Thread: Nothing Like It

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.