My conclusion to DE shaving.

Hello everyone,

Just got done shaving with my DE (Wilkinson Sword Classic) with the same brand blade aswell. As being a beginner, I think I'm not ready for ATG with it yet, or even ATG. The reason for not going ATG is that my facial hair grows in multiple directions, so I'm eventually going to go ATG at some place on my face.

What I found out is that I have a face I guess only made for going WTG, I mean shaving with a DE doesn't necessairly mean you HAVE to do a three pass shave or even a two pass shave now does it? To be quite honest, my face is back to being prickly after 14-16 or so hours after doing ATG with my cart razor. I still don't have the angle quite right aswell, I still slighty get the "plucking" feel with going ATG on my neck, but that may be because I'm not doing enough pre shave prep, to get the hairs very soft, or still not getting the angle right, but I'm still going to practice lots. If anyone has anymore helpful tips and tricks, feel free to share with me.

Thank you guys.

- Peter

P.S. My face looks like it has a light 5'oclock shadow just WTG, doesn't look bad at all.

Hey Peter

Yea, nothing says you have to do multiple passes. Just keep plugging away at it trying different things and one day it will all come together. Just takes time. Still enjoying the Barbus, thanks again.

Bob

Hey Bob,

I just really want to learn how to do this, so one day I can do a three pass shave with ease, I know it will take time. Bob, what safety razor do you use again?

- Peter

Peter I have a few old Gillette DEs of various types and a Muhle R41 and just grab one when the mood hits.

Bob

I'm using my Edwin Jagger before work today. I usually use feather blades or Derbys in mine which are good blades. Try different blaeds as it does make a difference. Also try to let the weight of the razor do the work which will also help with your angle a bit.DE's are good for when you want that quality shave but have no time for a cut throat. Try a cool water shave . Less irritation and a smooth shave. :)

Hello Peter,

Your comments on being new to DE shaving parallel my own in being new to the SR. I've only been using the SR for about two months but had used DE for about 30yrs. When I started so many years ago, I just picked up the parts at a local drug store and went at it. The Idea of a formalized multi-pass approach never occurred to me, along with all the care and prep, and has only come to light do to this social media we take part in. Taking it further, it never occurred to me that DE users take that approach, I thought it was only SE users do to the difficult nature of using the bare blade (at least for me). My simplistic approach had always been to slap a little soap on my face with a brush (all the hand wringing over lather and brush quality seems over the top at times) and go at the whiskers without a plan. Any spot that didn't feel close enough got another going over with the razor six or more times from every angle until it felt close enough, no need to relather between every stroke. I would just go at it the way one might with an electric razor.

I never suffered from irritation, rash, or ingrown hairs YMMV. I've never found DE shaving problematic and the point is, I suppose, is do what comes naturally to get the job done. Your post has made me think about my approach to SE shaving which is, as a beginner, a little formalized from following the suggestions in social media. They have all been very helpful but I'm now thinking I need to relax a bit and fall back on my DE experiences more.

Hi Peter,

I used to shave with DE's, I now prefer a straight, but I enjoyed DE's for a long time.

My first ever DE was quite aggressive, it left me irritated and uncomfortable following an ATG pass. I then got myself a Merkur Progress which is adjustable. I found if I did the ATG pass with the razor set very low (mild) I got a very comfortable ATG pass. Some DE's are aggressive, some are mild and some are middle of the road, it's finding one that suits you. I opted for an adjustable as I could experiment with one razor, and it worked for me.

However I still prefer not to shave ATG in many areas of my face, for me its more about comfort then closeness.

Enjoy :)

I would echo the thoughts of others. When I started with a DE 35 years ago, there were no instruction manuals, and I had no mentor, as my parents divorced when I was 9, and my mother never remarried. I just bought a razor and went at it. The only AGT cuts I made were up the neck under the chin. XGT? Never heard of it until I started reading this forum. I shaved mostly WTG most of my life, and got good shaves doing it. Whatever works for you.
Edit: sorry, that's what replying during a search will do for ya!