Thread: D/E closeness?

When the Origional poster used the term "D/E", I thought he meant "Disposable/Electric". Am I confused about what a "DE" is?

I always thought SE was Single Edge, and DE was Double Edge?

The key for a close shave with a straight is stretching the skin to get the hair into the right position. If I do the same while using the DE (Slant) I get an even closer shave. Mostly people compare straight razor shaving with skin stretching against DE shave without skin stretching, and decide in favor of the straight. This comparison is simply wrong. When comparing tools we have to keep all other variables constant!

Originally Posted by FloorPizza

I always thought SE was Single Edge, and DE was Double Edge?

Me too, though I confess I have no idea what a single edge razor is/looks like!

Oh, and my straight shaves are now excellent. Not quite perfect, but getting there. What a difference a couple of weeks makes.

Originally Posted by CatMan

The key for a close shave with a straight is stretching the skin to get the hair into the right position. If I do the same while using the DE (Slant) I get an even closer shave. Mostly people compare straight razor shaving with skin stretching against DE shave without skin stretching, and decide in favor of the straight. This comparison is simply wrong. When comparing tools we have to keep all other variables constant!

Great advice.

I have found that when using a single edge razor or a Rolls Razor,skin stretching is mandatory.The stiffer the blade,the more the stretch. I've been getting steadily improving shaves with my Rolls after taking considerable time getting the blades shave ready.Quite a good little shaver.

It's interesting to see this thread resurrected from the dead. That's mostly because of all the regulars who replied then (5 years ago) who you don't see on this site much anymore. I sometimes wonder what they're up to.

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To throw in my 2 cents: I can get as close a shave with a straight, DE or SE. If I've been using straights all the time, and then switch to a DE, it may take a couple of shaves to rediscover my technique, but then the shaves are as close.

I think most of the issues people have when they switch from one tool-set to another are due to a lack of recent familiarity with the new set of tools.

Give it time and some application of technique, and you'll have a great shave with any tool - including cartridge razors (though I haven't tried those in many years).

I get as close as a straight with my Merkur Progress and Slantbar. Takes about 15 minutes with a DE and 20 with a straight.

Gents:

In my personal opinion I get a very close shave with the r41 tooth plate and with the vision 2000 on the most open setting available. But in the other hand when I use a str8t it feels better depending how sharp the blade is.
I have to say thou that with the str8t I can shave my face on daily basis without any problem sometimes with the DE I have to way a day more because sometimes it could hurt.

thanks
Kenneth

What I have found is I have a bad habit of using more pressure when I use the DE this results in a little more irritation. I think I get careless because it seems so "safe" compared to my straights. When I pay attention, press light, and keep a good lather I cant tell the diff between them. Sometimes, when doing a single pass shave, I think I might even be getting a closer shave.