What caused you to switch to wet shaving (DE, SE, straight)?
- Thread starter sextus
- Start date
I saw it on reddit. I thought it was neat, so I tried different razors out and found this forum, as well. Now I use a shavette exclusively. I love it!
I am a 1951 model. Started with a Tech and Blue Blades and Ivory soap. Later added a brush and Colgate soap. Over the years like most guys I gave carts, disposables, electrics a try. Found my way back to DE.
The kit available today is amazing. Italian razors! English soaps! German brushes! Russian blades!
The kit available today is amazing. Italian razors! English soaps! German brushes! Russian blades!
My main reasons are that I love the tradition and the kit! 
I was also fed up with the cost of carts that did not result in great shaves.
I was also fed up with the cost of carts that did not result in great shaves.
I started out wet shaving because that was the only choice in 1970 -- no cartridges or disposables in common use at th time. Switched to cartridges when I could no longer find a reliable source of injector blades in the late 80's, and suffered with them until a couple years ago.
Back to injector and DE shaving, don't plan use anything else. I'm not saving any money (unless I sell of the pile of razors I'm never going to use and some of the centuries long stash of blades), but I really do appreciate not spending $20 for six cartridges.....
Back to injector and DE shaving, don't plan use anything else. I'm not saving any money (unless I sell of the pile of razors I'm never going to use and some of the centuries long stash of blades), but I really do appreciate not spending $20 for six cartridges.....
Mad Men is what got me started a few years, I stayed for the awesome shaves.
All of those seven, I guess.
I was fed up with daily Norelco grindings and felt that a mature young man deserved a "proper" razor like Dad had used when I was a little boy, so I bought a Gillette Black Handle Super Speed in 1985. I really took to that razor and used it throughout college (and the campus bookstore always had blades). Around 1990, DE blades disappeared from stores, and I was forced into the Atra "system." About 12 years ago, I realized that the internet could provide acceptable blades, once again, so I happily went back to using DE razors. Oh, and I stubbornly refused to spend money on more than twin blade cartridges.
I didn't have much of a learning curve for using a DE razor, I kinda just always "got it." But, I grew up at the tail end of writing with fountain pens in school and understood "no pressure."
I was fed up with daily Norelco grindings and felt that a mature young man deserved a "proper" razor like Dad had used when I was a little boy, so I bought a Gillette Black Handle Super Speed in 1985. I really took to that razor and used it throughout college (and the campus bookstore always had blades). Around 1990, DE blades disappeared from stores, and I was forced into the Atra "system." About 12 years ago, I realized that the internet could provide acceptable blades, once again, so I happily went back to using DE razors. Oh, and I stubbornly refused to spend money on more than twin blade cartridges.
I didn't have much of a learning curve for using a DE razor, I kinda just always "got it." But, I grew up at the tail end of writing with fountain pens in school and understood "no pressure."
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For me it was choice 5 - I was curious.
I grew up shaving with cartridge razors and cans of gel, and absolutely hated shaving - too much irritation. One day I stumbled onto the Wirecutter article The Best Manual Razor for Most Faces, which recommended the Merkur 37C. And the next thing I know, my daughter comes home to visit with a Merkur 23C and a 100-pack of Astra Superior Platinum blades. And then I find out that a bunch of colleagues at work are vintage Gillette razor enthusiasts.
I grew up shaving with cartridge razors and cans of gel, and absolutely hated shaving - too much irritation. One day I stumbled onto the Wirecutter article The Best Manual Razor for Most Faces, which recommended the Merkur 37C. And the next thing I know, my daughter comes home to visit with a Merkur 23C and a 100-pack of Astra Superior Platinum blades. And then I find out that a bunch of colleagues at work are vintage Gillette razor enthusiasts.
Curiosity, but pushed over the edge after our grocery store moved cartridges behind the counter (because of price) so I had to wait in the lottery / cigarette line. A big Powerball came along and I decided it was time for a change
I picked "comfort" in the survey, but more accurately, my electric shaver was only mildly uncomfortable, but really boring. DE shaving is interesting.
I went with #3 (cost) and #6(Traditional), but both would be out the window if I didn't get great results.
I had a cheap DE set many years ago while in college but found it much too time consuming for me while living a busy lifestyle. A year ago I started having problems with my skin and so I went and got some better quality stuff and took my time with it. Now I absolutely enjoy shaving!
- Thread starter
- #33
In my OP the underlined word should read "closer".
Thanks!
Good clarification. Thankfully people got the gist of what I was saying.
alishock
I wrap my lips around a lovely pipe
Shaving was boring and the cartridges were expensive. Literally that. I was also sat home with a broken collarbone and internet access.
For me it was Gillette's latest commercial "stunt" and the irritation i got from their cartridge razors. Alas i bought a pack of Gillette 7 O'Clock..... 
I started wet shaving in 1962 with a Gillette Slim and later with a Gem Micromatic OC, I liked shaving with a straight but now my hands are a bit too shaky. I've tried many Cartridge razor, always with bad results. I was always a 1 razor 1 soap etc. person, until I joined Badger and Blade, So I guess I'd now be called a collector.
I though shaky hands meant you didn't need to put batteries in the handle to get the "extra closeness from our vibrating blade" thing, @Tallships
Okay, let's ignore for the moment that carts and disposables are still "wet shaving"...
I gave up on my last Braun when I found I could not get a replacement foil only two years after I bought it.
Switched to disposables for a while.
Then I got nostalgic for my missing Super 109, so I bought a Slim.
I hope some day to locate that Super 109. Possibly in a box in my basement.
I clicked on #6 (Tradition) and #7 (Other) - less plastic going into landfill.
That's similar to my story. I'm a 1953 model, and had a Super 109 in the '70s, then a few electrics.
I gave up on my last Braun when I found I could not get a replacement foil only two years after I bought it.
Switched to disposables for a while.
Then I got nostalgic for my missing Super 109, so I bought a Slim.
I hope some day to locate that Super 109. Possibly in a box in my basement.
I clicked on #6 (Tradition) and #7 (Other) - less plastic going into landfill.
#5 is what drew me in but after I got through the learning curve (sounds like you aren’t quite there yet) I realized I was getting bad shaves (#2) with the cartridge and never knew it.
Now when I occasionally have to use a cart when traveling, I hate it.
On the other hand, I truly look forward to my daily morning shave. It has become a very enjoyable part of my day ..... whereas before it was just a chored to be accomplished.
And it is an absolute blast to explore all the hardware and software options. A very enjoyable hobby.
Can’t imagine ever going back.
Now when I occasionally have to use a cart when traveling, I hate it.
On the other hand, I truly look forward to my daily morning shave. It has become a very enjoyable part of my day ..... whereas before it was just a chored to be accomplished.
And it is an absolute blast to explore all the hardware and software options. A very enjoyable hobby.
Can’t imagine ever going back.
