Thread: is it harsh?

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie to wet shaving and I have a lot questions. Is aggressive DE is equivalent to a straight razor shave?

In what way?

Welcome!

I shave with Straights, DEs and SEs. Each has different properties, hence there is no direct comparison. Safety Razors are not like an SR where you lay blade to skin. A DE depends on blade brand, and the gaps built in the razor used to prevent nicks and cuts.

An aggressive DE is generally less forgiving when compared to another DE or Safety razor in general. It means you should shave with care or you are likely to have more of a chance nicks or a raw face when done.

Straights rely on the qualities of the steel and the honed edge. No real comparisons.

Do enjoy your experience though.

I think I would have to say a qualified no to that. An aggressive DE from my limited experience will come close to a shave with a straight but the shave will not last as long and there is more irritation with an aggressive DE.

Bob

I get a cleaner and smoother shave with a straight. No irritation whatsoever.

Originally Posted by KindestCutOfAll

Welcome!


Straights rely on the qualities of the steel and the honed edge. No real comparisons.

Do enjoy your experience though.

And the skill and technique of the user....or lack thereof.

Originally Posted by Chugach68

And the skill and technique of the user....or lack thereof.

Well, you could say that too for a DE, especially an aggressive one. The aggressive ones are an eye opener for sure, none too forgiving of poor technique.

Bob

Well I just thought that an aggressive DE means more blade exposure whereas on a SR, it's just all blade no safety bar. Being a newbie and all, if my skin don't like the aggressive DE because of the amount of blade exposure, won't that be the same with SR?

Originally Posted by BobH

I think I would have to say a qualified no to that. An aggressive DE from my limited experience will come close to a shave with a straight but the shave will not last as long and there is more irritation with an aggressive DE.

Bob

Bob, I was referring to the process, not the end results. I could get a great shave with a cartridge razor, but don't enjoy it as much.

Originally Posted by BobH

Well, you could say that too for a DE, especially an aggressive one. The aggressive ones are an eye opener for sure, none too forgiving of poor technique.

Bob

Thanks for agreeing with me about aggressive razors being less forgiving. That being said when you have your technique down you can get a pretty comfortable shave even with an aggressive DE.

It's as much about the process as it is the results.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by KindestCutOfAll

Bob, I was referring to the process, not the end results. I could get a great shave with a cartridge razor, but don't enjoy it as much.




Thanks for agreeing with me about aggressive razors being less forgiving. That being said when you have your technique down you can get a pretty comfortable shave even with an aggressive DE.

It's as much about the process as it is the results.

Cheers!

Yea certainly, if you are used to a mild DE and treat an aggressive one the same way you are looking for trouble. An aggressive DE needs to be treated in much the same way as a straight WRT pressure and angle. Yea, I do get a pretty comfortable shave from my Muhle R41 and old model OC Gillette just not quite as good as I can muster from my straights. As for process, I enjoy using a straight more and get more satisfaction from it.

Bob