Thread: That's Crazy...I can't shave with a DE

Originally Posted by tintin

I always cut myself when i use a DE.

OMG YES. I thought i was the only one. Not that i'm an expert on straights, but I can get the job done quick enough these days, WITHOUT any nicks...but DE, nope! I've bled more from DEs than I ever have from straights tbh.

MY theory is that: Straight razors are more immediately and more obviously dangerous so we'd tend to be instinctively much more careful. Maybe with a DE, since it's not very obvious that it's sharp just by looking at it a lot of times perhaps there's a small part of us that lets our guard down?

I have no problem handling a DE, but I never get a shave I truly enjoy from it as with a SR. The first (two) shaves I do enjoy, but after that, my skin curses.

Something about the modern type of blades for DE razors, they're not my jam. Too think for my taste, the edge on them are also much different compared with a SR.
DE blades shave really well, I just like a different kind of edge.

I enjoy them when in a hurry or just being lazy and not wanting to strop and shave with a SR, but for daily shaving I can't do it.


I do really like the med preps

Never had a decent shave with a DE. No close shaves without shave irritation.

Originally Posted by BobH

I think that might be part of the problem for shavers who predominantly use a straight razor and only occasionally use a DE. They don't treat the DE with the respect it deserves viewing it as a lesser form of razor.

Bob

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What BobH said! The more I use it, the better I get, but I don't get as close (based on next day growth) as I do with a SR.

When I first started shaving I used my dad's DE. It was a non adjustable one and I don't remember any more damage than a small nick here and there.

Well I was staying at my dad's sister's place for a week and I was going on a date and wanted to shave. I asked my uncle if I could use his DE and he said sure.

The first pass I cut the ever loving crap out of myself! He had a septic pencil and I got the bleeding stopped. Next pass same thing! I called out for him to come to the bathroom. He saw what had happened and he helped me stop the bleeding, THEN he reset his adjustable from 9 to 1 and had me try again. Much-much better.

Once I got back home my dad laughed his ass off at me!

Dad went to the single blade injector and I used his DE, when he went to an electric I gave it a go and my face was torn to shreds. Back to the DE.

I did end up using Bics and the twin blades but since starting using a straight razor not only have my shaves been CCC (Clean Close & Comfortable) but I haven't had an ingrown hair since I picked up straight razor shaving.

dull (well-used) DE blades are like dull knives....more injuries than from sharp blades/knives.

There is quite a difference between experiences using the same DE and different blades. Some feel to me like paint scrapers, some almost like a well honed SR.

I pick my blade and DE razor and keep track of my # of shaves. I can feel when a good DE blade is beginning to lose its edge and I "retire it".

To get a close comfortable shave with a Gillette adjustable set @ 9 takes close to as much patience, practice and skill as shaving with a straight razor. If you are in a rush for a quick shave better not use it @9.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

To get a close comfortable shave with a Gillette adjustable set @ 9 takes close to as much patience, practice and skill as shaving with a straight razor. If you are in a rush for a quick shave better not use it @9.

Bob

NOW YOU TELL ME!!! 50-55 years too late!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

dull (well-used) DE blades are like dull knives....more injuries than from sharp blades/knives.

There is quite a difference between experiences using the same DE and different blades. Some feel to me like paint scrapers, some almost like a well honed SR.

I pick my blade and DE razor and keep track of my # of shaves. I can feel when a good DE blade is beginning to lose its edge and I "retire it".

You mean you don't strop your DE blades? Believe it or not I actually did that a while back. It had been a long time since I used it but it was a pretty new blade. Don't know if it actually helped or not.

Originally Posted by Kees

Never had a decent shave with a DE. No close shaves without shave irritation.

I am in touch with that. It always gives me rash. The only time I get a rash with a SR is when I bring it on myself by plowing through with one that's not sharp instead of taking the time to choose and strip a different one.