Somebody "in the know" against DE's and Straights!

[Ski-Patroller]

I'm 70, and have been using soap and a brush most of the time since I started shaving. Initially I couldn't get the hang of DE razors and used injectors and then the various cartridges and disposables. I came to DE razors through B&B when I was trying to find some soap (The local stores quit carrying Williams). The Merkur's angles seem closer to the old injectors and I had no problem with a Futur from the get-go.

Interestingly enough, my father always used an electric, even during WWII. I have disliked everyone I ever tried, although I keep a Norelco around for a quick tune up. (maybe twice a year) I find that all the electrics irritate my face, while a DE blade never does.

 

[MRoney]

I have noticed that as well, the first few shaves with a cart can be comfortable, but then the blades get dull and nicked, and it just starts pulling and gets uncomfortable, like a DE would after too many uses. But where it is only a quarter or two to replace the DE blades, the cart blades are considerably more expensive. I don't know anyone who only uses a cartridge for a week, then replaces the blades, I would hate to think how expensive that would be. Well, I could do the math quick, roughly $15/month, $180/year

My wife and I used fusion blades for the last 7 years, I used one cart a week as a head shaver and a daily face shaver. By friday my face was rough and ready for the weekend to breath! Cost wise? I had to choose razors over gas once! My wife didnt switch to DE with me, but she gets about 1 and a half wks from one cart.

 

[Bob L.]

My dad taught me how to use a DE properly. That said, he loved to be the first buyer of anything new. He switched to an electric razor while I was in high school. Said he needed hot water to shave and that his four kids emptied the water heater long before he got a chance at it. It was also much quicker and he loved his sleep.

I too like the Mach 3. If I am in a flat out rush that's what I use. And, I'll use it in the shower with shampoo to slick my face. Fortunately, that only happens once or twice a year. Three to five minutes and that's all she wrote.

DE / straight razor shaving with creams/soaps and a brush are rituals. I like the ritual. I like the end result. I like not having bumps, rashes, and irritation. All this comes at a cost. The major cost for me is time and I am happy to accept that cost.

MHO...YMMV

 

[Tierdaen]

I think bashing cartridges is infantile. How immature does one need to be to attack a shaving implement?

I was visiting my partner's father and brother a few weeks ago and the topic of shaving came up briefly. I mentioned I used old straight razors most of the time. They simply said that they probably took some practice and skill. I mentioned it in another conversation months ago with some younger adults at work. I didn't get any of the cartoonish foolishness I hear about online, and they didn't write me off as crazy. I was not converting them, but they didn't seem to have to do any mental gymnastics to understand me either.

It's just shaving.