Thread: First DE shave

Had my 1st DE shave today. Feather blade, Gillette DE.

It differed from the Micro(?) SE in that I had a much harder time finding the cutting angle. There was hardly enough feedback from the blade on my face to tell whether I was actually shaving or just wiping away lather with the safety bar on the WTG pass. I had to sort of guess it was shaving and rely on my angle.

The XTG and ATG passes provided much more feedback allowing me to fine tune the angle easily.

Overall, I got a pretty good shave. Just not as close as a 3 pass SR shave. We will see if my stubble returns as quickly as my SE shave a while ago. I noted that it came back quicker than shaving with my straight. There will definitely be a time and place for both the SE and the DE in my repetoire.

Also, the shave was anti-climactic. It was almost like hooking up with an ex-girlfriend again. The novelty is quickly spoiled with the memories of exactly what you didn't like in her.

Cheers!

Well, you got your first DE shave in without incident and that is a good start. It looks like you are using a ball handled tech which is a mild shaver but the feather is a sharp blade. I have no doubt your stubble will return quicker than with a straight using a ball tech. You would have to step up to a very aggressive DE using feather blades to give a straight a run for the money on longevity and closeness of shave. A DE can do it.

Bob

Great input, Bob. I know so little about DE/SEs. I picked the two up from a 'tique guy for $10. They cleaned up easily and shave well, so I'm happy.

One thing I did notice was that during the shave I found myself developing kung fu grip. I was exerting proper shave pressure, but I was clinging to that poor thin handle for dear life.
, it's very much a polishing stone. If you can't shave from your own honing on the 8K then your definitely not going to get anything out of the 12K.

The other bit of advice is if your totally new to this go and get some cheap gold dollar razors. These razors should be seen as your learning tools. If you pick up 3, use 2 to learn on. Then the 3rd is your final test. You hone the 3rd when your confident your ready, You have the technique down, and your not damaging the edges. If you can shave from that 3rd razor, and you didn't damage it then you are ready to start working on the real thing.

My own RSO from my learning curve now looks like a Frankensteins monster. It has bits missing, excessive spine wear, an elongated bevel, Tang regrinding. And I'm very happy all of those mistakes happened on that cheap throw away steel, rather than something I actually want to shave with.

I do have another question. How long should I realistically expect the Feather blade to last?

Simon

Simon

I know what you mean about thin handles. I find thicker handles easier to use, especially with 60 year old hands. Different blades last differently for different people. When you feel the blade is tugging/pulling it is time for a change usually.

Bob

Meh... Just dry shaved the a pass with the straight...

Originally Posted by Siguy

Meh... Just dry shaved the a pass with the straight...

????

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

????
Bob

Sorry, Bob. A bit unorthodox. I know. Just something I do.

Got tired of feeling the stubble arising, razors in front of me, good Netflix going on.

So roughly 6hrs to a five o'clock shadow for you?

Curious as I will be trying this out soon enough.

+1 on what Bob said , you can get a very good shave with the right set up and practice. I shaved 44 years with a DE before going to a straight, I think it really helped me get to where I am in only 9 months, and yes the ball end tech is very mild, I use a fat boy adjustable on the 8 setting and a red tip flare , mostly I use feather blades , and when I,m done its BBS, my shaves from a straight are not that much better and some days not as good , maybe 44 years from now ill have it down pat!, but I enjoy the straights . it wont take long before you get it , just remember your lessons on the straights, prep, proper angle , stretch the skin and have fun doing it tc

Originally Posted by pfries

So roughly 6hrs to a five o'clock shadow for you?

Curious as I will be trying this out soon enough.

No 5 o'clock shadow, just not as good as my straight. The dry shave thing is more out of boredom. I'm a firm believer that should I loose my eyesight, I will still be able to SR shave. Years of cartridge shaving in the shower by feel. I recommend giving the DE a try. It will have its place in my shaving.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

+1 on what Bob said , you can get a very good shave with the right set up and practice. I shaved 44 years with a DE before going to a straight, I think it really helped me get to where I am in only 9 months, and yes the ball end tech is very mild, I use a fat boy adjustable on the 8 setting and a red tip flare , mostly I use feather blades , and when I,m done its BBS, my shaves from a straight are not that much better and some days not as good , maybe 44 years from now ill have it down pat!, but I enjoy the straights . it wont take long before you get it , just remember your lessons on the straights, prep, proper angle , stretch the skin and have fun doing it tc

Thanks for the encouragement and sharing, TC. I'm sure I'll get better(not that I'm far of SR shaves right now) with practice. I would have to say that this Gillette is definitely on the mild side even with a Feather blade. Like I said, the WTG pass, I couldn't even tell I was being shaved which was a far cry from the tactile response of an SR and my skin.

Love trying new things, particularly, when related to this sport.

Regards,
S