I'm just starting to get into straight shaving and it seems to be going well and I'm enjoying it. My concern is, will I want to use DE's again or once you are a hooked straight shaver you think DE's are for wimps? I'm a little apprehensive that straights will take over and my collection of DE's will become unloved. It'd be nice to know that there are people who can happily use both.
Do straight razor shavers use DE's as well?
- Thread starter johnmrson
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I started straight shaving about three months ago, and have not yet committed to it 100% of the time, as such I use DE, SE, Injectors, and even the occasional cartridge razor.
There is nothing that says you can't set aside one day a week (for example) to return to your DE razors.
There is nothing that says you can't set aside one day a week (for example) to return to your DE razors.
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Now that I've made a start on straights and a pretty good start as well, I'm happy to keep going with a straight until I get reasonably proficient at it but then I'd like to probably do something like one week DE and one week straights.
Do what feel best for you. There isn't any obligations to move toward a type of razor and stick to it. If you want to keep both (considering your DE collection
), that's fine.I didn't have the same interest in DEs after a while and Straights are the way I like to shave, for now.
You are in good company. I happily use both. Plus on occasions I'm pressed for time I think it's wise to use the DE. I haven't traveled since taking up straights but I think I'm likely to use DEs for trips.
Both DEs and straights give me better and more enjoyable shaves than the wimpy fads that dominate the shaving scene today. I use straights more often for the simple reason that I like them.
I haven't used a DE since my first straight shave.
If you indulge from time to time, you will have mornings which call for the safety of the DE. I'm speaking, of course, of mornings in which your shave must be a bit rushed.
Nothing at all wrong with using a DE whenever you want. There will be times when you just don't have enough time for a straight, and your favorite DE will fit the bill.
I've been using my straight for a few months now, but at times my DE is the needed razor. So don't even worry about using your DE.
I've been using my straight for a few months now, but at times my DE is the needed razor. So don't even worry about using your DE.
I used one with my first shave and I realized I would never get the hang of it until I just went for it and lived with the results. Its been about 2 months and the shaves are getting better but I have a coticule/BBW combo in the mail so we'll see how my shaves are after I try and hone my edges
I have a feeling its gonna be like starting all over again, but I enjoy the challenge and I gotta say I love shaving with a str8 by far the best shaves I've ever had and I haven't even gotten a true BBS on my entire face yet. GL and enjoy the ride it sure is a fun one if you have the patience for the journey.
No reason why you can't use both.
I shave with DE, usually a New Improved, once every couple of weeks or so. I did go a couple of months without using a DE at all trying to get my straight technique down. I still have a ways to go, but I can get consistant DFS with a straight now.
I shave with DE, usually a New Improved, once every couple of weeks or so. I did go a couple of months without using a DE at all trying to get my straight technique down. I still have a ways to go, but I can get consistant DFS with a straight now.
I guess I have two points on this. First, there isn't really a sequence from cartridge, to DE, to straight. It only seems that way. Second, I think it's far more common for people to have a variety whether it's razors, or creams, soaps, strops, stones...
That being said here's how I fit into this equation:
Six years ago I went from a Mach3 to a straight. A while later I picked up a DE for the times when I just need a quick shave in the shower. It has served that function very well, but at this moment I can't recall the last time I had it out. I also haven't traveled with straights. DE for travel, and speed. Straight for everything else.
I can't say I won't get more interested in DE, but considering why I got it in the first place I don't see it becoming more than it is right now.
That being said here's how I fit into this equation:
Six years ago I went from a Mach3 to a straight. A while later I picked up a DE for the times when I just need a quick shave in the shower. It has served that function very well, but at this moment I can't recall the last time I had it out. I also haven't traveled with straights. DE for travel, and speed. Straight for everything else.
I can't say I won't get more interested in DE, but considering why I got it in the first place I don't see it becoming more than it is right now.
I've been using a straight for over a year now and will only occasionally borrow my wife's Merkur, usually when I have very limited time to get out the door. It's not because of the shave itself, it's wiping the blade down, stropping it to get the edge dry, and making sure everything is dry. Once you get proficient with a straight the DE seems so boring.
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For traveling, the DE is a lot more convenient. Less gear to carry. Plus, in some places such as Singapore, a straight razor in your baggage, even your checked baggage, will certainly be confiscated as a weapon, and possibly get you in a bunch of trouble.
