Thread: DE shave

I picked up a couple of DEs this morning and curiosity means I'm going to give it a shot. I'm pretty nervous to be honest, more nervous than I was when I started SR shaving!

I am going to the states for about 3 months over the summer, so I'm wondering if maybe taking a DE is a good idea anyway - though I think I will take an SR, after a year the thought of not shaving with one is not comfortable at all.

Wish me luck. The razor is a Gillette rocket flare tip, I think, I have two.

Good score! What did you get?

DE's make great little shavers, I must say. I have a Merkur and I use it on days when I'm in a rush. They're also good for travelling as they tend to be pretty sturdy and compact.

They work the same way as a straight razor, you have to make sure you keep the blade at the right angle on the face and all the usual lather and prep helps too...!

Have a look at Connaught shaving as they do blade sampler packs so you can find out which blade you like the feel of best.

Good luck and keep us posted!

2 Gillette flare tip Rockets, I think. Yer I had a look at mantics videos a long while a go and I reckon it shouldn't be too difficult, I don't know why they've just always made me feel a bit nervous! daft.

I have 1 gillette 7 o'clock blade left, which I used to use in a shavette, I never had any problems with them that I recall - maybe I will get a taster if I decide to stick with it.

I missed the make in your first post. Sorry, the ole brain clearly hasnt warmed up yet..!

I use Gillette blades in my DE, I like the feel of them and they seem to last a long time..! I wasnt so keen on the Merkur blades as I personally found them a little harsh on the skin. YMMV.

Let us know what you think!

I thought they were the same but they are not. one is a rocket and one is an english super speed.

Anyway, I need not have worried about the shave. Quick and efficient. I would say I get equally as good a shave off a DE as a SR, though I did nick my self on the neck quite a few times. Difficult SR areas like the chin were executed very easily with the DE, I think because of it's length and the inherent weight of the head.

I wouldn't trade my SR in for these. Too clinical!

I've cut myself more with a DE than I EVER did with a straight! The first time with a straight, I didn't cut myself...first time with a DE was a bloodbath. I don't know where the 'safety' comes in with safety razors.

You're not alone in being more afraid of a DE than a straight razor! That was me on the rare occasions that I'd pick up my Dad's old 1971 Super Speed black handle and shave. I used to use a DE all the time when I was younger; that was before I knew how to really shave and ended up getting and living with tons of ingrown hairs on my neck from it.

Just recently, out of curiosity, I picked up that old Super Speed again and ordered a sampler pack of blades last week. Scandal, I know, but I'm going to give it a whirl again to add it to the arsenal.

Chris L

I reckon you will be surprised at how easy it is. The only thing I found awkward is that it's very difficult to get a feel for blade angle compared with a straight, how ever I just dove in and it seemed to go ok. Interesting, and they are nice things, but no comparison to a straight IMO. Worth keeping about all the same though, handy for travelling.