Thread: SR or DE... that is the question.

He asks on a Forum named Straight Razor Place

Methinks the answers may be just slightly biased


On a serious note

Advice that got me started with a SR many years ago..

If you are going to keep facial hair, and want straight lines you need to use a straight razor

I'd suggest starting with a DE. Not as much of a learning curve, and you'll still be getting familiar with the brush, cream/soap lathering. If you apply skin stretching to your shaving with the DE, that is yet another skill you'll have before you go to the straight.

Also the DE is handy to have for those days when time constraints favor a quick shave rather than trying to rush with a straight.

Thanks gents! JimmyHAD's sentiment is what I was thinking. But, thanks to a conversation with another member in response to a comment I left in the classified section, I'm pulling the trigger on old 5/8 ERN. I'll more than likely snag a DE to touch-up the inevitable patch-job I'm left with after my first gos. Ha!

I agree with the suggestion to start with a DE. Having just come to the SR world 2 months ago I cannot imagine the learning curve without the base of information I learned from DE shaving. It gave me the opportunity to learn about cream/soaps and brushes, but more importantly I learned about blade angles, pressure, and most importantly I learned about my face and beard.

DE shaving gave me the opportunity to explore different techniques, and eventually ramp up to more and more aggressive razors. Once I made the transition to SR I could focus on SR technique, blade angle and pressure with as few variables as possible having a base of information about what works for my face and what doesn't from the DE experience.

For me I think I would have given up on SR shaving if I went to it directly, as I think I would have found the learning curve a bit overwhelming. I am sure others have successfully gone to SR right away. I just don't think I could have pulled it off.

That's my $.02 on what worked for me.

But hey, that's just me.

Originally Posted by Newton3108

I agree with the suggestion to start with a DE. Having just come to the SR world 2 months ago I cannot imagine the learning curve without the base of information I learned from DE shaving. It gave me the opportunity to learn about cream/soaps and brushes, but more importantly I learned about blade angles, pressure, and most importantly I learned about my face and beard.

Thanks. I was also wondering (but wasn't sure if this thread was the place to ask) if there's really THAT much difference in brushes/soaps/creams/etc. Everything I've read outside of this forum says badger, badger, BADGER! But I'm seeing a trend on these feeds that a $9 brush from Walgreens is just fine to start out. Any insight here as well?

Mushroom, mushroom? Sorry, old internet reference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL6CDFn2i3I

In short, no. Honestly, any brush is serviceable. I've used the cheap boar brush from walgreens and it was just fine, same with my $7 or $8 synthetic omega. They're all kinda different, in general you can get boar or badger for under $20. Boar is scratchier, but breaks in softer and badger can be scratchy or like feathers, whereas my synthetic is stupid soft. It's all personal preference in hair, but I imagine one could get a brush used to clean your back to work if someone was desperate enough.

I gotta say i was completely opposite from everybody here
I couldn't get a DE right for the life of me for over 6 months. (R89)
and a straight razor was almost intuitive after 3 shaves.
that being said - after the last few years i still get a better final shave with a DE but a better gloss with a straight.
my routine now involves both.

to get close i need to go against the grain, and i just cant* do it in some spots with a straight razor. - particularly the pass i do from my ear to my adams apple and vice versa.

Get them both second hand and you can always sell what you dont like.

Whatever your choice, be aware of the angle of the blade to your face. That means that the cutting edge is at an optimum for the clean removal of whiskers.
It will take a while to learn but, if your face feels raw, the blade is at too high an angle, or too much pressure. If no whiskers off or short stubble and razor feels sticky, the angle is too low.
A good angle is about 10 degrees between your face and the blade. Which means there will be a change as you go over the jawline or chin.
Lather makes a BIG difference in quality of shave!!
Happy Shaves!!
~Richard

Originally Posted by EolaHeights

Thanks. I was also wondering (but wasn't sure if this thread was the place to ask) if there's really THAT much difference in brushes/soaps/creams/etc. Everything I've read outside of this forum says badger, badger, BADGER! But I'm seeing a trend on these feeds that a $9 brush from Walgreens is just fine to start out. Any insight here as well?

I do not find that much difference with brushes at all. I have badger, boar, and synthetic and they all make lather and get it on my face, which is the point. They have differences but they all work. Soaps/Creams can be fun but honestly it is not rocket science.

My point was for me it was an easier transition because I learned which way my beard grows, and various angles and techniques with a DE. Granted much of it changes with a SR, but you are still putting steel on skin.

Starting with a DE or SR is a personal preference. You will be fine either way. Just more to learn with a SR.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Advice that got me started with a SR many years ago..

If you are going to keep facial hair, and want straight lines you need to use a straight razor

I've heard this as well. And it makes perfect sense. My beard never looks better than it does after a straight razor clean-up from a good barber.