Thread: Electric Fires

Given the thread title, I'm not sure why I opened it. But I'm glad I did.

First, while everyone has their preferences, IMO none should prepare to talk negatively about someone else's preferred methods. What works for someone works - and what works for us works. Talk the joys of your preferences, and maybe you will make them converts. Talk ill of their preferences, and maybe you will make them annoyed.

Second, and more to the point, I started with a shavette when I stumbled into an Art of Shaving store. I wet shaved for many years until time efficiency drove me to an electric. I went with the shavette package because it was cheaper and less intimidating than the straight razor. If I didn't like the straight edge, I could still use everything else in the package.

After I found this forum I quickly bought a couple straight razors, but haven't used them yet. It's a lot longer blade than the 1/2 DE blade in my shavette, and I'm trying to figure out how to maneuver it around my face - the goatee takes up a good bit of real estate. Appreciate any advice on that...

I am not totally sure what you are asking.

If it is about straight shaving in general, then start here"
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post409888

If it is about your goatee, then I am of no help.

If you have shaved with a shavette, I would think transitioning to a straight should be fairly easy. Still go to the Beginner's Section and read. Having the prior experience should make the instructions and hints a little easier to understand.

Originally Posted by TomP30

'Electric Fire is to Wood Fire as Shavette is to a Straight?'

That's it, thank you. Again I emphasise I am not being critical here, I just struggle to see where these might be preferable to a DE as a daily all-round shaver. If you are going disposable the DE seems the perfect choice. Just my opinion and I'm happy to be corrected.

I shave quite often with a Feather DX or an Irving Barber when I am on the road. They are both well made razors that approximate the style of an actual straight, and give an excellent shave. I prefer anything with an AC blade to a DE.

As far as the 1/2 DE blade shavettes, I don't especially care for them, but I can see why one could prefer them. They require you to shave with zero pressure, while giving you complete efficiency. To me, that's why any open blade gives such a good shave. They are also incredibly cheap and cheap to use compared to other open blade options, are always sharp, require zero maintenance, and are agile.

As far as preferring them to DE, that's just preference. I struggle to see why anyone likes scrambled eggs better than over easy.

Originally Posted by rolodave

I am not totally sure what you are asking.

If it is about straight shaving in general, then start here"
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tml#post409888

If it is about your goatee, then I am of no help.

If you have shaved with a shavette, I would think transitioning to a straight should be fairly easy. Still go to the Beginner's Section and read. Having the prior experience should make the instructions and hints a little easier to understand.

Thanks for the reply. I've read all the newbie info in the Library, and it provides a wealth of info. Read it several times in fact. Thanks for directing me to it.

My question - if it is one - is just looking at the straight razor I have and seeing that the blade is twice as long as my shavette blade. And since I have a goatee, a chunk of my face is already covered which I don't want to run into with a longer blade. Maybe it's a non-issue and you just automatically adjust as you go. Just wondering if anyone transitioned from a shorter blade to a longer blade and found it seamless, or had a technique that smoothed the way.

You gotta admit, "Electric Fires" is a sure fire, pun intended, way to get some one to look!



Mike

I have to admit, I did open this because of the title... tech guy probs I guess. I can only weigh in so much as a newb, but I am using a 1/2 de shavette I got at sally's, and it is miles better than my old 5 blade shick thing. Now that I'm done razor burning the daylights out of myself, though I am surprised that there have been no cuts yet, I will be buying a true straight once budget allows.