Something controversial (also for me)

[Ikoden]

Hello to all experienced straight razor people here. I have been shaving wet -brush and cream mostly, DE and cartridge the last 20 years, i.e. since I started shaving. Among my colleagues at work, I have been always one of the better shaved ones. I registered to this forum some months ago when I decided to buy straight razor, just because I thought it is something neither I nor my father (long retired) ever used, so why not try. I bought two new Dovo razors (Black star and the tortoisshell special), strope and honing stones (5000. 8000 and 12000) grit and started according to the instructions from this site. Surprisingly I didn't cut myself profoundly, but the quality of the shave wasn't near DE Merkur with a Feather or a Derby blade or a good cartridge. It will pass in front of the mirror but the touch with hand says it was inferior. Probably it is my technique and/or stroping honing the razor need more practice...However my post is not about this. Last week I had to have a hand operation and since then I am in bandage and must not wet it,so I decided to use an electric shaver. Got one from Philips, reduced from about 150 swiss francs to 99 (about 1:1 with the US dollar now) and dreaded to start using the thing, since my grandfather and father always told me they are crap and I don't use them. Here was the big surprise - actually it shaved pretty well, not as close as 3 passes with DE, but something like 1-2 passes and definitely better than my go with a straight razor. This let me sit down and think....Then decided to ask you here. Does anybody think that the electric stuff can produce a relatively good shave? And second thought - when I use a cartridge blade and prepare my face properly, make 3 passes, I shave as close to what I get with DE, best configuration I have, i.e. very very smooth, no significant irritation. Does this make DE having the only advantage of cost saving, apart from looking cooler because less people use them nowadays? Thanks for all answers, I enjoy this forum a lot!

[Spivey]

It's been nearly 20 years since I've used an electric, but I never got a good shave with them. I'm sure the my electric was not a top of the line model, but that's been my experience.

[Chimensch]

If you're happy with an electric razor, go for it!

[jwhiskercut]

As a guy who is a recent convert from electrics to DE shaving, I can honestly say that I never got a good shave with an electric. It's starts OK but the irritation builds over time and almost ruined my skin. My dad has a tougher skin than me and does OK with electrics but even he admits they aren't as close as when he used DEs

[valmara1971]

Whatever works for you fella. Some Mondays I have been known to reduce with my electric before I shower then shave as normal with a DE works well but it's done as a shortcut only.

[Bertilak]

It has been many years since I used an electric, but for while there it was almost a family tradition to get a new ("Improved!") electric every Christmas. They never were any good and did not get any better from year to year. Norelco, Braun, etc. -- tried most of them.

Perhaps things are different today but I have not heard much good about them even lately. Actually, yours is one of the most ringing endorsements I can remember hearing!

[kingfisher]

...And second thought - when I use a cartridge blade and prepare my face properly, make 3 passes, I shave as close to what I get with DE, best configuration I have, i.e. very very smooth, no significant irritation. Does this make DE having the only advantage of cost saving, apart from looking cooler because less people use them nowadays?

I will address this part of your post. Yes, I believe that the DE's only real advantage over careful, educated cartridge shaving is cost and "looking cooler." I actually favor the older, two-bladed cartridge systems over DE. For the past two weeks I've been blending the two: I do the first pass with my Atra and then do the second pass with my Schick Krona (DE).

Do whatever you want to do, and whatever works for you.:thumbup1:

[dod.e.ratherwell]

I can get a good shave from my Wet Shave model Panasonic....it just takes forever to do and doesn't leave my skin feeling one way or another...
A great DE or Straight shave just feels so good. That's why I won't go back.

[Ikoden]

Hardly "ringing endorsements", most of a shocked surprise. I love wet shaving and once my hand is OK again I will go back to it BUT the point is different. I thought that electric is horrible, and it wasn't at all.

[Seraphim]

I used to use an electric, and thought the results I was getting were fine.



But I didn't realize that those starnge bumps I'd get from time to time were vicious ingrowns caused by the electric plucking the hairs out by the root instead of shaving them off as it should.

