WSJ article about DE shaving

[djm2]

Personally I thought it was reasonably balanced.

• For those who fixate on the blood aspect of it, how many threads do we see here on the worst cut you gave yourself -- or some such variation?
• For those who feel that the article dissed this niche by telling the world that it is a small niche, they should recognize that the really small niche markets don't get a mention from WSJ.

 

[ackvil]

The tone of this article and previous articles like this one are the reason I waited so long in trying a DE razor.

The gist of the article is DE shaving is difficult, will draw blood/cause pain, and give a substandard shave compared to carts. Carts are superior, but if you like driving non-air conditioned cars and reading by candle light like they did in the good ole days, then a DE may fit your lifestyle.

Articles like this scare people away from using safety razors. Yes, if you don't practice and go slow you can nick yourself with a safety razor. BUT, if you don't practice or go slow you can nick yourself with a kitchen knife. Going by the articles logic, no-one should be using kitchen knives, blenders and food processors are way better.

As for me, I have found safety razors give a superior shaving experience all way around as compared to a cart. Smoother, less irritation, less nicks/weepers, easier to get blades and more environmentally friendly. THAT is what the article should have talked about.

Sorry about the rant, the blood-letting articles about safety razors chaff my hide.

Have a Great One!

Right on! Good points.

 

[ackvil]

Reading this article would leave one with the impression that using a DE is the same as a straight but on a stick and that there have been no new products.

 

[Raven Koenes]

I've gotten weepers using a cart. When I switched to DE it was the once and awhile rare occurrence the same (my complexion isn't the smoothest to begin with). I don't count a weeper as a cut. I've only cut myself once with a DE, and that was two and a half years in. It was totally my fault. Cal said, "don't j-hook with the PAA Bakelite Slant". I said, "sure...right". I went from under my jaw line and j-hooked right up and onto my jawline. Other than that bit of acrobatic maneuvering, with a razor that has tons of blade exposure, I've never cut myself.

 

[MTG Jr]

A DE is basically a "straight razor on a stick"? Um, no. It has a safety bar, and safety bars actually work! I have to laugh.

Why did you put quotes around something that wasn’t actually a quote? Sure, that’s the essence of what she said, but not a direct quote...as quote marks imply. Let’s hold ourselves to the same standard we want to see from the writer.

 

[cgr86]

Wow , I’m not saying this to fish for a compliment in any way. But I’m glad that my opening this thread was able to induce some conversation!

 

[macduff67]

About weeper and nicks: I grew up watching my father shave with a Schick Krona. I remember when he got it and that he was very enthused about how much better it was for him than his previous razor.

By the time I started shaving, he had long abandoned it for whatever was latest and greatest. When I took to using a DE, he thought I was crazy and commented about how much he cut his chin with one. That was not my recollection at all. If anything, he cut himself more with twin-blade cartridges and with disposables.

So, does perception boil down to what we're used to? I don't know. But I do know I get better shaves with a DE.

 

[cgr86]

About weeper and nicks: I grew up watching my father shave with a Schick Krona. I remember when he got it and that he was very enthused about how much better it was for him than his previous razor.

By the time I started shaving, he had long abandoned it for whatever was latest and greatest. When I took to using a DE, he thought I was crazy and commented about how much he cut his chin with one. That was not my recollection at all. If anything, he cut himself more with twin-blade cartridges and with disposables.

So, does perception boil down to what we're used to? I don't know. But I do know I get better shaves with a DE.

I’ve dabbled in both and I can certainly attest that a DE will nick me more than a cart , but the cart will give me irritation far easier .

 

[kingfisher]

Why did you put quotes around something that wasn’t actually a quote? Sure, that’s the essence of what she said, but not a direct quote...as quote marks imply. Let’s hold ourselves to the same standard we want to see from the writer.

I apologise for my error. I read the article and that's what was in my memory.

On the other hand, I don't really think it is fair to hold a random forum poster to the same standard as a professional journalist writing for a national publication.

