SR shavers needs advice for a DE

Originally Posted by zib in the Strop forum in response to my question about traveling with a hanging strop:
Traveling is a great time to break out the DE. I bring a DE, a shave stick, and a brush.

My response, which so far hasn't generated any advice, so I'm reposting it here :)

I've never tried a DE. Which razor & blade combination would shave somewhat like a 5/8 full hollow ? Is it hard to adjust the angle the blade is to the skin during the stroke (which is something I find I need to do with a straight to get a smooth AND comfy shave) ? I also tend to like lighter straight razors. Do the DE's work well in lighter weights (I hear "only use the weight of the head" a lot in DE posts) ?

Another question:
Do E-W passes on the neck work OK with a DE ? (I have E-W hair growth on my neck, deep valleys alongside my trachea, and neck stubble that lies flat to the skin. So BBS smooth on the neck with a SR is very very very elusive - and often results in razor burn if I try 4 passes to get smooth enough that the hairs don't catch in my shirt collars by 3pm...)

Thanks.


Thanks.

The angle of a DE razor is set. If you want to vary it you should get one of the adjustable razors. I like the so called long handle gillette superadjustable, they have black handles.
You'll have to experiment with blades yourself.

I have been playing around on this front for a while and here is what I like: On the DE shaver, I found a 1961 fatboy and purchased it for $2.00. I also have Merkur 39C. I have purchased a couple of different brands of double edge razors and my skin reacts a little different to each. The shaving cream also makes a difference in my opinion. In the end, you will have to experiment a little to see what works for you. For me, the best setup so far is the 1961 Gillette Fatboy, Trumpers shaving cream and Feather DE blades. BTW, you can set the blade in the fatboy from 1-9 (easy shaving to aggressive.) I currently use 5/8 and 6/8 straights and all I can tell you is I won't go back to the new cartridge shavers.....ever. Good Luck and Enjoy!!

A DE is totally different than a straight so forget about comparing the two and trying to get a shave that feels or works like it could have come from both and you couldn't tell. I would get a sampler set once you get the razor and experiment with what works best for you. It's a very individual thing and what works great for me may be terrible for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gugi

If you want to vary it you should get one of the adjustable razors. I like the so called long handle gillette superadjustable, they have black handles.
You'll have to experiment with blades yourself.

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+1 on the Gillette Long Black Handle Adjustable. They're not as popular for some reason as the Fatboys and Slims and can be had for less money if you keep an eye out for them.

Have you considered using an SE? I can't comment much on it's comparison to a straight as I am just getting started with the straight (...getting surprisingly excellent shaves so far). I don't have the expertise or experience with a straight yet.

I started with the DE for a bit, and still use it for a change of pace for fun. But I really started getting good shaves when I ran across an Ever Ready Patent 1912 single edge. That 100 year old razor sold me on never using a cartridge again...ever! I travel a lot and this is my go-to travel razor. 3 passes and it's the best shave I've ever had! Very comfortable in my opinion. Easy to load. Easy to use with good feedback, and it's economical if you buy the white box GEM blades in the 50 or 100 counts from razorbladesandmore.com or Connaught.

What I meant by adjusting angles was to use a more upright angle near the corners of the mouth, or under the jaw, etc. I imagine that as long as the blade edge projects approximately 3 mm, then the angle could also be varied ”mid stroke” with a DE. Is this the case???

+1 on getting a Gem/Ever Ready 1912. They are about as close as you can get to a straight with a safety razor. The blades themselves are much stiffer than their DE counterparts meaning much less flex.

+1 on getting a sample pack of DE blades. Some will give you a nice shave and some won't. Each blade will also feel different in different razors.

As far as a SE, I aree with a Gem/Ever Ready 1912 or else a Gem G-Bar. Usually the vintage Gems and Ever Readys can be picked up for a decent price on the Bay or sometimes in the classifieds. As far as SE blades, I agree with the PTFE coated Gem SS blades.

