Compatibility between SRs and DEs?

The way I see it at this point (I'm new) is that DE shaves throughout the week and SRs for the weekends?

I can't spend so much time during the week stropping, then shaving carefully trying not to hurt myself, cleaning the razor, oiling it etc.

Figured this way also SRs will be special, like a ceremonial thing to look forward to. Downside, it'll take me forever to accumulate shaves under my belt to learn.

Question though, I know that it's not recommended to shave with razors and electrics (or different type of electrics) because your beard gets used to a method over time. Is it the same with SRs and DEs or are they 'compatible'?

Don't want to, say for example, train my beard on one thing during the week then another on the weekend.

Most weeks I use a DE for week days and a straight for weekends, though when I started out and had more time I used a SR for most of my shaves.

The consensus is that there is an acclimatization period for your skin to get used to the blade. In that regard a DE and SR have more in common than an electric, though with proper use a SR is gentler on your skin.

I'm sure that razors have more affinity to each other than other methods, I just hope that they're not, maybe on a micro-level, different so that they keep counter-effecting each other.

Single blade, multiple passes in appropriate direction.
I would dare say it is no different than using a selection of straight razors. :shrug:

I'm also rather new and I jumped straight to shaving with a straight edge... I started with a Shavette so I didn't have to worry about stropping and maintenance. Now I'm using a full on straight and it's taking me about 15 to 20 minutes to complete a shave, two pases.

What I do is strop the blade the night before, I take a few minutes before going to bed to strop it so it's ready for my morning shave, and after my shave I only strop it with the canvas side just to dry it thoroughly.

Hopefully you do that just to save enjoyment on your SR shave day only and not because solely of time constraints. Straight razor shaving should never be rushed or done in a small window of time if you have to hurry to work etc.

I use both equally, but have a preference for the cut-throat over the DE. Both, from my experience, shave equally well with some nuances. Comfort in shaving the C-T is best, manoeuvrability, the DE wins. Longevity of the shave goes to the C-T but ease of maintenance goes to the DE. They each have their quirks, but they both far outweigh any other method of shaving I've tried...And I think I have tried them all in my time.


Mick

I just get up 20 minutes earlier, I can't tell the difference between 7:40 and 8:00 unless I look at my alarm clock. I'll never rush my shave, I'd rather miss it and shave twice as much stubble the next day :)

Quite a few of us are evening shavers. And I never found an issue with using an electric and cartridge razor, concurrently (not the same shave obviously Mick).
It used to take me half an age to shave, but now it is in the 15-20 minute range, including clean up and stropping. I did buy a D/E which I use once every 3 weeks roughly (that pack of 100 astras is going to last forever at 3-5 blades a year), and it may see a bit more use when I go to Europe in a few weeks. But otherwise I use a straight exclusively now, and I shave daily, as I said at the start I am an evening shaver on work days but a morning shaver on my week off.
I strop post shave, it dries my razor, and it is ready for use the next day.
But if for you using a D/E on weekdays works then there is nothing wrong with that.

In my opinion, it is very relaxing to take the time to shave with a straight. Maybe take a nice shower before going to bed, then shave, and you should not have to shave in the morning most likely. I am fairly new to straights, but I have learned that it took me longer due to the edge not being that great on them. You may want to get them honed. Now they shave way quicker and the shave is much more comfortable. I knew no difference at that time. I know better now. I will sometimes use my safety razor for a few quick missed spots after using straight. Hope this helps.

I use a DE anytime I am in a rush. I also travel with a DE.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

..., and it may see a bit more use when I go to Europe in a few weeks...

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You don't happen to pass by in Holland, do you?

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Originally Posted by Laurens

You don't happen to pass by in Holland, do you?

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Unfortunately not, england, Scotland and Lapland (not sure if Lapland is in Europe actually but I think so), then my wife and daughter head to Paris and Berlin for a few weeks while I fly home for work.
I haven't had much luck teeing up a social, but I think I will be fairly busy anyway.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Unfortunately not, england, Scotland and Lapland (not sure if Lapland is in Europe actually but I think so), then my wife and daughter head to Paris and Berlin for a few weeks while I fly home for work.
I haven't had much luck teeing up a social, but I think I will be fairly busy anyway.

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Lapland is most certainly part of Europe.
There a few different definitions on it though.
A swede would call the northernmost part of their country for Lapland
The Finnish people basically the same thing, and then there is Norway that calls it same land.
The Sami people usually don't concern them with modern day borders and such though:)
Basically a big portion of the North of all three countries are defined as lap/sami country as it has for thousands of years.

