Thread: Is a str8 really better?

I shaved two days ago and my shave today is still closer than what a Mach 3 can do.

If you are getting any irritation with a straight razor you are doing something waaaaaay wrong.

During your learning curve you are going to have lots of days when you wonder if you should stick with it. First, you'll probably stick with it for the cool factor, next the skin care factor, after that the closeness. In the end you'll probably be left with only two factors. Do you have the time and are you willing to focus during your shave. Those two factors can never be truely removed. You won't need to focus as much later on as you do now, but you'll never be able to shave with a straight while you intently think about something else. Some people love this aspect of shaving, some people don't.

The only reason not to shave with a straight razor is if you're not willing or interested in putting in the time to learn, or if even after you have put in the time, you are not willing to focus or spend the extra 10 minutes or so to shave (keeping in mind that you could get by only shaving every other day with a straight). Then, by all means, use whatever works best for you.

I'll throw this in as a new guy. This past week I shaved twice with a str8 and once with a Mach3. I did not change my prep as I have been shaving in the shower using oil,brush and cream for the better part of 20 years. (I did not shave with the str8 in the shower due to advice about dropping the razor and bleeding to death).

Here is my take. I've had what has been commonly called a "hair circle" on my neck. For years I've had to deal with ingrown hairs and any other type of irritation you can name on that part of my face. Shaving in the shower and good prep always reduced the issues but never made them go away. When I used the Str8 the first time my neck was irritated and had a few bumps in that circle.
I did a pretty good job with the Str8. No nicks, took about 30 minutes longer than normal and I was very happy with the closeness. Second shave was OK, but I felt the blade starting to pull. Finished OK, and was again happy with the closeness, as was the warden (wife).

I ordered a strop and am waiting to use the str8 again. I had to shave so I used the mach3 and also had a close shave. Very similar to a str8 BUT I have no irritation on my neck. No bumps, no red patches....NOTHING. I always noticed when I treated myself to a barber shave how close it was and how much better my skin always felt. I never knew why and chalked it up to the prep and after shave care, not the razor.
I'm pretty certain I can say that it is the razor that makes the difference. You may get a good close shave with a Mach3 but in my case, the str8 just treats my skin better.
Just my 2cents.

For me, the answer is both no and yes. If I use the same care in prep, stretching and technique with a NEW disposable cartrige, I get a shave of equal quality to what I get with my straight. The second shave with the cartrige is also quite good, but by the third, the edge has deteriorated to the point where the quality of the shave declines significantly. Further use results in a continuing decline in both closeness and comfort.

I refresh the edge of my straigth razors by stropping before each shave. I also have more than one razor so I do let the edge rest between shaves. I suppose I could use multiple disposables to let the blades rest, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to strop one.

thanks everyone for the replies. i am not discouraged, as soon as i can use my arm again i'll be back to the stra8's. i was surprised by the shave i got with the disposable. that prompted the post. i never thought using a str8 could condition your skin and beard so a lesser blade would perform better.
thanks all John

My opinion is that shaving with a straight razor is more fun than anything else. I don't think it provides a better shave than any other sharp edge but I love all the accoutramonts(SP?). It's like eating caviar. I don't believe anyone really likes the taste of caviar but it's fun because of the little ritual of the iced vodka, chopped egg, capers, toast points and the rest. I call it play food. In order to eat it like the czars you must go through all the prep and assembly and with the right vodka it may even be palatable. Straight razors are for me like that. Honing, stropping, lathering, rinsing, aftercare and all that is fun. Is it better? No, of course not. That's why King Gillete made a fortune on safety razors. But I will say that straight shaving is definitely better for the environment. There are billions of plastic and steel cartridges in the landfills each year. I think that is a good argument for using a straight.

Originally Posted by icedog

My opinion is that shaving with a straight razor is more fun than anything else. I don't think it provides a better shave than any other sharp edge but I love all the accoutramonts(SP?). It's like eating caviar. I don't believe anyone really likes the taste of caviar but it's fun because of the little ritual of the iced vodka, chopped egg, capers, toast points and the rest. I call it play food. In order to eat it like the czars you must go through all the prep and assembly and with the right vodka it may even be palatable. Straight razors are for me like that. Honing, stropping, lathering, rinsing, aftercare and all that is fun. Is it better? No, of course not. That's why King Gillete made a fortune on safety razors. But I will say that straight shaving is definitely better for the environment. There are billions of plastic and steel cartridges in the landfills each year. I think that is a good argument for using a straight.

Hey, I happen to like caviar.

I agree, while I've only been shaving with the straight for about 3 months I have not had the ingrown hairs or razor rash I used to get with mach 3. My prep is about the same; brush and shave soap.( Except I discovered Castle Forbes.)And besides like was said before there's just something about using the straight. About saving money on blades I guess this could happen if I stay out of antique and flea sales.

Straight shaving for about 6-7 weeks now. so the difference is very fresh to me.

Even my initial shaves, (not yet practiced in good method), I noted the difference in the quality of the shave...my skin felt smoother and I judged the shave as noticably closer. As well, the shave lasted longer, which, of course attested to a closer shave, so it wasn't a result I was hoping for and therefore imagining, (the excited new convert thing).

I know that the prep. required for a good straight shave is better for my skin and I believe the best advantage to me is, I take the time and therefore, something that used to be a hurried necessity is a relaxing and enjoyable routine...it healthier...man we hurry enough with everything else we do, don't we.

Granted, there is the occassional knick, weeper, etc., and my second shave, I gave myself a grand case of razor-burn, but, now, that isn't an issue and I do not experience any of the irritation that I used to get with a 3-blade in that area on both side of the Adam's Apple.

Just me and a fresh memory of the difference between the two types of shave.

I find that a shave from a str8 lasts longer. I can get as close with a disposable but by evening I have the proverbial 5:00 shadow.

Rich

“All good things arrive unto them that wait – and don’t die in the meantime.” – Mark Twain

Did you use that three bladed whiz banger a second time?

Twenty-three months ago I brought my last two cartridges of Gillette Trac II disposables to the hospital when my wife went into labour. Due to some rising but non threatening jaundice and just for safety's sake the hospital stay turned into a five day ordeal. Because as well she ended up having an emergency C- section, I was instantly doing a lot to care for my newborn son. Since kissing babies is requisite and since their skin is so tender, the last thing I wanted was him to experience whisker rubs from me so I used a cartridge on around day two. The shave went fine. Comfortable and close. I convinced myself that at least the skin conditioning from a proper wet shave was better for me and the shave with the straight was closer too. two days later, still in hospital and for the same reason I used the cartridge a second time. There was a noticeable deterioration in the comfort of the shave after just one use. I pity gentlemen who put up with such shaves regularly.