Thread: Newbie and interested in DE shaving

I'm tired of the old aerosol can and throw away blades,so recently I bought a cheap boar brush and C.O. Bigelow shave cream made by Proraso and OMG what a difference it made.I love the smell and the feel of my skin when I get done but I want to take the right of a good shave one step further. I have looked endlessly at websites devoted to shaving but would like some personal input on how or where to start.As a beginner I don't want to spend a lot o cabbage not knowing how my skin,or myself in fact is going to do with this . Any info will be greatly appreciated

probably the cheapest way to go is to look at you local antique shop for a vintage gillette.My advice would be to get an adjustable one though they are harder to come by.You can easily get an adjustable one on ebay,in the classifieds here or at one of the other wet shaving forums.Fixed head De are alright but the adjustable ones let you dial it down for a really mild cutting action to start and then move up to a more aggresive shave without buying a bunch of different razors,although you probably will anyway just cause its fun to collect them.

You know I have'nt even thought about antique shops around.We've got a couple here locally,I may give that a shot this weekend.

Forget DEs. Go with a Schick injector or a Gem/Everready. A DE is complicated stuff. Especially if you are worried about your skin. You have to find a blade, in a DE, that will work with you and you razor.

Example. Never use a Feather in a Tech. The Tech is too forgiving and the blade too sharp. You could go with a personna, but some people can't handle the geometry.

SEs, Gems, Everreadys, Schicks, have none of this. Stay away from Pellas no matter what others say. Yes they are nice and sharp and all that. They are also expensive. Go the the local MalMart or pharmacy and pick up some Personna injectors or SEs. They are all I use and I have not had problem one with them.

Plus SEs are usually cheaper because everyone seems to have this thing for Gillettes. I am not knocking them, but I sold all mine and now only use SEs. They are just more comfortable.

Do you want to have to think about the angle on a DE or do you want to shave? If you want to shave, get a SE. If you want to think and cut yourself, get a DE.

IMHO, just my experience.

Great job on trying a DE! I'm using a Merkur razor and have fallen in love with it. Some days when I'm in a hurry its not so smooth, but when I take my time and do WTG, CTG and ATG shaving, its great. Even trying different soaps is fun- and its not expensive.

My main reasons for going to DE shaving:
1. Its much greener than tossing out plastic all the time into landfills as well as those shaving cream cans.
2. I'm cheap! Buying a box of Merkur blades if $5 and they lst me several months. I'm even on the look out at local stores for a blade sharpener to reuse the blades again- less trash, "cave time", and economical in the long run.
3. With small kids and my wife walking in the bathroom all the time I cut myself on a straight more than I cared for. I just wasn't up for more scars.
4. Cheap thrill- again its not expensive to tr a few new soaps here and there. Brush upgrades and DE upgrades are simple things that can fill Christmas stockings from family members and they are good birthday gifts too, or at least that's what I'm hoping.

Keep up the DE shaving. Try new soaps and start dabbling in aftershaves and creams- you'll have fun and be smooooooth too.

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

In my opinion one of the best DE razors is the Gillette Fat Boy. You can pick one up on e-bay for approx. $35.00. The Fat Boy with a Feather blade will provide a fabulous shave.

Lewis

I am all alone here.

Is there really no one that uses an SE? They are the best thing next to a str8.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

I am all alone here.

Is there really no one that uses an SE? They are the best thing next to a str8.

What makes it better that a DE? I'm not familar with a SE shave. And what is it about a SE shave that makes it closer to a straight? Honestly, I'm curious now.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

I am all alone here.

Is there really no one that uses an SE? They are the best thing next to a str8.

I have an injector that I received from my grandfather that I'll use on occasion. It gives a great shave. However, I haven't found a good source for blades (in Canada) so I use it sparingly so I don't run out of blades.