How much benefit?

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10-09-2009, 02:30 AM
ktkeith

How much benefit?

Hello, All:

Newbie here.

I got recruited into DE wet shaving a few years ago, and am very happy I took it up. I have a set of decent brushes and razors, and an absurdly large collection of shave creams, aftershaves, and the like. It works well for me, and I share the enthusiasm of the wet-shaving community.

But I have always balked at taking up the fearsome straight razor. Shaving like JFK was cool; shaving like Sweeney Todd seemed insane! I am frankly scared of the straight blade, and thought the DE safety razor was perfection in all respects - a great wet shave you could hope to live through!

And yet . . . and yet . . . I read these forums and see the enthusiasm you men have for straight razors, and I wonder if there is something more I'm still missing. I start to get the same sense of intrigue I had when I first got turned onto DE shaving. I tremble at the siren song of the singing blade, wanting both to fling myself into its lacerating embrace and to make for the safety of the safety razor before it's too late.

So my question is: what's the benefit in switching to straight-razor shaving if you're already wet-shaving with a DE blade?

DE safety razors are light-years ahead of plastic cartridge junk, I'm sure we all agree, but I doubt that the naked blade is that much better than the double-edge blade in a safety razor. (In fact, I see a post in the "Honing" section which claims that the DE blade is the standard of sharpness which straight-razor sharpening should aspire to.) Is a straight-razor shave noticeably better than a good DE shave? Given that I've already purchased all the equipment I need for DE shaving, and I only spend about $1 per week on DE blades, it would take me several years to recoup my investment in straight razors, strops, and hones, and even then I would continue to save less than $1 per week - so there's not much financial advantage in it for me. Why should I switch if I'm doing pretty well with DE blades without risking my life each morning?

Or, as the Cowardly Lion so eloquently put it: "Talk me out of it!"
10-09-2009, 02:37 AM
DPflaumer

I made the switch from a DE shaver to a straight shaver about 2 weeks ago so I know just what you mean. I was always very hesitant about taking up a straight, until I got offered a PIF deal from the gods (Thank you Olafurson).

I have only been using a straight for a little while, and I have to say that the shaves are already comparable to my very experienced DE shaves. And I have to admit, there is just something that feels incredibly manly about it.

I don't know if there are any added benefits or not, though I can't imagine barbers would shave customers with a straight if they could get the same results from a DE. But I have to admit that I am really legitimately loving the experience, enough that I haven't touched my Edwin Jagger 89 DE since I started using a straight. In fact, I am traveling next week and am kind of bummed I won't be taking a straight with me.

I was so very hesitant about trying my luck with a straight, but in short I am very glad I did. Just watch out, the experience might suck you in a little. I hope you didn't spend too much feeding a DE addiction, because straights are 1,000,000x worse.

Drew
10-09-2009, 02:37 AM
DPflaumer

Oh, and Welcome :D
10-09-2009, 02:47 AM
Lynn

I think that at the end of the day, you will enjoy the sport a lot better if you talk yourself into it. There is a learning curve, but if you enjoy the DE and Wet Shaving, this may just end up being the ultimate pleasure in your grooming experience. I am obviously biased.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_21.gif

Have fun,

Lynn
10-09-2009, 11:35 AM
LarryAndro

My prediction is that what is causing you to hang back from straights is what will eventually lure you into its web. Fear, danger & challenge. And, the call of a better shave.
10-09-2009, 11:40 AM
DPflaumer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn

I think that at the end of the day, you will enjoy the sport a lot better if you talk yourself into it. There is a learning curve, but if you enjoy the DE and Wet Shaving, this may just end up being the ultimate pleasure in your grooming experience. I am obviously biased.

Have fun,

Lynn

Biased or not, it's true. I'm hooked for good already.
10-09-2009, 11:40 AM
mainaman

You get even closer shaves with a straight.
And all that instilled by the movies fear is unfounded, remember you are moving the razor parallel to the skin not in a bread cutting motion :rofl2:
10-09-2009, 12:42 PM
Alchemist

I wake up at the crack of dawn, go for a brisk 10 Km walk on the outskirts of town. People are still sleeping on the most part. Some lights begin to go on and I see the pinkish yellow fingers of dawn carresing the new day.

