Is DE truly better than modern Cartridge?

dawgvet · Post by **dawgvet** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:25 pm

Does DE shaving truly give you (personally) a better shave compared to the modern cartridges (Mach3, Quattro, etc.) or do you like DE shaving for other reasons? Just curious as I was attracted to DE shaving by wanting to learn to use my Granddad's old razor, liked the idea of a little pampering process, trying to find "the combo" for my face, and the challenge of acquiring a new skill. I have yet to duplicate the quality of the shave I was getting with a Mach 3 and gel in the can. Just curious!
Thanks

gone down south · Post by **gone down south** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:36 pm

I get more benefit from good technique and prep. DE's won out over cartridges for cost and coolness factors, in my particular case the shaves are about the same.

desertbadger · Post by **desertbadger** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 12:46 pm

When you fiqure in overall cost of blades, closeness and comfort of shaves, the different creams and soaps available, and the pure enjoyment of shaving, the DE wins hands down.

PACHUCO · Post by **PACHUCO** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:00 pm

I find I do receive a great shave with a DE, much better than any cartridge razor I've used. The coolness factor is just an added bonus.

Serg

ateace · Post by **ateace** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:08 pm

I liked the low cost factor as well as the cool retro factor to DE shaving. Getting off the cartridge treadmill also means that I have the freedom to try the many different razors and blades out there.

Now that I have my technique down, I'm getting better shaves w/ DE than I did with a Sensor.

razorburned · Post by **razorburned** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:11 pm

DEs won hands down for me too. The biggest reason is that I don't get razorburn or ingrown hairs with a DE, but every cartridge on the market tears my face up.

Add to the above the cheapness of blades, amazing scents of the creams and soaps, the variety, the pampering, the enjoyment, the coolness of the old way, the vintage tools.....the goes on and on.

ThePossum · Post by **ThePossum** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:27 pm

I've been traditional wetshaving again for about 15 months. I gave the Fusion a run about a month ago and found that using the same prep, same cream, same A/S that I do with my DE or SE that I got a very nice shave. Only had to do two passes not 4.

While the save was very good it was not fun. I get such a kick out of using a DE razor which is what I learned to shave with. Especially the older 3 piece models like the Gillette Tech and Gillette NEWs.

I get an even better high from using on of the GEM or ER SE razor that I own. Especially the lather catcher style razors.

When I figure the cost of DE/SE versus the cartridge I guess the former are less but the initial start up costs are quite a bit more if bitten by an AD.

Over all though I think a guy has to use what works the best for him. And I mean the quality of the shave as well as the enjoyment of the shave.

Nothing at all wrong with you using the cartridge and the canned goo if you like it and it gets the job done to your satisfaction.

baldchin · Post by **baldchin** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:33 pm

I think I get a great shave with a Double Edged "Safety" razor.
A pretty good shave with a Bic and I used to like a number of Twin-blades as well.

For me it's not about pampering or tradition or even about getting an exceptional shave.

Mostly I'm just stubborn - I started shaving with my Dad's safety razor when I was 15 or 16 now I'm in my forties and I'm still shaving with a safety razor. Damned if'n I can see any reason to change.
I'm also contrary - and cynical - Gillette can tell me as often as they like that their latest shaving system is the greatest thing since Sex and or Salmon fishing and even a pretty good shave but:
1. I don't believe them.
2. I don't care.
3. If modern razors are so good why do they need to vibrate?
4. I'm cheap.

I dislike tatty things too and modern cartridge razors are plastic pieces of junk.

However, what Bryce said is perfectly true.

marsos52 · Post by **marsos52** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:36 pm

hi dawgvet, and if i having welcomed you to smf, let it be known. welcome to smf

there are many reasons why people choose de shaving over cartridge shaving. in no certain order many come to this side of the street because of cost, the coolness factor, the side effects that cartridge razor
may have on some people, and on and on and on

even though de shaing products are hard to find in the neighborhood drug store and supermarket (and what you may find is below quality) there are more products to choose from than cartridge products.

once you are settled in with a razor and blades and soap and a brush
you are good to go for years with out replacing anything. and blades are cheap compared to any cartridge blade

of course (like many or most of us here) you may want to get a collection of gears and products just because .........

