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

I'm still learning to use a straight so right now I my DE is giving me a better shave than the SR. but once school starts I'll probably still use the DE just cause it's quicker.

Stew,

That's how I did it as well. I'd been shaving with straights for a solid year before I picked up a DE for the first time, and for me it was a seamless transition. IMO starting with a SR will help you master the safety razor in a short period of time. What did you buy for a first DE?

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Stew,

That's how I did it as well. I'd been shaving with straights for a solid year before I picked up a DE for the first time, and for me it was a seamless transition. IMO starting with a SR will help you master the safety razor in a short period of time. What did you buy for a first DE?

I picked up a generic TTO from Larry at Whipped Dog. It seems to be fairly well constructed and does a surprisingly good job of shaving considering the price. I also scooped a sample pack of blades from him so I can see which ones I like the best. I'm actually getting pretty good shaves from the russian Astra's that he includes with the razor (a 5 pack). Your right about the SR experience making the transition easier, the blade angle is very important on both. I learn't on my first shave with the DE that you can't handle it like a cartridge shaver though, got a few nicks to show for it! I'm getting dynamite shaves with it now though and really enjoying it .

Wow! The more I shave with the DE's the more I like them, I'm probably getting the best shaves I have ever had from them. Got two more Gillettes on the way... Rad continues

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!

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.

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.