Thread: gssixgun: the gauntlet has been thrown....

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Make sure to take a decent DE with fitting blades with you. Everything else is just girly stuff.

Hi there,
One thing that makes this shaving 'hobby' so interesting is the many varied members views on the same things. Readers should always take any reviews or suggestions with a grain of salt, since that YMMV thingy is sure as hell true.
Hehe, I don't have the same slant on things as you do, and I already have a good reference point for what I like. Normally I wouldn't comment on your post, but there's something I'd have to strongly disagree with. From personal experience, and also from many many posts I've read, those blades aren't a good one to recommend. This isn't a slam on you by any means, since they work well for you. I'm just mentioning this for readers who aren't familiar with certain DE blades. There's plenty of reviews on Merkur blades, such as the ones I'll include.
Some people like those blades a lot, but most don't. For me, they were a poor blade, and also probably the most expensive one out there. Those will be sometimes be included with a new Merkur razor, and it's kinda like a practical joke because it's such a rough blade. Using those blades, even with my (now) well honed technique and choice of perfect razor, I would still be unable to achieve the comfortable shave I've come to expect.
Anyway, just wanted to mention this, since a choice of blades should be considered important, and made using acquired knowledge.
Just my take on things,
Martin


Merkur Platinum Double Edge Blades - Page 2 - Badger & Blade

What are we at now for the count down? One more sleep?

On occasion, I'll use a DE with very good results. I "learned" to shave on one of these, so I'm pretty comfortable with them. I prefer a Merkur Progress of Gillette Fatboy razor. Blades are very much a YMMV type of thing, but I prefer Feathers.

My first DE shave.... http://straightrazorpalace.com/258214-post19.html
OK I admit I had done some reading last year when I joined B&B and SRP
so I actually corked the blade before the shave

I really prepped before the shave, I used my best shaving Uberlather....
Here are my impressions keep in mind that I have been using a straight since 1982 and this was my first time using a DE
I started with the razor set at 3 as reccomened...
First WTG pass on right cheek ho-hum not even close to a first pass with a straight, reset razor to 7
WTG pass on other cheek would compare to a OK straight pass
XTG passes on cheeks brings it to about the same as a good straight (Not a great one)
Neck WTG were very disappointing, My neck is tuff though, even for straights
ATG pass on neck not bad, one tiny tiny nick, my mistake, or perhaps a small zit
Way to easy to try blade buffing with a DE, which I re-lathered and did....
Overall impression with practice this could be a viable shaving method, however it takes more passes and some buffing to get as close as a straight shave...
The alum pass had a lot more sting to it, but then again the blade passed over my face 3-4 times as much..
My cheeks are as smooth as a good straight shave, the hollows by my Adams apple are not nearly as close....
Again this is not as easy as I had thought it would be, this would take some practice and technique to get a BBS shave....
But hey I tried it and survived it

The gauntlet has been picked up and tossed back

congratulations! So what's the real verdict? will you be keeping the razor or no?

I agree with everything above and good for you Glen for taking up the challenge.

It's true that there isn't a great difference at the time of the shave.

Actually, didn't you notice how your beard growth had a spiky feel after just one DE shave.

For me, the DE cuts at a different angle leading to less comfort when the hair starts to grow.

Also the DE over time, can....I repeat can ..... get a bit too close to the skin and cause more razor burn from normal shaving than you will ever get with a straight. Although, to be fair this can be as much to do with bad preparation and trying to be too speedy as much as the method.

The DE is quicker.

For me it comes down to speed versus comfort.

I just love that straight smoothness that you get on your skin. It's like a good whiskey, or cup of proper tea, or bottle of fine wine. Hard to describe, difficult to share with non believers but something once you've experienced you don't want the scraps again.

As far as corking, I didn't bother with it on my first DE shave. I didn't notice any problems. I thought that corking was to dull down a razor which is too harsh/sharp. So far I've only tried an Israeli personna blade, but I'm going to try a feather soon. I don't plan on corking it, but if it's harsh I'll give it a shot. Maybe it's just because I'm used to a straight and have the no-pressure thing down, but I don't think it's necessary.

To answer Lee's question yes I will be keeping the razor I still have hopes that the wife will try it..... I however probably will not be using it on any basis at all... I am way to comfortable using my straights, and in a pinch I can shave in 10 minutes so faster is not really a concern for me...

The shave...
I can already feel stubble on my neck, and a very very light prickly feel on my cheeks..
I think English said it right, the feel is different on the cut hair, it feels somehow "sharper" to the back of my finger...
I normally don't feel stumble on a straight shave until bedtime...
My face is definitely more sensitive right now I can still feel a slight rawness to it....
BTW I used a very light touch, that is one thing that does transfer between razor styles, as straight razor users we understand a light touch....
All in all not a bad first try, but no I would not be inclined to use one, probably more because it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks

Now if I were to compare this shave to a disposable???? there is no comparison the DE wins hands down on every aspect....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I however probably will not be using it on any basis at all... I am way to comfortable using my straights, and in a pinch I can shave in 10 minutes so faster is not really a concern for me...

.

So, no pink handled bics in your future! Glad to hear it!

I thought we had lost you for a moment there!

OK Glen, now that you've done that 'challenge' I think I'll throw a real one at you - send me your dublducks and hesses. How's that for a challenge? Scared arn't you? That's what I thought