Thread: "Pulling" Explained

Look, you also have to remember that a straight is, on average, at least twice as long as a DE. That is a lot more surface area trying to move through stubble. A straight will always feel like it is pulling more compared to a DE for that reason, but as Alan and others have said there are other reasons too. The trick is to recognise the differences between the types of pulling, and deal with the type you can control with technique. I suppose you would call the first kind (due to larger surface area) "resistance" rather than pulling...something to get used to rather than overcome. Although, you can overcome it by using only subsets of the blade like the toe or heel, particularly for certain areas of the face.

James.

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Can straight ever get sharp enough to the point to compete with Double Edge blades for sharpness and smooth "no pulling", like those from Personna Med Prep or some of the Russian blades? I have a shavette holder and have tried 1/2 of a DE blade in there and there is no doubt that it simpy blows away anything I've shaved with in the realm of straights, including such razors I have as Revisor, Wacker, Wade & Butcher, Dovo....

It's not so much about the straight getting sharp & smooth enough. That is definitely achievable but of course, the individual razor, honing & shave technique do play a big part.
Honing is completely removed from the equation with DE's & the system itself is very different but easier to master than an open blade. That ease of use may give the illusion of superior sharpness & smoothness but it is an illusion.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

It's not so much about the straight getting sharp & smooth enough. That is definitely achievable but of course, the individual razor, honing & shave technique do play a big part.
Honing is completely removed from the equation with DE's & the system itself is very different but easier to master than an open blade. That ease of use may give the illusion of superior sharpness & smoothness but it is an illusion.

I shave with both DEs and straights. I have experienced both good and bad shaves with each. I agree that each has its own technique and that the technique for a straight is harder to learn (let alone master). With all that said, I would disagree with the idea that the perception of greater sharpness from a shavette or DE is an illusion.

The replaceable blade edge starts with a thickness that only the finest craftsmen can obtain and maintain on a straight. The thinness of the metal the edge is ground on is a fraction of the thickness of a full hollow razor before the bevel and edge are created. This thinness and the fact that the blade is replaced and not maintained are reasons, that for us average maintainers of straight edges, the replaceable blade is in fact sharper.

Also, the perception of sharpness is multi-facited. It depends on the heaviness and coarseness of the beard, the geography of the face, the quality of the prep and the technical skill of the shaver. The DE in particular gives the average person an easier to use and, on average, sharper tool to handle a wide variety of shaving situations. Can a master of the maintenance and use of straight razors get as close and smooth a shave as with a DE? I do not doubt it. Can the average shaver do the same? I doubt it.

Some straight razor users will get all they need when shaving with a straight. For others, shaves will get better over time as skill increases. I can get an acceptable shave with a straight without using another razor to clean up. Are these shaves as smooth and comfortable as with my DEs? No. Will they ever be? Again, I doubt it for the reasons stated above. One may ask, as an average shaver why should I shave with a straight? My personal reason is they are a tool that is fun to use and care for and I like tools. They are a constant challenge that I look forward to every day.

Thank you. Very helpful.

+1
Never thought about this but I have experienced the pulling sensation.
Now I know why.

I experienced this about 20 minutes ago, I joined this forum a few months ago while thinking about getting into straight razor shaving. I finally did it. This evening I could not get a close shave and I have a lot of pulling; this is the second time this has happened this week. Very frustrating! I purchased a Dovo Soligen 6/8 SS Blade from The Art of Shaving and all the goodies, how do you determine if the pulling is from technique or a dull blade? I have tried different angles and pressure and I still have pulling. Thanks.

The best I can offer is this: I have never experienced pulling with a blade I knew to be sharp. It hasn't mattered what my preparation was or was not. I typically use minimal prep, just some warm water splashes, a quick lather and off I go. With a sharp blade, I'm good. If I experience pulling, then I know the blade needs work. Once you get your technique down, the only real variable will be the blade.

I think you are right, the blade is more than likely not shave ready. I guess I will have to send it off for honing (any recommendations are appreciated). I have been using a SR for 15 years to keep my goatee nice and tidy, but never used it to fully shave. I feel very comfortable using it and shadow shave a lot to practice my hand positioning and stroke. I don't want to hijack this thread and will ask questions about the quality of my blade in another thread.

Thanks.

Take a look under member services in the Classifieds for honers close to you.

James.