Am I converted?

So after shaving with an SR for a bit (and getting great results), I decided to try a DE. Merkur's 38C caught my eye, so an order was placed with Fendrihan. It just arrived today and I just finished my first shave with it.

Wow.

Talk about comfortable. I didn't feel a darn thing, and my face is smoother than I thought it could ever be. It's only my first shave with it but holy cow, I'm in love.

So now what? This thing will do the areas I've been scared to try with my SRs, and it's a heck of a lot less stressful shaving with it.

Anyone else gone down this path before?

I went the opposite way. I've been shaving with DE's for a while and am just starting to try to get the hang of straights. I like my DE's a lot.

DEs are an old friend to me but can't give me the same satisfaction/pleasure as using a straight. DEs can, for me, give a shave virtually the equal of my straights. It is just the difference between a great quick easy shave and a more pleasurable great shave. Each has their place.

Bob

I split my week with both, if I shave at night before bed, I use a straight, take my time. I still take my time with my DE, but I'm going through a sample pack, so I use the DE 4 times a week.

I use both also. I also throw in a SE and an injector once in awhile

I use straights, DEs, SEs, and an occasional shavette. Variety is a wonderful thing. As far as close comfortable shaves go, the straights are at the bottom. I find them comfortable but I am not able to get as close using one as I can with DEs and SEs. Every single blade shaving tool is going to give somebody a great shave. The fun is finding out which ones do it for you. :D

If you decide you want to become proficient with a straight you simply have to use it. When starting out it's common to use a DE or even a cartridge to get the areas you have issues with. However, as you progress you should need those less and less until you don't need them at all. If you rely on them too much they can become a crutch and then you never get fully proficient with a straight.

Similarly, many of us like to switch off and use a DE or other instrument for a variety of reasons.

I got my first DE last week and have been shaving with it ever since, and I love it! I am still waiting to get my first straight, but want to practice face prep and lathering before I put a surgical sharp knife to my face. But mad does it feel good to shave with a DE!

The SE gets used in the Morning but if I am going out the SR is quicker shave for the date and it does make for a smooth face.

Before starting school, my safety razor days were nearly nonexistent. I shaved with safety razors once or twice a month mostly out of guilt. Now that I'm no longer a gentleman of leisure and I always seem to be rushed to get somewhere, my safety razors have come out large once again. Weekend and evening shaves I'll do nice leisurely straight razor shaves but it's probably a 60-40 split these days in favor of the safety razors.

When my degree is finished however, I'm sure the pendulum will swing back in favor of straights. Although like you, I'm consistently impressed with the shave quality of DE razors.

DE's are shavers with training wheels......you take off the training wheels ...you have straights !!!

i too just recently used a DE and was honestly overwhelmed by the ease and comfort of the shave. however, it just isnt the same as the SR. but, IMO the abilty to use both would come in handy if one was traveling and unable to take a SR.