WTF DE Razor?!?

[georgebsummer]

OK I got a DE for my brother to give him both options for a good shave the Straight for when he has time and the DE for when the baby is screaming. I just shaved for the first time with a DE so I could instruct him. Now I normally do three passes with my straight razor, and attempted the same with the DE. My face is on fire!! what the hell?!? I bought a DE from EBay and got some Gillette 7'o clock blades. Now in my ignorance I assumed that the razor made the difference with DE not the holder... am I that wrong?!?! I have never used so mush Balm to restore moister to my face!! If it is the blade what type should I get? if it is the Razor, what type should I get? if it is my technique, then what in the hell am I doing so wrong?? Please what ever help you can give so I can translate to my family would be great.

[Grump]

What razor did you purchase? Do you have a pic? What is your past experience with a DE?

It sounds like maybe to much pressure or bad angle.

[georgebsummer]

No experience wi DE I have always used a straight razor and can shave without problems. The DE i got was a zeepak, I think.... dose the" holder really matter that much? I figured the razor was the big issue.

[richmondesi]

The problem you're experiencing is most likely due to using too much pressure. For some reason, DEs are very sensitive to pressure, and you literally have to use only the weight of the razor to do the shaving...

[Troggie]

Never saw any zeepak DE handles.. but the handle can change the way a shave goes based on how much blade is exposed which would dictate what angle to use for the best shave.

[Soilarch]

I've only every used my Gillette. I'll second, or third, the advice that pressure is just as much an issue with DE as with Straight. I don't know if you're has an adjustment for how much "flex" it puts into the blade or not. I found on mine if I have too much flex it seems to force me to use too much pressure. Not enough enough flex....and you'll know instantly.

I think the holder *can* make a difference as well. I know that one side of my razor always shaves much better than the other, even on a brand-new blade. It's always been that way. Can't complain though for a $2 garage sale find.

I also learned from experience that I tend to rush the face-prep when using a D.E. (After all, it's in my arsenal for the "quick" shave.) Make sure you don't inadvertently skimp on the pre-shave.

Also, there are a host of different blades to try.

Try different things. I get nearly as much enjoyment out of my DE as I do my straights.

[AxelH]

+1 on open-comb Gillettes being more aggressive than the later Goldtechs. My open-comb was obviously army issue (wwii) and the goldtech was a gift from a co-worker. Angle and pressure matter with DEs, safety razors they may be... my transition to DEs was from disposable, fixed-head single or double razors so it wasn't a problem. Trust me, having shaved a total of maybe six times since February of this year with a safety razor (the rest were str8s) the caution and mindfulness is still a part of the shave.

"Safety razor" does not equal no-brainer shave in regards to DE safety razors.

The overly aggressive DE safety razors are worse to shave quickly with than a faster shave with an open-razor. Trust me on this...

[cpcohen1945]

You're not the only person having problems with DE shaving. See my own post:

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

I know for me, the problem was too much pressure on the blade. I just shaved with a brand-new Feather blade in the same Gillette holder, and got away with _just a little_ harshness. Had I used an even lighter touch, it would have been comfortable.

I've been using H2O "body butter" (a moisturizer) as after-shave lotion; it calms my skin down nicely.

Keep working at it, [I]gently[I].

Charles

[Yorkie]

If I want a quick shave I use my old brass Gillette (with a comb). I don't use any pressure as the razor does the work for you. I also use cheapo supermarket blades. Prep is just as important. I also have an alloy P.A.L. DE (no comb) which doesn't show as much blade so you end up pressing harder and cutting yourself. Also I notice the blade shows more at one side than the other (if you don't get it exactly in the middle when screwing it back together). You'll soon get the hang of DE's after straights.

[jhenry]

+1 on the previous advice and cautions about using a de razor. You don't need to apply any pressure to your face to shave with one. For me, 1-2 passes are suffcient to get a nice close, comforatable shave. Of course, beard prep remains the same with a de as it does with a straight to get a similar result imho.