Now I know why I stopped using a DE

Well all my Str8s are in Gs's hands. So I have to fall back on what I have. I was shaving with my NM Schick 66, but for some reason last night my hand was guided by the dark side to my 1940s SS loaded with a fresh Feather.:gaah:

This morning's shave nearly needed a transfusion. My neck looks like it went 10 rounds with a Mike Tyson Cheese grater.:chop: My face feels like someone used molecular acid on it and it has more hot spots than the sun.

The cold water splash at the end felt like fire and the alum was no better.

Can't wait for my str8s to get back here.

You know in my former incarnation I was known as "Slant-Fan" because of my love for the "twisted head" A.K.A. Slant bar DE razors. I still have quite a collection of them from various makers. I used to shave with the Merkur with a Feather most of the time and every now and then I think of doing a shave with one of them one more time I don't though because I visualize that thin sharp (read harsh) Feather and I don't want to waste the shave. I am 60 years old and every shave may be my last. :D If Glen has your razors I am sure they will be worth the wait. :tu

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You know in my former incarnation I was known as "Slant-Fan" because of my love for the "twisted head" A.K.A. Slant bar DE razors. I still have quite a collection of them from various makers. I used to shave with the Merkur with a Feather most of the time and every now and then I think of doing a shave with one of them one more time I don't though because I visualize that thin sharp (read harsh) Feather and I don't want to waste the shave. I am 60 years old and every shave may be my last. :D If Glen has your razors I am sure they will be worth the wait. :tu

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http://www.ericdsnider.com/images/easterbunnycry.JPG

I've said it several times before. Since I've been shaving exclusively with a straight the one or two times that I've gone back to a DE, I was NERVOUS to shave with the DE!! I was worried that little inflexible sucker was going to cut me. Isn't that funny? You often see new members on this site saying they're nervous to use a straight (I guess I was too the first shave with one). I'm so comfortable and relaxed using my straights I don't want to shave with anything else.

Chris L

DEs are easier but they still take technique and practice. i for one suck at using them, but i have a Fatboy so if i do for some reason have to use it i set it on 2 instead of 3 and see where i get. i have an injector that i do like for some reason, not to say i shouldn't but i don't use it enough (if ever) to really say why i like it.

I shaved for a few months with a DE before I switched to straights. I haven't used anything but a straight for months and months now. The idea of using my DE again is scary! I've gotten very comfortable handling a straight, and at times too comfortable.....I've had a few minor cuts due to carelessness :w

I know I'm never going to go back to a DE.

Once you go straight, you never go back. ;) (I just realized how that could be misinterpreted :rofl2:)

Hm, maybe it's just my combo of blades/razor, but I've never had a problem with a DE and I don't use it frequently by any means (I could probably count on both hands the number of times I've used a DE). If I'm running late in the morning and feel that I need a shave, I whip out my SuperSpeed with a Derby, throw some water on my face and do a quick WTG. Haven't nicked myself with it yet.

I'm sure most people who haven't used a DE for a while and is used to straights is going to have a rough time using the DE at first. It just that it takes a different touch, so it's probably harder to go from one way of shaving to another.

I actually get pretty good shaves with a DE.....and it ****es me off :(

Reminds me of how far away i am from getting good straight shaves.

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I actually get pretty good shaves with a DE.....and it ****es me off :(

Reminds me of how far away i am from getting good straight shaves.

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I'm a little worried about that too! What if I try my DE again...and like it more than my straight.....well then my whole philosophy of shaving will be shaken!

I hope I'll be forgiven, because until I get a cataract taken out of my left eye, I cannot shave with a straight razor anymore--I'm scared.

Jeff

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Hm, maybe it's just my combo of blades/razor, but I've never had a problem with a DE and I don't use it frequently by any means (I could probably count on both hands the number of times I've used a DE). If I'm running late in the morning and feel that I need a shave, I whip out my SuperSpeed with a Derby, throw some water on my face and do a quick WTG. Haven't nicked myself with it yet.

