Thread: Shave to Straight Razor

I have been using a shave for a while, but I have been disappointed with the performance and want to elicit some feedback here. First, how close is the shave experience to the straight razor experience? I find that even with a great prep, no pressure, and a great post-shave treatment, my skin always feels irritated and burning after my shave shave. I'm using a Magic shave with Derby blades:

I am not sure what else to do to get a more pleasant experience. I do not apply pressure, and it's still worse than my Gillette disposable shave, not better. When I watch straight razor shaves, the razors seem to effortlessly remove the hair with no noticeable irritation. It seems smooth and clean. I'm not having that experience yet. Is the razor the blades? I'm certain my pre, lather, and post are fine, as only the shave gives me discomfort, not my disposables.

Also, any advice on how to shave the chin? This is hardest for me, and my hair is like copper wire there as well.

Thanks for the feedback!

Poetman,

The only way you will experience the pleasure of shaving with the traditional straight razor is to learn to shave with one. It will take a little time to hone your skill with it, but it is worth it. What you have now is a straight razor with replaceable blades, an unforgiving shaving tool devoid of the colorful ritual traditional straight razor shaving embraces. Your blade is deadly sharp, but it lacks the silk the traditional straight razor's edge can have. If I may suggest, get yourself a quality and shave ready straight razor, a good strop and embark on a great journey.

Can you describe your pre and post shave routine. What products are you using. Sometimes less is more. Are you rinsing in warm or cold water.

I have not shaved with a shavette but I have shaved with a DE and for my face the DE razor blades are much more harsh than a straight. I'm guessing that the edge on that blade doesn't leave much margin for error so any pressure at all will result in irritation. Straights for me are a lot more forgiving.

I'd try a different blade, but my face isn't a fan of Derby blades.
You can order a sampler pack of blades from Maggards Razors and try a bunch of different blades pretty cheaply.

You may also want to change the blade after every shave until you learn now to use it.

Try another blades. IMHO Astra and Gillette are much better options.

Originally Posted by Obie

Poetman,

The only way you will experience the pleasure of shaving with the traditional straight razor is to learn to shave with one. It will take a little time to hone your skill with it, but it is worth it. What you have now is a straight razor with replaceable blades, an unforgiving shaving tool devoid of the colorful ritual traditional straight razor shaving embraces. Your blade is deadly sharp, but it lacks the silk the traditional straight razor's edge can have. If I may suggest, get yourself a quality and shave ready straight razor, a good strop and embark on a great journey.

Darn near poetry.

Agree with Chris toss the blade every use...shavette has a different angle its Verrrry unforgiving and an uncomfortable shave with more then one pass still have mine and use it rarely....

Thank you all for the feedback. I am certain I was not applying pressure. I kept my wrist locked and just moved it up and down. I wondered if the blades were to blame because I remember using Wilkinson blades a while ago and being more fond of them then these current Derbys.

My routine is generally: shower, soak my brush in warm/hot water, wash my face with warm/hot water again, use a best badger to apply water only, then, a few dabs of pre-shave oil, then a dab of Proraso on the brush, lather on the face. WTG & XTG with my shave at first. I was certainly removing hair and got a clean shave with the need for usual ATG pass, but my face was on fire most of the day. I can't remember the last time I had such pain.

When I see straight razor shave videos on youtube, many of them look as if the blade removes the hair with no pressure or irritation. What's interesting is that many videos show straight razor shaves of full beards. These guys don't reduce the growth with clippers. They just remove with the blade, and the razor just slices through. You could NEVER do this with a disposable because the blade is not good (strong? sharp?) enough! Since my shave shave was not this good, I am wondering if a straight razor shave is an improvement from or, at least, different than a shavette experience, and how.

It is different waaay different ... first off the angle of attack is lower..( 20 degrees or close to it) meaning less drag from the edge...as long as the edge is kept keen it slices through the beards with no issues or pressure skin stretching is just as important for a close comfortable shave also