Back to the Proglide, for good

[zeo_max]

So after DE shaving for a couple of months, the hype of it all died. It was fun, I learned a lot, but in the end, it just felt like hype. There was no actual benefit to spend the extra effort with the DE. Don't get me wrong, I have a setup that works for me. One razor, one badger brush, one tub of Proraso. I liked it all. I was never an AD guy.

The Proglide can do in 2 passes what the DE took 3 to accomplish, in half the time, no razor burn and zero risk of cuts. Now I just shave, no stressing about getting that almighty BBS, and get great shaves doing so. I can also shave in the morning right before work since this is much faster, as opposed to night time DE shaves. My cartridges are also lasting much longer than before, since with the techniques that I learned I can get DFS in two passes (I did 3 before). Been shaving for over a week with the same one and the shave is still as smooth as the first time.

I still enjoy face lathering with Proraso. That part of my equipment will not go to waste.

I've heard the wise ones around here say "Just shave". That's what I do now.

 

[Kentos]

Hey it's great you have found your go-to combo for a great shave. When you get bored with the Proglide try a straight!

How long does the cart need to last to equal the savings of DEs? Some guys I know use a cart for several MONTHS.

 

[zeo_max]

Hey it's great you have found your go-to combo for a great shave. When you get bored with the Proglide try a straight!

How long does the cart need to last to equal the savings of DEs? Some guys I know use a cart for several MONTHS.

Well, I guess one could do the math, if one wanted to. But, we all know this, whether some want to deny it or not. You won't save money DE shaving. You're just going to continue to be tempted to try more "gourmet" shaving products that you don't need.

 

[kmain]

So after DE shaving for a couple of months, the hype of it all died. It was fun, I learned a lot, but in the end, it just felt like hype. There was no actual benefit to spend the extra effort with the DE. Don't get me wrong, I have a setup that works for me. One razor, one badger brush, one tub of Proraso. I liked it all. I was never an AD guy.

The Proglide can do in 2 passes what the DE took 3 to accomplish, in half the time, no razor burn and zero risk of cuts. Now I just shave, no stressing about getting that almighty BBS, and get great shaves doing so. I can also shave in the morning right before work since this is much faster, as opposed to night time DE shaves. My cartridges are also lasting much longer than before, since with the techniques that I learned I can get DFS in two passes (I did 3 before). Been shaving for over a week with the same one and the shave is still as smooth as the first time.

I still enjoy face lathering with Proraso. That part of my equipment will not go to waste.

I've heard the wise ones around here say "Just shave". That's what I do now.

Don't get me wrong, I see no problem with you going back to the proglide... whatever works for you... great! However for me, while I get decent/easy shaves with my Schick Hydro 5 that are good enough for military standards... for me its just a boring shave routine. DE has opened up a whole different side to shaving for me. It allows me to take my time, appreciate it, and try different products rather than using the same can of gel/foam and razor for years on end. In short, its a good shave but boring.

 

[zeo_max]

Don't get me wrong, I see no problem with you going back to the proglide... whatever works for you... great! However for me, while I get decent/easy shaves with my Schick Hydro 5 that are good enough for military standards... for me its just a boring shave routine. DE has opened up a whole different side to shaving for me. It allows me to take my time, appreciate it, and try different products rather than using the same can of gel/foam and razor for years on end. In short, its a good shave but boring.

No can of gel/foam for me. Just badger and Proraso.

 

[rxonmymind]

I completely understand about the time issue and although it's never been a problem for me as I allocate the necessary time for it. As a tip do try and get a Schick adjustable razor as.this is just as good as carts and more cost effective than carts. Do dabble now and then in DE on the weekends when you have time. Cheers.

 

[Kevan]

Well, I guess one could do the math, if one wanted to. But, we all know this, whether some want to deny it or not. You won't save money DE shaving. You're just going to continue to be tempted to try more "gourmet" shaving products that you don't need.

Very true. You're going to get some guys that bristle at this but you speak the truth. I've been here a long time, but the biggest fallacy of DE shaving is the "save money" thing, because it's a very tempting rabbit hole. You only save money if you resist AD's, and as most of us know, that's hard.

And as I've always said, carts are faster and easier, and they also shave the neck more efficiently. There's nothing inherently bad about them if you shave with proper technique. It's just the BS Gillette peddles about how long they last.

 

[merkur59]

If I ever get tired of DE, I would most likely go back to my 20 years old cheap electric razor (USD15 at that time). Done is less than 5 minutes.
Strangely, shaving with cart or electric shaver is 'work' which I'd avoid whenever I could (weekends, etc), but shaving with DE is a pleasure which I look forward to. Can't put my finger on the reason though...

 

[smalltank]

seems to me one of the top reasons why wet shaving seems to work so well...shaves are similar between DE/SE/carts..big difference is price..DE/SE blades are much cheaper..I would suggest trying a straight razor..just as close if not closer as some reported to ANY Mach razor system..nothing to throw away..just another 100 years of use with a straight...might be worth a shot...I havent bought anything wet shaving related in many months personally..yea im limited as well to ingredients I can use..but I use my creams/soaps as I see em in my droor..about a droor and a half full of em...all I own is 4 DE/1SE/4 straights/1 combo strop/1 combo coticule/1 lapping plate for my straight razors..thats it!..i wish you luck in your decisiion and hope I could help

 

[thekinge]

If I ever get tired of DE, I would most likely go back to my 20 years old cheap electric razor (USD15 at that time). Done is less than 5 minutes.
Strangely, shaving with cart or electric shaver is 'work' which I'd avoid whenever I could (weekends, etc), but shaving with DE is a pleasure which I look forward to. Can't put my finger on the reason though...