 

[Cino]

The tone of this article and previous articles like this one are the reason I waited so long in trying a DE razor.

The gist of the article is DE shaving is difficult, will draw blood/cause pain, and give a substandard shave compared to carts. Carts are superior, but if you like driving non-air conditioned cars and reading by candle light like they did in the good ole days, then a DE may fit your lifestyle.

Articles like this scare people away from using safety razors. Yes, if you don't practice and go slow you can nick yourself with a safety razor. BUT, if you don't practice or go slow you can nick yourself with a kitchen knife. Going by the articles logic, no-one should be using kitchen knives, blenders and food processors are way better.

As for me, I have found safety razors give a superior shaving experience all way around as compared to a cart. Smoother, less irritation, less nicks/weepers, easier to get blades and more environmentally friendly. THAT is what the article should have talked about.

Sorry about the rant, the blood-letting articles about safety razors chaff my hide.

Have a Great One!

 

[Legacoid]

About weeper and nicks: I grew up watching my father shave with a Schick Krona. I remember when he got it and that he was very enthused about how much better it was for him than his previous razor.

By the time I started shaving, he had long abandoned it for whatever was latest and greatest. When I took to using a DE, he thought I was crazy and commented about how much he cut his chin with one. That was not my recollection at all. If anything, he cut himself more with twin-blade cartridges and with disposables.

So, does perception boil down to what we're used to? I don't know. But I do know I get better shaves with a DE.

Perception definitely changes for all kinds of reasons. Until I had a bad run-in with shoulder impingement a few years ago I dismissed any little shoulder niggles I had after a workout. Now I'm much aware of them, and see them as a warning about an imbalance in my training.

During the years I used cartridge razors I thought nothing of the cuts, razor bumps and general irritation that were regular occurrences. My whole attitude to shaving was very different. I didn't enjoy the process itself, the goal was just to get it done as cheaply and quickly as possible and I accepted all the little injuries as part of the deal. Now I'm getting better at DE shaving a cut is a rare and noteworthy event and irritation would be a problem to be solved.

 

[Frank Shaves]

By coincidence, a friend just messaged me about the following recent "article" from New York Magazine: The Best Razors, According to Barbers. Just a list of product recommendations, but it is mass market.

 

[Cino]

By coincidence, a friend just messaged me about the following recent "article" from New York Magazine: The Best Razors, According to Barbers. Just a list of product recommendations, but it is mass market.

A much more useful and balanced approach. Could be a random act of journalism.

 

[SucKO]

By coincidence, a friend just messaged me about the following recent "article" from New York Magazine: The Best Razors, According to Barbers. Just a list of product recommendations, but it is mass market.

That is a very good article. Covers carts, de, se, and sr. Pros and Cons for all of them.

There was one thing in the article that I was ehh about, and it is a small thing, they recommended the Merkur 34c instead of the EJ89

 

[TinyT]

Why all the BLOOD! I used to get small nicks and weepers every other shave using plastic disposables. Since switching to DE I've had ONE small weeper - and I'm still learning so my technique's pretty ropey.

 

[Bredfan]

A much more useful and balanced approach. Could be a random act of journalism.

Ahh Haaaaa! I know who you listen to during the day. Me too.

 

[Cino]

Ahh Haaaaa! I know who you listen to during the day. Me too.

 

[Jaybeez]

I was just talking about this article with a friend last night. He uses a brush and shaving soap, but uses a cart out of fear of blood. This article pushed him further away from DE. I may just clean up one of my milder razors and load it up with a GSB for him, along with a link to a tutorial or two in this fine establishment.

 

[Clay S]

Why did you put quotes around something that wasn’t actually a quote? Sure, that’s the essence of what she said, but not a direct quote...as quote marks imply. Let’s hold ourselves to the same standard we want to see from the writer.

True, but should we be brave, and use multiple straight razors attached perpendicularly to a handle with only a plastic guard separating blade from skin.

 

[Cino]

I heard DE shaving is like duct taping a machete to a broomstick.