DE as Learning tool for straight razors?

[Smedley]

I was talking with the owner of the local Truefitt and Hill about whether she could get in all the necessary gear for a straight razor set and she said yes. "But we have a safety razor we sell here," she said. "I recommend that first to anyone who wants a straight razor."

Does the DE give you some useful "training"? Or is she just trying to sell off some product that she has in inventory?:confused:

[AFDavis11]

Tough one. Ready for lots of unsupported opinion? I'd say "No", it doesn't provide any useful training support. But its thought to be the most common transitional approach.

One benni of the DE with a straight is you have a single blade to finish up with while learning. Atleast your not using a Mach 3/4/5 or whatever.

One small benefit of the DE is you learn the importance of angle with a blade.

One drawback is the DE edge is smooth and pull free, not always the case with a straight.

Most people do recommend the DE first though. It is kinda like a straight with training wheels, er I mean bars, on each side of the blade.

If your commited to trying a straight, just go for. Keep in mind you have to plan for the transition, the learning curve if you will. You won't get fabulous shaves right out the gate, unlike a DE.

Keep in mind there is absolutely no way to shave fast with a straight in the beginning. It requires patience and time to learn. About 20 minutes for a shave and about 6 months to learn. A DE you can pick up and get a great shave after the 3rd try and it takes me less than 6 min total. Big difference.

[chop-chop]

Hi Smedley,

I don't think that you can go wrong with a good DE razor... and, I really don't think that the woman has any hidden agenda, other than trying to help you get started with single blade shaving.

Ultimately, it's your decision. What you may wish to consider is to ask her if she would be willing to offer you a discount on the straight set if you agree to purchase the DE set. In the meantime, you get started with DE shaving, and once your straight comes in, you can make the decision whether to keep it... and use the DE set for travel... or, sell it.

To me, that's a "win-win" situation, if you can afford to do it that way. If this salesperson has been a Truefitt and Hill employee for a while, you may put yourself in a very good position. She will remember you whenever you visit the store, and you'll be treated better than the average guy who walks in off the street. If I had a local shave shoppe, I would certainly support it. In doing so, you're helping to guarantee that you'll be able to get the things you need when you want them. No phone calls, shipping charges, customs fees, and waiting time or delays on what you want.

Hey... it's just my opinion. Hope it helps!

chop-chop

[nichhel]

I would also chime in with the following:

learning to use a brush and cream to best advantage takes a bit of time. Without a good lather and prep the straight shave will be most unsatisfactory. Despite all the products I have, for example, I find I get the best shaves with 4 drops of glycerin and 1 of jojoba on a regular Col Conk shave soap -- but it took me six months to settle on this.

I also second the comment about shave angle etc.

However using the straight is quite different from a DE. I use a straight on my chin and neck, and a DE for the rest. The straight requires an almost foolhardy confidence, literally swiping it across the skin -- and you need proper lubrication/lather for this.

But go for it, I'm beginning to think it has amazing results, esp compared to a DE on the neck regions. For instance with a DE I need to swipe in 4 different directions to get a smooth shave near the jaw. 2 passes, ATG and XTG, do it for me with a straight.

Another consideration might be that a beginning DE kit will be less expensive than a beginning straight -- also with a straight there's a good chance you'll ruin your first razor and strop too, if you're starting out as a newbie.

[Scorpio]

I think the one fact I took from DE shaving into straight was learning in which direction my stubble grew. Other than that fact, I think they are two different animals. A good prep is necessary regardless wether you shave with a DE or a straight. I did not change my prep, what worked fine when I shaved with a DE works the same now that I shave with a straight. Adding ingredients to the lather is up to you. Some folks go directly into straight shaving others choose to start with the DE to later move to a straight. I started with a DE with no regrets.

Do not expect to shave as fast with a straight as with a DE. This is when mistakes are made and the bleeding begins. If you decide to go straight read all the available material and ask questions. Any straight you buy at a shop will not be shave ready and will have to be honed. Hope this helps.

Raf

[SSLStudio]

My experience is vice VERSA.

Now that I started to use a straight razor I became a better DE shaver instead thus the other way around.
More respect to the safety razor now more awareness about facial structure, chin area pressure versus angle I also appreciate a DE much more now for its splendid workings versus the time consuming straightrazor shave but thats because im a NOOB with a straight. one year from now Id be at a different level I hope.

and Welcome to B&B ask around the lather is always warm here....