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the superspeed is one of the milder shaver for sure, but a great one and very capable of giving a great shave. to compare, it is like leaving an adjustable slim on 1. try it on 9 and see how much blood you get, but it was a close shave :p i run my Fatboy at 3 or 4 and it works good, my dad does a one pass in the shower with his Fatboy on 9, and really likes it. :gaah: he thinks my shaving hobby is weird, i think his shaves suck :rofl2:

I have not shaved with a straight yet (I don't count today's first bloody foray using the Dovo Shavette) but plan to do so when I get my first straight honed and buy a strop. I am hopeful that things will go better.

Nathan

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Originally Posted by crackstar

I hope I'll be forgiven, because until I get a cataract taken out of my left eye, I cannot shave with a straight razor anymore--I'm scared.

Jeff

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Jeff: IIRC there was a member at least at one time, maybe still active that is legally blind and shaves with a straight. Maybe you can work something out technique wise to be able to continue?

Chris L

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Originally Posted by Chris L

Jeff: IIRC there was a member at least at one time, maybe still active that is legally blind and shaves with a straight. Maybe you can work something out technique wise to be able to continue?

Chris L

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Interesting Chris, this kind of goes along the lines of the conversation we were having about being able to tell the difference of the two sides o a razor grind with your eyes closed and not being able to tell with your eyes open.

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Originally Posted by chee16

the superspeed is one of the milder shaver for sure, but a great one and very capable of giving a great shave. to compare, it is like leaving an adjustable slim on 1. try it on 9 and see how much blood you get, but it was a close shave :p i run my Fatboy at 3 or 4 and it works good, my dad does a one pass in the shower with his Fatboy on 9, and really likes it. :gaah: he thinks my shaving hobby is weird, i think his shaves suck :rofl2:

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I don't doubt what you're saying at all with regards to the SS being very mild. What I don't understand is why anything more aggressive would be needed. Maybe it's just me, but a single WTG with my SS/Derby gives me about the same closeness as a single WTG with a straight (at least as far as I remember). And, before you go saying I'm rubbish with a straight, let me just say... well... I'm not.

After 12 months of mainly S/E razor shaves,I don't feel a need to rush headlong into straights just yet.:D They are giving me superb results.:tu

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I don't doubt what you're saying at all with regards to the SS being very mild. What I don't understand is why anything more aggressive would be needed. Maybe it's just me, but a single WTG with my SS/Derby gives me about the same closeness as a single WTG with a straight (at least as far as I remember). And, before you go saying I'm rubbish with a straight, let me just say... well... I'm not.

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trust me, i have read enough of your posts to know you know what your doing with a SR :tu
i think the big difference is that with a SS you have to have the angle perfect all the time or it won't be as close, which means practice of technique right. but with a more aggressive razor razor you can be a bit more sloppy with the angle and not lose the closeness, BUT it is easier to nick yourself. so there is a trade off there. i have never been into the more aggressive DEs, i like the medium to non-aggressive. but now a days i don't use any DE. its all SR ;)

Wonderful Experience!

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Originally Posted by chee16

trust me, i have read enough of your posts to know you know what your doing with a SR :tu
i think the big difference is that with a SS you have to have the angle perfect all the time or it won't be as close, which means practice of technique right. but with a more aggressive razor razor you can be a bit more sloppy with the angle and not lose the closeness, BUT it is easier to nick yourself. so there is a trade off there. i have never been into the more aggressive DEs, i like the medium to non-aggressive. but now a days i don't use any DE. its all SR ;)

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Thanks for the info there. I've got to admit, I'm quite ignorant about DE's. I use my SS like your average Joe would use a Mach3; I believe the term that has been used before is "like a Zamboni."

