So, I'm going to give DE shaving a try. *Update*

[Quiksilver]

I just bought a Merkur DE, Razor Blade Sampler, and a Shaving Kit (brush, pre-shave oil, lather, after-shave, and a travel case [useless to me]).

I only shave once a week or so; sames my job doesn't require me to be looking professional or anything. This of course lead to a problem with standard dual and tri blade razors; they tended to clog quickly and no amount of rinsing would get the stubborn hair out of the blades (happened more with tri-blades) or they would just become blunt really fast. Besides that blades are becoming really really expensive.

Edit:

For the Curious on what I bought.

Sampler Pack:
http://westcoastshaving.com/in...&cPath=2&products_id=3

Razor:
http://westcoastshaving.com/in...cPath=8&products_id=50

Shave Kit (for whatever reason the link doesn't want to work):
http://westcoastshaving.com/in...Path=22&products_id=91


Updated
God damn, I finally got my shaving supplies today (fuck USPS for taking 3 weeks). Seems I have encountered a small hiccup in my sampler pack; I'm missing some Dorco blades and Red Pack Israelis(dropped WCS a email about it already). I will be shaving tonight and see how well this works though.

I hope this works quite well cause I haven't shaved in about a month; my beard is now about 3/4 inch long.

Update
Just got done with my first shave. Decided to go with the a Merkur blade to shave with (it came with the razor). I gotta say it was an interesting experience. It did give me a nice shave and I didn't have any razor burn like I usually do when I used tri-blade razor. I was quite surprised I honestly thought it was going to hurt like hell considering my beard was about 3/4 inch long. With that much hair it was getting clogged quite often so being able to rinse the clogged hair out was breeze compared to not being able to on a normal razor. I however did nick myself twice; didn't even feel it and didn't notice until I started rinsing my face off when I was done. Two little nicks on my chin

I'll do my next shave in two or three days when the hair is a little longer.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i dont know what DE means

 

[glenn beck]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
i dont know what DE means

 

[Quiksilver]

Double Edged.

 

[Chryso]

double edged

 

[EvilYoda]

Doing easy.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Desert Eagle. Personally I find shaving with a desert eagle to be a tad imprecise. Also, I no longer have a nose.

 

[tranceport]

Caution: if you use this razor like a disposable and press hard, you'll need stitches. DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON YOUR FACE. Treat it like a precision tool and not like a toothbrush.

:Q

 

[NoCreativity]

I have been thinking about doing the same. The Mach 3 blades do not seem to last nearly as long as they used to and are getting very pricey. Already have converted to a shaving brush and quality shaving cream. I would also like to get a nice bruch as I am using the cheapy from the drug store.

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: tranceport

Caution: if you use this razor like a disposable and press hard, you'll need stitches. DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON YOUR FACE. Treat it like a precision tool and not like a toothbrush.

:Q

It's an exaggeration. I've been using a Merkur classic DE for a couple years now and although it took a little while to get used to I cant stand shaving with anything else now.

Yeah, if you use the razor like you would a mach 3 you're going to have a shit ton of nicks all down your face. BUT once you start using the thing the way you should (with the grain first, then against if you must get that close) it's a quick, close, comfortable shave. Really though, just you really only have to let the weight of the handle pull down your face. It's not really necessary to press into the skin at all.

 

[theflyingpig]

There are entire forums dedicated to the art of shaving. Did you know that. There's a forum for everything on the internet.

 

[Tiamat]

Just make sure you install the blades correctly. If the bolt is not secured tightly, the blade will mechanically vibrate leading to massive blood loss :laugh:

For DE it is all about technique, holding the handle comfortably and at the right angle to the face.

Take a nice hot shower prior to shaving, and go slowly until you figure out the correct technique for YOUR face.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: theflyingpig
There are entire forums dedicated to the art of shaving. Did you know that. There's a forum for everything on the internet.

There is a store at my local mall called The Art of Shaving I think. They sell all of these things plus more expensive stuff as well.

 

[Excelsior]

I really want to try one of these.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Hmm, as nice as sampler packs are, I feel that you're going to start off with one brand not yet knowing how to shaving, and are going to end up hating that blade.

Personally, I'd just throw out the personna. Maybe start learning with the crystal; they're decent, but definitely not the best (so no loss in disliking them). I've settled on Derby Extra and Dorco Platinum, however, the dorco is almost half with price at about $0.09/each for 100 blades (eBay).

