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Who’s into DE wetshaving?

Marcos

I love you Rocky & Sammie and Bee...thank you
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1,762
I first met my wife in 2010. For our first Christmas together she bought me a wetshaving kit from an Art of Shaving store as a gift. I always enjoyed a good shave and it always reminded me of time spent as a kid with my grandpa...but for my entire life I was a slave to expensive multiblade carts from the Sensor through the Fusion as well as the typical gel from a can. I had a lot of skin issues growing up and the shave was something that always seemed like either the cause or exacerbated some other problems. Ingrowns, acne, razor bumps and burn. I started using the brush and cream along with my Fusion razor and started really seeing an improvement in my shaves and overall skin condition. Once bitten by the bug and perusing the shaving forums I made the jump from cart to DE. I started with the same razor that is recommended to a lot of new guys the Edwin Jagger DE89. Absolutely hated it. Multiple passes were not getting me anywhere near the end result I was used to. After a few months I went back to carts but kept using the brush and cream. Some more reading led me to try again but with a much more agressive razor with better blade exposure, larger blade gap, and overall better head geometry. The A-ha moments started piling up. I slowly moved from creams to artisan soaps and invested in better brushes. I’m now almost a decade into what has become one of the greatest joys and forms of therapy I’ve ever had. I’m getting the best shaves of my life, ingrowns have been banished, and I’ve come to look forward to and enjoy the ritual and sense of satisfaction of the shave each and every time. I’ve settled on a nice rotation of brushes including some customs made for me as well as 3 DE razors of different configuration to give me some variety depending what I need that day.

So how many of you are into wetshaving as it’s called? DE, SE, Injectors, straights? If anyone has any input leave it here I’d love to hear it. Also if you have any questions on how to get started please let me know it’s something I’d love to help pass on to some other gents. I couldn’t be more grateful for that gift my wife gave me it opened up the love of what has become an amazing hobby. Have a great day everyone!
 
Never could commit to the straight. As much as I wanted to it takes time I just didn’t have the time to learn and practice consistently. The shaves were taking too long and the results were not where I wanted them to be. I know it’s a skill that has to be honed with practice and it ticks me off a little but I couldn’t embrace the undertaking full time. I think frequently about jumping back in again.
 
Never could commit to the straight. As much as I wanted to it takes time I just didn’t have the time to learn and practice consistently. The shaves were taking too long and the results were not where I wanted them to be. I know it’s a skill that has to be honed with practice and it ticks me off a little but I couldn’t embrace the undertaking full time. I think frequently about jumping back in again.

When they are properly sharp, there is no work, just let the blade glide.

Now getting a perfect baby bottom smooth shaved without burn or nicks? I think you need a barber for that.
 
I use a safety razor, or what I guess you refer to as a DE? Main reason is so I can reduce one more single use plastic from my regimen.
 
BTW - search is your friend!

@Devil Doc - thanks for the gift ...it's still put to good use!
Boy, that seems like a long time ago.
I stopped using a DE. Had too. The medicine I take makes bleeding a real pain. I don't know how anyone can get a clean, close shave with an electric and I bought a good one, as well.

Doc
 
Boy, that seems like a long time ago.
I stopped using a DE. Had too. The medicine I take makes bleeding a real pain. I don't know how anyone can get a clean, close shave with an electric and I bought a good one, as well.

Doc

Kinda sux when the styptic isn't enough and you have to bust out the quick clot.
 
Knock on wood I’ve been fortunate to not induce too much bloodletting. I may have had more nicks and cuts with the carts than I’ve had with the double edge. Crazy though how a good lather can make any razor perform. Hopefully I never have to give up shaving with my razors but I will never be without a brush and a great soap. Good prep is the key to a good shave I believe.
 
I used to DE. Badger brush & shaving soap too, whole nine yards. Loved it, but I went back to a full beard a couple years back & it just seems like a lot of trouble to go to for just my lower neck & upper cheeks, so . . . . I don't.

Still have my '59 Gillette Fatboy on the shelf though. :cool:

~Boar
 
I used to DE. Badger brush & shaving soap too, whole nine yards. Loved it, but I went back to a full beard a couple years back & it just seems like a lot of trouble to go to for just my lower neck & upper cheeks, so . . . . I don't.

Still have my '59 Gillette Fatboy on the shelf though. :cool:

~Boar
Probably one of the best razors ever made.

Doc
 
I use a DE , have several, but my daily (or now weekly now that I work from home) is a No Code 1940s Gillette Superspeed that was my grandfathers. Rarely get a cut or burn from it. I have gone away from the ritualistic brush and all, usually just slap on some Cremo or art of shaving Lemon scent and fire away. Feather Blades are my blades and I buy them in Bulk off amazon.
 
I use a DE , have several, but my daily (or now weekly now that I work from home) is a No Code 1940s Gillette Superspeed that was my grandfathers. Rarely get a cut or burn from it. I have gone away from the ritualistic brush and all, usually just slap on some Cremo or art of shaving Lemon scent and fire away. Feather Blades are my blades and I buy them in Bulk off amazon.

Feather blades last forever too
 
I'm bummed to see Doc & Boar no longer shaving. I'm still at it--I've replaced my T&H Georgian with a Maggard Black MR18 handle & V3A aggressive head. Paired with a Feather, it gives an excellent shave.

Cream rotation remains T&H Grafton, EJ Sandalwood, TOBS Avocado & Jermyn Street, and Penhaligon's Endymion (grabbed a couple tubes as they discontinued it). I'm also working through Barrister & Mann and Chiseled Face samplers from Maggard, but I've been really disappointed in how poorly they lather. I think I'll be sticking to my British favorites once they're gone.
 
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of using a DE but never get like I’d have the time to commit to it. Obviously the prep time takes longer than with a cartridge but how long is the whole process really?
 
I always face lathered, which saves time (and gives a better result, I thought). It takes a little longer than a modern razor, because you're making multiple passes (with, across, against) to get a smooth, flawless shave. But start to finish even the most thorough, luxuriant, all the bells & whistles DE shave is still only going to take you 15 minutes, tops. Mine were usually more like 5.

Obviously an electric is MUCH faster but I never felt like saving a few minutes on my morning routine was all that big a deal.

~Boar
 
I always face lathered, which saves time (and gives a better result, I thought). It takes a little longer than a modern razor, because you're making multiple passes (with, across, against) to get a smooth, flawless shave. But start to finish even the most thorough, luxuriant, all the bells & whistles DE shave is still only going to take you 15 minutes, tops. Mine were usually more like 5.

Obviously an electric is MUCH faster but I never felt like saving a few minutes on my morning routine was all that big a deal.

~Boar

Yikes! 15 minutes is my whole morning routine!
 
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