first Safety Razor shave this morning....Love it

I picked up a straight razor a few months ago and could never really get the hang of it, I'd do the right side of my face with the straight and have to do the left with my cartridge razor so I put it aside for another day. I recently ran out of blades for my cartridge and decided that rather then buying the ridiculously over priced replacements I decided to look at safety razors and see what I could find. Well In the classified section here I found a first quarter of 1961 Gillette razor for a nominal price and decided to go for it, I then went to walmart to find some cheap blades (wilkinson swords) and set about shaving. I soaked my brush in hot water before my shower, got out made my later, lathered up, checked some email, went back to get to shaving. I had the razor set at 1 to begin with but after a pass I realized that it was too low so I bumped it to two and ended up at 4 by the end of the shave. Really enjoy it :rock:

keep it up. I have a DE I use from time to time, but I picked it up after my I started getting straights. I like the wilkinson blades, they do better for me than the drug store brand readily available here.

Glad you're liking it. I enjoy shaving with a DE too, though like bondpunk I was shaving with a SR before using a DE for the first time. Just be aware that if you think you're safe from AD's by using a safety razor, think again... :roflmao

Nothing wrong with using a safety razor...Wimp :p :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Nothing wrong with using a safety razor...Wimp :p :)


Mick

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a man has to know is limitations

Man i use my safety razor when i don't have time to get a nice long drawn out shave from my straights. But is is still way nicer then those darn throw away razors. From my limited experience with DE, the CVS or Walgreens blades just eat up my face, and just seems like i only get 1 decent shave out of them so i just bought some Feather blades and it is like night and day try those out they do a real nice job on the face.

opps double post

Glad to see you like it. Maybe you'll pick up the straight again in the future.

I sometimes use the DE (as I like to call it, as calling it a "safety" razor creates the worn connotations in my book) when I can't get in front of the wright shaving mirror in my home. In other words, when I have to basically, shave in the dark, I opt for my DE. However, the other day I did manage to shave in my own dimly lit bathroom mirror with my straight and I was successful (i.e., no blood spilled.) In fact, I think it a good practice to every now and then switch it up, because, the techniques for either way of shaving are so vastly different and getting into a "rut" can result in the spilling of de blood. That being said, both types of shaving are such an almost endless journey; that is, if you're interested in all the various blades to try and the care and maintenance of the razors (or as my girlfriend refers to them, my ladies).

Saturday is DE day for me, I find mine (A Mühle R 89) rather cool. I'm not sure if anyone has already said it, but you should try Astra blades....

+1 on the Astras.

I have a couple DEs in rhe rotation,,, 59 Fatboy, 62.Slim, GEM, And an ipArmy issue gillette from WWI. I like them also from time to time. To ne honest, I probably get a better shave from a DE.. I just have been using a straight for so long I can't stop...Nor would I want to...

I love my straights! My brothers on the other hand think I am a little crazy, so in an effort to convince them to try DE/ SE shaving, I drug out my grandfathers 1912 GEM that had been in my dresser drawer for 20 years or so. Learned how to shave with that, and while I loved the shave, it was just too easy...lol. and I get a tad closer with my straights. Two of my brothers have converted to the mug, brush and DE. My youngest son loved the GEM and just bought a Future. Gotta love inflicting your ADs on family...

When I took up SR shaving, I never thought I'd be using a DE. A fellow member here told me about the Edwin Jagger 89L and I purchased one. I was quite cautious at first but I became comfortable with the razor after a short time. I am trying different blades from a bunch of samples that came with the razor. I use the DE on weekends and during the week when I SR shave, I use the DE for clean up.

I used to do the same thing with the straights, that is, I'd clean it up around the mustache with the DE. The reason being is that, when I began shaving with the straight, I had a stash. And I became used to skipping that area. Then I shaved it off and about half time I would shave I would nick myself somewhere around the mouth area. Then I tried a smaller straight, which seemed to work well enough. However, I finally tired of the additional cleanup and said enough is enough, I am going to do this start to finish with one razor - and I did. It seems to me, we start out without enough tools, then we overcompensate by adding to the bunch, then trim it down as the skill improves. My next hurdle would be to do this without a mirror (only kidding, I'm not that daring or stupid [not yet anyway]). Just my thoughts.

