Is a str8 really better?

I just had my rotator cuff repaired. Which brings me to the reason for this too long post. With only the wrong hand available (right) I reverted to my 3 bladed whiz bang. I washed my face lathered up and mowed down the whiskers. A clean smooth comfortable shave. The first non str8 in maybe 6 – 8 weeks. The first str8 I used was almost sharp, I bought a “shave ready”, not much better. I sent the shave ready to SRD. When it came back it shaved well but left my face burning. Looking at other threads I found this advice.
JEFFE posted in response to Last hope of a Desperate Man!!
“I'm not an expert, but having just put together some of these building blocks in the past few months, I can say that I walked a mile in your shoes, and I've found one thing, and one thing ONLY, is really responsible for any variation or disappointment that I've had with SR shaving . . . THE BLADE ANGLE”
He goes on to recommend a test with your DE.
So if I can get a very nice shave with a disposable, with minimal prep, why do I need elaborite prep to use a better shaver, and end up with a burning face? Angle only!!. Maybe I'll try str8 with the one wrong hand, so I can expirament with angles. There would be no skin stretching or stropping tho, so maybe not a good idea.
John

Hawkeye,

I think so...

I will not contest your recent multi-blade experience. However, a one-time close shave with a multi-blade razor doesn't necessarily undermine the argument that a str8 razor shave is better for your beard and face in the long run. The experience you relate in your post concerning your multi-blade razor shave may be due, in part, to the fact that your str8 razor shaving may have prepared your beard for that close multi-blade shave. However, I wonder what you will report a month or a year from now if you continue to use your multi-blade razor on a regular basis.

Please, keep us posted on your results.

thanks for the reply-- as soon as i get my left arm going again i'll be back to the str8's. sorry for no caps, only one hand for now.
John

In my experience yes, a straight is better... but that's not to say that a straight is instantly better, or that you will be able to get results right away. It's like any new skill that you try to learn, at first you may not even know enough to be aware of the things you are doing wrong. As for the angles advice... that may be what made things click for him. Pressure, prep, stretching, and many more little variables that you forget about enter into the process.

The thing is that after practice (as with almost anything you do) you just kind of learn what you need to do. After time you do all of the little things without having to think about it. If you keep at it, I am confident that after some time, and after some less than stellar experiences you'll start to really love your results.

Also, for most of us here using a straight is more than just a way to get stubble off of our faces (or wherever you like). It's an experience, a relaxing time, the pursuit of the finer things, a link to the past, whatever it is there is something more to it. And there has to be some part of that working for you or I doubt you'd have tried a straight in the first place. I think if you hang in there, pretty soon we'll be reading the post you make when it finally clicks and your shaves are everything you expected they'd be. You don't have to rush it though, the straight will be ready when you are.

All the best, looking forward to reading your future posts, I hope this helps in some way

Dave

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jhenry

The experience you relate in your post concerning your multi-blade razor shave may be due, in part, to the fact that your str8 razor shaving may have prepared your beard for that close multi-blade shave.

---

I've very curious of this as well.

I only switched to straights maybe a month ago, and I decided to compare the shave I get using various methods.

I shaved my legs with proper shaving soap, a brush, and a straight razor.

I remembered from my very recent past of shaving with a 3-blade Venus that my skin was normally way too sensitive to shave 2 days in a row.

But I decided to give it a go anyway, the day after shaving with a straight.

I shaved one leg the way I used to shave - plain ole's soap and Venu razor in the shower (my skin can't handle that shaving foam stuff), and I did the other with a brush and shaving soap, and my Venus razor.

Neither of my legs where anywhere near as irritated as they used to get, though the one where I shaved in the shower wasn't as smooth or as comfortable as the one where I used proper shaving soap.

If I had tried to shave 2 days in a row before, my skin would be on absolute fire. And on both legs, the shave felt slightly better than it usually did when I shave with a tri-blade.

So I wonder if having taken care of my skin with proper prep, and having used one GOOD blade rather than 3 poor ones, contributed to a better, more comfortable shave when I tried out the Venus again. It stands to reason that if my skin is healthier to start with, I will have an easier shave.

Would it have continued like that? I doubt it.

The day after I shaved with the Venus, I could tell my skin was slightly drier than it is the day after a straight shave. It wasn't as irritated as it used to get, but I'm sure if I'd kept at it, it would have gone back to the way it was before.

But that's just me.

Good responses!

I have to go with straight is better, but after a "conditioning" period.

My face has never been this smooth and soft after a shave. I also could not shave with a multiblade 2 days in a row without SERIOUS razor burn...still haven't tried straight shaving 2 days in a row, but I will to see.

I refuse to go back to the barbaric disposable razor products, it's straights for life for me ;)

No doubt, You get a much closer shave with a Straight Razor. Yes, It takes some getting used to, and practice, and a bit more prep, but the end result is so worth it.
Not only angle and bad prep contribute to irritation, but sometimes the honing method.
Your edge can actually be too keen. Me, for instance. If I use .25 diamond paste, it irritates the hell out of my face. I have to admit, Shaving has become a high point in my day for me. I look forward to it.....

