Thread: I kind of did this backwards... :)

And another one to add to the collection, this one is a heritage razor though as it was my dads. I was telling him about my interest in the old Gillettes and he said he had one he would try to find for me. He did find it and brought it over, it's a Gillette Super Adjustable with the black handle... I believe it's called the Black Beauty? Very nice razor! No comparison to the generic one I am using currently. I'm gonna need a bigger medicine cabinet at this rate!

After shaving for about 2 months with a straight, I have been thinking about getting a DE just to switch it up. I absolutely love my SR, but I feel like the DE's are something else I would enjoy for a change. Or at least while the straight gets sent out for honing!

DE's are great! I used one before I started with a straight, then as I learned to use my straight. I figured I would never learn to use my straight well though if I didn't stop using my DE - so I went strictly straight.

Then one day I had a bad straight day or two. I knew that my DE gave me great shaves so I pulled it out - I was kind of shocked to note that it wasn't any better than my straight! And wasn't as much fun either.

Moreover, if I prep my lather before my shower (as i normally do), I can do a three pass shave with my straight in ten minutes. And that's not really rushing either. So time isn't an issue for me anymore.

DE's are great and who knows, I might go back one day. But if you give yourself some time with a straight, you might find that you are as fast and closer with it than you ever will be with a DE. But yeah - change is fun!

I know what you mean earcutter! I'm still figuring out all the little spots where my whiskers grow in slightly different directions and how to hold the razor to get that area. I love shaving with my SR, but I still have a lot to learn! I don't think it would hurt to have a DE on hand for a change once in a while. I'm sure it will be a while before I go through with actually buying a DE though.

I had the same feeling when I used the Feather "straight" with a blade for sensitive skins. I even did the ATG without a problem.

Originally Posted by 650Stew

And another one to add to the collection, this one is a heritage razor though as it was my dads. I was telling him about my interest in the old Gillettes and he said he had one he would try to find for me. He did find it and brought it over, it's a Gillette Super Adjustable with the black handle... I believe it's called the Black Beauty? Very nice razor! No comparison to the generic one I am using currently. I'm gonna need a bigger medicine cabinet at this rate!

I have a Black Beauty. It's the first razor I ever bought, way back in 1987. Still works like a champ but it did take a long rest, maybe 10 yrs? Unfortunately it's going back into retirement, I just enjoy using straights too much. It only takes me about 10 min longer to use a straight now.

If you like old Gillettes check out Razor Emporium. They fix, clean and re-plate old DE razors and even sell some old ones. I sent them my old 1964 Gillette Slim adjustable (inherited) to get fixed and cleaned. It came back looking brand new and ready for another 48 yrs of service.

I just got a vintage fixed angle Gillette DE in the mail today. It looks virtually new and it was about $10 including shipping on ebay.

I did this kind of backwards as well as I got a straight edge razor first...but that was only 2 weeks ago.

Now if my blades will just arrive!

Do these vintage fixed DE Gillettes generally come apart (for cleaning). It's a TTO. It doesn't seem like it's meant to come apart and I don't want to break it obvious. I'm just curious.