straight vs feather or shavette
Question for anyone who used both. So I started with shavette and has been getting really good shaves and a few months ago decided to go with a real straight. Somehow I was under impression that straight blade would give me an even better shave ( smoother, closer...whatever better means) after getting my straights ( a few) some honed and some I decided to hone myself I still haven't been able to get a shave comparable in comfort to that of feather or shavette. Is it a relatively common experience? Are my razors just not sharp enough? I can shave but to get a close shave my face hurts with the straight significantly more than disposable. will I ever be able to get a shave from my straight parallel to that of the shavette or the feather?
Comparing straight razors to disposible blade straights.
I use both a dovo straight razor as well as a feather. I have spent years refining my honing and stropping trying different methods and products as well as different beard preparation and shaving technique. I am not an expert , however due to the fact that I am a mechanical engineer ( specializing in metals) and I have an extremely tough beard I can share what I have learned. Basically it is very difficult to get a straight razor as sharp as a feather for several reasons, but the biggest difference is honing and stropping technique. I have done comparative sharpness tests and found that even if a similar level of sharpness is achieved it turns out to be too sharp and quite a rough shave. Just stick to the basics, use quality products 4000/8000 grit hone (being careful to maintain proper balance of the edge ( Not honing more on one side than the other)) , fine grit stropping paste being sure to not overdue it ( less is more) . For extra polish and sharpness a couple dozen passes on newspaper followed by your leather and you should be as good as you ever need to be. If you want a nerdy Engineers way of comparing the sharpness just buy a package of feather blades and alternate doing hanging hair tests between the feather blade and your straight razor. (did it) Don`t shoot to get it equally sharp. The feather is just a baseline for how sharp a blade could be. Try hanging hair tests on both blades ( with varying lengths of hair) and find the sharpness level which suits your beard and face. Once your blade will cut a hair with equal ease across the entire length of the blade, and it shaves your face comfortably you will then have your routine maintanance figured out.
My basic routine is 3 strokes at #4000 5 strokes #8000 , 3 strokes dovo strop paste (aprox #10,000) , 3 strokes 1 micron diamond paste (#16,000) 20 strokes on newspaper , finally 30 strokes on leather.
That is what I do to achieve near feather sharpness. But it may or may not be right for you.
That all being said , that is only in comparison with a feather, truth be told the preparation you put into your beard makes a bigger difference.
Does that answer any questions?