Thread: Is a str8 really better?

For me, well I don't actually know. With a Mach 3, I was unable to shave without terrible irritation for days after, but I would also say I didn't "really" know how to shave. With a straight, I can shave and not have any irritation. Then again, I have taken a lot of time to learn how to properly shave with a straight, including how to hone and strop, how to prep my face, how to produce good lather, shaving technique, post shave treatment, and razor care. I never did any of that with a Mach 3, but I'm not going to try one again just to see which is better. The reason for that is simply that I enjoy straights and shaving with them.

I also have a DE, and I can get great shaves with one of those using hot water only and Nivea AS Balm. Shaving with a DE, however, gives me no joy; it is something I will do if I need to shave and only have a few minutes to do so.

So, for best in terms of saving time, money, effort and still getting a great shave - no, a straight is not the best for me. But once you factor in enjoyment, straights are ahead by a mile.

I have to say that for me, the shave is much better with my straight than when I used a multi-blade cartridge. With the cartridge, I ALWAYS bled in my neck area especially if I shaved two days in a row. I also use a DE razor and I get much better shaves with it than I ever did with a cartridge. I still don't shave every day now but the thing is, I don't need to, as my shaves with DE or straight last two days. That's nice. I must admit tho, that my prep is 100% better now than when I used a cartridge, and I'm sure that makes a lot of difference. Realistically, I could probably go back to the cartridge and be just fine although the shaves would suck. But hey, I shaved that way for 35 years and am no worse for it. I did hate shaving tho. But now, I LOVE to shave. Reminds me of my grandad every time I break out my razors. Fond memories of him. That, in and of itself, makes using my straight or Gillette Tech worth it. And the shaves are GREAT!!

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.