Thread: Almost switched to the dark side

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I think most of us whether we want to admit it or not falls back to the DE or maybe even the (gasp) electric when we are in are real hurry. Maybe once every 4 months or so I'll use the DE and maybe once a year even the electric. (I hope lynn doesn't kick my butt out of here for using the electric!)

Actually, I don't.
Admittedly, this is because I never have to shave in a hurry.
If I shave properly (with, across and against the grain) then it takes at least 48 hours before there is enough growth to have something to shave. It can take up to 72 hours before the hairs are > 2 mm in some places.

So Even if I go without shaving for 2 days, few people will notice. 1 day without shaving is not visible to the eye.

Before I went back to my straight, I found shaving with my mach3 really tedious. So much so that I only shaved once a week, much to the dislike of my wife. She bought me a Braun electric shaver, which I disliked even more. I don't understand that people shave electric. You might as well use an angle grinder or a belt sander.

Whereas now with my straight, I try to shave as often as possible, which in my case is max once every 2/3 days.

I'm pretty much in the same position from my recent neck surgery. Doc said no tilting my head up or down so full straight shaving is all but impossible now. I did try out the Wostenholm I got back from Joe the other day, my face felt great but my neck really paid the price for not being able to stretch correctly - no blood or nicks but nasty razor burn.

I'm planning on ordering a Merkur DE come payday just to use on my throat for the next few weeks, possibly longer though depending on the range of motion I may have permanently lost. Hey, it may be the dark side but it'll be better than the Mach 3 I'm forced to use now.
Jack

Like Ilija, I only bought and learned the DE after I was already straight-shaving. My routine is like Kyle's: every now and then I load it up, then use it for a week or two in order to get my "kinetic memory" back with it. Otherwise, if I try to use it just once in a blue moon, I scrape myself raw with the thing.

Merkur Slant-bar; when I'm in practice with it, I love it. When I'm not, well, after the lovely control of the straight, the DE can feel like I'm swinging the blade around at the end of a 50-foot boom!

Since switching to straights, I rarely ever use my DEs - the shave I get with straights are just too good. The only time I use them is when I'm in a rush. I'm currently selling off my DE collection and will probably only keep my Merkur HD.

well, in case you missed it - I shaved with the 8/8 W&B Barber's Use yesterday.

couldn't stretch but didn't get razor burn. Not one of my best shaves but I am not complaining. no nicks / cuts, and the chin was great. bit sketchy on the neck

yep, holding the DE felt weird, this is why I didn't do it - I was sure I'd inflict some damage

Cheers
Ivo

Now that's one lovely piece Ivo.

Do all you surgical invalids live alone? .

I had surgery a bit back and went through the same thing. I've been slowly teaching myself complete shaves with each hand in case it happens again.

I've also convinced my wife to learn to shave me with a str8 . There was a video link posted either on here or at the yahoo site. I can't remember which. It shows a barber teaching how to shave another person. I downloaded it. If I can't find the link I'll make an upload later. Tell your spouses there's no excuse for not helping you out in your time of need .

Glen F

I don't think either one of us wants her to have a sharp razor against my throat ... she still cringes when she walks by the bathroom and sees me shaving. I even ordered my first DE lastnight, decided to go with the Merkur HD Slantbar and a variety of different blades. I think after getting the straights figured out without any major blood loss, the Slantbar shouldn't be too risky. Like I said, it may be the darkside but it's better than the Mach 3 if I'm forced to use a replacable blade razor.
Jack

Could it be that the Electric razors and Disposable razors are the fast food of shaving?
It seems to me that the SE & quality DE users take shaving seriously and not something that has to be done, so get it over quick!
Most if not all SRP members try to enjoy having a shave, most Disposable users hate shaving and rarely shave every day unless the Job calls for it!
???
Tony