Thread: Maybe my last DE shave

Jagger 89L razor
Jagger badger brush
No scent Art of Shaving Shave Oil
Kiss My Face Scentless Shave Cream
Thayer Witch Hazel
Trumper Skin Food
Wilkinson Sword Blade
Alum Block

i have been enjoying inconsistent results, due to sensitive skin, my own overly aggressive attempts, and capped by a cold water shave earlier this week. My next effort is going to be a standard hot water prep and one or two WTG passes, and perhaps one XTG. Shaving against the grain is not a good thing, even though I did with cartridge razors. Considering going to a straight...My bride is not supportive, but that's my problem. Is a straight, used with judgment a better option. Just a good bit of money to put up, plus a dedication to maintenance. Any thoughts, critiques or support will be appreciated.

Nothing wrong with adding a straight to the arsenal but be aware that the learning curve is larger than that of the DE. I would work on getting satisfactory results with the DE before jumping out of the frying pan into the fire if I were you. Analyze what the problems are in your DE technique and correct them. When you are well versed in prep, lathering, skin stretching with the DE try the straight. Just IMHO ....

Couldn't agree more with Jimmy. There is a big difference between DE and cartridge - as much to do with angle and pressure as anything else. If you have not yet mastered this and are not getting a close and comfortable shave, re-visit the advise on preparation and post shave routines and maybe take another look at videos.

I don't think a straight will be your answer at the moment. Also if I were you, I wouldn't consider shavettes as a cheaper alternative to straights - just in case you did have this in mind.

Good wisdom given above.

Grateful for the collective wisdom. I'm an only child, so patience is a struggle. Just finished a "by the book" DE shave. Once WTG, and one XTG. No blood. No rash. No itch...yet. I appreciate this forum or wailing wall in my case. Going forward by the numbers!

Now go buy a beautiful old straight from one of the guys that restores them I usually cut myself much less with a straight than with a DE. It's not always as close with a straight - but it is infinitely more satisfying

Originally Posted by bcw

Grateful for the collective wisdom. I'm an only child, so patience is a struggle. Just finished a "by the book" DE shave. Once WTG, and one XTG. No blood. No rash. No itch...yet. I appreciate this forum or wailing wall in my case. Going forward by the numbers!

Only children unite! We're people too, with shaving challenges.

You might try a Gillette SuperSpeed or Schick Krona razor, which are milder, if you continue to experience irritation. These are vintage razors that are fairly easily obtained through the classifieds here (none are available as of this writing) or ebay (schick krona razor | eBay). I'd look at the one for $18.50, which is a fair price. You can also get a blade sampler pack from various online vendors so that you can try various brands.

Here are examples of the Gillette SuperSpeed Gillette superspeed | eBay. I think the Krona is a little milder than the SuperSpeed, which is why I suggested it first. SuperSpeeds are more popular, probably because the bread and butter of Schick's business was injector razors. (I had an injector once and it really irritated my face.)

I'm a devoted straight razor shaver, but it took me two years to master it to my satisfaction (it takes most people less time). I love doing it.

But what I think you need to do is find a way to get a close, comfortable shave first. For me that was the DE razor.

I moved on to straights just because I was always fascinated by them in movies, etc. But as I said, I recommend that you find A way to get the job done first.

Originally Posted by bcw

Jagger 89L razor
Jagger badger brush
No scent Art of Shaving Shave Oil
Kiss My Face Scentless Shave Cream
Thayer Witch Hazel
Trumper Skin Food
Wilkinson Sword Blade
Alum Block

i have been enjoying inconsistent results, due to sensitive skin, my own overly aggressive attempts, and capped by a cold water shave earlier this week. My next effort is going to be a standard hot water prep and one or two WTG passes, and perhaps one XTG. Shaving against the grain is not a good thing, even though I did with cartridge razors. Considering going to a straight...My bride is not supportive, but that's my problem. Is a straight, used with judgment a better option. Just a good bit of money to put up, plus a dedication to maintenance. Any thoughts, critiques or support will be appreciated.

I think you, like everyone, needs to decide what kind of a shave you actually need and/or want. All who like a smooth face would like to wake up, wipe a magic rag across our faces and have all our whiskers be gone. Unfortunately, that process doesn't exist, and so like many things, shaving is a compromise.

I have what I would consider a medium heavy beard, with lots of straight pattern areas and lots of swirly sections -- maybe half and half. I am 65 and have been shaving since I was 14 or so. I started with a DE. tried every iteration of blade there was, so it seemed. Spent a fortune (that I didnt' have) 't moving up the ladder -- injectors; early cartridges; electrics; a SR, with NO instruction in the 70's; then the "new electrics"; and each of the cartridge iterations.

I weighed back into SRs once I found SRP and what do you know, with the proper instruction and attention, I can do it! Now I use a DE for back-up.

However, all along, no matter what tool I was using (except electrics) I have always stuck to with the grain, with a neatening up across the grain in the "swirly" areas. Guess what. It got me a shave that would make me presentable for 12 hours and that was good enough for me.

I think DE is a lot easier than SRs to "perfect" and it might be the number or direction of your passes, given your skin type, that is causing irritation and frustration. YMMV!

Before you invest any more, I suggest you evaluate, "How close a shave do I need, and how can I get it with my current tools?" Only then would I move on looking for a BBS shave every day.

JMHO. Good luck!

Good points all. I purchased a Weber stainless DE, and thanks to a kind member of SRP who forwarded a couple of blades including Presonna Med Preps, things are well. The EJ 89 and the Weber are great with the Med Prep blades and some MWF. Standing back and not trying too hard and too quickly makes a difference. Bought a box of 100 of the Med Preps and am not looking back. I appreciate the interest and advice. Sometimes it just takes time...