Thread: Had to switch to a DE for a bit

I shaved yesterday with my straight razor and nicked myself...and how!

I had the day off so I decided to sharpen my best blade (of the 7 I have) and give it a good stropping before taking all the time I needed to get a first class shave. Most days I use it I just go with the grain to see how close I can get that way before finishing with my 3 bladed cheese grater, errr, razor. But yesterday, I wanted to use the straight for the whole thing.

After finishing my dominant side and paying close attention to how I stretched my skin, I repeated the motions on the opposite side of my face until I was left with the most difficult part of my face to shave, the left corner of my mouth. As I guided the razor to my skin and prepared to slough off the remaining stubble, I took a deep breath and pressed carbon steel to cheek.
This time, the blade skipped. As I looked and prepared to reapply the blade I thought, "You know, you gave yourself a small nick here once before. Idiot. Take your time." Then the blood began to flow. About an inch long cut into my cheek. Good thing I had a styptic pencil. Stung like hell but stopped the bleeding. Thoughts of regrowing my beard started to form. What to do?

So I did the only thing someone who has invested this much time and money into a outdated ritual such as wet shaving could do...I bought a Double Edge razor.

At an antique store here in town I found a leather travel grooming set from the 50's with an old Gillette Tech DE razor and mirror and accoutrements for cheap. Then I went to Wally world and bought 10 razors for $1.50 and prepared for another razor learning curve. During my first shave I used the same motions as my "Mock" 3 and was waaaaay closer in the same amount of time. Guess I've been doing it the right way all along. So until my face heals this is the method I'll use.

Now I can use the razor slots in hotel bathrooms!

That is a lovely little set! I really do like my DE for days when I need a quick shave- and I find the standard Gillette blades to be quite satisfactory.... and MUCH less expensive than the cartridges.

I think the DE is great for traveling, especially if you are lucky enough to have a great travel set like that.

No kidding! I've been using a DE solely for the last year, and I'm about to try straight shaving as soon as at least one of my razors gets here (the wait is killing me).

But I don't think I could ever pass up a sweet little kit like that.

DEs are great shavers. I shave with a straight daily but will use a DE when I am pressed for time or want to experience a different shave. The shave is easily BBS though not with the same sense of accomplishment after a good straight shave. Additionally, I think a straight leaves the skin feeling smoother with repeated use.

Come to think of it, I think the DE has cleared up my face. Or maybe its just that I'm not a teen anymore.

Either way its better than a cartridge razor.

At first I was disappointed I had to stop using my straight but I gotta tell ya, as someone who gets a 9:00 shadow, having smooth cheeks until dinner is freakin' awesome. Oh did I mention the kit was made in Sheffield?

Even if I didn't have the need for a DE like you did, I'd have bought that kit. It's just too cool and looks like it is in great shape. That's one of those nice finds I'm always looking to find. Good work.

Originally Posted by paulwjax

I shaved yesterday with my straight razor and nicked myself...and how!


As I guided the razor to my skin and prepared to slough off the remaining stubble, I took a deep breath and pressed carbon steel to cheek.

You don't PRESS AGAINST your skin. that is why you had problem.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

You don't PRESS AGAINST your skin. that is why you had problem.

I realize that LOL and I never said I did. No hard feelings though.

Besides, the story loses its dramatic flair if you say "I positioned the blade at about 30 degrees to my cheek and..."