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Originally Posted by Birnando

Lapland is most certainly part of Europe.
There a few different definitions on it though.
A swede would call the northernmost part of their country for Lapland
The Finnish people basically the same thing, and then there is Norway that calls it same land.
The Sami people usually don't concern them with modern day borders and such though:)
Basically a big portion of the North of all three countries are defined as lap/sami country as it has for thousands of years.

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As long as my daughter finds Santa when we get there I don't really mind

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

As long as my daughter finds Santa when we get there I don't really mind

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She will
A whole buch of them in fact

Then there's the cold shave, which I enjoy.

My parade is simple, splash cold water on face, lather the face using the brush to really work it in, another layer of lather. Two pass shave get's me a DFS, rinse with cold water, alum block, some aftershave, and done.

Can do this in approx 10 minutes, now that's not rushing, but it certainly isn't taking my time, it's a purely functional shave. When I have more time, I take the time and enjoy the shave and add a few steps.

Either way, I far more enjoy starting my morning with that, then using a cartridge. The cartridge razor turns the shave into a chore, a task, while the straight shave is something enjoyable.

YMMV....

I think you've got a fine idea to use DE when you feel the need and SR when you feel you have the time to practice and enjoy. Some members are so adept at SR shaving that they can finish a shave in mere minutes. I don't recall the member's name, but he lives in Italy. I still remember the vid he posted. His skill and speed were remarkable to me.

I shave often with a DE especially in the winter. Sounds like an odd problem, but I wear wool shirts and wool T-shirts during the cold seasons (about eight months out of the year where I live) and the whisker cut with an SR is so clean the whiskers on my neck seem to hook on my wool collars whereas they don't with a duller DE blade. Weird, but irritating. I have to watch shaving my neck with an SR for the same reason (whiskers are cut so cleanly you even look at them and they'll grow inward).

Chris L

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Originally Posted by Birnando

She will
A whole buch of them in fact

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As long as the helper Santa's help us find the real one its all good. She knows that the ones on the shops are helper Santa's, as the real one cant possibly be everywhere :)

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

As long as the helper Santa's help us find the real one its all good. She knows that the ones on the shops are helper Santa's, as the real one cant possibly be everywhere :)

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Better not let my kids hear that. They won't have a bar of it. They just think he works within the time zones, and that we get out presents before some of the kids in other parts of the world like Europe and America. ;) Wish I could afford a nice holiday to Europe. You don't won't to take an extra large...Ok then, an extra, EXTRA large suitcase with you do you?! :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Better not let my kids hear that. They won't have a bar of it. They just think he works within the time zones, and that we get out presents before some of the kids in other parts of the world like Europe and America. ;) Wish I could afford a nice holiday to Europe. You don't won't to take an extra large...Ok then, an extra, EXTRA large suitcase with you do you?! :)


Mick

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Extra large for Mick, extra EXTRA large for Mick+razors?

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Originally Posted by Laurens

Extra large for Mick, extra EXTRA large for Mick+razors?

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Ha! You might think so, but I only have a modest collection. An assorted 10 day set of which I really only rotate between four on a regular basis. So I would be happy to just be stuffed into a suitcase with just one or two razors for the journey ;). I think poor Ed would have some serious excess (heavy) luggage fee's though :rofl2:.


Mick

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Originally Posted by MickR

Ha! You might think so, but I only have a modest collection. An assorted 10 day set of which I really only rotate between four on a regular basis. So I would be happy to just be stuffed into a suitcase with just one or two razors for the journey ;). I think poor Ed would have some serious excess (heavy) luggage fee's though :rofl2:.


Mick

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If you're stronger, stuff him in the luggage :) I do suggest sleeping pills besides duct tape, as muffled sounds are still audible.

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Originally Posted by Laurens

If you're stronger, stuff him in the luggage :) I do suggest sleeping pills besides duct tape, as muffled sounds are still audible.

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That doesn't sound too bad, at least I would get some peace on the flight.

And probably be more comfortable than in a seat too! :)


Mick

I've been wet shaving again since late August (after 25+ years with an electric). I use the DE on most work days, because I don't want to worry about time (I get a 2 pass WTG\XTG DFS in 10 minutes). I wear a suit to work most days, and the shave looks and feels good. I use the straight on weekends and work days when I have a little more time - it usually works out to 3 or 4 times per week. So far this process has worked very well for me. I haven't even felt the desire to use my electric since I started back wet shaving. Good luck and stay with it!