Thread: Should I also buy a DE?

I'm still fairly new to straight shaving and that's what I did. Bought a Muhle for touchups and when in a hurry. There's just some places on and under my chin I still can't get close enough. I love using the DE too! Got it with a blade sampler pack. It's easy to learn after using a straight razor as the "use little or no pressure" is already ingrained in your head. I can also go ATG easier with the DE if I want to.

I'd get one. I use a DE from tiem to time, and being manouverable it means I can get 100% ATG on each hair. I wouldn't use it to clean up after a straight shave, though. I'd persist with the straight and use that annoying feeling of some stubble as a means to FORCE you to try and get it right, but that's just me!

Good point about maneuverability. With the DE it's far easier to get around my moustache! I always worry that I'll chop half of it off with the heel of my straight haha

Originally Posted by MBR1965

I'm new to straight shaving, and I've never used a safety razor either. I'm definitely in the stage where I have to use something else to "clean up" after using my straight, and I've been using my old multi-blade razor. Since I'm sure I will be using something for clean up for a while, should I go ahead and by a DE or SE? I'm sure that I will be interested in trying safety razors in the future anyway, perhaps when I'm short on time or taking a quick trip out of town. My only concern is the fact that I've never used one, and I'm not sure I should add any variables as I learn to use a straight razor- I certainly wouldn't want to hinder/lengthen this process!

FWIW, I would not invest in any DE or SE safety razors at this time. Instead, I would keep using my multi-blade razor for cleanups and, when my stock of replacement blade cartridges runs-out, I'd re-evaluate my need (if any) for post-shave cleanup -- at that time, I could decide that my straight-razor skills were sufficiently developed and there was no longer any need for "cleanups"; or, I could decide to invest in a DE or SE safety razor, "just because"; or, I could go to Costco and buy a jimongous bag of BIC disposables.

My philosophy is to use-up what I've got; I've learned that, whatever the product, it invariably lasts far longer than I thought it would. There's an old Russian saying: "How many drops remain in an empty vodka bottle? Exactly 21."

Smooth shaving!

I respectfully disagree about the disposables/multiblade razors, but let me give you my reasoning as to why.

While I was learning to hone, I had to fallback on my multiblade. I got such awful irritation on my face. Everything from Gillette mach3's to the bic equivalent multiblade disposable cartridge...same irritation. At first I thought it was because of my st james TOBS, but it was actually the razors. Even my straight on a bad day didn't feel like that.
When you weigh the cost of new cartridges ($15-$18 for 4 mach3 carts) to new DE blades (I can get 25 astras on ebay for under $7, and those are awesome blades) in addition to the fact that you'll have the DE razor itself long enough to pass down to the next generation...it's no contest (to me anyway).

Long before I got my DE, I thought about getting one just for the heck of it and was looking at pretty much the cheapest ones you can find on eBay. After reading up more on SRP, I abandoned the idea because I didn't want to put the money into something I was only curious about (and wasn't sure if I would like), and I didn't want to waste my money on the eBay junk only to have something just slice up my face. It's wasn't until recently that I seriously considered it (see the above reason :P ). I wanted something that would be smooth, irritation free, and get the job done. That's what really led ME to these razors. I can tell you that my Edwin Jagger is everything that I need it to be, and that this point I see $35 as a steal!I also happen to enjoy using it!

It comes down to what YOU WANT. Like anything to do with wet shaving, it's all personal preference.

I have to second everything kwlfca said; only difference being I use gillette DE razors & feather blades.
I use a shavette on my face when time permits & a DE when short on time but always a DE on my scalp.

I haven't used feathers yet, I have some though. I'm like the Iridiums a LOT so far! Astra platinums are nice but the Iridiums seem to blow them out of the water!

I was using a DE for years until I decided to try the straight. I have never gone back for the past 9 mo. So I think it's a fun thing to have around but in my case, I don't see using anything but a straight razor again.

Do what you enjoy- Everyone has offered good advice based on their own journey. I've been straight shaving for 1 year this month. I started with a Dovo shavette, then switched for a few months to the Feather Artist Club SS Japanese style with Pro blades with a DE as cleanup. Then began using only the Feather Straight which taught me to use a very light touch. Now for the last 6 months, I've transitioned to using only tradional straights which opened the door to trying new and vintage razors with different grinds.

My several quality DE's with custom handles sit staring at me. The straights are now more fun. I've learned how to do the WTG & XTG passes but am still practicing the ATG pass which I really need.
I don't have a time rush problem so I can do whatever I feel like doing.

Originally Posted by JBHoren

. . . or, I could go to Costco and buy a jimongous bag of BIC disposables.

. . .

I'm used to shaving with a DE (an Edwin Jagger DE89, usually with Feather blade) and recently tried a disposable.

. . . . What a lousy shave !!! The edge just wasn't sharp!

I'd recommend getting the DE. You might be surprised by how nice it feels.

. Charles