Why I decided to dump my DE's.

[MajorBurnz]

Some of you may have noticed my post in BST where I've listed (almost) all my DE razors.

It's true; I've decided to part with my DE collection (such as it is) and focus on the SE's and straights.

I've been getting questions about why I made this decision, so I decided to post my reasons -- such as they are.

In the first place, it's not because DE's didn't work for me -- in fact, they worked great and I've been getting great, irritation free shaves since I switched to them. I enjoyed playing with the SS's and then moved on to all types of DE razors, old and new. Almost all of them worked for me to some extent, and some worked brilliantly.

What happened was, in an unguarded moment, I tried an SE razor.....a Gem featherweight. I promptly got one of the best shaves of my life. Then I tried a 1912 -- same result. Then a lather catcher, an EverReady, a Gem Deluxe....always with the same super smooth shave.

This was coupled with my foray into straight shaving. I'll be honest, while my shaves using a straight are very smooth and comfortable, I yet have to get as complete shaves as I did with DE's and SE's. This is because I haven't been able to figure out the ATG pass completely. It's easy in some areas, but damnably hard in others. No big deal though; I'm not too proud to use DE's or SE's for touch-ups.

The main thing with SE and straight shaving was the amount of fun I was having. With some effort, I could always get as close shaves with DE's (especially my iKon and the New Deluxe) as I could with SE's and straights. It was just more enjoyable to shave with both the SE's and straights, and in the case of the SE's, it took a lot less time and fewer passes to get glassy smooth skin.

So I liked using DE's, SE's, straights and even injectors....to accommodate them all I started a rotation of sorts.

I really liked my DE razors. They were beautiful to look at and wonderful to hold and use (think cooncatbob custom here ). So I was unwilling to just let them sit around. I used them all. What this led to was that I wasn't using any of the razors I really enjoyed using as much as I would like. I shave once daily, I have several dozen razors all told. You can do the math.

Also, I'd tried the cheaper DE's, and liked them. I could have stopped there, but I wanted to try the more expensive ones too. That led to me trying to raise the cash for a hobby that was getting out of control, when the returns were diminishing (a $150+ razor costs that much because of its rarity, not because it shaves that much better than a $20 razor). I knew this, but there was always the niggling desire to try everything.

It's probably a character flaw or something, but it was eating away at my enjoyment of the hobby in general.

More importantly, I couldn't find the time in my rotation for my straights and SE's. I tried to get by with a couple of straight passes per shave and then using the DE for the ATG pass and the touch-ups. But that led to me not enjoying any razor to its fullest.

So, after thinking about this for a while, I decided to give up on having many, many razors. I'm going to keep my small SE collection as my mainstays and hone (ha ha) my straight shaving skills.

Rather than just have the DE's sitting around unused, I've decided to sell them on to people who'll enjoy using them (that's you guys).

There you have it --- long story for an easy decision.....finally!

 

[michiganlover]

You have had an awesome adventure!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

I think if I didn't crave variety so much, I would be content to use a SE razor all of the time. The shave of the Gems is superb. I also enjoy my injector on occasion.

Like you, I have tried pretty close to a couple dozen razors. I have paired the collection down, and find that I enjoy the 3 piece DE razors the most.

 

[slantman]

I'am beginning to feel the same way. I have several Gems and getting as close and smooth shaves as possible with little effort. I am in the process of testing different blades find stainless to be much better then carbon. I am using a Micromatic and Pushbutton and expecting a Feather Light any day. I just bought a Flip Open from a fellow member and should get that next week. My iKon is just hanging out doing nothing although its a great razor.

 

[MajorBurnz]

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

The best part about this is that, if I decide to go back to DE shaving sometime in the future, there's nothing to stop me.



But now I no longer have the DE distraction.

 

[Gillette4259]

Simplistic as the featherweight is it's amazing how it cuts shaving time down. I just got a Micro OC and love the darn thing just got to learn the lite touch more. My 1912 is a work of art so move over DE's the big dog is moving in. That doesn't mean I'm dumping the ole Birth Razor DE or Slim but it does mean I'm thinning out the RAD run I had on DE's.

 

[JPM]

Well, congrats for you! It sounds like you've found what you enjoy the most. And after all, isn't that what this is all about? If it works for you, not much else matters.

 

[texbilly]

Good for you, Yohann! Like previously posted, I also like the variety but admire your "courage" to narrow your focus. So we may not see as much MajorBurnz action in DE land but something tells me that will be balanced by increased activity in the other shaving disciplines!