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Originally Posted by spinyeel

After 12 months of mainly S/E razor shaves,I don't feel a need to rush headlong into straights just yet.:D They are giving me superb results.:tu

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Did you switch from a DE to an SE? I'm thinking about making that switch (actually I'm pretty much committed to it) when I have a little more disposable income. I want to go with a straight but can't find the room in a student's budget for it and a strop.

I alternate between d/e and s/e razors,but I prefer the stiffer blades and single edge razors.:)You can pick up Gem's and Ever Ready's for small change and the blades are readily available in drug dtores in the U.S. I highly recommend trying a single edge. Cheers Phil.

it takes patience with both d/e..str8t. but may be faster with d/e.

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Originally Posted by spinyeel

I alternate between d/e and s/e razors,but I prefer the stiffer blades and single edge razors.:)You can pick up Gem's and Ever Ready's for small change and the blades are readily available in drug dtores in the U.S. I highly recommend trying a single edge. Cheers Phil.

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i do like my SE. its a Schick Injector, brass coloured with tan plastic handle. hard to find blades around my area though.

I actually prefer a fairly aggressive DE razor. The 40s style SS is great, but I prefer the Red Tip model. I just get a more comfortable shave out of it. Usually with a Derby blade also.

I used DE for a few weeks before I decided to go straight. I didn't like the cuts and burning and went for straights because I read on here that they would give me the friendliest shave of all.

After 6 months or more paying with old sharp things I have gone back to using the DE when traveling and I don't fancy getting my strop out in front of hosts and having to explain that I'm not a psycho.

I was worried last time, i couldn't help but think that it was so much quicker and eaiser than a straight, and with the correct care gave a closer shave in less passes. I was worried I would quit straights, think of how many extra hours of free time your life would have.

But this morning I finally had a breakthrough.

After experiments with slurry on a 12k and playing with my new safety belt strop I managed to shave with a Joseph Allen King george V razor in a great hurry and get a great shave. I only did the second pass for fun.

Now I know that i can do with a straight what I can do with a DE in the same time.

I am so happy I can finally justify all the time and money I've spent on this hobby, it really does work!

:tu

Iknow the feeling. I've mailed my straights ahead and am using an old DE for the move to HI, and I've cut the SH out of myself a few times already.

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Originally Posted by chee16

DEs are easier but they still take technique and practice. i for one suck at using them, but i have a Fatboy so if i do for some reason have to use it i set it on 2 instead of 3 and see where i get. i have an injector that i do like for some reason, not to say i shouldn't but i don't use it enough (if ever) to really say why i like it.

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I get close comfortable shaves with my 4 straights. I get the same with less effort with my Merkur Slantbar. There, I said it.

It's all good. You go with what works for you...Even if it's the latest in electronic shaving wizardry...Although that really is an insult to Wizards, but anyway...:)


Mick

Yea, no qualms about using a DE especially when traveling as they are a lot less hassle than a straight. If you have good technique with both types of razors the results from each should be more than satisfactory. I try to never insult the shave wizards though.

Bob

What I like about my Gillette fat boy is how you can loosen the tightness on the blade.
For when shaving off the really long hairs on the face.
Then tighten it for the closer shave.
But well do have to be honest the vintage blades are far superior stuff
compared to what's out now.
The modern razor blades are made with a steel and aluminum mix. Which makes
them impossible to get a great edge.
Multi blade razors get around this problem by simply have a lot of blades pulling the hairs out. which can be really bad for ones skin.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Yea, no qualms about using a DE especially when traveling as they are a lot less hassle than a straight. If you have good technique with both types of razors the results from each should be more than satisfactory. I try to never insult the shave wizards though.

