Thread: Inquiring minds want to know

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Of course when I posed this I already knew the answer I'd see.

If anyone said they would switch or even hinted at it I would have been shocked.

For me I'd never even consider it though at present since I'm on blood medication I mainly use a DE. The slightest nick just is too much of a hassle to deal with.

I think for most of us it's a link to the past and the right and proper way to do it. In the same vein I always carry a pocketwatch.

So, this brings us to the logical question which is what other things do you do the old fashioned way and why.

I started shaving 48 years ago with my Grand Dad's straight. Would I switch......NO!

I was on blood thinners for 8 months to get rid of a blood clot in my arm. Did that stop me from using a straight.....NO!

Yep, I carry a pocket watch a lot too. It's a Waltham made in 1906.

Other antiquated things I do is cook with old cast iron skillets because the food tastes better and in the winter I light my house with Aladdin kerosene lamps because I hate electric light. Oh yeah, I still hold the door open for women and call them "ma-am" which is something you rarely see with today's younger generation.

Might not be the best place.
Shaved with a DE using a Feather yesterday. Good scraping..
Now? Need a shave.
A straight shave usually is good for 3 days.

DE shave was a bit much. I cannot figure it out.

It's me. I know.


Is it just me?

I like handtools for woodworking, mostly hand planes and cabinet scrapers, they haven’t invented machines yet that can give the same kind of finish.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Might not be the best place.
Shaved with a DE using a Feather yesterday. Good scraping..
Now? Need a shave.
A straight shave usually is good for 3 days.

DE shave was a bit much. I cannot figure it out.

It's me. I know.


Is it just me?

Tom-- Saw your shave in SOTD and was surprised. My solution: I just recently followed advice that I think BobH gave someone else years ago about DE, which was to put the razor head flat against your face then rotate down until you could feel the blade, and make for stroke in that orientation. (I'm a little hard-headed so it took me a few years to try it).

I had been doing the opposite for 50+ years with a DE, starting with the handle perpendicular to my face and rotating up until I got "bite" then stroking. Turns out Bob's way (if that's who it was) was better and more close to the blade angle you use with a SR, and its much smoother a shave and less scrape.

It's not you, SR is better, but DE is almost as good with the right blade/razor combo (I use Feather in some and Polsilver or medical Personna in others). The shave is "almost as good, but I can't get more than 2 days out of any shave.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Might not be the best place.
Shaved with a DE using a Feather yesterday. Good scraping..
Now? Need a shave.
A straight shave usually is good for 3 days.

DE shave was a bit much. I cannot figure it out.

It's me. I know.


Is it just me?

I'm skeered of DE safety razors, Tom, so maybe you aren't alone here?

In my case, I think it is technique. Things get clogged and repeated rinsing might not get done right. Also, the mapping of the hairs seems a bit different to tackle too.
That Henso is not so aggressive, so nothing to fear there.

Should I loosen the handle a bit before rinsing? Is thinner lather better for a DE?

I have used a DE a handful of times. I cannot get them to shave quite as easily as a Gem yet. I have a nice Aristocrat I have yet to try.
Practice, practice!

I love using a straight razor, couldn't pick up a soulless piece of plastic, I'm a very practical minded person I embrace the entire process honing maintenance the history, It's a complete lifestyle choice for me.

I like my routine, I look forward to it every morning. There are occasions when time does not permit and that's when I pull out the old DE razor.

I have a full beard, but shave my head (and keep the beard lines straight) with a straight most every day. Did use a cartridge. Will never go back until I can no longer swing a straight. Plus I get to play with my pretty Japanese rocks when the razors start to tug. But I usually feel the urge, searching for that "perfect" edge, way before they tug.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

In my case, I think it is technique. Things get clogged and repeated rinsing might not get done right. Also, the mapping of the hairs seems a bit different to tackle too.
That Henso is not so aggressive, so nothing to fear there.

Should I loosen the handle a bit before rinsing? Is thinner lather better for a DE?

I have used a DE a handful of times. I cannot get them to shave quite as easily as a Gem yet. I have a nice Aristocrat I have yet to try.
Practice, practice!

The newer and better DEs are better designed with large vented area so they rinse out easily and completely.

I find lather that works best for a straight does the same for a DE.

With a straight I can go almost two days between shaves while with a DE like the "Timeless" there are just a few hours difference.