I recently got back to straight shaving after going mostly DE for several years, and I might sell off or give away most of my DE razors, but I will certainly keep a couple of favorites as well as one or two that I can afford to lose and not shed tears over, for traveling.
There is no reason to worry about neglecting your old DE. You will certainly find occasion to use it, now and then. Store it with care and it will patiently wait for you to pick it up again.
I recently got back to straight shaving after going mostly DE for several years, and I might sell off or give away most of my DE razors, but I will certainly keep a couple of favorites as well as one or two that I can afford to lose and not shed tears over, for traveling.
There is no reason to worry about neglecting your old DE. You will certainly find occasion to use it, now and then. Store it with care and it will patiently wait for you to pick it up again.
I really like my DEs and am about to embark on trying straights. I really hope that I will use both as I have a love for DEs since starting. That said, I'm about to liquidate a significant portion of my DEs that I have multiples of to get funds for straights.
Truth be told, the act of restoring old blades 100 years old, rescaling, honing and stropping are all rather intriguing to me and I can easily see myself going this direction for hobby. Guess we'll see how I shave with a straight before commenting further though.
Truth be told, the act of restoring old blades 100 years old, rescaling, honing and stropping are all rather intriguing to me and I can easily see myself going this direction for hobby. Guess we'll see how I shave with a straight before commenting further though.
I learned to shave with a straight before I started DE seriously. I recently dug the straight out and will probably send it off for serious honing shortly so I can use it once or twice a week. However, I had gotten out of straights because of the upkeep and that they take me longer to shave with. Still love 'em, but have trouble justifying the time involved when I get luscious DE shaves in short order. I plan to get my straight chops back, but don't see giving up DE.
Yes I do (such an expensive phrase to use, no matter how you look at it...
)Honestly, I can only speak for myself and not tell you how you will want to shave in the future. Personally, I enjoy shaving with all those different toys, aehm, I mean tools. I actually switched early last year from a Mach3 over to straights and enjoyed it tremendously. Once I had gotten into it however, I started wondering how a DE or an SE would feel like and what the difference was, since I never had used one of those before.
It didn't take long for RAD to kick in but with the targeting system set on Safety Razors. First and second ones were a GEM 1912 and a Junior respectively. And just a week ago, I placed an order for my first DE which I am actually very much looking forward to.
I still think that shaving with a straight is one of the 'coolest' things to do but for me it's not only about that. I equally enjoy shaves with the SE and I am sure I will with the DE. It is just nice to be able to rotate them and experience different shaves. I consider it part of the hobby which shaving has become for me.
I assume that most likely you will spend more time with the straights the first several months until you got the basic technique nailed down. After that, I would not b surprised if you start reaching for one of your DE's again once every so often without feeling bad about it
DEs give me the same problems with irritation and ingrown hairs that I get from cartridges. I only use straights now.
My experience is probably opposite of most people who get into straights. I think most of our members have gone from DE/SE shaving to straights. I was a straight razor shaver for years before joining this forum and had very little experience with a DE/SE razor. (I was converted way back in college away from the multi-blade cartridge razors by a fellow classmate to the straight razor.) After joining the forum I started to acquire and shave with DEs, Injectors, Gems, etc. Although I still shave primarily with straights I now use DEs and SEs a few times a month. Having said that, since you have taken to straight razor shaving positively you are likely to get the straight razor bug and I predict DEs and SEs will take a backseat. Once you go straight you never go back.
Be forewarned though, SRAD is coming!
Be forewarned though, SRAD is coming!
I cannot switch back and forth....A coupl of weeks back I got the itch to give DEs another go-around, I bought a couple and had at it for a couple of weeks. Boring, unsatisfying shaves....
But what really got me was that after I went back to the straight, my technique was horrible! Weepers all over, a catastrphe!
So, I have now officially forsworn DEs, not out of snobbery, but due to the effect it has on my shave technique
But what really got me was that after I went back to the straight, my technique was horrible! Weepers all over, a catastrphe!
So, I have now officially forsworn DEs, not out of snobbery, but due to the effect it has on my shave technique
I went from cartridges to straights 30 years ago and never used a DE.
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