+1. It is true that one can get close shaves with modern carts and it is very true that the whole "save money by DE shaving" is a fallacy for the vast majority of us. However, it is the pleasurable experience of shaving with a DE razor, soap / cream and brush that makes it all worth it. There is something about shaving old school style, probably the macho / manliness factor along with the wading fragrance of shaving soaps or creams that makes the time we spend DE shaving so blissful! And it is for that experience that I will stick to DE shaving for the foreseeable future!

In the OP's case, it's not as if he has gone back to carts & goo. He is still sticking with the badger brush & shaving cream so it's not total abandonment!

 

[Der_Kaiser]

It may well be true that we don't save money by DE shaving but you don't save money driving instead of walking but it's more fun. I used to really grudge paying for mach 3 blades and canned crap but I really enjoy handing money over for my wet shaving goodies. If you are getting value for money then what's the problem? At the end of the day whilst a cart will get the job done it will never leave you feeling as good as perfect 3 pass shave finished off with some nice after shave, every morning I leave the bathroom with a small sense of accomplishment at having achieved an excellent shave that is largely down to my technique. It's an amazing way to start the day.

 

[themilkman]

the whole point is to get great shaves that work for you. i think the use of brush and decent cream or soap rather than canned gel or foam is at least as important as the razor you use. i am sure that if i went back to my mach 3 now that i would get better shaves than i did when i was using it before, because i do the proper preparation with soap or cream rather than just slapping on gel. as it happens, i love my edwin jagger de89 and dont think i will ever go back, but certainly wont judge someone or look down on someone who gets decent shaves from a multi blade.

on a lightly different note, i do feel i got better shaves out of my gillette sensor than my mach 3, and i know quite a lot of people on here rate the sensor.

edit to add: i certainly see no harm in mixing and matching, if that makes sense? ie using soap/cream and a multi blade. to wet shave,p it doesnt have to include a de razor.

 

[thekinge]

It may well be true that we don't save money by DE shaving but you don't save money driving instead of walking but it's more fun. I used to really grudge paying for mach 3 blades and canned crap but I really enjoy handing money over for my wet shaving goodies. If you are getting value for money then what's the problem? At the end of the day whilst a cart will get the job done it will never leave you feeling as good as perfect 3 pass shave finished off with some nice after shave, every morning I leave the bathroom with a small sense of accomplishment at having achieved an excellent shave that is largely down to my technique. It's an amazing way to start the day.

Well said and couldn't agree more with you!

 

[sychodelix]

You did never specify which DE you've been using. Most milder DE/blade combinations can improve how fast you can shave, but more aggressive combinations can take off more stubble with fewer passes. It takes practice with technique to get it down well enough to improve speed and cut yourself less. I understand the ease of carts, and it is a viable solution, but if you at least give DEs a chance once or twice a week when you have the time, your technique will improve enough to use DEs whenever you need to.

Might I also suggest using an injector to give it a try, as they are similar in many ways to a cart, but cheaper and more effective IMHO.

 

[Foyle]

There's no reason you can't get a good shave with a cartridge. It also takes me two passes with a cart to get the same shave I get in three with my DE. The thing is, I like my DE more, it costs less money to replace blades, and there's no tug and pull with a DE so the whole experience is more comfortable. With a cart, even a fresh Proglide cart, there's some tugging. For me, the best cart is the Sensor Excel. Were I forced to go back to carts, I'd use the Sensor Excel. The Proglide works fine, better than the Mach III IMO, but the cost of replacements is too high for me since I can only seem to get one to last three shaves. Sensors last me a solid week.

I'm glad you found your set-up. Enjoy the shaves.

 

[Dave in the basement]

Good deal. Thanks for the announcement.

 

[maxman]

Just as long as you're happy
No sense in letting it get you down.

I do think next time you want an adventure you could try a straight.

 

[KingGordon]

So... do you have any DE's to sell?

 

[Mad Man]

Your Mileage Varied. Nothing wrong with that Zeo.

 

[Toothpick]

I used to be a sensor excel man, then tried the Mach 3, then back to the sensor excel. if i had longer than a days growth i had to take the electric to my face first, then hit it with the razor. so my time shaving compared to DE shaving, if anything, is the same. if i waited 3+ days before a shave there is no way the cartridge razors would shave me. with the DE i've gone 2 1/2 days of growth and shaved just fine. i enjoy the whole process and look forward to it, so i doubt i'll ever go back to the cartridge.

i'm sure there are plenty of people that will tell you adding a brush and good quality soap/cream to your cartridge shaving routine will get you MUCH MUCH better results. IF for some crazy reason i was to ever go back i'd keep my brush and good cream in the routine.

Congrats on finding what works for you!

How long does the cart need to last to equal the savings of DEs? Some guys I know use a cart for several MONTHS.

to reference this question...my father has been using the Sensor Excel for YEARS and i've honestly only seen one pack of new cartridges in this YEARS time frame, im sure he uses one cartridge for a couple months before changing it. he has a light beard and an even lighter budget for razor blades so no surprise he pushes it so far.