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!!

It definately is for me.

When I used a Mach 3 I could only shave twice a week..! More than that and I looked like I'd stuck my face in a paper shredder. And even twice a week, I still used to get razor burn and bumps.

Now I shave every day Monday to Friday and I may have a day off over the weekend, but sometimes not! I enjoy it, what can I say..!? :D

I dont really get any irritation now, certainly no bumps, and the only spot thats still a problem is the one that was CAUSED by the Mach 3 travesty. I can still get some irritation along the base of my neck, which hasnt entirely gone from my Mach 3 days.

Frankly I wish I'd started shaving with a straight razor right from the word go. Theres no way I'd ever give it up now! I enjoy the process, the tools and the end result far too much..!

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.

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

I just had my rotator cuff repaired. Which brings me to the reason for this too long post. With only the wrong hand available (right) I reverted to my 3 bladed whiz bang. I washed my face lathered up and mowed down the whiskers. A clean smooth comfortable shave. The first non str8 in maybe 6 – 8 weeks. The first str8 I used was almost sharp, I bought a “shave ready”, not much better. I sent the shave ready to SRD. When it came back it shaved well but left my face burning. Looking at other threads I found this advice.
JEFFE posted in response to Last hope of a Desperate Man!!
“I'm not an expert, but having just put together some of these building blocks in the past few months, I can say that I walked a mile in your shoes, and I've found one thing, and one thing ONLY, is really responsible for any variation or disappointment that I've had with SR shaving . . . THE BLADE ANGLE”
He goes on to recommend a test with your DE.
So if I can get a very nice shave with a disposable, with minimal prep, why do I need elaborite prep to use a better shaver, and end up with a burning face? Angle only!!. Maybe I'll try str8 with the one wrong hand, so I can expirament with angles. There would be no skin stretching or stropping tho, so maybe not a good idea.
John

---

One reason for your excellent "non straight" shave could be the knowledge and techniques you have acquired through your interest in straight shaving.

[QUOTE=xman;542314]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.[/QUOTE ]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW SON!!!!!!!!!!

yes i have used it 3 times now. my experience is the same as yours. i'll have to use it for the next 4 weeks, until i get my left arm out of the sling. i am still thinking about trying to use the str8 one handed.
john

yes you do have control of your blades. start from sharpness end angle changes.gl

To Hawkeye (OP):

First, I hope your arm gets better soon! You have my best wishes for a quick and painless recovery.

Second, I cannot even imagine the problems caused by trying to use a straight razor with the non-dominant hand. I know some experts here can do it, but every time I've tried, it's like a scene out of that old horror movie where the guy gets a hand transplant from a depraved murderer, and the new hand does all sorts of evil stuff and eventually tries to strangle its new "owner". Anyway, that's pretty much what happens when I put a sharp blade in my left hand and bring it near my face!! So all I can say is, please be careful, and I hope your dominant hand and arm are soon well enought to take over this task.

Third, if you're interested, there is a very basic, objective reason that you can see for yourself why a cartridge shave will never, ever equal the smoothness of a straight razor (or DE for that matter). Someone showed it to me once, and I can explain it to you. If you will look closely at the surface of plastic cartridge that touches your skin, you will see that the actual parts that touch your skin are all plastic "bumpers" or ridges that surround the metal blades on all four sides of a rectangle, and that the metal blades are actually set into this plastic rectangle with just the tiniest gap separating them from the surface of the bumpers. This is why you can shave with a cartridge with one eye closed and never cut your face -- because the only thing actually touching your skin are the four plastic bumpers while the metal blades ride just the tiniest bit above the surface of the skin and cut the hair there. Now I know that the TV commercials show the skin touching the metal blade directly and one blade pulling the hair out so that the second (or third or fourth or whatever) blade can cut it off at the root. But this is plain old marketing bullcrap, and you'll notice that they don't play that little animated video anymore to sell these razors. No, the reason these cartridge razors work is that they have moved the blades to a position just above the skin so that you can shave without any skill or technique or attention and get a shave that is about 75-80% of the shave that you would be getting with a proper straight or DE. If you don't believe me, look at the cartridge you are using or, better still, lightly wet the surface of the cartridge and then press it onto a piece of dry paper and let me know if you see any marks made by the blades themselves.

Anyway, I didn't mean to go on a rant, but this is one thing that really bothers me about cartridge razors -- how we've been sold on this idea that these are "the best a man can get" when the real truth is so completely the opposite story that it's jarring to the conscience. :soapbox: That being said, I'm glad that the cartridge razor is helping you during your recovery, and no doubt the skin and whisker prep that you practice with a straight will help get a better shave from a cartridge.

Anyway, best wishes and good luck with everything!! --Jeff