 

[maj_planb]

Thanks for sharing this. Since getting back into wet shaving, I acquired multiple razors, soaps, blades and scuttles within a few months. While AD is fun, I've started asking myself some of the same things that you posed. Of course, it's nicer to see this presented by someone who has thought it out much better than I have.

Good for you!

 

[koso]

What is your SE blade of choice, Major?

 

[MajorBurnz]

Well, I go through phases, but at the moment, it's a Gem Deluxe. Beautiful shave.

Out of the bunch I have, I like the Gem Deluxe, an EverReady, and a Gem Junior lather catcher. They are all fun razors, and I get absolutely brilliant shaves from each of them.

 

[Blondie]

I am thinking about picking up a gem, which blades have you found that work well in these?

 

[MajorBurnz]

The only blades I've used in my SE's are the Ted Pella blades. They work really, really well for me, but I've never tried any others.

I discard them after about 10 shaves, but I could get more uses per blade (but what's the point). I do palm strop after each shave. I can't state for sure that the stropping helps, but I do it anyway.

 

[spinyeel]

The only blades I've used in my SE's are the Ted Pella blades. They work really, really well for me, but I've never tried any others.

I discard them after about 10 shaves, but I could get more uses per blade (but what's the point). I do palm strop after each shave. I can't state for sure that the stropping helps, but I do it anyway.

That's the beauty of S/E shaving.Apart from the great shaves,you are not bamboozled by having hundreds of blades to choose from. One or two excellent blades are all you need. To quote a mate of mine,VIVA LA REVOLUTION.

 

[ek.310]

I use a GEM 1912 aristocrat handle with GEM se stainless blades to wipe clean..always wondered about straights though

 

[rainman]

I think that the DE is clearly more popular with the new razors and a variety of blades currently being made. Once the rad has subsided in DE's the curiosity goes to SE/injector/wedge/straights. Also, most do not want to invest in multiple SE's at this point and buy a bulk of pella blades to start so they might write the SE off to begin with. I went thru 3 Se runs of buying/selling and now I am here to stay. The short handles were bothering me so I just coverted some 4" DE handles to work with various SE heads and bought a 100 blades from amazon. This doesn't mean that I will leave DE as I still love my progress and slant, but they will get less time on the job.

 

[MajorBurnz]

One more step away from the disposable blade razors:

I recently tried a Rolls Razor for the first time. Wow, what a great shave!!

I honed the blade on the hones I use for my straights (not on the included Rolls hone), and was able to get a really smooth, sharp edge.

As someone else stated: The Rolls is basically a straight-on-a-stick. The shave combined the best parts of straight shaving (smoothness, closeness), with the best parts of safety razor shaving (ease, speed, safety). The lack of a disposable blade makes it even better.

I also tried the Henckels Rapide, that comes with a full-hollow blade. It also gave me a lovely shave, and has the same characteristics as a lather catcher.

Best of all: The shaves are as much fun as with a straight.

 

[knlgskr]

My experience(s) have been similar but I have concluded that Injectors especially the E & Gs give me the best and easiest shaves of all; Platinum Plus blades when available/found still seem to be the best blades I have used; too bad Schick no longer makes them.

 

[Shaman]

I honed the blade on the hones I use for my straights (not on the included Rolls hone), and was able to get a really smooth, sharp edge.

I have been sorely tempted to do that. Does the guard pop on/off fairly easily and without damage? Also what grit(s) did you use?

 

[FLTiger]

Thanks for sharing the story of your shaving exploration! Well done, sir!

My experience(s) have been similar but I have concluded that Injectors especially the E & Gs give me the best and easiest shaves of all; Platinum Plus blades when available/found still seem to be the best blades I have used; too bad Schick no longer makes them.

I've been hooked on Injectors since I picked up a "type I" from the BST several months ago. I don't have a lot of DE's--three Super-Speeds (of varying aggression) and a Futur (I sold my Vision set). While I could get good shaves from the DE's, I found the Injectors to be easier for me. I've not been buying more razors, though. I want to try some of the earlier Injectors, and an adjustable, but...not yet. I also want to try a slant, an open comb, a Gillette adjustable, and possibly some SE's, but for now, I'm well satisfied with what I'm currently using.

I just recently got my hands on some Platinum Plus blades, and my initial results with them are very good--I suspect that they are actually thicker than the current stock Chinese-made blades.

 

[johnmrson]

I've just started putting together a modest collection that consists of DE, SE and straights. As my none disposable wet shaving experience is very limited I'm greatly looking forward to giving them all a try out with a variety of blades in the case of the DE's. I'm almost sad that I only get to shave once a day.
As a begginer it's great to read stories like yours MajorBurnz. You obviously have a passion for good shaving and I take my hat off to you for not letting the DE's just sit around unused.