My three month mark

Reading the My 100th Shave thread got me thinking about my journey (my thanks to bgremill for posting his experiences and to the others who posted as well).  I started keeping a journal in a Word document, making note of anything and everything as I started shaving with enjoyment as opposed to "just another thing to do before I can have a cuppa joe".  After reading bgremill's post, I went back and looked at my first couple of weeks' entries. I remember that my tools came from different places, and I had a brush and some TOBS from Amazon that came 2 days before the Merkur 34c arrived. So I used a brush with cream for lather and my Dorco Pace 6 or 7 blade whisker whacker.  I noted that it was the best shave I recall ever getting. From there, things just got better.  

There were ups and downs, some blood, some burn, and lessons learned.  And in looking those entries over, I see Acquisition Disorder galore!  So many variables changing all the time, adding new razors, and trying different techniques; it's a wonder I have any technique!  In fact, it was only a month ago that I said to myself enough. Work with one razor for a month or two and only vary the soap or brush. Keep the same blade and razor combo and get your technique down.  That worked well. It is now four weeks later and I feel confident with my razor and my technique.  I consistently get a DFS+ with two passes. And today will be my 100th shave.

And here is the strange thought I had: what if I shaved with a cartridge and goo again, to see what I left behind?!

I can't do it.  No courage to endure it, or even curiosity to see if it is as bad as my memory has made it out to be. I once read that life is too short to drink bad coffee.  I feel that shaving has reached that point with me as well.  If something isn't working well, why should I endure it if I have the set up that performs great every time?

So, are there any brave souls here that have gone back, for whatever reason? What did you find? Does traditional shaving provide you a closer shave than scraping a couple of dozen blades across your face?

Your experience parallels many others I'd wager.

It's been more than a few years for me and even now I have no desire to go back to what I was using, but the nightmares have stopped for the most part :-) . If, and I stress the if, I were to fly I might carry a few inexpensive cartridge razors in my carry on, but I don't fly. I'd still pack a travel razor in my checked in luggage.

I know that blade shaving gives me a better shave. When I used a cart' I could only go in one direction or I'd get ingrowns.

I used a cartridge back in Sep of last year while on a mini vacation in Chicago.i couldn't bring my DE blades so I used a Mach Fusion, Catie's Bubbles LTV, and a Purest Satin Tip synthetic brush. The shave was awful but my lather was good. I remember for some reason the razor head was moving along my face as if it were glued down. It was the least smooth razor glide I've ever experienced. However, I never had a problem in the past with glide using a Fusion so I don't know if it was due to my skin now being conditioned for a DE, or if it was due to the Catie's not providing enough slickness and glide. Whatever the cause it was my last shave with a Fusion or cartridge razor.

I have no interest, to be honest. I shaved my head with carts for about a week, and it was the most uncomfortable week of irritation and ingrown hairs I have ever endured.

My first DE shave, back in November 2015, left my head a virtual minefield of bloody weepers as my razor just sliced through every bump and ingrown hair on my scalp...and there was a LOT. It was a bloody mess, but the blade was so sharp I didn't feel much. Over the next week, using the same razor and blade combo, I developed enough technique to get through a shave with a socially acceptable finish and only a bit of irritation, but no bloodshed. From there I was hooked.

At this point, I consistently get DFS and BBS with zero irritation. I haven't had an ingrown hair or razor bump in at least 3 months. And my scalp regularly feels toned, clean, and smooth.

I shave every single night before bed, and I will never go back to a cartridge razor. I have even started getting my pre-teen daughter into the game, letting her pick my splashes and whip up lather. She has a package of single-blade disposables for practice until she is confident enough, and I will get her a nice DE and synthetic brush to start her own "den".

There simply is no reason to endure painful cartridge shaves when a whole world of comfortable shaves are just waiting...

I have no interest, to be honest. I shaved my head with carts for about a week, and it was the most uncomfortable week of irritation and ingrown hairs I have ever endured.
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There simply is no reason to endure painful cartridge shaves when a whole world of comfortable shaves are just waiting...

I think you nailed it, BadDad!  I plan to just shave as normal and enjoy my 100th shave!

I've taken a Mach 3 Turbo with me the last few times I went out of town, paired with a Plisson synthetic and some Speick cream or shave stick. Obviously the brush and soap help, but the feeling of the Mach 3 is so ... what's the word? Insipid. Like someone whining "why bother?" while sliding a noncommittal hand down your face. None of the decisive feel of a real blade. It really does feel like shaving with a toy.

The shaves from it were okay. The technique I've gained from DE shaving helped. I wouldn't go back to cartridges for any length of time, though. Apart from being able to toss them into a carry-on (oh if only the TSA got smart about DE/SE blades!), I can't think of a single advantage they offer.

I've taken a Mach 3 Turbo with me the last few times I went out of town, paired with a Plisson synthetic and some Speick cream or shave stick. Obviously the brush and soap help, but the feeling of the Mach 3 is so ... what's the word? Insipid. Like someone whining "why bother?" while sliding a noncommittal hand down your face. None of the decisive feel of a real blade. It really does feel like shaving with a toy.

The shaves from it were okay. The technique I've gained from DE shaving helped. I wouldn't go back to cartridges for any length of time, though. Apart from being able to toss them into a carry-on (oh if only the TSA got smart about DE/SE blades!), I can't think of a single advantage they offer.

Thanks, David. Your comments make me believe my memory of how my face felt after a typical cartridge shave felt are true and not reconstructed by me because I want DE shaves to be better!  I will be traveling sometime this year, and will have to decide between cartridges that I kept or packing a razor.  I am going to the TSA site now.  Here is what I found: okay in CHECKED luggage. Do NOT put them in your carry on.

I keep a Travel Tech specifically set up for checked baggage should I ever decide to fly. It's definitely not my razor of choice otherwise, but it's easy to replace and with 1 or 2 shims it'll give shaves that would be acceptable.

I'm getting off topic and I don't want to hijack the thread so I'll not post pics, but put them in a PM for you M'Y'.

I have tried a cart on a few occasions, out of curiosity, but I just don't enjoy it as much as with my DEs.

I have a guest from Scotland visiting me this month and because I only have one bathroom I try to get in and out as quickly as possible so I have been using a Gillette Guard cartridge razor.  While I don't get irritation, the shave isn't nearly as close or satisfying to me.  I enjoy the ritual of using a brush and soap/cream.  I enjoy finishing up with a nice balm and EdT.  I enjoy the ritual of deciding what hardware and software I'll be using for my next shave.  The cartridge shave simply isn't the same not to mention that the shave doesn't last nearly as long as a traditional wet shave.