Can it really get any better than what I have?

[mikemargolis]

Been shaving for a month now with Art of Shaving kit (preshave, brush and lather, and after shave goop) with a Gillette Fusion cartridge.

I can't believe how much nicer a shave I get with this setup over my old $200 Norelco Arcitec electric.

I am a bit afraid of a Double Edge, but do have a handle and blades on order.

Can it really get any better than what I have?

I mean (and no offense to this) is it that much better with a DE or are you guys just so cheap that you're willing to deal with the DE crapola to save the $4/week cost of the Fusion cartridge vs the DE blades at almost no money at all?

Yeah, I apologised once and I'm sorry again, but really? I get such a nice shave with what I have.

[TheSentinel]

Your mileage may vary, of course, but I've found a significant improvement from using a Mach 3. I can't shave ATG with a cartridge and while I could get a decent shave, I could never get a really close or even BBS shave until I switched to a DE.

Don't get me wrong - good prep and post-shave care will make a big difference regardless of the razor. The razor does make a big difference, though.

Also, I don't think a lot of B&B members are really saving money. You certainly could, but that would mean not trying out new products and scents all the time...

[kwsher]

I mean (and no offense to this) is it that much better with a DE or are you guys just so cheap that you're willing to deal with the DE crapola to save the $4/week cost of the Fusion cartridge vs the DE blades at almost no money at all?

Yeah, I apologised once and I'm sorry again, but really? I get such a nice shave with what I have.Hilarious! My desire to check out wetshaving was not rooted in savings but nostalgia. I like gadgets, don't particularly toe the mainstream as a rule, etc.

Having said that, I get remarkably closer shaves with a DE than cartridges. Could be the soaps/prep, could be that as I enjoy the process of shaving now vs. hating it before that I take my time for better results. Who knows with all these variables? What I do know that even sitting here now (5p in central time zone) I barely have any stubble whereas normally I would just about have a beard!

[Defend Tacoma]

Welcome, Mike! Most people seem to be very happy with cartridge type razors. Most around here prefer DE's or straights. As with everything, YMMV. Try out your new DE, see if it's your thing. If it's not your bag you're out very little! Not sure about us being cheap, most here probably spend more on shaving supplies than your average cart user! :confused1

Can it get better than you already have? Absolutely.

[jholme9]

Hey, Mike!

I never had problems getting really close shaves with most of the cartridges I've tried (Mach3, Fusion, Quattro, Hydro). I've been shaving with a DE for a couple of weeks now (Merkur 38C w/ Treet Platinum blades) and can honestly say that my shave is not any closer with the DE than it was with the cartridges. However, there is MUCH less irritation using the DE than with the cartridges. I switched because of the high price tag on cartridges and am glad I did because of the huge reduction in irritation.

My $.02. Good luck!

[Go West Young Man]

I had big bumps in performance at about 1 month, 6 months and 1 year into DE shaving.
Each time I thought I had it all figured out, and then was surprised to find out how much better it really could be!

[BladeRunner001]

Been shaving for a month now with Art of Shaving kit (preshave, brush and lather, and after shave goop) with a Gillette Fusion cartridge.

I can't believe how much nicer a shave I get with this setup over my old $200 Norelco Arcitec electric.

I am a bit afraid of a Double Edge, but do have a handle and blades on order.

(1) Can it really get any better than what I have?

(2) I mean (and no offense to this) is it that much better with a DE or are you guys just so cheap that you're willing to deal with the DE crapola to save the $4/week cost of the Fusion cartridge vs the DE blades at almost no money at all?

Yeah, I apologised once and I'm sorry again, but really? I get such a nice shave with what I have.

Welcome to B&B :thumbup1:. As to your questions:

1) Yes...wait 'til you get your technique down with the DE and have been shaving for a few months. Come back in a few months time and pose your question once more...better yet: you answer it

2) Do you really think it's going to be cheaper?! I have yet to meet a member who got in and has saved money. I think a few have stayed true to the mission, but judging by the threads/posts, more of us have been bitten by the RAD bug than a few that remained immune...So, wait 'til RAD kicks in :tongue_sm (a little soap here, a little creme there...Oooohh, what about that new DE, etc, etc, etc...). We'll talk after you've had a chance to get your feet wet.

[AlanL]

I have been using an Atra for over 20 years. My shaves were pretty good.

Recently, more or less on a whim, I tried my old DE razor again, which had sat idle for lo those two decades. I was pleasantly amazed at how good the shave was, even that first time. Much better than my Atra. Part of that is due, I'm sure, to the care and attention I paid during that shave.

With enough prep and attention, I believe the DE shave really is better. But if you quickly go through the same morning routine while half asleep (I can probably shave in less than 2 minutes), the results are probably about the same as the cartridge.

As for cost, I already owned my DE razor, and used the same cream; so the only cost was buying DE blades instead of Atra refills: a no-brainer.

[Blaser0217]

For me, its as much the process as it is the results. Is my shave better with my DE than my cartridge set up? Yeah, I'd say so, but, then again, I didn't do four passes with my cartridge setup either. My shave definitely seems to have more "staying power."