I think the only reason you would need a mirror is for the sake of vanity. I've shaved perfectly well without a mirror, but found myself really, really wanting to look in a mirror just to make sure I hadn't missed any stray hairs.


Mick

You're a better man than I, Mick. My brother has always shaved in the shower, God knows how he does it, but I would imagine that's it's the equivalent of your method. I tried it once and just couldn't stand all that awful steam in my face as I was trying to concentrate.

I used to shave in the shower in the days I was using cartridge razors. I never found that too difficult either. My only concerns with not using the mirror lie in the fact that I like to ensure I trim right up to the edges of my Goatee/Moustache. Without a mirror I tend to err on the side of caution. I can usually get pretty damn close, but there are always a few strays to be had. More so when I use a DE. I get much closer with a cut-throat as I can feel when I come up to the edge of the wanted growth.


Mick

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

I have a couple DEs in rhe rotation,,, 59 Fatboy, 62.Slim, GEM, And an ipArmy issue gillette from WWI. I like them also from time to time. To ne honest, I probably get a better shave from a DE.. I just have been using a straight for so long I can't stop...Nor would I want to...

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I agree, I hear people saying their DE doesn't do as a good of a job as their straights, but I too get a better shave with a DE. The only reason this is, is that I can manoeuvre the DE more, and really get squarely ATG from hairs that grow this way and that. If I took the time, I'd get the same shave with a straight, but it would also be more difficult, but not cooler...

I am one of those who say their straight does a better job than the DE. However, I do agree with you that a DE is easier to maneuver around the jaw and neck areas than a straight.

I use my DE on the weekends and during the week (M-F) I use a straight and clean up with the DE. It's a great combination for me.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I agree, I hear people saying their DE doesn't do as a good of a job as their straights, but I too get a better shave with a DE. The only reason this is, is that I can manoeuvre the DE more, and really get squarely ATG from hairs that grow this way and that. If I took the time, I'd get the same shave with a straight, but it would also be more difficult, but not cooler...

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When I used cartridges and disposables, I tried shaving in the shower; I suffered a lot of irritation.

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Originally Posted by MickR

I used to shave in the shower in the days I was using cartridge razors. I never found that too difficult either. My only concerns with not using the mirror lie in the fact that I like to ensure I trim right up to the edges of my Goatee/Moustache. Without a mirror I tend to err on the side of caution. I can usually get pretty damn close, but there are always a few strays to be had. More so when I use a DE. I get much closer with a cut-throat as I can feel when I come up to the edge of the wanted growth.


Mick

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I used to use a mach3 in the shower to shave then clean up in front of the mirror since i'm still rocking the goatee and could do so without irritation. I used my DE and my classic shaving cream before an interview I had the other day and really screwed something up, irritation, had some blood come to the surface but it wasn't from cuts and went away quickly. I didn't have a great shave but it still lasted longer then the mach3 shaves which I could get away with about a day and quarter before it started looking like i hadn't shaved that day. even my crappy DE shave lasted me two days before it started looking like I needed to shave, planed to do it today, got called into work early so no time.

I was talking to a buddy of mine and told him that i picked up a de and he said he was going to send me some stuff. Well today I come home to find a box with a new mug, brush, shave soap, after shave and a selection of blades and he suggested using them in this order:
derby -> gillette 7 o clock blue -> gillette 7 o clock yellow -> personna blue lab -> permasharp super

very excited to try the new blades

Cigarmanpa - When I used to use a DE, and sometimes still do, I use the Shark blades or the Astras. I tried them all, all the ones you mention and then some, and those are the best of all I used. I liked the stainless versions the best. I found I hardly ever nicked myself or had any 'weepers' with those two. And irritation, nada! Just my 2 cents....

Yes, I load my DE with either Astra or Treet blades. Blades are a personal thing though. Each to his own with them.


Mick

had another shave today, clicked it up to "5" on the adjustable. only place i'm getting an irritation is just under the jaw line. using the darby blades currently

Cigramanpa... are you "corking" your blades? I always run them through; one pass on each side of the blade, that is. I find it definitely makes a difference.