Thread: Newbie and interested in DE shaving

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear Newbie,

I suggest starting with an Edwin Jagger 89L DE. This is a well made razor, beautiful, not too mild, not aggressive, and reasonable priced below $40.

For blades, I suggest Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow package), which are sharp, but also silky smooth.

That is a great combination. Good luck.

Regards,

Obie

Obie here has the right idea. This is the only DE I have that I use anymore, and you really can't go wrong. I personally prefer the Shark blades, but thats just me.

Drew

I got a red tip at the antique store for $15, it cleaned up nice. I then bought a sample pack of blades for $10. I ended up really liking the astras the best and the feathers 2nd. I got started for less then $50 (with everything) and I am now getting great shaves.

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear Newbie,

I suggest starting with an Edwin Jagger 89L DE. This is a well made razor, beautiful, not too mild, not aggressive, and reasonable priced below $40.

For blades, I suggest Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow package), which are sharp, but also silky smooth.

That is a great combination. Good luck.

Regards,

Obie

Just curious Obie, but where do you get your blades from? I have a few old DEs of my grandfathers, and might like to have some blades on hand just in case.

Amazon, believe it or not, is a great resource for DE blades. Unless you want a sample pack of course, in which case I recommend westcoastshaving.

But you can get a full 100 blades for under $20 shipped from amazon. It is the only place I have ever bought mine from.

Gentlemen,

Amazon is a good source for blades. I have not had the opportunity to buy from West Coast Shaving, but I understand they are good people and reasonably priced.

I have bought most of my blades from Paul at Connaught.com in England. I found the prices reasonable, as well as the shipping rates when using the "small package" option. Paul is a good person and has a big variety of blades.

Now I use only the Feather and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs), all of which I bought from Connaught.com. In the past few years I went through the usual blade trials — Derby, Crystal, Irridium, Astra, Bic, Wilkenson, Personna, and many others. I found the Feathers and the Gillette yellows to work best for me.

Although I use a straight razor, once or twice a month I still use a DE just to keep up my skills, or when in a rush. I have sold most of my double edge razors except for: EJ Chatsworth "barley," EJ Chatsworth mock ivory, Cyril Salter, and a Merkur travel. I just refurbished a Gillette Super Speed, and she's a beauty. I am thinking of only keeping the EJ "barley" and selling the rest, since I don't use them, as well as selling some of my blades.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Regards,

Obie

Obie,

Thanks for the informative post! I know virtually nothing about DE shaving, having only tried it once or twice years ago. I know my grandfather used to have packs of the Wilkinson Sword DE blades that he used with them, but I'll have to look and see if he has any more left.

As far as things you need for DE shaving, and technique, what is there to get/know?

I've seen semi circle sharpening devices made of glass(?) but don't know what the purpose of them would be really.

Thanks so much!

-Rob

My dear Rob,

The DE has its own technique. As in the straight razor, one of the most important points is to use light pressure. Also, with the DE, try not to go over the same spot excessively. Those blades are sharp and it is easy to get razor burn or a dose of skin-scraping.

I use some of the same technique for the DE as for the straight. Although you don't have to stretch as much with the DE, I do. Why? Force of habit, I guess. Also, go slowly. What's more, it is easy to get become cavalier with the DE — and then zap, a cut.

I still use a DE once or twice a month, as I mentioned in my previous post, just to keep up my technique, and also when pressed for time. As a rule, I change blades every three shaves, even with the Feathers. I like my blades sharp. The DE has its own benefits, but it lacks the romance and the craftsmanship that comes with the straight.

Regards,

Obie

Again, many thanks Obie!

I don't plan on using the DE very often (I love the straight ) but as you said if I'm in a hurry and don't have the time to spend with the straight, I would like to have another option handy

I have my grandmother hunting the razors and blades ATM, so when I stop up there this evening, I may have a surprise

Again, thanks for the info!

-Rob

If she should fail to come up with one or the other, a quality razor can be found on most forums for around or under $20, and I paid $17 for my last box of 100 blades on amazon, so getting started with a DE is definitely cheaper than getting started with a straight, particularly since you already have a brush, soap or cream, and a good hefty dose of patience.

Good Luck
Drew

Originally Posted by DPflaumer

If she should fail to come up with one or the other, a quality razor can be found on most forums for around or under $20, and I paid $17 for my last box of 100 blades on amazon, so getting started with a DE is definitely cheaper than getting started with a straight, particularly since you already have a brush, soap or cream, and a good hefty dose of patience.

Good Luck
Drew

I knew they were up there...stopped up last night and they had 3 of them sitting out for me as well as a shave stand with a shaving cup and brush that my grandfather got years ago in Europe. Not sure how the brush will work...it's been sitting around, unused for probably 20 years. Noticed that a couple hairs will drop out occasionally, but oh well...until I order my ST knot and turn out a handle it will have to do

they also had some Wilkinson Sword blades for me as well, and I also ordered a pack of Derby Extra blades to try out.

-Rob