I get back, grab a shower, and get dressed. I make a cup of super strong turkish coffee, get the shaving kit and a bowl of hot water and step out into the yard. I strop my razor, make some thick lather grab a sip of coffee. I take my time doing this - it's one of the best times in my day. I shave on an old broken mirror I got hanging on the old fig tree. The sun is up and the morning birds are chirping as I finish it off with some balm and lotion. One last sip of the coffee and.... It's another great start of a wonderful day!

Who could ask for more? :D
10-09-2009, 01:15 PM
Otto

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktkeith

So my question is: what's the benefit in switching to straight-razor shaving if you're already wet-shaving with a DE blade?

Well I've been using a DE most of the time since 1979. When I got my second straight razor (Honed by Lynn) I switched and haven't looked back.

You will find a lot of good reasons in this thread.

To qoute myself :w

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto

Benefits:

1. I get a closer shave than from any other shaving instrument I’ve tried.
2. I get to improve my honing skills.
3. I enjoy my daily shave.
4. It is a great way to start the day.
5. I have less skin problems.
6. I’ve learned a lot and “met” a lot of nice people.
7. I have an excuse to buy more sharp blades….

:gl:
10-09-2009, 01:20 PM
ethermantis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemist

I wake up at the crack of dawn, go for a brisk 10 Km walk on the outskirts of town. People are still sleeping on the most part. Some lights begin to go on and I see the pinkish yellow fingers of dawn carresing the new day.

I get back, grab a shower, and get dressed. I make a cup of super strong turkish coffee, get the shaving kit and a bowl of hot water and step out into the yard. I strop my razor, make some thick lather grab a sip of coffee. I take my time doing this - it's one of the best times in my day. I shave on an old broken mirror I got hanging on the old fig tree. The sun is up and the morning birds are chirping as I finish it off with some balm and lotion. One last sip of the coffee and.... It's another great start of a wonderful day!

Who could ask for more? :D

Outside in front of the tree - heaven!
10-09-2009, 02:15 PM
BHChieftain

I think the straight also appeals to the hobbiest-- especially when it comes to maintaining the razor-- stropping, figuring out what hones you want to use, learning how to use them well, thinking about making your own scales, etc...

Somebody else recentlly said their hobby was knife collecting and they loved to sharpen knives, but with the razor they actually get to *use* the darn thing on a regular basis.

-Chief
10-09-2009, 02:18 PM
DPflaumer

I think that is a great point Chief. I love making things, and being a college student I can be pretty sure that my future career path will not involve too much working with my hands. But I always loved making things with my dad and grandfather. Collecting and restoring/rescaling old razors gives me a chance to do something I really enjoy.

And the awesome shave doesn't hurt either :D
10-09-2009, 02:23 PM
Charllie

jumped in

I just jumped in recently... I'm just doing a shavette type and enjoying it. Will move on to a reallie very soon.

I'm glad that I never saw that movie.

Charlie
10-09-2009, 02:27 PM
DPflaumer

I have heard that the shavette is no real indicator of shaving with a straight, just a heads up. Not to mention you can get a decent vintage blade shave ready on the classifieds for about the same price. But to each his own.

I haven't seen the movie either, but I do watch Dexter. And this season started off with a murder involving a straight razor. Oddly enough on the same day I started using one.
10-09-2009, 02:37 PM
Charllie

Thanks for the tip. I actually have an ebay special which I picked up pretty cheap over with Lynn for honing, so I'll have a shot at the real thing in a small number of days I suspect. I returned from a work trip yesterday to find that my strop arrived in the mail so whenever my blade shows up I'm ready (at least as far as equipment is concerned I'm ready... I suspect that I may foul my edge once or twice as I'm learning/refining stropping technique initially). I think once I get comfortable stropping I'd then dive in for a nicer blade, but even then something modest... got my eye on the dovo tortoise 5/8. Seems perfect for my next step.
10-09-2009, 03:15 PM
DPflaumer

I do love the look of some tortoise. Shame we killed too many of them back in the day. The modern plastic just doesn't have the same look. I have yet to get a new razor, but I suspect my first may be the Boker Edelweiss. It is only slightly more expensive than the Dovo Tortoise, but it is one sweet looking razor.
10-10-2009, 01:14 AM
boshave

I switched from multiblade to DE shaving to save money and get better shaves. There is no doubt that DE shaving saved me money, and I liked the DE shaves better than the multiblade razor shaves.

