Thread: STR8 vs. DE

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Why do I have to practice sight alignment, trigger control and rhythm for timed and rapid fire @ 25 yds when I can just hit the target with a 12GA riot shotgun ?

Why do you? you mean you can't just draw from the holster and fire 6 rounds in 6 seconds and put them where you want to? Har Har.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Why do you? you mean you can't just draw from the holster and fire 6 rounds in 6 seconds and put them where you want to? Har Har.

I can.

If I'm shooting at a barn from the inside! (And the door is shut.)

Ziggy,

How long have you been using a straight? Do you prep your face well? I'm new, but I really don't have much luck when i don't prep my face well... shower, pre shave oil, hot towel, little more pre shave oil, hot lather and a really sharp razor...when i make a second pass as I often do at least for practice... I apply more pre shave oil and fresh hot lather..... have you dulled your edge stropping?... I did that too! Then I practiced and practiced and practiced with the strop so that i wouldn't dull my razor again... Now I get a good shave wtg.... still working on xtg and atg on my neck... but my sideburns, cheek and chin are fine....can't figure out how to go atg on my neck when my beard grows from left to right..... I'll get there... maq

IMHO two things on the DE ...

1. the bar or open-combs, and
2. the curved head

...automatically take care of two things that must be done with manual skill when using a straight:

1. proper angle
2. stretching

Sure, with a DE you still have to watch angle. But, even if you're too aggressive it'll still cause far less damage than too much angle with a straight. The curve of the head (and thereby the curve of the blade when compressed between the head and base) and gap between bar/combs and blade effectively limit the effects a bad angle can have.

As for stretching, you don't stretch with a DE. However, the bar/combs essentially flatten out, and slightly stretch the skin they contact just before the blade passes over it - and even, to some degree, press on/flatten out round areas - such as the chin - a bit, allowing the DE blade to cover more ground in one pass on 'lumpy' areas.

Just my 2 cents worth of theory.

Technique, technique, technique. Having shaved many years with DE's and STR8's the major difference is technique. At least in my case. DE's can give a very, very good shave, smooth and with no irritation. But one thing about a DE razor is that the exposure of the blade to the skin, is somewhat controlled by the razor, which is why you don't need to quite as "careful" when shaving with it. Don't get me wrong, you can cut yourself easily, but still you can relax a bit more with a DE than a STR8.

For example, I can shave my neck quickly with a DE and get a good, close shave with no irritation. When using a str8 I must stretch and be very, very careful, watching the angles, etc to not get irritation.

The end result is that the STR8 gives me a better shave, but takes much more effort to get there without irritation, etc. I still shave with my DE when I need a good shave and don't have time to do a proper Str8 shave.

It can take a very long time to figure out the right direction and angles for any one particular area of your face and everyone is different. I'm still learning things about my face, in terms of shaving.

Keep at it. If you do, you'll notice how things change over time.

practice & angle is the key,it will all fall into place for you
i get a closer shave with a straight now than my DE's
you have more control with a straight

Originally Posted by Maq

Ziggy,

How long have you been using a straight? Do you prep your face well? I'm new, but I really don't have much luck when i don't prep my face well... shower, pre shave oil, hot towel, little more pre shave oil, hot lather and a really sharp razor...when i make a second pass as I often do at least for practice... I apply more pre shave oil and fresh hot lather..... have you dulled your edge stropping?... I did that too! Then I practiced and practiced and practiced with the strop so that i wouldn't dull my razor again... Now I get a good shave wtg.... still working on xtg and atg on my neck... but my sideburns, cheek and chin are fine....can't figure out how to go atg on my neck when my beard grows from left to right..... I'll get there... maq

I've been at it two months. After reading your post I should probably have my razor checked and sharpened as I was a newbie when I got it. I also probably don't do enough prep. No problems now with everything but the chin area. If I slow down and really work at it my chin is good enough for most days. If I want to go smoother around the chin I have to finish off with a DE.