when all the smoke has cleared, you can get a great shaving either way you choose. there is hardley any learning factor to shave with a multiblade and there is with a de. many that shave with multiblades do it as a chore and with a de it a pleasure and 15 minutes of your day thats totally yours.

more the most part there is no personal connection using a multiblade razor and goo in a can. but with a de.... you become one with your razor.
its your buddy for years, maybe more. imagine every day i shave with your fathers razor or maybe your grandfathers razor. and your son may get your razor someday. everyday you get to face your gear and choose what scent you want to experience today. what brush to use. what blade and razor.

what a way to start the day. then just when you think its all over, you get to sit down and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee

its special i tell ya

marc

StGeorge · Post by **StGeorge** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:40 pm

PACHUCO wrote:I find I do receive a great shave with a DE, much better than any cartridge razor I've used. The coolness factor is just an added bonus.

Serg

+1 absolutely miles better for me.

Squire · Post by **Squire** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:03 pm

Better shave and all the stuff marc said.

ChemErik · Post by **ChemErik** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:08 pm

DE is only gives a marginally better shave, but it's far more enjoyable. Biggest difference in my shave comes from using a brush and real shave soap or cream. I still have a few Mach 3's for travel and they still give a decent shave when I need to use one.

GA Russell · Post by **GA Russell** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:56 pm

More than half of the DE blades I have tried have given me an obviously better shave than the multi-blade cartridge razor I was using prior to making the switch, the Schick Xtreme3.

Without going into the many details, I'll just say that I know for sure that I would not be interested in a forum where everybody talked about multi-blade cartridges and canned goo the way we talk about razors, blades, brushes and soaps!

paperpundit · Post by **paperpundit** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:07 pm

dawgvet,

I am going to disagree with many here on the board -- I get a much closer shave with a multiblade razor than I do with a DE...but that is the problem. For me, a shave CAN be too close, causing irritation and ingrowns.

With a DE, I can get a nearly smooth shave that lasts quite a while without a drop of irritation afterward -- no red skin, no blotches, no ingrowns, just smooth, blemish-free skin.

gil3591 · Post by **gil3591** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:17 pm

all i can add is this: with a gillette mach3 i shaved 2 times a week. now i shave everyday and look forward to it.

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:07 pm

dawgvet wrote:Does DE shaving truly give you (personally) a better shave compared to the modern cartridges (Mach3, Quattro, etc.) or do you like DE shaving for other reasons?

Yes, DE shaving gives me a better shave than with cartridges (single or multiple blade). I got into using a DE just so I could get a good shave without razor burn and irritation on my neck. Subsequently, I started to really enjoy shaving - the nice soaps and creams, face lathering with a brush and getting great shaves of course! It's become a really nice morning ritual for me...

jww · Post by **jww** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:16 pm

+1 to what everyone else said already.

Gone Troppo · Post by **Gone Troppo** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:17 pm

Learned to shave with a DE back when you could buy a new one in a drugstore, switched to cartridges when they became common, and went back to DE about 3 years ago. Having been around the block, I can say the only advantage I could find with a disposable was speed. So yes, my shaves w/a DE are better, not to mention my morning ritual is a bit calmer and more enjoyable.

divotmax · Post by **divotmax** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:59 pm

The DE shaves were better 35 years ago when I first changed and started using something else. The reasons I changed had more to do with convenience than getting better shaves, and I tried about everything new that came on the market. I finally went back to the DE after realizing I got snookered by cartridges which kept adding blades and raising prices without any significant increase in effectiveness. I do think that most cartridges might give a closer first pass, only because of the number of blades and extreme aggressive angle of the blades, but you pay for it with razor burn and ingrowns. But, whatever works on a personal basis.

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:09 pm

Yes, if used with a bit of skill, the DE has always given me a superior shave, which is why I continued to use them despite years of advertising blitzes for each round of new cartridges. But, good technique, good prep, and more than one pass are the keys to getting this level of shave. For me, like Bob, there was also always the issue that multi-blade cartridges gave me razor bumps and sometimes burn even though the shave wasn't ultimately as good.
Regards,
Gordon

SMF

Is DE truly better than modern Cartridge?

Is DE truly better than modern Cartridge?

Re: Is DE truly better than modern Cartridge?