I've really only used one DE (well, in recent decades) but I would find it hard to imagine a nicer razor than my Mühle R 89. Like has been said; you can't really compare straight razor shaving and DE shaving, though it's in the same 'coolness' ball park. Yes, adjusting the razor's handle adjusts the angle of the blade against the skin. I use as much pressure with my DE as I do with my SR, i.e. almost none. I find it easier to do ATG on the neck and get difficult areas of the neck with a DE. Again, I must say I've only used the DE three times; I only got it very recently.

It sounds to me like you'll really enjoy using a DE for each shave, along with your straight razor. I think it would help you get to those tricky areas on your neck that you mention.

PS, I find the Mühle R 89 head is quite heavy, though I've no other DE to compare it to. The weight of the head is an advantage though, as it really does do all the work...
Good luck with your search for a nice DE!

I agree with all and can add a bit more. I actually do a E-W pass on my neck and it works fine.
All my DE razors are different with different blades except the Edwin Jagger Barley. It takes any blade and shaves fantastic(unless you put the blade in wrong:gaah:) The only difference I can tell is how many shaves I can get out of the different blades(all quality blades).
I I had it to do over I would obtain some type of cheap adjustable(fat boy or slim etc...) and use it to learn a bit and discover if you like a more aggressive or gentle shave pass. It is easy to learn and you are right about using no pressure but the razor weight. Enjoy!!
Paul

Although I love my straights, and nothing compares, however, when I'm pressed for time or when I'm on the road I use a DE.If you are just starting out with a DE, a super speed (even better, one before 1954) is a good razor and relatively cheap; I travel with one and one of the benefits to DE is that there are still blades available (Walgreens, Wally CVS--passable quality)just about everywhere. A blade sampler pack, as others have mentioned, is good too.
I just got a 1912 model Gem Jr. and was very pleasantly surprised at the shave using the Walgreen's Personna SE.

I agree with the idea of trying a single edge razor if you're going to try safety razors. Here is a good video going into detail about using an SE razor (this is for a Micromatic, but the same basic technique will work for other SE razors. Even the CVS brand of SE blades at your neighborhood CVS drug store are good blades.

Micromatic Tips - YouTube

I have only one DE EJ89BA and I bought it out of curiosity more than anything. Sometimes, I use it for a final clean up pass, but mostly the straight razors get all the work. I also have only feather blades for this DE.

My straight razor shave results is a 10.00. The EJ89BA with feathers is a 9.3. The difference in shave is that with the straight razor, the shave is so close that it gives me another 8-12 hours of a great looking shave than the DE. The DE give a very good shave, but its just not as "smooth" as the straight razor shave in the late afternoon

For me, there is no substitute for a sharp hefty blade on the skin and using variable angles to achieve a close shave. However, there are occasions that I need to back off that close of a shave and the E89A hits the spot and is the perfect tool.

It takes the same time to shave with each one and they both shave the same areas very well. Keep in mind that I had been using straight razors for a few years before picking up this DE so I knew how to get all the "tough" sports with the straight razors first, thus using the DE was seamless after the first shave.

I like the EJ89BA alot and found it to be a handy shaver that provides a little variety in the shave routine. Royal Shave sold me this and I had it at my door in 3 days from ordering it on a Sunday night.

Have fun as there are a lot of choices out there!

Pabster

Although I haven't tried it yet, I understand that the new Muhle r41 is supposed to be very "straight razor" like, at least in the blade angle and exposure to the skin.

I would skip the DE and go SE (single edge razor ) they shave closer and is much like a straight shave. Schick injectors come to mind as the best SE's I've tried. You can buy the yellow packs of blades on Amazon.

the Schick E type is my favorite.

I Would say the Gillette fatboy butterfly (Silver Plated) (adjustable) is quite good, but that one i inherited after my dead grandfather so its in a frame now, but bought Merkur Progress (Polished Chrome) (adjustable), Parker 22R (Gunmet) and Merkur Futur 700 (Gold) (adjustable), and would say the razor that scares me the least is the Merkur Futur 700 and it shaves d*** good. Cause the Parker 22R was making mad noises while shaving/didnt like the noise of the shave and the Merkur Progress i felt the top wasent far enough out on the razor blade. So if u get it stuck somewhere u can do real damage because the blade can move more. Im still waiting for Merkur to get some more Merkur Vision 2000 out on the market but got info that they had back-orders to 2010 from companies, and they cant keep up it looks like. But also got msg from the place that i bought my DE razors that he had had alot of complaints on them/Vision 2000. But should i use a used DE razor it would be Gillette Fatboy butterfly (adjustable), And new i would go for Merkur Futur 700 with Derby blades not feather, feather was to sharp/much for me. Hope it helps.

