Nothing Like It

[rickboone]

It has been many, many months since I've shaved with a DE. I've done a touch up/ clean up with a DE, but not a full out shave with one in many months.

The other day I did.

It sucked. Really did.

[Stubear]

I've moved this thread to the Shaving with Safety Razors forum.

I have to say, I disagree. I shaved with my Merkur DE this morning and got a perfectly servicable shave from it. Sure, it wasnt as much fun as using a straight razor, and it doesnt feel quite as close. That could of course just be my imagination..! For some reason DE shaves dont last as long for me either.

How old was the blade in your DE when you used it? If it was an old blade, that would explain the poor shave.

[JimmyHAD]

When I began shaving it was with a DE. In those days no one taught you how to shave. You took the can of goo and slathered it on your face and raked it off with the DE. The blades were Gillette Super Blue and they were rather rough and barely sharp by today's standards. I vividly remember the first time I shaved and how cool I felt it was to be doing what grownups did.

As I dug the razor, a Super Speed, into my cheek for my first nick I was shocked. I kept going but with a new respect. There is a learning curve to shaving with a DE as with any other shaving implement. Prep, lathering and skin stretching are as important with the DE as with the straight for best results.

Letting the razor do the cutting with little or no pressure is also of paramount importance with a DE. Gradual stubble removal with multiple passes as described here. Otherwise irritation, weepers, nicks will be the inevitable result IME.

[Disburden]

I got perfect BBS shaves from my Gillette Super Speed in four passes, same with my Gem razors. I just like straights more, they're awesome, and honing is so much fun.

[Obie]

Gentlemen:

Even though I shave with a straight razor, I still love my double edge razors, and still get a close and comfortable shave with them. These days I use an Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley and a Muhle-Pinsel, with Feather and Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow packs for blades.

The double edge are included in my straight razor rotation — in Biblical terms, so to speak. I rest the straight edge on the seventh day and shave with the double edge. Also, when in a rush, I switch to the double edge. For me, the straight and the double edge have their own place.

Regards,
Obie

[thebigspendur]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as Obie just I don't have a regular schedule for DE use but still use it on a regular basis. I find I get a really great shave with it. Sure it doesn't last quite as long as a straight shave but all in all it comes very close.

[Arrowhead]

Well, Gentlemen, I'm not about to belittle DE shaving, after all I served a long apprenticeship using a safety razor, and can get a very decent shave indeed with one, thank you. Somehow, there seem to be half a dozen of them in the bathroom now, all old Gillettes, of which the favourites are a flare tip Rocket and a 40s Aristocrat Junior, both of which look very much like Superspeeds.

Nonetheless, they're limited by the blades, and even a Swede isn't as smooth as a straight in good fettle, by a long chalk. Consequently, the proportion of straight to safety razor shaves is now upwards of 95% and rising: a DE session is usually motivated by haste, the absolute necessity of avoiding a cut, or plain laziness. Oh, and I agree heartily with thebigspendur that the shave doesn't last quite as long; just why that should be is a mystery to me though.

Of course, there's also the personalities of the straight razors to consider - no two the same. They're all friends, (even the big Fenton...), whereas there isn't a great deal of difference between the Gillette TTOs.

[Ryan82]

I just received a blade sampler, so I've been using my DE's a bit more than usual lately to try them all out. But I do have to say that a DE shave is anything but crap; even with a sub par blade it still beats the hell out of a cartridge or disposable shave. On a good day I can even match my straight shaves, if I take the same care and attention.

[rickboone]

I'm not about to belittle a DE shave myself. The result is well enough, just something about the entire experience. Seems lacking. I don't get to strop, I tend to go a little quicker with less caution. I am using a safety razor, no need to be quite as guarded. With the straight, I am more aware of each stroke. Aware of where that blade is at all times. I get a smooth, comfortable shave in one pass. DE takes two; at least.

I am glad to have found straights, more glad to have found this community and received so much help and insight from people so passionate about it.

I agree, honing seems fun too.

It's weird....the DE shave used to seem a little smoother. But, didn't last as long. The straight shaves are now as smooth and seem to last longer.

But; as mentioned. Yes, either one is better than a cartridge. Especially from a cost stand point.

[Grump]

I enjoy my Gillette safety razors very much and get BBS out of them.

I also was going to get away from using a straight (but I cannot bring myself to sell them all).I guess I really enjoy the experience.

That being said, I don't rush either and I also think lather plays a big roll when stroking an aggressive or sharp blade across your face.

Enjoy them both and have fun shaving.