Thread: 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

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..!?

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..!