Thread: I'm now a DE'r for life!

Well SRP, I wen't through some soul searching (or would that be facial searching?) hmmm, well anyways, I bought a Straight from the classifieds here, but i was also using an old Gilette Red Tip I found at an Antique store for like $2 (in really good shape I may add).

After flying up to Wisconsin for a little R&R (and some quality SR shaving/bonding with my cousin McJacob71990). I decided the Straight is just not for me. Two reason really.

1. I know I am lazy, not too lazy for a great shave, but too lazy to keep up a straight (had to be honest with myself!) The stropping etc, i just didn't believe I would keep it up and I didn't want to spend more money on something I didn't think I would keep up.

2. I just liked the DE better, It was easier to get places on my weirdly shaped head with the DE than it was with the Straight. I think I liked the idea of the Straight more than the actual SR shaving.

So anyways, I went and picked up a Merkur DE at AOS in Las Vegas while I was there. I have to say I can get as close with the DE as i know people can with the Straight.

I shipped my Straight off to my cousin for a birthday gift and now I will carry on with the DE.

Yeah so this was my rant, thought you should all know

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Originally Posted by TheDorn

Well SRP, I wen't through some soul searching (or would that be facial searching?) hmmm, well anyways, I bought a Straight from the classifieds here, but i was also using an old Gilette Red Tip I found at an Antique store for like $2 (in really good shape I may add).

After flying up to Wisconsin for a little R&R (and some quality SR shaving/bonding with my cousin McJacob71990). I decided the Straight is just not for me. Two reason really.

1. I know I am lazy, not too lazy for a great shave, but too lazy to keep up a straight (had to be honest with myself!) The stropping etc, i just didn't believe I would keep it up and I didn't want to spend more money on something I didn't think I would keep up.

2. I just liked the DE better, It was easier to get places on my weirdly shaped head with the DE than it was with the Straight. I think I liked the idea of the Straight more than the actual SR shaving.

So anyways, I went and picked up a Merkur DE at AOS in Las Vegas while I was there. I have to say I can get as close with the DE as i know people can with the Straight.

I shipped my Straight off to my cousin for a birthday gift and now I will carry on with the DE.

Yeah so this was my rant, thought you should all know

+1, if thats what you prefer, go with that..!

We have a DE forum here, so please stay in touch!

Hello, The Dorn:

I believe you have made the right choice in choosing the double edge over the straight razor. At least you gave the straight a try. That's all you can ask of yourself.

Your comment says it all: "I think I liked the idea of the Straight more than the actual SR shaving."

That is an excellent point. There is no need to force the straight razor on yourself. Do what you want. If you prefer the double edge over the straight, then that is a smart decision.

Regards,
Obie

TheDorn,

Good luck to you !

I know that there others here at SRP as well as me, that really enjoy shaving with DE/SE safety razor; it makes a very pleasant change

There are many elements and delights of wet-shaving that are razor-independant, so have at it !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

No shame in being honest with yourself. At least you're still wet shaving and not using the canned stuff.

Coincidently i was talking on the phone with an SRP member just yesterday. Bending his ear with my little saga of taking up straight razor shaving 25 years ago. Giving it up after a month or two. I was frustrated by not being able to successfully hone the razor when it needed to be resharpened and decided the whole thing wasn't worth the time and trouble.

Back in '06 a friend of mine found the forums and told me that he was taking up shaving with a straight razor. I warned him that it was a waste of time and that he was better off sticking with whatever he was doing previously but he went ahead with it anyway. His success got me interested again and I've been shaving with them for a few years now and honing them well enough too.

So if your still reading my long winded account, don't worry about giving up the straight now. You may find yourself coming back to them and having a different experience. Good luck with the DEs. One way or the other smooth shaving.

Originally Posted by TheDorn

Well SRP, I wen't through some soul searching (or would that be facial searching?) hmmm, well anyways, I bought a Straight from the classifieds here, but i was also using an old Gilette Red Tip I found at an Antique store for like $2 (in really good shape I may add).

After flying up to Wisconsin for a little R&R (and some quality SR shaving/bonding with my cousin McJacob71990). I decided the Straight is just not for me. Two reason really.

1. I know I am lazy, not too lazy for a great shave, but too lazy to keep up a straight (had to be honest with myself!) The stropping etc, i just didn't believe I would keep it up and I didn't want to spend more money on something I didn't think I would keep up.

2. I just liked the DE better, It was easier to get places on my weirdly shaped head with the DE than it was with the Straight. I think I liked the idea of the Straight more than the actual SR shaving.

So anyways, I went and picked up a Merkur DE at AOS in Las Vegas while I was there. I have to say I can get as close with the DE as i know people can with the Straight.

I shipped my Straight off to my cousin for a birthday gift and now I will carry on with the DE.

Yeah so this was my rant, thought you should all know

Never say never.

I understand what you mean, but when I get up in the morning too late for a leisurely straight shave, I just use the DE (the Merkur Slant has never disappointed me yet with Personna Prep Blades) and use the straight next time I get up in time.

But I enjoy the straights. I haven't started honing yet but I do have the equipment and anticipate enjoying the experience more knowing that I had tuned up the blade myself. What aggravated me more than anything over the years was having one blade do an excellent job, and the next one leaving my face poorly shaved and feeling like scorched earth. I gave electric razors at least three major attempts to make good and they always let me down. So I'm still reaching toward a level of success never attained any other way.

Our retro-shaving venture is a little artificial, because I would bet that when we were an agrarian society we were less likely to shave every day and a lot of people who now shave themselves had a barber do it for them. Plus, those of us who use a scuttle have one that's perhaps a bit more advanced than the ones used in the past.

If you ever decide to go back to straights, I would imagine that it would be easier to take it up again than it was the first time.

Congratulations on finding what works best for you. That's the whole point of this anyway. As others have said, you might change your mind later. If not, enjoy your DE's.

Gerald

The SRP Straight Razor Police has ordered you to report so that your straight razor be broken in half, your shaving brush be cut in half and your buttons cut off your jacket and the name Gillette tatooed on your forehead.

Don't worry, we still love you.