Thread: Going back to disposables...

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Actually, it is very interesting to go back to disposables/cartridges once or twice after you get the straight technique down (proficient). Granted, it was a few years ago now but I noticed that the resulting shave(s) was irritation-free, but it was not very close and I felt like I needed to shave again 5 or 6 hours later. Funny, since I remember those shaves being a lot closer in the old days....

My point is that the skills we learn when using a straight (beard mapping, pre/post care, stretching etc) are very much transferrable to other forms of shaving as well - most successfully when using a DE as a SR alternative IMO.

This is interesting. I said I would NEVER go back to disposables. I guess the technique and lessons learned from SR shaving would help out with even a disposable. I will wait until I have NO CHOICE to try it again though....LOL

Originally Posted by Chevhead

I will wait until I have NO CHOICE to try it again though....LOL

That's pretty much what happened to me, as documented in a thread of mine, a few years back. The short version of the story is that I was vacationing in Mexico and brought my DE (my preferred travel razor) but forgot the blades. My wife had some two bladed Bic disposables (no pink ones lol), which was all I had and was better than nothing. The results were good in the short term, but like I said the shaves didn't last long.

And for the record that was the last time I used anything other than a straight or DE

great video. only someone from Brooklyn would take up straight shaving. It was great to get two peter j michel razors

Disposables do have thier place.. I usedd to use them to shave the fuzz off of my beret in the army airborne

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Actually, it is very interesting to go back to disposables/cartridges once or twice after you get the straight technique down (proficient). Granted, it was a few years ago now but I noticed that the resulting shave(s) was irritation-free, but it was not very close and I felt like I needed to shave again 5 or 6 hours later. Funny, since I remember those shaves being a lot closer in the old days....

My point is that the skills we learn when using a straight (beard mapping, pre/post care, stretching etc) are very much transferrable to other forms of shaving as well - most successfully when using a DE as a SR alternative IMO.

This is one funny thread.

Now I have been shaving with straights or DEs for about two years and a half and I thought about just trying a disposable or cartridge razor once or twice. Until now I did not achieve to do it since I regret to spend the money. I have no problem spending a lot more for a new straight razor, but I regret to spend some money on a disposable. Weird but true, I know.

I think any method of shaving with a good prep can teach me something. I collect and cannot imagine not trying any of the Straights, SEs, and DEs from during the past one to two hundred years.
~Richard

I won't say that using cheap dollar store two bladed disposables will get you as good a shave as a DE or straight but I do use them by choice when traveling by air. They make air travel easy and hassle free. I would agree wholeheartedly with what Ryan82 has said. You can vastly improve the shave you get from a disposable by applying all the aspects related to getting a good SR shave. Cheap 2 bladed disposables give me a comfortable reasonably close shave that just does not last as long or is as an enjoyable experience as using a straight. They do have their place though.

Bob

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Actually, it is very interesting to go back to disposables/cartridges once or twice after you get the straight technique down (proficient). Granted, it was a few years ago now but I noticed that the resulting shave(s) was irritation-free, but it was not very close and I felt like I needed to shave again 5 or 6 hours later. Funny, since I remember those shaves being a lot closer in the old days....

My point is that the skills we learn when using a straight (beard mapping, pre/post care, stretching etc) are very much transferrable to other forms of shaving as well - most successfully when using a DE as a SR alternative IMO.

That's really well said. Wet shaving does make you a better shaver no matter what the tool but...

As for the wanting to shave after 4 or 5 hours lol: A while back I vowed that I would shave with my straight for a year to master it, which I did. I don't know if I mastered my straight but I am very comfortable with it. Anyway, these days I'll jump back and forth between my DE and straight, but I can always tell if I used my DE or my Straight by the end of the day. My straights somehow leave me with a much closer shave I guess as there is always less stubble on my straight shaves 8 hours later.

I mean I don't really understand why this is because I'll do the finger run over my face and neck after a shave with either my DE or my Straight, and they both feel the same to me - smooth. Any yet, 8 hours later... my straight shaves seemingly find me with less stubble. It's weird.

I don't understand it at all lol!!

Originally Posted by gfro

great video. only someone from Brooklyn would take up straight shaving. It was great to get two peter j michel razors

Hey! I'm from Queens (originally) and I took it up! Watching that video reminded me of why I don't live in NY anymore.