Brief Return to DE from SEs and Injectors . . .

[Basset]

Well over a month ago I started using SE's (Gems and Ever Readys) and then detoured into Schick Injectors.

Today, just out of curiosity, I went back to a Gillette Red Tip and some red pack personnas today. It ended up very well, though the transition was interesting in two respects:

1. I was surprised by how much quieter the DE was. As a consequence, I think I was missing spots in the first couple of passes.

2. I'd previously viewed the Red Tip as a pretty aggressive SS, but it didn't seem that way at all today. In fact, I had to do an extra ATG and some touch-ups to get where I get on my 3rd pass with the SEs or injectors. Maybe it was the red pack personnas, which I do recall being a very forgiving blade.

3. Though I came away with a DFS, I find now that the stubble I encounter at 5-6 p.m. is already here just after 2 p.m. Different blades or technique might eliminate that, but it's a noticeable change from my trusty SEs and injectors.

4. Also noticed that I managed to avoid any irritation -- a problem I'd had with Red Tips some time back. Not sure it that's a product of more experience overall, or developing a finer feel as a result of SEs or injectors.

I will use the Personna blade a couple more times, then it's back to the SEs, I think.

 

[MrGuy]

Those are my thoughts when I use DE after a period with SE. I always end up getting some level of irritation with any DE, trying to get as good of results as the SE. Doesn't make a difference what I use, red-tip, adjustables, slants...
I fully agree with #3! Some will argue that it's not possible, but I know that I avoid 5 o'clock shadow with my GEM razors an blades, heck it's there slogan!

 

[haiti222]

Having grown up in the 80s with the Injector and some disposables, with only a little exposure to DE at that time, I find the DE requires more art and finesse.

I am glad that I used mostly DEs for the last year, but have gone back to injectors as my main shaver.....

 

[Shaving Galoot]

Well over a month ago I started using SE's (Gems and Ever Readys) and then detoured into Schick Injectors.

Today, just out of curiosity, I went back to a Gillette Red Tip and some red pack personnas today. It ended up very well, though the transition was interesting in two respects:

1. I was surprised by how much quieter the DE was. As a consequence, I think I was missing spots in the first couple of passes.

2. I'd previously viewed the Red Tip as a pretty aggressive SS, but it didn't seem that way at all today. In fact, I had to do an extra ATG and some touch-ups to get where I get on my 3rd pass with the SEs or injectors. Maybe it was the red pack personnas, which I do recall being a very forgiving blade.

3. Though I came away with a DFS, I find now that the stubble I encounter at 5-6 p.m. is already here just after 2 p.m. Different blades or technique might eliminate that, but it's a noticeable change from my trusty SEs and injectors.

4. Also noticed that I managed to avoid any irritation -- a problem I'd had with Red Tips some time back. Not sure it that's a product of more experience overall, or developing a finer feel as a result of SEs or injectors.

I will use the Personna blade a couple more times, then it's back to the SEs, I think.

+1 on all 4. I was on a SE kick for a while. When I returned to a couple DE shaves I concluded the same things. If it wasn't for the tension between #3 and #4, I would have stuck with DE. But yesterday I was drawn back to my G-bar and quickly remembered just how much closer I can get with a SE.

Unfortunately, I'm not content to find some kind of balance between comfort and closeness. I crave both and will continue to work on my technique with all kinds of hardware combinations until I find something that gives me the best of both worlds (Van Halen, 2004).

~Jeff

 

[MrGuy]

+1 on all 4. I was on a SE kick for a while. When I returned to a couple DE shaves I concluded the same things. If it wasn't for the tension between #3 and #4, I would have stuck with DE. But yesterday I was drawn back to my G-bar and quickly remembered just how much closer I can get with a SE.

Unfortunately, I'm not content to find some kind of balance between comfort and closeness. I crave both and will continue to work on my technique with all kinds of hardware combinations until I find something that gives me the best of both worlds (Van Halen, 2004).

~Jeff

Glad to see the G-Bar continues to keep you happy! I'm finishing the rest of the month with straights only, then I think I might have to dust off a G-Bar of my own and see if I can't get some good shaves from one of those puppies. I still can't figure out why the least popular GEM works the best for me, and I can't leave the bathroom without cleaning blood from the floors when I use the more popular ones! It's true, my mileage varies.
I just hope I don't have to post a thread saying how I don't like SE after a long time with straights