Thread: Disappointed With Results

I'm still fairly new to straights myself - just a little over 3 months in now myself - and just got my first truly comfortable, close shave yesterday morning. And when I say close, I don't mean DE close... almost, but not quite. Very little irritation, a very decent, respectable shave (better than I used to get with a Gillette Sensor or Mach 5), but not as quite as close as a 2-pass DE shave (I did 2 passes on my neck and 3 on my cheeks).

The thing is, I feel it's a very positive sign, not a disappointment. Reason being I have a LOT more variables to overcome with a straight than with a DE...

With a DE:

• The curve of the razor head and the gap between the bar/combs automatically limits the amount of aggressiveness the blade can contact the skin with
• The width of the blade and 'pressure' of the bar/combs automatically ensure consistent, even, contact across a set length of blade - thereby taking care of 'stretching' and reducing the number of strokes need for you (Note: I believe the reason you're not supposed to stretch your skin when using a DE is because, at the very point of of contact, the bar/comb actually does it for you as it passes over your skin.)
• And the blades are already sharpened eliminating the variable introduce by stropping

With so many additional variables to learn and build muscle-memory for, it only makes sense that mastering a straight would take quite a bit longer than mastering a DE. And, if you have an angular face and/or course beard (both of which I have) it only adds to the challenge.

That's why I consider yesterday's 'decent' shave a positive sign...

After three months of effort, 30-minute shave sessions, and neck irritation (don't get me wrong - despite the far from BBS results so far I've enjoyed every minute of it) I'm beginning to get clear indications that I'm meeting the challenge and entering a new, even more enjoyable phase of straight shaving.

I still use my DE now and then on mornings when I don't have much time to shave. But straights bring more pleasure and fulfillment and it only increases as my skills develop further.

I guess what I'm trying to say, in response to your questions, is..

• No matter how many techniques your might read about, there is no magic bullet. The only true way to get a better, more comfortable, and eventually BBS shaves is practice
• How long it takes others really has no meaning. Some guys get in 1-2 weeks, others 2-3 months, others 1-2 years. There are just too many variables to make it possible to compare the time it took others to the time that's right and necessary for you. You are unique - the techniques and learning time that are necessary and right for you are for you and you alone
• And the only way to find out if straight can deliver a better shave for you... your type of beard... the contours of your face... the sensitivity of your skin is to give yourself time to find out

If you think there's not much more room for improvement then maybe it's not for you. If you think that -- with more time and practice -- you do have room for a fair bit more improvement then give yourself that time to find out.

The most important thing though is to enjoy the journey. If your goal is purely to get a close or BBS shave and it doesn't matter to you how you get there - e.g. if you don't enjoy the experience of learning with and using a straight - then a straight is only holding you back from your goal of a BBS shave and the DE is your true calling...

If your ultimate goal is to enjoy the shave then use which ever razor type/shave method gives you the most pleasure...

And, if your goal is enjoy the shave AND get as close to BBS as possible then you'll have to decide for yourself which razor type is most likely to meet both those needs for you and stick with it.

There's no shame in shaving with a DE...

There's no shame in shaving with a straight...

There is only shame in not doing what brings YOU the most joy and fulfillment because of something immensely varying as and widely available as other people's opinions.