cartridge razors (Mach 3 was the last one I used), to DE razor, to shavette, and finally a SR (I started last year). I only used the shavette for 2 months, just to get me warmed up for the SR; I would recommend skipping the shavette and starting on an inexpensive SR. I still use the DE to shave ATG, since I am still learning that technique on the SR. I also use the DE for traveling and quick shaves.
Switching from cartridge razors to a DE was a learning curve on its own. I learned to apply little pressure and control the shave angle with the DE. With the cartridge razor, it was just push it against your face and shave. It didn't go well with my face.
The DE gives me a great shave when used with the right blade. The SR gives me a slightly smoother shave and better control. However, learning to shave with the SR was harder for me than learning to shave with the DE.
Unless you're concerned with saving shave time, travel, and shaving ATG, then I would stick with a SR.
Started with a Str8 and been using it for couple of years now.
Just brought my first DE (an old Gillette) for $5
Tried it on my face just to get the feel of how it works and definitely much simpler than a straight.
Loving it for the purpose I purchased it though... much easier than a straight for head shaving as it's easier to go in multiple directions for a smooth shave. Way better than my old Mach3.
Good prep & good lather will make a world of difference in your wet shaving journey.
ENJOY!
I only use a straight. Even when traveling. For me if I travel, wether for business or vacation, I find it a part of my daily routine on business, and a pleasure on vacation. I do however, if I am flying, have a straight that I am not worried about losing/getting taken from me :)
a de for me is to use when you can barely keep your eyes open.
i keep a shavete for traveling which is the best of both worlds when traveling.
not as much feedback as from a straight but i can live with that for a couple days on holiday
I have no intention of futzing around with a DE. To me, it's still buying blades instead of making my blades what I want them to be. Never owned one, and never got that bad of a shave with my Atra Plus. I still have 100 cartridges stockpiled for it, so I will use those on my next six-month deployment. After I retire in 2015, I hope to never have occasion to enter an airport and deal with those TSA NAZI's ever again. I prefer to drive, and if I'm driving, I'm bringing my favorite stuff.
Until very recently I felt like a
traitor if I used a DE instead of
a straight, it was almost blasphemous.
The one day I realized that even though
I had used a DE I was still part of a small
and select minority (at least in the US )
and has turned a mundane "git r done"
task into something really cool.
Of course a couple of badger brushes and
a selection of soaps and creams help.
Oh and not to forget the bay rum.
Terry
Gotta love the sting of that bay rum! Really wakes you up in the morning!Quote:
Originally Posted by wvbias
I recommended DE then straight. It is like learning to drive. Learn all the rules and variables first on an automatic. Then learn to drive on a manual transmission. By the time you pick up a straight, everything else is in place and you'll be able to focus on the razor. I feel the other way around just makes the whole process more difficult than it needs to be.
Started with a DE. After a fair amount of practice I could get a very good shave with one. The best part was with my neck area I could shave across my neck (left to right, right to left) without worrying to much about nicking myself. It also gave me time to practice and experiment with different types of brushes and shavings soaps and creams (NO CAN JUNK).
Now I shave with a Straight. There still was a new learning curve (rights of passage) I had to practice. This should be done slowly, and do it a little at a time. But it can be achieved by one and all, just don't give up.
If you feel a certain area is hard for you to get, you can always use your DE (ole faithful) to take care of it. Ole Faithful can always be used for touchups, and is also great for traveling. The best thing about the DE over one of those multi-bladed thing-a-ma-bobs. Is the blades are a whole lot cheaper. And if you are only using it for touchups, a five pack of blades will last a fairly long time.
So some say learn the DE then the Straight, others will say the opposite. Either way is good, but learn both because they work Great together.
Just my thoughts.
Feather straight is a completely different animal than a regular straight.You would enjoy a DE better for a traveller and the blades and shaves would last longer. Most feathers are brutal the first shave then mellow out by the second or third and then usually done after that IMO. De's are good from the start and by about the tenth shave are ready for another blade. Edwin Jagger make good affordable DE's . Straights as well as feathers have a learning curve..DE's virtually none. Cheers !:)Quote:
Originally Posted by anthogia
I actually found this to be true even with a Feather blade in a DE.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightblade
Fair enough...but feather straights don't have many blade choices and most replaceable straight blades are of the same nature...DE blades have way more choices and their is something for everyone. Try Derby blades if the feathers are too much.
I started with a SR and after a few years, bought a DE. The DE shave is nice, but not as close as a straight razor, but sometimes, my skin doesn't want that close of a shave so the DE comes in Handy. I am always out for BBS shave everytime. Its all good and better for you then the multiblade gimmicks.
Pabster