[Smedley]

Thanks for the feedback, all.

The point about having a DE for travel is a good one. I would be nervous of being hauled off to that little room with no windows at the airport if they saw the straight razor in my checked-in luggage. "It's for shaving, honest!" Plus I would worry less about a DE being wrecked in transit.

You others alll have interesting points. I'm torn. It doesn't help I went to a store called "The Personal Edge" and saw this really nice looking Merkur[?something like that] DE with a kind of brushed aluminum finish. It almost looked like it belonged in Star Trek. And right beside it was a straight razor and a leather strop.

At least I know one place where I can pick up some equipment beside Truefitt and Hill. :thumbup1: Consumer choice is a good thing.

[mparker762]

If it was the Merkur Vision then you're close, it was in the new Battlestar Galactica series :-) It's also a pretty poor design, though it shaves fine once you've tuned it up (though so do lots of other razors that don't need major surgery out of the box).

[Smedley]

If it was the Merkur Vision then you're close, it was in the new Battlestar Galactica series :-) It's also a pretty poor design, though it shaves fine once you've tuned it up (though so do lots of other razors that don't need major surgery out of the box).

Holy cow, that is the one. They also had a Merkur Classic for sale, reminded me of my dad's first razor.

[Dave_D]

I would take the classic over the vision also, simpler design and works really great.
Although the straight is used for most of my shaving duties now, I started with a DE and am glad I did. The Merkur HD is still on standby for traveling and days I dont have time for a straight. That said, I'm only in my second month of using a straight with any consistency and still have a ways to go to match my DE shaves, still a great way to shave though.

[Smedley]

Well, after all the advice in this thread, I've gone and put some bids on some old Gillette DE razors on eBay. If I win the bids, I'll have four models to choose from.

Guess I'll be posting in the safety razor forum for a bit. :) Thanks for all the advice & help all!

[moviemaniac]

Before I started shaving with a straight razor I purchased a Merkur 34c and used it for a coupla weeks. It taught me how to keep a constant angle, use very light pressure, get to know the direction my beard grows and how to get to the difficult parts in the face. You get to know all these things with a much smaller risk of cutting yourself.
Besides, it's always good to have a DE as a backup-razor in case you have only one straight and it needs to be sent to someone for honing. It's also much more convenient to take a DE with you on your travels. And, finally, the first weeks of shaving with a straight won't be really smooth, close shaves, so it's good to have a DE for the final pass.

Just my $0,02

[mjsorkin]

I'll second what some people have said already, and I'll add my own experience to the mix. I got started with a straight razor and that's what got me into wetshaving in October. At first things were very slow going with the straight. The shaves were uncomfortable and poor, plus honing seemed impossible. The creams, soaps, and brushes provided a lot of enjoyment, but weren't as much when I used a disposable. So having a nice DE, got me into the fun of wetshaving at a time when the straight razor was more work than it was enjoyable. Later I felt like my straight razor shaves improved after learning to use the DE. A DE is also a fixed single blade, like a straight, so although they aren't the same, certain principles apply to both. With both devices, you use multiple passes, little pressure, and it's you that changes the angle and direction of the blade because there is no pivots or springs in the shaver. Pre-shave, lather production, and post shave also come with time and will help you shave with either a straight or a DE.

Shaving with a safety razor is very enjoyable. It's going to be rewarding for you whether you get into the straight razor or not. The straight razor is alot more work, but has a special feeling all it's own. Regardless of what you get into, the pleasure of wetshaving is a wonderful hobby, and this is a great community.

------Michael

[netsurfr]

If it was the Merkur Vision then you're close, it was in the new Battlestar Galactica series :-) It's also a pretty poor design, though it shaves fine once you've tuned it up (though so do lots of other razors that don't need major surgery out of the box).

OK, now I am intrigued. What makes it a poor design and how do you "tune" is up? I bought one as a backup during my learning curve for straight shaving but did not find the shave was particularly good after 3 passes. Assumed I was having a technique problem so focused on my straight shaving.

Steve

[mparker762]

See my post "Vision Surgery" in this forum.