Thread: First DE shave

I guess I kinda went out of the usual order most people try when shaving. I went directly from mach 3 to straight shaving 2 years ago. But I finally got a Gilette superspeed last week and a blade sampler pack from West Coast Shaving and gave it a go this morning.

I've got to say, I really liked the shave! It's a good thing I didn't try DE first, or I may have never tried a straight. It was very easy and zero irritation. I now have a new benchmark to try to get my straight shaves that comfortable.

For those with more experience with DEs, what do you do with your razor and blade after the shave? I wanted to be extra careful, so I took the blade out and dried it, opened up the doors and shook out the razor, and wiped it down with a dry towel. Overkill? Should I do anything else?

You'll never take my straights away from me, but for anyone else who's never tried it, it's a great shave and worth the cheap investment!

Originally Posted by jimmyray

For those with more experience with DEs, what do you do with your razor and blade after the shave? I wanted to be extra careful, so I took the blade out and dried it, opened up the doors and shook out the razor, and wiped it down with a dry towel. Overkill? Should I do anything else?

I gave it to my wife for leg shaving purposes.

Prior to that, I wiped my Dovo 42 off with a towel after rinsing it in hot water. Cleaned it once a week in an ultrasonic bath.

Originally Posted by jimmyray

You'll never take my straights away from me, but for anyone else who's never tried it, it's a great shave and worth the cheap investment!

1. It is just a different shave. And one that will not last a long.
2. It certainly is not a cheap investment. While DEs may be more forgiving with respect to bad preparation, you will still need a brush and soap, just like for straight shaving. Which leaves the difference in price between a DE and a straight, which, in the long run, is negligible.

Long story short, if the shaves you are getting with a DE Are as good as, or better than, those with a straight razor, you must be doing something wrong. Which, of course, is perfectly fine, if it suits your needs.

As always, your mileage can, and probably will, vary.

I don't think anyone can make any blanket statements that a straight shave should be better than a DE shave if you are doing it right. I get great shaves from straights, DEs and M3s. They all work very well if you use them correctly. I too happen to like straights the most.

To answer the question, I wouldn't go over the top. Yes if you leave water on the blade it will rust more, but it's just a DE blade - toss it when you aren't happy with it and put in another blade. I have a mrerkur progress (that I don't use often because I too like straights) but when I do I just shake it out and lay it on it's side, figuring more water will roll off than stick around if I do that. And I dry the razor very briefly on my hand towel. That's it. And I tend to switch blades after two or three uses just becuase they are cheap and why have scratchy shaves.

But lots of guys that like straights like DEs, so if you like both use both.

After a shave, I always rinse thoroughly with hot water and gently wipe to dry, avoiding the cutting edge. I'm using a Merkur HD, so no doors to open.

I get a better shave from a DE than a straight on my neck, but a straight does better almost everywhere else with respect to how long my face stays smooth.

Originally Posted by loueedacat

I don't think anyone can make any blanket statements that a straight shave should be better than a DE shave if you are doing it right. I get great shaves from straights, DEs and M3s. They all work very well if you use them correctly. I too happen to like straights the most.

Obviously, there's no arguing taste.

I've been experimenting with a DE for the last few weeks, and it's really working well for me this time around. I get a closer shave under my jaw with the DE because on my face it's impossible to go against the grain with a straight.

Both are excellent options, and I find that working with one improves my skill with the other.

Josh

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I've been experimenting with a DE for the last few weeks, and it's really working well for me this time around. I get a closer shave under my jaw with the DE because on my face it's impossible to go against the grain with a straight.

Both are excellent options, and I find that working with one improves my skill with the other.

Josh

I had the same experience - I found that straight razor shaving actually improved my DE shaving technique more than DE shaving helped with my straight razor technique.

Originally Posted by loueedacat

I found that straight razor shaving actually improved my DE shaving technique more than DE shaving helped with my straight razor technique.

I vividly remember trying to apply my DE sliding technique to my first straight razor. Had to apply an emergency tourniquet.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

I vividly remember trying to apply my DE sliding technique to my first straight razor. Had to apply an emergency tourniquet.

A tourniquet? Around your neck?

I went from a Gillette Sensor (never did make it to the mach's) to DE to straights about a month or so ago. If I am running a bit late but still want to shave, I will use one of my DE's for a quick shave.

I only give it a quick rinse under hot water, shake the excess water from it, and put it on its stand. Last time I changed a blade was 3 or so weeks ago and have used it about 3 times since. No issues with rust on the blade - at least none that I notice (note that older vintage blades will rust quicker than the newer ones). On occasion I will give them a full cleaning and polish.

I agree with loudeedacat's comment that using the straight has improved my DE shaves. In my case I suspect it has to do with having a more steady hand and more refined light touch.

I suppose that, despite how you get there, the end result is what matters - a nice enjoyable shave!