Gonna try de shaving

Well I decided to give myself a break from cutting up my face with the straights. I've about decided I have way to many different sizes shapes and grinds of straights to get good at them all as a fairly new Sr user. Since I don't want to go back to a cart I decided to buy a de. Idk if it will stop the nicks but I'm hopeful! I love my rotation of straights but sometimes my face needs a little time to heal up.
so I ended up ordering an EDWARD JAGGER de bl and 16 feather derby 7 o'clock Astra nacet Bic bluebird sampler pack tonight.
question ???? Is this a good first purchase for a de ?

I have a DE that I use occasionally, but I'll be honest with you. I get more cuts and nicks from my DE than I do my straights. Each time I use it, I tend to stay away again for about a month or so before trying it again... which always seems to end with more cuts!

The Edwin Jagger is a good choice. Used mine today with a Feather blade. I also use Personna Med Preps with good result.

You'll do well with that choice if you go slow and just use the weight of the razor while you guide the angle.

When I don't use a straight I also use an Edwin Jagger or a vintage Gillette. It should be a great setup. The 7 o'clocks are nice blades, watch the Feathers as they are SUPER sharp, I wouldn't start out with those.

Thanks guys for the insights. It's a new to me venture. I remember my dad using a de and Idk why but thought I would give this a try. I still plan on using my straight mainly but I'm going to throw this into the mix ànd see how it goes. I'm pretty sure my face would be alright if I just stayed with one straight but I have 12 in my rotation so I really don't give myself the opportunity to learn any one really well. I plan on only using one de. (So I say lol)

I think you've already figured out that having too many choices at an early stage of a new hobby is not necessarily a good thing.

Stick with the one DE razor for a while. Watch some of Mantic's videos and try to pick up the art. You'll be fine.

All the best.

Sensitive move.

While I do enjoy straight shaving, the DE razor is significantly easier to master, one can complete the same number of passes in less than half the time and get excellent results with proper technique and a good DE razor and blade combination.

There had to be a reason that the DE razor replaced the straight razor as preferred shaving instrument after WWI.


If it was just for ease of use, convenience, results and economy, a DE is hard to beat.

If it was just for the knowledge that one has mastered the skill, that nothing surpasses the satisfaction of a close, smooth shave with a straight in the morning, then a straight razor is hard to beat.


Horses for courses, really...



B

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Originally Posted by yohannrjm

I think you've already figured out that having too many choices at an early stage of a new hobby is not necessarily a good thing.

Stick with the one DE razor for a while. Watch some of Mantic's videos and try to pick up the art. You'll be fine.

All the best.

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I think you are absolutely right ! And I will take your advise and also watch the videos.

I think DEs are great. I started with them before moving to a straight. I had to convince myself to stop using a DE for one full year, in an effort to "force myself" to master using a straight lol. It was seemingly impossible for me to master my straight when relying on my DE.

So note - if you are anything like me, and you learn to love your DE, you might forget to master your straight - or it might just take longer lol?.

Either way, both are great wet-shaving tools and its fun to experiment. :)

I know you'll like your DE - use the reduction method - two or three light passes - stress the light, and you'll be golden.

I use a DE when I'm in a rush and when I travel. I purchased a 1959 Fatboy which has an adjustable head. I think a DE is good to have as a second choice when not using a str8 for whatever reason.

If you want to gain proficiency with a straight, pick one and use it exclusively for a while. I found after about 25 shaves, my skill was such that I was not nicking myself and the shaves were a pleasurable experience. Every 10 or so shaves thereafter, my skill would increase. I have an Edwin Jagger DE89 that I love too. I'd stay away from the Feather brand blades at first...they nick me faster than a straight will.

The DE you bought seems to come highly recommended so you should be good to go there. Out of your sample pack of blades I would leave the Feathers till last to try out. Feathers have a reputation of being very sharp and can be a bit harsh. The Astra seem like a nice middle of the road blade to me, you might want to try those first.

