Thread: Feel of straight vs. DE?

I've had a few tries now at shaving with a straight, and found it relatively easy. That said, I haven't ventured beyond cheek and neck. The straight seems different in a couple of ways -- it doesn't move with the same ease as my DE, but probably because of the grip difference. It also feels more prone to pull or burn (both very slightly, and not problematically). Is some of that simply the difference in a straight vs. the machined precision of a DE blade? As a longtime DE shaver, I've only got that as a reference! It's hard to know what's about technique, and what's about razor. Though I'm betting it's 90% technique!

I'd say if the straight razor is "shave ready" and technique is spot on then it would move the same easy way as a DE. Tugging could be an indication the blade is starting to dull and irritation/burn could be about angle and pressure. It take about 100 shave with a SR to get the technique dialed in pretty well. So with a couple of shaves in I'd think your technique is not quite there yet. Also if you are new to stropping it is possible to dull the blade with poor stropping technique. All that is normal in the beginning and all who have persevered through that stage were rewarded with good shaves in the end.

Bob

Thanks, Bob! You're definitely right about technique not being there yet. I figure it will take a long time, and that's just fine with me. The razor is professionally honed, so I think this is pretty much about technique, which is exactly the enlightenment I was after. And I think I'm doing well with stropping.

Seamus

Be sure to keep the blade low to your face. Lift the spine one or two spine-widths from your face at most. Most people lift the spine too high when first learning. You will develop a feel for the right angle with experience.

Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Be sure to keep the blade low to your face. Lift the spine one or two spine-widths from your face at most. Most people lift the spine too high when first learning. You will develop a feel for the right angle with experience.

So true. I had far too much gap between my face and the spine when I started out too. No wonder I got a lot of irritation then.

Bob