Bob

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I have one DE that I use for cleaning up the back of my neck once week. I have never traveled with it because it would be more hassle for me than taking a stropped straight. The DE has to be taken apart, put back together, then taken apart again. No thanks, and I have been using straights exclusively for shaves for so long I can take it slow, or get a quickie shave when needed. Also, one razor blade will last me a long time, and I would have to chuck the blade for traveling.
Attachment 136937

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Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

I have one DE that I use for cleaning up the back of my neck once week. I have never traveled with it because it would be more hassle for me than taking a stropped straight. The DE has to be taken apart, put back together, then taken apart again. No thanks, and I have been using straights exclusively for shaves for so long I can take it slow, or get a quickie shave when needed. Also, one razor blade will last me a long time, and I would have to chuck the blade for traveling.

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Each to their own but a single stropped straight won't last me 2 weeks to a month of travel and I don't want to carry a strop and possibly a barbers hone. The only time I take a DE apart is to change the blades about every 5 days or so and the used ones go into an old metal Gillette razor safe and the used blades get disposed of when I get home. I am not wed to straights because they give a superior shave to a DE for me, they are about equal in that department, again for me. I just enjoy the process of shaving with a straight more. To really add insult to injury, when I fly I use cheap 1 buck disposable head twin blade razors because I want nothing of value in my checked bags. Like has been said it is all good and whatever works for you.

Bob

Iamst8ght, do you know what that razor is called? i just bought the same one i think for £3 at a market.

Made it to Hawaii 2 days ago, got my beloved MUTTER (German razor I named after my German wife's oma. Terribly precise and efficient, but don't you dare get sloppy or try to rush her.....) in the mail yesterday, and put the traveling DE on the shelf. It was fun playing with the DE, and I still may dabble with the neat old things once in awhile. The old gillette open comb travel razor is a good close shave if you are careful, but will cut the crap out of you if the angle isn't right-very unforgiving. After shaving with straight for 3 months now, i've only cut my ear with the tip of the straight (through a lather haze) and never a face cut, though a bit raw for the first little while learning to hone/strop. It seems ironic that "safety razor" would be used for a DE. Maybe that term came into vogue during WW2 when there were lots of joes crammed around sinks in the morning? I see where it may apply there.......

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Originally Posted by bombay

Iamst8ght, do you know what that razor is called? i just bought the same one i think for £3 at a market.

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Just saw this. It is a Gillette Tech from the 70's. It came from Canada, and, I believe, is all nickel. Pretty nice little razor.

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Thanks for the info there. I've got to admit, I'm quite ignorant about DE's. I use my SS like your average Joe would use a Mach3; I believe the term that has been used before is "like a Zamboni."

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There is the problem. DEs and SEs are not at all like carts. They require technique that must be practiced. You must use no pressure when using them. At the correct angle for the head of the razor you are using, the blade should glide over the skin just like a straight. Straight users who have no experience with anything but carts, often assume that DEs and SEs are the same thing with one blade. This is totally incorrect. A DE or SE in an experienced users hands will yield as good a shave as any straight.

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Originally Posted by singlewedge

Well all my Str8s are in Gs's hands. So I have to fall back on what I have. I was shaving with my NM Schick 66, but for some reason last night my hand was guided by the dark side to my 1940s SS loaded with a fresh Feather.:gaah:

This morning's shave nearly needed a transfusion. My neck looks like it went 10 rounds with a Mike Tyson Cheese grater.:chop: My face feels like someone used molecular acid on it and it has more hot spots than the sun.

The cold water splash at the end felt like fire and the alum was no better.

Can't wait for my str8s to get back here.

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Your first mistake was using a feather. Some swear by them, but others swear at them. I'm in the second camp...they roast my skin.

Less pressure, better angles. :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by Suile

What I like about my Gillette fat boy is how you can loosen the tightness on the blade.
For when shaving off the really long hairs on the face.
Then tighten it for the closer shave.
But well do have to be honest the vintage blades are far superior stuff
compared to what's out now.
The modern razor blades are made with a steel and aluminum mix. Which makes
them impossible to get a great edge.
Multi blade razors get around this problem by simply have a lot of blades pulling the hairs out. which can be really bad for ones skin.

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Aluminum and Steel mix? My right eyebrow is raised.