Thread: Could use a bit of advice

Originally Posted by BobH

Do everything you do with a straight razor with a DE. You are only changing the tool not the process. Remember, the handle is used to adjust the angle as you go around curves. The DE does not do that for you either. Don't worry, a DE can bite you just as good as a straight razor if you are sloppy with it.

To find the right angle, place the top cap on your face with the handle parallel to the floor. Then lower the handle till you just start to feel the blade. That should give you a good starting angle to maintain.

I would not worry too much about which DE to get or what blades as you will not be using the DE enough to get good with it.

Bob

Good advice.

One observation I might want to add:
If you want a safety razor that comes close in performance to a straight razor, look for a razor with positive blade exposure and fairly generous blade gap.

Part of the ‘safety’ in safety razor came from the fact that most had and still have a slightly negative blade exposure that minimizes the risk. Unfortunately, having the safety razor blade recessed a few fractions of a millimeter will also reduce efficiency.

To have more control, you could buy an adjustable razor, but most adjustable razors primarily vary blade gap, only a handful actively vary blade gap and blade exposure.

For someone who has only used cartridge razors before, a positive blade exposure might be a bit too much, but coming from straight razors it should be manageable.

That is IF (and it is a big IF ) you want performance similar to a straight.
If you just want a razor for an occasional quick shave, there is no need to worry about it.

Regarding the quick shave and time saved when using a safety razor, in my experience a typical straight shave takes me around 23 mins, a shave with a safety razor takes about 10 mins less.

After years of shaving exclusively with safety razors, followed by years of almost exclusively shaving with straight razors, I am now at a point where I enjoy a bit of variation between the two.

That does not include cartridge or electric razors, however. While I concede certain advantages for those who do like to use them, all attempts from my side to develop a fondness for either one were short-lived.



B.