[bevansmw]

I just got back last night from my trip to the Czech Republic from the 10th to the 30th during which time I used my merkur slant the entire time as I didn't want to take any straights or a strop with me. I found I was able to consistently get BBS shaves no problem with 2 passes and limited using any blade to just 3 shaves as usually the 4th would come out a little bad. I used mainly feather blades with an astra keramik one now and then but have come to really like the feathers and can get away without any nicks using them now.

I didn't shave for the last like 4 days and just shaved today with my DD Wonderedge a little while ago, didn't get a really great shave but still quite close and no nicks. Think I need to use straights again for a while to get the hang of it again, but I was never really able to get consistently great shaves like I did with the DE while away. I've had some trouble getting really close on some spots on my neck as well with a straight that the DE makes quick work of. I did chop through quite a bit of growth today though in 2 passes so I'm sure that has part to do with it as well. I do tend to get some ingrown hairs from the DE though that was primarily why I didn't shave for the last 4 days I wanted everything to heal so I could get a good shave without any red spots ... thats really where I'm trying to get to. I get some now and then with a straight also though.

I think the DE seems a bit easier to use than a straight, being smaller its easier to get some of the more difficult areas on the chin and neck. I'll just use straights for a while now though so I can get the hang of it again and hopefully get better. Just thought I'd share

[nickyspaghetti]

I keep lapsing back into using a DE and I always regret it.
It is faster and smoother, but I always pay for it with ingrown hairs.

[JimmyH-AD]

I get better shaves with a straight. Not necessarily closer but no irritation, nicks or weepers. The closeness is usually on par with the DE (Merkur long slant 39C with Feather) if the blade is sharp enough. I am glad that I learned to wet shave properly with a DE first. I do the gradual stubble removal technique in two passes rather then applying pressure trying to get it all in one pass. Actually I usually get an acceptably close shave in one pass but I like rinsing and lathering for that second pass so much that I always do.

[littlesilverbladefromwale]

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

I get better shaves with a straight. Not necessarily closer but no irritation, nicks or weepers. The closeness is usually on par with the DE (Merkur long slant 39C with Feather) if the blade is sharp enough. I am glad that I learned to wet shave properly with a DE first. I do the gradual stubble removal technique in two passes rather then applying pressure trying to get it all in one pass. Actually I usually get an acceptably close shave in one pass but I like rinsing and lathering for that second pass so much that I always do.

Ditto.............

[mziter]

I have only shaved twice with a straight razor but both times my neck has had very little irritation. I have been shaving with a DE for several months and not once have I had as little irritation on my neck as with my first couple times with the straight. Basically, so far in my insanely brief time period as a straight shaver I prefer the comfort of the straight to that of the DE (so far).

[bevansmw]

I've changed back to using straights since I'm back in Hawaii now. I've found I get a lot less irritation from the straight as well, I get some ingrown hairs on the neck after a few shaves with the DE but the straight doesn't cause that, I'm also getting better at getting more consistent close shaves with the straight now. I decided today I'd only use the DE for a single WTG pass on days, like today, that I don't have time to do two passes with a straight to avoid the ingrown hairs I get if I do two passes mainly just on the neck.

[riooso]

I like the DE shave but there is nothing like my straights. I am so hooked. I get such good not irritating shaves with the straights that it is no contest.

Take Care,
Richard

[TstebinsB]

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

I get better shaves with a straight. Not necessarily closer but no irritation, nicks or weepers. The closeness is usually on par with the DE (Merkur long slant 39C with Feather) if the blade is sharp enough. I am glad that I learned to wet shave properly with a DE first. I do the gradual stubble removal technique in two passes rather then applying pressure trying to get it all in one pass. Actually I usually get an acceptably close shave in one pass but I like rinsing and lathering for that second pass so much that I always do.

+1

Being BBS is great but it's not so great when you have irritation in the form of razor bumps. My straight razor shaves aren't always perfect but I don't get any irritation and that's enough to keep me faithful to them.