Honestly, a large part of the enjoyment I get from my morning shave nowadays is knowing I'm shaving in a way that a lot of other people can't or just won't. I don't want to sound conceited, but I think there's something to be said for reclaiming a few moments of your day to hone the craft of shaving. I'm a bit of a nostalgia-ite (word?) in that I tend to appreciate the days when letters got there in plenty of time to conduct business and not require the immediate response of e-mails, men shaved with a brush and a blade, polished their shoes and opened doors for women.

I'll get off of my soapbox now. I guess one man's crapola is another man's treasure.

Welcome to B&B! Good luck and good shaving (no matter what you use)!

P.S. I'm also contemplating trying to bring back the hat. You know, like fedora type stuff.

[surfreak]

Hilarious! My desire to check out wetshaving was not rooted in savings but nostalgia. I like gadgets, don't particularly toe the mainstream as a rule, etc.

+1

That's why I started. Saving money and the possibility of closer shaves was enticing, but mostly I just thought it'd be fun to play with a ridiculously sharp straight edge around my throat.

[Easttexasman]

Not many cheap people here,I am sure there are a few but very few.
I had to shave with a fusion last Monday,over slept.Well,it does remove whiskers and I guess this is good enough for some but a DE removes them and leaves your face very smooth.
So to answer your question,absolutely there are alot more items that are better that what you have but the expense can and will get high.

Paul

[mhensley]

Like you, I started with just a brush and soap (ok, even simpler than you did).

I've been using a DE for about 5 months now. It took a while to get good at it (well, "good enough" anyway). After a few weeks, I got kind of frustrated (I didn't discover this site before I started, and had a LOT of things wrong), so I went back to my Mach III for a week. Even though I was still nicking myself ever few days (too fast), and/or getting razor burn (too much pressure and/or bad soap mix), by that time the DE shave was already so much better I didn't enjoy the Mach III at all.

My suggestion (for whatever a fellow newbie's suggestion is worth): try it for a month minumum, then try your old razor for a week, then try the DE again for a week. Then decide. You won't be perfect in a month, but if you aren't nicking yourself or getting razor burn every day, I believe you'll have enough experience to make the comparison.

And my favorite tips: (a) SLOW; (b) LIGHT PRESSURE; (c) read "a" and "b" again.

Enjoy! Even if you switch back, the experiment will be fun!

[Kcaps]

I have a better shave 24 hours after a shave with my DEs than I did an hour after shaving with my fusion. YMMV!

[jpb286]

Welcome to B&B, and yes, it can get better... much better.

[jsrdrnr]

Welcome to B&B. It is entirely possible to keep the cost down. I have not put much money into my set up. Almost all of my stuff was PIF'ed to me and then I had to buy some blades when my initial stock ran out. I bought some extra soap/cream that was under 10 bucks each b/c I wanted it. In total I have less than 50 bucks invested and a full shave den with 5 razors now. I was even able to PIF 2 large kits to newbies at the first of the year b/c I was sent so much stuff. Second...I get great shaves...better than with any other razor I have ever tried. I dont have to shave every day any longer unless I want to. I can now shave every other day. My husband who could not shave every day b/c of irritation now shaves daily with his DE and loves it. He gets closer shaves with is DE than he ever did with any other razor also. Prep and technique certainly helps and is one of the most important things in the whole process but the DE is the whip cream on top. I say give it a good trial and see for yourself, you cant go wrong.

[Uncle Erik]

Welcome to B&B and yes, it gets better!

I got acceptable shaves with cartridges, but my AS would always sting afterwards and I'd get irritation here and there.

Since switching to DE, I learned that I can get an even closer shave than I thought possible, I get another 6-7 hours of being cleanshaven, and even straight rubbing alcohol doesn't hurt when used as an AS.

There is a learning curve. You'll need to work through a sampler pack of blades to find what works for you. Then you'll settle in with a setup that works fine. Eventually, you'll get to a Shaving Nirvana where you'll be able to use just about any razor, blade or soap and get a great shave.

If you develop an AD, you'll spend a bit more money. I almost dodged it - my first year of DE was with just a Fatboy and Cade soap. It cost me about $20 for the first year. Then I got curious about other razors.... But I must admit to having a good time.

[Jfunk]

My personal feeling is that with a DE, your shave can be as good as you want it to be. When I used disposables, I did one WTG pass and that was good enough. Now I will do 1 to 4 passes depending on my mood and the time I am willing to spend (which is to say, I spend as much time as humanly possible shaving).

Cost seems to be secondary to most people here, but this too is a matter of how much you are willing to spend.

It sounds like you already have most of the equipment. It can't hurt to pick up a cheap DE and give it a shot. You will either love it or have a kick-butt carrot peeler.

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

Don't be affraid of the DE. Keep in mind Prep, Lather, no pressure and 30 degree angle and you will be fine. It does require skills, does it help everyone? No. Generally, it will improve the condition of your skin and will be better for you yes. Did I get into this because of money? No, it was mainly because of the ingredient list on a can of shaving gel. On thing lead to another and here I am.