I've been De shaving for 18 months now and straight shaving for about a month. My DE still gives me a closer shave but that's probably just down to my technique with a straight. I'm at the point of giving up (again!) on straights as the results are so hit and miss. I've tried most DEs from Fatboys, slim adjustables, red tips, rockets to the modern DE89, Meuhle 41 etc. The only one I've kept and use every day is a Mergress, basically a pimped Merkur Progress adjustable. I went through a load of different blades and only recently found that a Shark stainless steel blade from egypt worked best for me. With a De you can vary the angle to suit yourself. I find it more manoeuvrable and shaving against the grain on tough stubble under my chin is a breeze with the DE compared to the patchy results with a straight. I love the whole straight shaving idea but it just doesn't work for me. At least with a DE I still get the prep, brush and soap experience. As with everything it's trial and error to find what suits you as far as DE and blade combo goes. I really wish I hadn't just watched that SE video as I'm now tempted..........

I looked at some DE/SR shaving vidz in the beginning, and see most ppl do 3 passes with it, i think the reason why you have problem with SR shaving is hesitating, maybe the blade aint so sharpe and also you havent learned which way you hair goes all over the face (usaly its not a mirror of your your other side), like i have: it goes towards my neck on left side and upwards on my right side. Cause with SR you just need a sharp blade and stretched skin and no hesistating cause thats when it gets you. I Also Would Recommend that you get to test Merkur Futur 700 if youre going to continue with DE shaving only, i was amazed with that DE razor compared to the others i have. What SR do you use and do you hone it yourself or send it out to someone else?

I bought a Thiers Issard Le Grelot, Dovo Bismarck, both new that came allegedly shave ready so I sent them to Neil miller of the Strop Shop for honing and also bought a vintage CVH from Neil which he honed so they are all certainly sharp enough. I mapped my face when I started DE shaving so I know what direction my hair is growing in and I made sure I was stretching my skin as I do thet with my DE anyway. I just couldn't get a close enough finish. I'll be selling my straights and Big Daddy strop as it's just not working for me :(

You could always try my favorite DE: the Merkur Futur. It's pricey, and an adjustable, but if you open it all the way up the angle is very close to that of a straight razor (I find that mine works fine for me set on 3.5). It's also very hefty at around 4 oz.

I've never had any problems with any stroke direction other than ATG passes (with any razor). My skin and ATG passes just do not get along.

Yeah just like i said, you should buy or test Merkur Futur 700 since the SR dont work for you, I thought Gillette fatboy adjustable butterfly that i got from my dead grandfather was the best till i got the Merkur Futur 700, No DE beats that razor that i know about. Its a shame that SR dont work 4 you cause its easier on your face then a DE and also closer and better shave with SR i have noticed, cause the DE have problems around chin, ears, nose, lips. Did you try different angels with your SR, and different ways of holding the razor? How long is it between the time you got it honed and last time you used your SR? Another possibility is to search for SR shavers near your town and see if they can meet and help you with a real shave with pointers! Dont know if you have someone close to you that can help, but i would have asked an old barber that have a shop or are retired and want to teach away some tricks. Maybe a father/grandfather have used SR before.

I bought the Dovo and TI at same time then once I received them allegedly shave ready I sent them off for honing and used them straight away after that for about 3-4 weeks. I get a great shave on my face with a straight it's just on my neck I really struggle to get close. All the areas you say you experience problems with a DE I find more difficult with a straight! My Mergress is a nicely weighted Merkur progress adjustable with the plastic adjustment knob replaced with a metal one. I really wanted straight shaving to work for me but I've tried twice now for a reasonable number of weeks and always had to finish with a DE as I need to be clean shaven for work so it takes me even longer to shave. I've tried it, it didn't work for me so I move on. Just need to get rid of the straights now.