Thread: Who Uses A DE For Touchup After A Straight?

I can easily get a BBS from my straights everywhere except my chin and upper lip. If I want a BBS in those areas it takes me a long time and a lot of effort to achieve it with a straight. Sometimes on a three pass shave I'll use a DE just on the chin and upper lip for the third pass, to touchup those areas and get them smooth. Frankly, it bothers me to have to do this. Is anyone else doing touchups with a DE?

I know you don't want to hear this

But the few times recently that I have tried shaving with a DE I had to touch up and finish up with my SR..

Perhaps it is just a matter of what you are more comfortable using

I did use a DE for touch ups but don't now. Just persevered on improving my technique and refreshed my own blades edges. I have to admit the upper lip is no problem, I wear a mustache. The chin and neck directly bellow it took a long while to start getting right. I would not let it bother you, I suspect nearly everyone dose this at the start.

Bob

The first few weeks I had to use a DE to clean up, particularly on the chin and areas of the neck. I would think that stretching techniques and blade angle might play a part but we are not all playing with the same deck of cards. IOW, my whiskers may not be as wiry as yours. Next time you are shaving with your straight take your stretching hand and apply your thumb to one side of your jaw, just above the knob of the chin, and your forefinger on the other. So the fingers are in a horseshoe configuration. Stretch toward the ears and try the chin with the straight with a relatively flat blade angle. Works for my particular phizzog

I touch up with a DE week day mornings before work. On the weekend I take my time and just use the SE.

I use a DE for touch up's quite often. Under my jaw on either side of my chin is a problem area. The hair grows sideways and the blade on a straight is simply too long to hold it vertical as to shave ATG in that area. Everyone's hair grows in different directions, so I would expect a lot of people would use a DE from time to time to get at them stubborn areas for a truly close shave. Maybe after some experience and getting to know your face, you'll find a way to eliminate the DE. As for me, I enjoy using a DE just as much as a straight.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

Maybe after some experience and getting to know your face, you'll find a way to eliminate the DE. As for me, I enjoy using a DE just as much as a straight.

Some guys do enjoy using the DE. I know I have some that are favorites and I do use them for time constraints if I have to. Others feel it is a 'matter of principle' to do it all with the straight. AFAIC there is nothing 'wrong' with using a DE if that is your choice, as long as you don't mind the extra cleanup and time.

Due to different form factors, a DE can be easily maneuvered in some areas where a straight can't, so if you're striving for a total BBS, a light DE touchup might be the ticket, depending on your stubble. In general, SE gives me a much closer and cleaner shave than a DE.

I sometimes use a DE to shave near my lower lip.

I usually use a DE to clean the nape of my neck