If this is your first time shaving with a DE, it still is all about angle and pressure as it is with a straight. My personal feeling is that it is about as easy to get cuts, nicks and razor burn with a DE as it is with a straight when you are just starting out.

Bob

I have been using DE for the past 7 months. I started DE as a progress towards SR. I enjoy DE shaving. I turn on classic Blues and jazz and relax. I find that on a thick and harsh European beard I get such a close shave I can go 2-3 days between shaves and still be good. I have found Shark blades work for me but everyone finds their own personal combination. Since kicking the plastic trash I cam relax and enjoy holding sharp objects next to my neck. Be patient and make slow changes until you find a combination of shave product and equipment that works well for you.

As usual I agree with BobH....even with a DE it's still about angle and pressure and blade choice can be key. I'd start with Astra's or Wilkinson Sword blades...Personna's are also good. Feather, depending on the razor (and you), can be wickedly hard on your face. Handled well, they're the best/sharpest. DE is a really good tool for learning (mapping) your beard, too. You'll be able to tell (hear) when you've hit or missed beard and be able to try another stroke to hit it on an alternate pass.

Probably you know about the Interactive Whisker Map; for those who do not, here is the link:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ap-update.html
It helped me a lot to really find out what a cow lick my neck and throat was!
Use it to your advantage.
~Richard

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Probably you know about the Interactive Whisker Map; for those who do not, here is the link:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ap-update.html
It helped me a lot to really find out what a cow lick my neck and throat was!
Use it to your advantage.
~Richard

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Richard,why in the hell would you let a cow lick your face?

Thanks for all the tips. I will be receiving my new razor tomorrow! Looking forward to trying it out. And yes I will leave the feather blades alone for now. I do love my straights. Maybe I should concentrate with just one straight like Wayne suggested and I will make the Astra blade my first try. My old face should just be sporting a grey hunting beard at this time of year anyway lol

No need to fear the Feathers,start out with the best and never look back.

So it seem the consensus is use the blade twice then throw it ?

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Originally Posted by nodakjohns

So it seem the consensus is use the blade twice then throw it ?

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I dunno, generally I use mine till I feel it start to tug a bit before pitching it. Different blades seem to deteriorate at different rates too.

Bob

It depends on the blade I think, I can usually get 5+ before it starts to tug. My tolerance to tugging might be high, but I've gone 10+ many times I think.

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Originally Posted by nodakjohns

So it seem the consensus is use the blade twice then throw it ?

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Same opinion here--use a blade till you no longer like the shave you are getting and then switch blades. It takes no time to switch it out in the middle of a shave.

Don't bother counting the number of shaves unless you really want to keep track that way.

The EJ is a good choice. I started with DEs before buying a straight. I still rely on the DE for quick cleanup after two passes with my TI. I'm sure it's slowed down my ability to really get proficient, but it works for me. DEs aren't necessarily more gentle on your face if you have poor technique, so make sure you take time to figure it out properly.

The EJ is a great razor, Ive been DE shaving for many years now, I have just returned back to straights after about 2 years away.
Most blades 3 shaves for me some 5 depends on the brand,

Gents:

I use both. But to me I use straights when I do have the time to shave in peace not with the hurry for work or something like that.

Thanks
Ken

Well I tried it yesterday for the first time. Went very very good ! The shave was closer in my trouble spots than my straights and no knicks or razor burn of any kind. It was very successful. The razor like I stated is the EJ 89bl with an astra blade. Can't wait to try again. On another note now I'm shopping egay for a birth year gillette slim .

I've got the same model EJ and really like it as well. What year slim adj are you looking for?

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Originally Posted by rodb

I've got the same model EJ and really like it as well. What year slim adj are you looking for?

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I'm looking for a mint gillette1963 slim.

try a muhle r41 open comb and a merkur slant for something somewhat close to a straight. I'm now at about a year and a half on my straight about 5 days a week and I feel most comfortable now. I use double edge on weekends. interestingly, I find the straights to be the best shaves. closer than DE and less irritation