My shave also lasted way less time than my current straight results (~12 hour BBS).

[prrfan]

I must say that I think everyone's face is different. For some, one method may work better than others. I say go with whatever gives you a good shave. I have never had a bad shave from any method. I also have to say that a multi blade cartridge gives me a great shave.

[caleballen]

HI, new here to DE shaving. Over the last few years I have been using a Braun electric shaver, was the top of the line and has only in the past few months been replaced. I found that when I was using my Gillette Mach3 turbo I was getting razor burn and bumps etc. So I switched to an electric and it solved all my problems! Granted the shave was not as close, but it was 1000 times better than rash and burn.
Anyhow, we were overseas last week and my electric razor packed up - dropped one to many times I think. So off to the local supermarket to pick up a manual razor and some shaving gel. After a bit of debating over the M3 or the Fusion, I decided on the M3 Turbo, because it was only a stop gap measure for a week or so. I got some shaving gel as well for good luck.

That night I shaved in the shower, and the next morning I swore to get a new electric as soon as I could, the bumps and burn and rash were killing me.

I had been looking to upgrade anyway and this seemed the perfect opportunity. I new which model I was after and thought I would see if I could find any people who had anything negative to say about them. So a quick google search found me a few reviews.

One reply to a review I was reading, someone had said that they had sensitive skin, and started to use a DE razor, and solved all his problems. This had me intrigued, and I ended up searching the internet for another couple of hours.

To cut a long story short, last night I had my third DE shave and I think I might be a convert. Still have a long way to go, and a lot of experimenting with blades, soaps, creams, razors etc but I think it seems the way to go.

I must say though that in defence of the electric, it is a very convenient way to shave. I used to walk around the house / garden shaving, whilst doing other tasks, so it seemed my shave didn't take as long. The other place I could shave was the car, great for saving time. I didn't need any water and there was no mess. It was perfect for travelling as well, as I could take it on board with me and didn't have to check my whole suitcase in when I was flying overnight somewhere.

As for the price, I was going to get the new Braun Series 7, 790cc-3, RRP$AUD$549, (almost bought one on eBay for AUD$300). I know that a decent safety razor can be had for pretty cheap, and likewise for the brush and blades, but for I am looking at the Merkur Vision shaving set, which is about US$275. Then I have to consider soap, balm, pre shave and a mirror as well. Trialling soaps, blams, creams etc will take a while, so for the above setup it is not really cheaper. However price is really irrelevant to me. I just want to be able to shave and not have any side effects!

As an aside, if someone knows where I can buy a whole heap of sample soaps, creams, post-shave products that would be greatly appreciated. I have a blade sample pack on it's way, but I don't really want to have to buy 25 full sized products. The expense is one thing, but the main concern is that I will have a full bathroom of products I may never use again. Yes I know I can sell them, but I would rather buy sample size.

So...all that to say that electric razors do have their place. They are convenient and great to travel with. However, they will never replace a good wet shave for closeness. :thumbup:

[rickboone1]

I think people stumble across these forums usually out of frustration. They are not happy with what their current shaving tools or regimen is producing. That said, welcome! Glad you are here.

You can debate who and what offers the best and closest shave each and every day and everyone will offer a different opinion.

Me personally, I use straights because I enjoy the shave ritual and get great results. The results I get with that are better than any I'd gotten before.

Years ago I used an electric everyday. At the time, I enjoyed it. I think I went more for the fact it was quicker versus better. I got irritation very little with an electric. Only when I went over and over a rough spot. With a cartridge razor, I would get irriation frequently. Personally, I don't find electrics to be that great for your skin. But, I have no evidence to back up my claim.

The point I am trying to make is this: If you like your results you get with an electric, keep using it. Hang out here and enjoy a wonderful group of people. If you do wish to pick up the hobby of wet shaving again, it sounds as if you have a great amount of experience that you could help others with, and all here will be more than willing to return the favor to you!