The straight razor was interesting as a challenge and a new skill to learn. I found straight razor shaving gives me the closest, most comfortable shaves, great satisfaction from ever improving technique, and an even more meditative and calming experience than any other type of shaving. It takes more time, however. If I have to be done showering and shaving in minimum time, as I sometimes do when called in to work in the middle of the night, I shave with the DE.

If I set aside the time for a straight razor shave, my day starts off with an unbeatable shave in comfort and calm. Add to this the satisfaction of ever improving skill, and I can't recommend straight razor shaving enough.

Theoretically, a good cheap old razor honed by Lynn or another honemeister and a good strop will keep you economically shaving for years, with occasional rehones at a small fee... You would save money this way... at least in theory. In practice, I found that the variety of great new and old razors, the costs of fancy hones and strops and the ability to justify "yet another razor" when one or two are enough have resulted in a rather expensive hobby!
I don't regret a cent of the outlay, unlike some of the other hobbies I have chosen over the years.

Any success I have had is directly the result of the expertise and generosity of members here at Straight Razor Place. Without this site as a resource and without the advice of experienced straight razor users, I doubt I would have persisted beyond an attempt or two to shave with a straight.
10-11-2009, 12:27 PM
tat2Ralfy

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktkeith

Hello, All:

Newbie here.

I got recruited into DE wet shaving a few years ago, and am very happy I took it up. I have a set of decent brushes and razors, and an absurdly large collection of shave creams, aftershaves, and the like. It works well for me, and I share the enthusiasm of the wet-shaving community.

But I have always balked at taking up the fearsome straight razor. Shaving like JFK was cool; shaving like Sweeney Todd seemed insane! I am frankly scared of the straight blade, and thought the DE safety razor was perfection in all respects - a great wet shave you could hope to live through!

And yet . . . and yet . . . I read these forums and see the enthusiasm you men have for straight razors, and I wonder if there is something more I'm still missing. I start to get the same sense of intrigue I had when I first got turned onto DE shaving. I tremble at the siren song of the singing blade, wanting both to fling myself into its lacerating embrace and to make for the safety of the safety razor before it's too late.

So my question is: what's the benefit in switching to straight-razor shaving if you're already wet-shaving with a DE blade?

DE safety razors are light-years ahead of plastic cartridge junk, I'm sure we all agree, but I doubt that the naked blade is that much better than the double-edge blade in a safety razor. (In fact, I see a post in the "Honing" section which claims that the DE blade is the standard of sharpness which straight-razor sharpening should aspire to.) Is a straight-razor shave noticeably better than a good DE shave? Given that I've already purchased all the equipment I need for DE shaving, and I only spend about $1 per week on DE blades, it would take me several years to recoup my investment in straight razors, strops, and hones, and even then I would continue to save less than $1 per week - so there's not much financial advantage in it for me. Why should I switch if I'm doing pretty well with DE blades without risking my life each morning?

Or, as the Cowardly Lion so eloquently put it: "Talk me out of it!"

Hi and welcome
Its just the fear talking you know? why else would you have a dilema and a razor with lynn for honing?
You know you want to
you know you are going to
I know it will hook you for life
We all know its only a matter of time

Give in to the temptation, feel the fear vanish as you let go your resistance, feel the bbs skin on your face and think to yourself "I did this, with a straight" look around at the people nearby and realise they have not got a clue, its your secret for you!

Bwhahahahahahahaha!!!! (evil laugh!!!)
10-11-2009, 04:13 PM
ktkeith

You're not doing this right . . .

You all are doing a very poor job of talking me out of it!

Thanks for the encouragement and insight. It's very welcome.

Oh, and Lynn: "Sport"? Now what? I don't think I'm ready for speed trials yet.

Thanks again, everyone!