Thread: 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!"

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

Oh, and Welcome

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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….

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?

Outside in front of the tree - heaven!