Welcome!

[Go West Young Man]

In my experience, damage from an electric cumulative - I can get less than a week's worth of good shaves, then the ingrowns and irritation start up big time.

[Alacrity59]

I've tried several electric razors. With an electric my face itches, I never get a close enough shave, and it takes too long.

[Timbit]

I find an electric is fine for my head, but single blade (currently DE, perhaps straight one day:001_cool:) is the only way to go for my face.

YMMV

[dod.e.ratherwell]

Nice first post! Welcome to B&B, glad to have you along!

[lamaman3]

I used an electric for my first few years of shaving. Just thinking about it makes my face hurt.

[Luc]

HI, new here to DE shaving. Over the last few years I have been using a Braun electric shaver, was the top of the line and has only in the past few months been replaced. I found that when I was using my Gillette Mach3 turbo I was getting razor burn and bumps etc. So I switched to an electric and it solved all my problems! Granted the shave was not as close, but it was 1000 times better than rash and burn.
Anyhow, we were overseas last week and my electric razor packed up - dropped one to many times I think. So off to the local supermarket to pick up a manual razor and some shaving gel. After a bit of debating over the M3 or the Fusion, I decided on the M3 Turbo, because it was only a stop gap measure for a week or so. I got some shaving gel as well for good luck.

That night I shaved in the shower, and the next morning I swore to get a new electric as soon as I could, the bumps and burn and rash were killing me.

I had been looking to upgrade anyway and this seemed the perfect opportunity. I new which model I was after and thought I would see if I could find any people who had anything negative to say about them. So a quick google search found me a few reviews.

One reply to a review I was reading, someone had said that they had sensitive skin, and started to use a DE razor, and solved all his problems. This had me intrigued, and I ended up searching the internet for another couple of hours.

To cut a long story short, last night I had my third DE shave and I think I might be a convert. Still have a long way to go, and a lot of experimenting with blades, soaps, creams, razors etc but I think it seems the way to go.

I must say though that in defence of the electric, it is a very convenient way to shave. I used to walk around the house / garden shaving, whilst doing other tasks, so it seemed my shave didn't take as long. The other place I could shave was the car, great for saving time. I didn't need any water and there was no mess. It was perfect for travelling as well, as I could take it on board with me and didn't have to check my whole suitcase in when I was flying overnight somewhere.

As for the price, I was going to get the new Braun Series 7, 790cc-3, RRP$AUD$549, (almost bought one on eBay for AUD$300). I know that a decent safety razor can be had for pretty cheap, and likewise for the brush and blades, but for I am looking at the Merkur Vision shaving set, which is about US$275. Then I have to consider soap, balm, pre shave and a mirror as well. Trialling soaps, blams, creams etc will take a while, so for the above setup it is not really cheaper. However price is really irrelevant to me. I just want to be able to shave and not have any side effects!

As an aside, if someone knows where I can buy a whole heap of sample soaps, creams, post-shave products that would be greatly appreciated. I have a blade sample pack on it's way, but I don't really want to have to buy 25 full sized products. The expense is one thing, but the main concern is that I will have a full bathroom of products I may never use again. Yes I know I can sell them, but I would rather buy sample size.

So...all that to say that electric razors do have their place. They are convenient and great to travel with. However, they will never replace a good wet shave for closeness. :thumbup:

Welcome to B&B!

The samples can usually be obtained when you email the companies directly and ask if they would supply a sample of their product for you to try. I would say that 90% respond positively.

[Uncle Erik]

Well, YMMV.

I've never gotten a good shave from electric. They're OK, but never as close as wet shaving.

I thought cartridges were good, but recently tried a new Fusion cartridge I had kicking around. Unlike what I remembered, it pulled a lot and left irritation.

I used straights awhile back. While I loved the shaves, I got tired on the maintenance, upkeep and the time it took.

But DE is just right. I can shave quickly and get amazing shaves with zero irritation. I there was something better, I'd use it. But DE is the best in terms of price, convenience and a quality shave.