Thread: Why did you switch?

I had been shaving with a variety of disposables and cartridges for over 20 years. During that time I also used different brands of canned foam. My shaves were acceptable, but not really enjoyable. Several months ago I switched to a DE razor. I have also jumped into using a brush and a variety of soaps and creams. I still have some cans of foam to use up, but probably won't buy more. My point in telling this is that I have made an assumption. I believe that there are very few people who have ONLY shaved with a straight razor, and haven't ever tried any type of safety razor. Therefore I am assuming that most people here started with a disposable, or a cartridge razor, or even a DE, and probably canned foam.

So, after some rambling, my question is, why did you switch?

I am happy using my DE, and I'm still experimenting with soaps and creams. I am also finding that the cheaper soaps, and even the canfoam still work okay. I am considering trying a straight, mainly because I think it would be fun, not necessarily "better" than my DE. Any opinions appreciated.

Thanks
Don

I have shaved with every type of razor out there
from disposables to electric. I ended up with
the DE and a badger brush and soap, mainly because
I'm into nostalgic things. I found that it gave a
good shave so I stuck with it. I recently stumbled
upon straight shaving, and for the same nostalgic
reasons, gave it a shot. I can say that the
shaves are better and more relaxing and enjoyable.
The routine I have has a calming effect in some
weird way. You definitely have to set some time
aside to do it, but it's well worth it to me.

John

For me, electric razors have always given me the worst performance bar none. The shaves with an electric for me don't last through the day AND I would grow a perennial crop of ingrown hairs on my neck.

Cartridge razors and canned goo were better, but expensive and I would still be prone to razor burn and same crop of ingrowns.

DE was the best of the three and although I use a straight razor exclusively, I'm not entirely adverse to the idea of maybe using a DE when I can't use a straight (if that situation ever arises). Although even with a light touch and the correct blade angle with a DE, it's easy for that crop of neck ingrowns to creep up on me.

Enter.....straight razors. Complete control of the blade and blade angle during the shave. The number of ingrown hairs I've had on my neck since starting with straight razors I could count on one or maybe two hands. Also, my neck, whisker wise, is the cleanest it's ever been. My shaves with WTG and XTG passes (I don't really find a need for ATG) last 12 hours or longer. I liken using a straight razor to driving an auto with a manual transmission (which I do): Complete control. I liken a DE to one of those modified manual transmissions that are really an automatic but you can play with it like it's a manual. Then I liken an electric to an automatic transmission.

Shaving with a straight takes me longer, but if I'm in a hurry and I don't have an important event (appointment/meeting, etc), doing a single WTG pass is not perfectly smooth, but it still looks closer than if you lined me up next to a row of other guys that just shaved with an electric.

Chris L

I've been shaving exclusively with a straight for about a year. Reasons:

1. The ritual. (the adherence to tradition, the skill of the practitioner, the sophistication of the implements, the elevation of the mundane)

2. I got tired of fighting electric razors. They were all expensive junk.

3. To impress my friends with my dangerous, exotic, sexy hobby.

4. After years of being hurried by other responsibilities (wife, job, family) I finally claim this 20 minutes a day for me.

I like the freedom that comes from honing your own blades. I also like to know that I saved almost all of my razors from the rubbish bin and got them ready to go. A little less litter goes a long way .

I have to say that I was drawn to the straight razor due to the environmental benefits which is I suppose a new way of thinking about it. I was sick of paying nearly 20 dollars for 8 M3 blades and wanted to get away from so much waste. I was reading a book on green living and it talked about straight razors. After reading this forum I decided to get one and have been loving it. The shaves are better, more relaxing and I am not throwing away plastic cartridges all the time.

I switched because I was tired of paying Gillette for the privilege of increasing the landfill.
I stick with it because it also provides me with a superior shave.

X

Originally, I switched to straights because of the cool factor combined with the history/tradition of it. Mainly, though, I thought it was "sexy." Now, however, I do it because I truly believe I get better shaves with a straight than with a DE.

Also, as I've recently gotten more into straight shaving, I find that I really want to learn to hone in order to be completely self-sufficient. That wasn't a priority when I first switched, but now I think part of the appeal is being able to shave without depending on others (either honemeisters or replacement blades for DEs).

What X said. Although, I must admit that the fiscal consideration was the predominant factor, and the landfill secondary.

I remember saying to myself (and my wife) "Cut throats will be much cheaper in the long run"....

James.

I'm still in the process of switching over completely, but I like most that it requires some skill. No one is really great at it when they first start. It takes practice and some commitment. Plus it is a little out of the ordinary.