How often you shave with your DE since switching to str8s?

[Amyn]

Assuming you have graduated from DEs to str8 razors, and you are now proficient enough to get a good shave from your str8.
How often you use your DE during the week?

[joel]

Assuming you have graduated from DEs to str8 razors, and you are now proficient enough to get a good shave from your str8.
How often you use your DE during the week?

I think I have used a DE about 2X in the last 12 or so months. I can get a a superlative shave in the same amount of time, and it is a HECK of a lot more fun.

[dokpm0]

I cleaned up with a DE after my first couple of straight shaves. Since then I haven't used a DE at all.

[Amyn]

I guess the post came in before the poll. Make sure you vote..

[BrianP]

What's a DE?

It's been over 6 months for me and it's a no brainer. For me it's a better, more enjoyable shave that doesn't take any longer.

If I'm in a hurry, I might use a cream instead of a soap and/or do few passes.

[jnich67]

I used to use a DE when I was in a hurry, but now I can be just a fast with a str8. Plus, my technique with the DE has gone down the tubes completely. Last time I used one, the shave was just terrible.

Jordan

[Taz]

I can not remember the last time I shaved with a DE. If I am flying out the door if anything I will pull out a Single edge, Schick or Gem. Joel said it, shaving a straight is so much fun. My face has never felt better. Then there is the collecting side WOW, it is endless. Then there is customs, it is real cool when you design something and then a true craftsman(Artist) brings it to life. Honing your own edge. I think you all get my point.

[moses]

Interesting question for me, actually.

I first took up a straight eight months ago, or so. Used it very very intermittently since then.

But just the other day I decided that if I am going to learn to shave well with a straight, I need to really just use it exclusively for an extended period. So I have made a commitment to use it exclusively for the next month. (Well, with an emergency loophole - I'm not holding myself to that on a day where I have to be clean shaven and in a big hurry, or if, by miracle, I have a hot date or something).

Oh, and "it" as used above is a loose term, meaning them. Although, I wonder if Gordon's doctrine of fidelity applies equally to straights - that greater progress would be achieved by using one exclusively for a period.

-Mo

[letterk]

I've very fond of straights, and when learning used them 2-3 times a week. I'll probably eventually end up using them 90% or more. However, for right now, I need to balance the need for a good shave with 2 kids under the age of 3 running around my bathroom in the morning. Just for safety sake, I only take out the straights on Saturdays when I know the kids are being watched closely downstairs.

[mparker762]

Oh, and "it" as used above is a loose term, meaning them. Although, I wonder if Gordon's doctrine of fidelity applies equally to straights - that greater progress would be achieved by using one exclusively for a period.

It definitely does for honing. Less so for shaving, I think, as long as you stay with similar sizes.

[Magruder]

In the last few days I've gotten past Stage 1 with the straight, where I was learning the basics of how to use it. I made two passes as best as I could, but left a lot of stubble in some areas. After giving it my best shot, I pulled out the DE so that I'd be presentable, and not be feeling the whiskers all day and wishing I'd done a better job.

I'm now in Stage 2, able to get a passable shave with the straight. BBS on some parts of my face, and good enough on the rest. I focus on different areas each day, and generally I do a little bit better each time. Haven't picked up the DE for several days, and I really enjoy using the straight. (Well, straights. I do have more than one, but that's a different issue.)

There's nothing wrong with a DE, and even though I'm focusing on mastering the new tools, I can imagine shaving with the DE's (how many? Twenty? Twenty-five of them?) just for variety. The point is to enjoy the shave, and that means using whichever blade I feel like using.

[Suzuki]

For me, the straight is something I use when I have time - I try to use it at least a couple of times during the week and on wekends.

I agree with the posts above about using a straight almost every day when you're first getting started - that's the only way to really get all the skills down in a resonable period of time.

I'm still not as fast with the straight as the DE, but I do enjoy the straights more and, when I get it all together, the straights give me a better shave.

[Thebigspendur]

I only use DE's when I'm in a hurry. Using a straight is a pleasurable experience and if I'm really pressed for time I can't see degrading that experience for times sake. yea I can forgo the hot towel and do a few less strokes on the strop and a few less passes on the face but I can still do it faster with a DE and still get a great shave. I probably use a DE no more then 20x a year.

[FloppyShoes]

Call me backwards, but I use both. First 1-2 passes with a DE, then the last pass and touch ups with a straight. I can get damn near BBS going only WTG and a little XTG this way. It's also faster than doing all 3 passes with a straight, and requires less frequent honing. I find the DE to be gentle and such, but for that extra closeness, nothing beats a straight.

[galopede]

don't shave with the DE much at all since I invested in a Feather Artist Club. (Still trying to get the hang of honing!)

Saying that, there's an awkward bit of stubble next to the Adam's Apple which sometimes needs the DE when one more attempt at it would remove too much skin!

Now for that, I picked up what appears to be a brand new Rolls razor on eBay the other day and that's almost a chunk of straight!

Gareth

[DwarvenChef]

I went from not shaving much with a M3 to shaving all the time with a straight. Untill last month I didn't even own a DE, thanks to Ebite I have one (but not for long) and will be selling it as soon as I get around to posting them. DE's make me nervous... go figure...

[fc2462]

I just got a couple straights to try and found that I got BBS fairly easily (I ordered pre honed by Lynn). I did notice that I missed a couple spots and found it difficult to switch hands. I must say that Lynn's $20 video is the best money I've spent yet on shaving stuff. It really helped me get started the right way.

[moses]

DE's make me nervous...

That seriously cracks me up.

Glad the straights are suiting you so well, though.

-Mo

[Zennmaster]

Due to travel constraints I have from my job, I will never be able to go the 100% straight route (unless I change careers ), so I am working on a peaceful co-existence among the straight (nice leisurely experience, what I will probably use the most at home), the DE (when I'm somewhere long enough to scout out some blades), and the Mach 3 that I feel I am forced to keep as a backup (though it only really gets used about 4 times per year).

For me, wet shaving is about not being in a hurry, so I don't really mind if it takes me a while to get really good at the straight!

-Michael

[1Adam12]

I have been shaving with a straight razor now for just over 3 years. I am a bit anal about getting BBS. There are a few angles/strokes with the straight razor I just do not feel comfortable/safe with. So due to the direction of my hair growth I always use a DE to clean up these trouble areas, but that is the only thing I use a DE for. Other than that small infraction I use nothing but a straight razor ever, and I always will.