Thread: Questions for the Relapsers

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

The guys at Badger & Blade recommend a Gillette Trac II as an alternative to a DE. It's a two-bladed cartidge with a fixed head, so you still have some control. I've never tried one myself, but I've thought about it.

Josh

What are they smoking over there? You sure the site wasn't head & pipe instead of badger & blade, Gillette Trac II-- Why not just shave with the top of a tuna can.

This thread is craking me up. I have a beautiful Merkur Futur Set, that sits right next to my brushes on the vanity top. It's become a bathroom show piece. I think I used it 3 or 4 times in 6 months, but it sure is pretty.

By the way, I use a Mach 3, to do a neck trim between haircuts, only because I don't have enough mirrors in the bathroom to do it with a straight.

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

The guys at Badger & Blade recommend a Gillette Trac II as an alternative to a DE. It's a two-bladed cartidge with a fixed head, so you still have some control. I've never tried one myself, but I've thought about it.

Josh

I think that's what I'd do to be honest. I tried a DE about a month ago just for a change and found my technique had almost totally gone, I ended up giving up and finishing with a straight. I find a DE weird and much less forgiving now I'm 100% used to straights, I never would have expected that!

[QUOTE=jaegerhund;100244]Sometimes I think about using a cartridge razor especially when I'm rushed and do not have time to dedicate to using a straight. For those who have gone back or use a cartridge razor occasionally --- how does it compare to you now? What are the gripes and advantages --- just want to know ---- is it possible for all shavers to just hold hands and get along?/QUOTE]

Oh sure! I think there's room for all of us. My own experience is this: I took a new and very hectic job last December, so I put my str8 usage on hiatus. I switched to a Feather razor/Feather platinum DE combo, and found that it was just as good as any cartridge system and it cost a lot less. Your mileage may vary, but my beard (and skin) can be mighty rough and I still made out pretty well.

When I'm in a hurry I do a single pass and get done as fast or faster than any DE or cartridge shave.

I use some 3-blade generic razor and carts I got extremely cheap (80 cents for packs of four and eight, liquidation, I have a llifetime supply if I need).
I got no problem with taking part in the plastic market still, I just don't wanna have to pay $10 to $20 for a few carts I need to replace frequently.

I have to really be in a hurry to use them though, DE's are a better idea.
I learned to get a better shave from straights and de's by angling the blade myself, the pivotting heads of mach 3 and the like takes that part away from you. Decent enough results, I guess.

edit: I am still new to straight shaving, so I feel like I'm wasting a good straight shaving opportunity by taking off precious beard with a cart-based razor, too.

Originally Posted by vincebell

This thread is craking me up. I have a beautiful Merkur Futur Set, that sits right next to my brushes on the vanity top. It's become a bathroom show piece. I think I used it 3 or 4 times in 6 months, but it sure is pretty.

By the way, I use a Mach 3, to do a neck trim between haircuts, only because I don't have enough mirrors in the bathroom to do it with a straight.

Vincebell, you should try neck trims with the straight - as my good friend Obi-Wan used to say, you don't need to "see", you just need to "feel" (eg if you "feel" blood dribbling down your back, try a different angle ).

Seriously, I shave my head with a straight without mirrors (well, just the one in front of me). I've never had an issue on the parts I can't see.

Anyway, my personal feeling on the matter is that you can either go hardcore straight, or you can use a hybrid "straight/something else" approach. I don't think anyone here is going to think less of you if you choose the latter over the former, particularly initially. I decided I'd never go back - ever - so as soon as I bought my first straight that was it. But that's just me - different strokes etc.

James.

Lately, if I cant shave with my straight, I wont shave at all. I keep my Gillette Fusion around just to trim up my upper lip so I dont have that "highschool moustache". And even then, I use that one single blade on the back of the Fusion instead of the full 5 or so blades on the front. I only resort to that when I dont have time to shave, so I'll just hit my upper lip which makes me think I look presentable.


Finding the time to shave properly every other day is more difficult than I had realized, but as I get better, the shaves will take a little less time and it may become easier to do it more often.

Shaving with a disposable doesn't seem to save me any time. I think that has more to do with not using canned shaving cream. I did occasionally use my old DE to shave with during the first six months or so, but after that, it's been the str8 exclusively.

A couple'a years back, I was stuck somewhere and had to use a Bic disposable. It was amazing how awful a shave it gave me and how much it cut me. I think you really have to re-learn how to use those things if you havn't used one in a while.

I do keep that old DE on the counter in the bathroom because sometimes, after I clean up and put away my str8, I find a few wiskers that I missed because I'm in a hurry. It's great for that.

The main thing a DE saves time one is stropping....on the other hand you have to rinse it more so it doesn't get clogged up.....so I don't think either will be faster...unless you use a DE while showering. Thatmight save some time.