Thread: Looking for advise for the wise - DE or Straight?

Originally Posted by shaunsr1

Hi all, My name is shaun,

I am new to the world of "proper" shaving. after using walmart sale products i just started using a brush and a DE (gillette w/ feather blades). its great, but not all that I was hoping.

Hi there,

Best of luck on trying another type of shaving system like the DE offers. Since you've just started that journey, maybe I can offer a few tips to make things easier.

I don't know what your expectations were, but it you say the experience seems lacking in some way. That's because you know about zero when it comes to everything involved. Sounds like so far you've done ok with your razor/blade combo, which is sorta surprising. The Feather blade is an unforgiving choice to start with, and the razor (whatever that is) may not be the best first DE either. You also are probably gonna have some lather problems also, not to mention technique.

If you're serious about seeing what a DE is all about, figure it'll take about one month to have everything come together. By then your technique will be good and you'll have tried a few different blades. From then on the shaves get a LOT better in a hurry, but you gotta pay your dues.

Those goofy guys using the straights have spent much more time than a month figuring things out. That's like a long term major commitment, so keep that in mind. You have even more stuff to learn properly, and you gotta be pretty damn motivated.

You might like to try a milder blade and practice lather making and technique for a while before deciding the DE razor isn't for you. After a few weeks you'll see improvement.

I hope some small part of this helps,

Martin

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

Welcome to the Insanity errr The Forums.. Ya thats what I ment

I also can't comment on DE's as they give me the creeps, I'm more nervous about using a DE than I ever was with a straight razor... Ya I know some other people think I'm bassackwards as well

I like straight razors on many different levels, the shave is just a benefit of these other fun skills I have learned. Once a few of these skills are understood and implemented it's a great feeling to be in charge of your own actions instead of what the marketing guru's want you to do

Check out the WIKI link above and enjoy

thanks, but i do not see the wiki links link? is it in the post above?

You can find it here: Straight Razor Place Wiki

and there's a button underneath the SRP logo on top of this page.

I hate to say it but after all my research it just seems to be a macho/cool thing to use a straight blade? - I really hope a veteran here can help prove me wrong - as I really would like to find a reason to drop 250 bucks on one of these cool blades.

Why not experiment with something a little less expensive -- a vintage razor from the Classifieds here, or from

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales

where you can also buy an inexpensive strop (which works nicely, IMHO).

Yes, there's a lot of "cool factor" involved in straight razor shaving. I wouldn't call it "macho" -- it's a matter of skill, not strength or guts.

A straight razor _is_ more comfortable than a Feather blade. See my own experience here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...e-shaving.html

I'm still doing "hybrid shaves"; I haven't quite got the straight-razor technique worked out for my neck, yet. But it will come.

Charles

I would say that it's the enjoyment of using a straight razor that makes the difference. I have used a mach 3 for shaving up until spring Id say. until the beginning of this year when I made the switch to a straight razor, I was still getting decent shaves. I think as long as you're enjoying the shave that whatever you use, as long as it's not irritating your skin, and pulling the hairs, rather then cutting them, it's a good shave. I just enjoy the straight for the extra time I get to take for myself, and the pride I take in being able to use a sharp single piece of steel to shave, vs. a multi blade razor thats gonna get tossed in a few shaves.

yes, i agree now. "macho" was the wrong word to use in my post.

thanks for the links!