DE/straight shavers?

[rickcharles606]

Bump!

I was doing some Christmas shopping today (Finished!) And at my last stop I was picking up a hat box at an antique store. It was just closing but the lady was nice and let me look at the razors she had.

I got a 1969 Gillette super speed in excellent condition for ten bucks.

I cleaned it and am going to use it tomorrow morning. I started with a Gillette (the crappy plastic handle ones that they sold more recently that I can't find anywhere these days) and can't wait to compare it to my current Merkur.

So excited!!!!!!!!

Remember blade angle and NO PRESSURE. My SuperSpeed will give me razor burn quicker than other more forgiving razors if I'm not careful, or get in a rush. Good luck and Great find ;-)

[Monkey]

Remember blade angle and NO PRESSURE. My SuperSpeed will give me razor burn quicker than other more forgiving razors if I'm not careful, or get in a rush. Good luck and Great find ;-)

Thanks. Glad I read that before shaving.

[Monkey]

The Gillette is preferred to the Merkur in this house.

[Ansel]

I alternate use between Dovo straight razor and the Dovo "Shavette" straight razor that uses safety razors snapped in half.. keeping up stropping on the straight razor is kinda a hassle, i prefer the disposable nature of the shavette safety razors, still get the straight razor shave without having to worry about maintenance. plus a pack of safety razors is $1.50 and lasts for months.

cool, i am thinking of buying one.

[rickcharles606]

cool, i am thinking of buying one.

DO IT...you'll never regret the decision.

[Ansel]

thanks Rick, i was shaved with them when away in Asia so i'd like to do it myself.

[rickcharles606]

thanks Rick, i was shaved with them when away in Asia so i'd like to do it myself.

go slow, make sure the skin is stretched tight and watch your blade angle. Especially around your chin and jawline :-)

I use a straight a few times a week, when I have time. Every other time I use a double edge safety razor...much easier than a straight, but you get the same great shave in my opinion. Make sure you get a good brush and soap/cream to use, and spend some time softening your beard before you shave. It makes the shave much more comfortable :-)

[squeezyjohn]

Hi Ansel,

I use a cut-throat razor most of the time and it's brilliant - but a really steep learning curve! They work great - but only if they're in the peak of sharpness and kept stropped well. I probably sharpen my regular Revisor razor on average every 6 weeks and strop before every shave.

I've never been sold a cut-throat razor (new or second hand) that was sharp enough to give a comfortable shave. I use a coticule stone from Belgium which are amazing natural stones that can take a razor from completely dull to so sharp that it splits a hair when it touches without any pressure.

Technique is another thing to get used to - as Rick said - you need to pull the skin tight and for me it only started to make sense once I started to use the left hand for the left side of my face ... I never got it right reaching around from the right hand side ... unless you're ambidextrous that takes some nerve the first time I can tell you!

[crullers]

DO IT...you'll never regret the decision.

Unless you try to manscape with it.

[Thunder_Snus]

Wow have never seen this thread on here somehow. I bought a dovo shavette this summer and have been using it with much satisfaction. Takes a little longer but the benefits certainly outweigh the extra time. First couple shaves were sloppy but now I am pretty careless with it and still dont cut myself. I honestly dont stretch my skin and it doesnt cause any problems other than the hair being a few mm longer than it could be. It doesn't create any problems other then i have to redo around my chin going against the grain. I would never buy another mach 15 or whatever again.

[rickcharles606]

Technique is another thing to get used to - as Rick said - you need to pull the skin tight and for me it only started to make sense once I started to use the left hand for the left side of my face ... I never got it right reaching around from the right hand side ... unless you're ambidextrous that takes some nerve the first time I can tell you!

Yeah, I look crazy when shaving with a straight, lol. One hand reaching over my head to stretch and the other shaving, lol. The shave is super close, especially when I do a third pass against the grain...mmmmm, baby butt smooth. The wife loves how smooth I can get a shave now, even if it takes longer.

[evansss]

I havent read the entire thread, but the topic peaked my interest because I made the switch to DE and SE razors about 8 months ago and couldnt be happy.

I have
1 gem micromatic SE
1 '54 gillette superspeed
1 merkur slant
1 henckels
1 whose name escapes me at the moment.

typically use proraso green or red. alum block and skin bracer finish.

It's all about the technique.

[BlackBart]

I switched to wet shaving several years back, now I am always on the lookout for old razors and shaving stuff while I peruse second hand shops and thrift stores.

[squeezyjohn]

I think Ill try Proraso at some point. Got some Taylors Sandalwood coming.
As for the alum block...I have no idea why every shaver doesnt use this. It makes a huge difference to the overall finish and feel never mind the antiseptic qualities.

My technique is improving dramatically with a straight. Im thoroughly enjoying the learning process. My second shave was a disaster but I found out that my blade wasnt as home as it should have been. Third shave was just great.

Next month Ill get a Dovo.

You've got to try Proraso ... it's miracle stuff after a shave ... and makes you feel fresher than a bungee jump in a frozen waterfall.

However - going from a coolcut/shavette with disposable blades to a proper straight will open a whole new can of worms - in that you need to be able to keep an excellent edge on the blade otherwise you will get a much more uncomfortable shave. A well sharpened blade should cut a hair in half without any pressure being put on it!

Don't get a Dovo! They always come supplied as blunt as anything and they can be tricky to get in to shape. I would recommend a Revisor in the same kind of price range ... I've got two of them and both came immaculately honed and are much nicer to shave with. You can get them direct from the revisor site http://www.revisor-solingen.de/index...razors/revisor

[squeezyjohn]

Also if you want a great shaving soap - I've got a spare kilogram block of P.160 duro (ridiculously discontinued) which is one of the best foaming and kindest to your skin ... if you can cope with the faint smell of marzipan it has! It was a favourite of Italian barbers for years.

Do you want me to send you it? It lasts forever.