You could continue with a fusion or Mach3, some do and it works. I never had any problems with those. However, I decided to follow the full path and went back to DE razors and then straight razors. I used to hate shaving and now I love it.

[Kcaps]

i used to hate shaving and now i love it.

+1

[Muscles]

+1

Another +1

I have tried umpteen cartridge shavers and 4 or 5 electrics and nothing (for me) compares to wet shaving with a DE.

[mdevine]

I shaved with various cartridges and electric razors for 30 years or so. I switched to a brush and quality cream and used that with a Gillette Fusion for over a year. A Mantic video piqued my intersest and I ordered a Parker DE razor on a whim. It was a significant upgrade in shave quality from the Fusion. I later found B&B and RAD kicked in. I have found several vintage Gillettes that have improved upon the experience even further. I find that my face is as smooth on my return home from the office as it used to be when I left in the morning. As several have said above, give the DE a fair chance. There is little to lose and you may be surprised at the results you get.

[ouch]

Been shaving for a month now with Art of Shaving kit (preshave, brush and lather, and after shave goop) with a Gillette Fusion cartridge.

I can't believe how much nicer a shave I get with this setup over my old $200 Norelco Arcitec electric.

I am a bit afraid of a Double Edge, but do have a handle and blades on order.

Can it really get any better than what I have?

I mean (and no offense to this) is it that much better with a DE or are you guys just so cheap that you're willing to deal with the DE crapola to save the $4/week cost of the Fusion cartridge vs the DE blades at almost no money at all?

Yeah, I apologised once and I'm sorry again, but really? I get such a nice shave with what I have.

Can it get better? Put it this way- no matter what you may think, you probably haven't had a decent shave yet. :lol:

And cheap? The average guy here probably has several grand invested in this hobby.

[GDCarrington]

Try it, you just might become obsessed with the enjoyment!

[DrColossus11]

Day 2 of DE shaving for me ( 2 days in a row) and I managed to get a BBS shave without ANY irritation. For the past 10-15 years I've been "shaving" with a beard and moustache trimmer because of all the irritation and ingrowns I got from cartridge shaving.

[Xezmer]

Cheap? We spend $20 a WEEK on a new razor/cream/brush/etc :lol:

[MRast01]

Can it get better: Absolutely!! Spent many years with a cart; been with my DE about 8 months. Had a relapse in a moment of haste last weekend; won't happen again. Its about the quality of the shave and the enjoyment of the experience.

Give it a go, and you might be hooked.

[maxman]

I'm joining the party late, but if you want my input then yeah, it can get a lot better than a cart, especially a fusion.

I used to get big time irritation on my neck from a fusion (or any cart for that matter). All that cleared up when I started with a DE. Yeah it's easier to nick yourself, but if you're careful, it's well worth it. :001_smile

[franstjohn]

Welcome Mike!

Glad to have you with us. I've never used a Fusion razor but I have used two and three bladed cartridge razors for a very long time. Like you, I thought I was getting a pretty good shave with a Mach 3 cartridge. Additionally, I used inexpensive gel in a can. When an "economy-sized" card of replacement cartridges hit $40, I decided to try DE shaving. At that point, I believe my two motives were cost and curiosity.

When I started DE shaving, I made a lot of mistakes but I persisted. I sought out advice and assistance on the internet (I didn't know anyone who was a DE shaver) and I found it on You Tube and on this forum. My shaving technique and knowledge improved quickly. I was getting great shaves. Not only that, the soap products I was introduced to were such an improvement over the sludge I used to shave with that I no longer smelled like a really strong deodorant after my shave.

However, determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, I returned to the Mach 3 with my new-found soaps. After one shave, I felt my face and thought I had gotten a great shave! By lunch time, I could feel my beard and by dinnertime I could see it. What makes this remarkable is that I don't have a heavy beard. I returned to DE shaving the next morning and I haven't looked back.

Give DE shaving a chance. If it doesn't improve your shave, go back to your Fusion. We'll be happy to continue to hear from you. We can still help you spend your money on soaps, creams, lotions, etc.:wink2:

Stay with it. It only gets better.

[chwilkins]

Um, Maybe!

It did for me my quarto worked but I got maybe 3 shaves with one cartridge got tired of dropping around 18 bucks a week on something that just did the job.

And electrics felt like the worst razor burn / bump / belt sander Just could not bear it and I had some " good ones ".

Now I'm still new to this but I'd say Two weeks in I had my first really good shave. the first few I had no nicks or real irritation but just not so good I had my angle get away from me and wow a decent burn for a couple days but nothing like how my face felt "adjusting" to an electric:yikes:

But since then I'd say it's still getting better as is my ability lathering ,angle, no pressure etc. I enjoy it kinda my time to just deal with me and the blade and that's all for awhile, kinda relaxing really.

[peacefrog33756]

Be patient and you'll soon find the joys of DE shaving.