 

[joesmoke]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Desert Eagle. Personally I find shaving with a desert eagle to be a tad imprecise. Also, I no longer have a nose.

:laugh:

OP - i find my "triple blade" razors last a lot longer if i go over everything with a beard trimmer with no guard before actually shaving. Cuts down on wear and clogging. Never tried DE.

 

[silverpig]

I've been curious about a DE razor, but I skipped it and went right to the straight razor

 

[torpid]

For a minute I was worried about you because I thought it was a slant bar razor. Those are actually more tricky to use than a standard DE because the blade actually gets twisted in order to have a slightly different cutting motion. I used to use the slant bar exclusively but the merkur one is annoying to load because for whatever reason the blade tends to be misaligned when installed if you don't pay careful attention.

 

[KeithTalent]

Wow, there is no way I could ever do this. I cut myself on my electric razor for pete's sake.

KT

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Wow, there is no way I could ever do this. I cut myself on my electric razor for pete's sake.

KT

Well, it kind of works counter to what you would expect. At first you may cut yourself more with a DE because it takes acclimation to use the proper angle and not press while shaving. But once you do, you have a lot better control and may be less likely to cut yourself or get razor burn than you would with a mach 3 or electric. YMMV.

 

[drinkmorejava]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
Wow, there is no way I could ever do this. I cut myself on my electric razor for pete's sake.

KT

Well, it kind of works counter to what you would expect. At first you may cut yourself more with a DE because it takes acclimation to use the proper angle and not press while shaving. But once you do, you have a lot better control and may be less likely to cut yourself or get razor burn than you would with a mach 3 or electric. YMMV.

Definitely, I originally switched to DE because mach 3, etc were tearing up my face and only lasted one or two shaves.

 

[waggy]

i got that sampler pack on blades. it was great.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: theflyingpig
There are entire forums dedicated to the art of shaving. Did you know that. There's a forum for everything on the internet.

Maybe we need a new subforum?


OP, my razor also clogs if I haven't shaved for a few days. Try using soap first, and leave your face all lathered. No clogs when I do that.

 

[eplebnista]

The clogging of disposable razors with two or more blades is why I use Bic Metal razors. When it does get clumps they rinse right out.

 

[frankgomez75]

I used to use a disposable for a good 3 days before it would tear my face up. I have very thick and coarse facial hair and had to shave daily. Using disposables was too expensive.

I've gone double edge shaving some 2 years ago.
Never gonna pay those ridiculous disposable razor blade prices ever again.
I bought a 100 pack of Feather "High Stainless Platinum" Double-Edge Blades for $25 about 2 years ago.
Still using them.

I highly recommend watching this video:
I used to use a disposable for a good 3 days before it would tear my face up. I have very thick and coarse facial hair and had to shave daily. Using disposables was too expensive. I've gone double edge shaving some 2 years ago. Never gonna pay those ridiculous disposable razor blade prices ever again. I bought a 100 pack of Feather "High Stainless Platinum" Double-Edge Blades for $25 about 2 years ago. Still using them.

I highly recommend watching this video: Wetshaving

And definitely do not press against your face. My blades are extremely sharp....

Couple tips:

• Hot shower... make sure your face gets a lot of hot water to soften up the whiskers
• I usually have a small dry towel rag hanging to dry my face after I've splashed my face with hot water for a minute or so.
• I dab some pre-shaving oil on my face and neck
• I than apply Nivea Sensitive Skin shaving gel
• I let the weight and use very light pressure to shave with the grain FIRST
• I use short strokes and switch between both sides of the blade.
• Reapply shaving gel
• After I've gone over my face I go against the grain in very short strokes --- never long strokes against the grain..
• The biggest no-no are long strokes with pressure against the grain, you'll definitely shear your face off. :shocked:
• After I've got that smooth shave, I turn off the shower but keep the water running... I switch to very cold water
• I splash my face for a minute with very cold water to seal my pores and if I do have any nicks, the cold water will help to constrict your pores and cuts.
• When I get out, dab my face dry and proceed to apply Nivea Sensitive Skin After-shave Balm
• Look in the mirror and make sure I'm good to go.

Check out this place for razor blade reviews:
Razor Blade Reviews