Not a positive experience so far

Hello gents,

A few months ago, I went from cartridge blades to DE razors. This was a huge improvement to my daily shavings. Suddenly, the daily shaving routine has become a positive thing that I look forward to. Following the enevitable path, a professional honed and shave ready straight razor arrived early this week. I have had three straight shaves, and I must say that my experience so far is negative and several steps back. Not comfortable at all, and a poor result compared to a smooth DE BBS shave. The first two shaves went ok without a scratch, but I had to finish with a DE to get things in order. This morning on my third go, I cut myself on my cheek during an XTG pass. Probably moving too fast ahead, I guess.

For the moment, morale is low and I am not sure if I am willing to invest the necessary time and training to achieve a shave hopefully close to my comfortable DE shave that I anyway can get today. I now understand why the safety razors became so popular when they were introduced. I am close to degrade my straight to the kitchen to slice vegetables with (not excactly true). Have any of you gentlemen straight shavers had the same feeling on your way to where you are today?

If you want to use a straight it's because you really want to and are willing to invest the time and sweat equity to learn it's use and care. To pick it up on a lark and expect quick success is unrealistic. You know, a straight is not for everybody. It's probably not for most. You need to decide for yourself. If you stick with it in the end your result will be above your expectations.

I started straight razor shaving in the mid 1980s. A couple of barber friends tutored me but, as you describe, my results were less than I hoped for. After a month or so of trying I quit and didn't return to straight razor shaving until a few years ago. Now I wouldn't want to shave with anything but a straight and I don't. There is a learning curve but IME it is worth the effort. :gl:

In my mind, switching from a DE to a Straight is like changing from an automatic transmission to a manual stick shift. You're still driving a car, but there is a learning curve to make it run properly.

Do NOT expect to get complete BBS shaves with a straights for some time. I have been shaving with one for over a month now, and I can only get BBS on a few parts of my face, and only in certain directions (WTG and XTG). It doesn't bother me because I have the mindset that it's a PROCESS and it's going to take time. But it does get better and better, and personally, I enjoy the challenge.

If you are already mentally defeated and not willing to invest the time and patience to this type of shaving, then you probably should stick to the DE. Like BigSPendur said, it's not for everyone. But I do know from experience, as a beginner, that it does get better when you take your time, ask a lot of questions, and work on angles/pressure of the blade.

We have a great community of members here, and we all support you in the journey! If you want to continue forward, you got a lot of support here!

Just be encouraged! This happens to everyone when they start a new shaving endeavor. I say that because I have trouble on my neck area getting the right angle with my straight. So I've been trying to learn the DE for my neck area only. Occasionally, I'll shave my whole face with the DE just for technique. I'm getting better but it get razor burn pretty bad and I get discouraged with the DE. Maybe if we switch places, we'll have the perfect shave! But don't worry too much. Just keep working on your angles and pressure. As I've noticed trying to go from straight to DE, these seem to be the hardest part to get. But you'll get it!

When I first tried straight shaving my face looked like it had been in a cat fight - plus I got an uneven result. It doesn't take that long, though, before it all comes together. You might want to try a Feather razor with the disposable blade. You will learn to work with soft touch and a smooth action, and you can concentrate on shaving instead of razor care. And I promise you, you can get a much better shave with the Feather than a DE. One more thing, try a pre-shave lubricant. I tried oils, but I found they messed up my soap and were hard to clean up. Now I use Astroglide, a "personal lubricant" which is, I believe, mostly glycerine of some kind and is slippery as can be and will wash off easily. Good luck.

Eg,
It sounds like you're suffering from a case of great expectations. Personally, my time with a DE was WAY better than the cartridge to the point of wondering if using a straight would be worth it. When I finally got a straight that was honed by one of the masters here I was blown away. The DE knocked the socks off the cartridge, but it was blown away by the straight in terms of comfort.

That said, my shaves weren't as close with the straight as they were with the DE. They're getting there, but I'm enjoying a more comfortable experience in the process. I've had a couple of discouraging experiences, and a towel stained with blood (stained, not soaked!). But my Fatboy is sitting in my medicine cabinet if I need it. There's no shame in finishing off shaves with a DE or trying the straight only on weekends. If you get discouraged you can set it down and come back to it later.

The only pressure to use a straight well is pressure we put on ourselves. Even though family members/friends might make comments it's your face, your shave, your choice. Shave how you want, on your own terms.

Peace,

I am 9 shaves into the straight shave journey and I have not even shaved my upper lip or chin yet. I use my straight on the cheeks and neck for passes 1 and 2 and the DE on lips and chin. On the 3rd pass I use the DE on my entire face.
I am not getting close or comfortable shaves with the straight yet.
Ive dug a point into my cheek, sliced my other cheek, cut my neck, topped a zit, given myself good razor burn and cut my finger while trying to set up a Shave Of The Day photo:rock:

It all comes down to Practice, Patience and Persistence.

There are many skills that you must become proficient in before it all comes together. You must make good lather, strop well, prep your face properly, hold the razor at the correct angle, use the correct amount of NO pressure and exhibit a significant amount of patience.
I have read about it taking about 100 shaves to really have it become natural and provide great satisfaction. 91 shaves to go!

The hardest part is the beginning, reducing whiskers to skin level. It is easier after that. But, by then you frequently have done your razor burn and cuts damage.

Shave with a DE to BBS. Then, relather and "shave" with your straight. You will get used to angles and holding positions. Once you have "shaved" a time or two, and feel more comfortable, then shave with your DE, but leave a little patch with a little stubble. Shave that with a straight.

Using your DE, you can back into straight razor shaving. Best, you can have total control over how fast you wean yourself off the DE and onto straights. And, there is no reason at all to hurry!

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

...you can have total control over how fast you wean yourself off the DE and onto straights. And, there is no reason at all to hurry!

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That is my frame of mind exactly.
I'm married 17 years so whats it hurt to have a few more scars on the face.

I'm about thirty shaves in, and although I went back and forth with good and bad shaves at first, I'm now getting reliably good shaves and it's getting a lot faster. Like SpicyGem said, it takes time, like learning to drive a manual transmission. If you're frustrated, put it down for a few days, and think about your technique while using the DE. Give it a try again with the straight every week or so on a day when you're not rushed, just the sides of the face. Maybe read up on techniques on the wiki each time. All those tips in the wiki make sense, but you tend to forget some of them when you're standing there with the blade in your hand.

I've been shaving with a straight for a year or two, after having used disposables for humm, close to 30 years or so. I have not been disappointed, but then I did not have high expectations :D In the beginning, my goal was to pass the "looks okay for work" line, later to achieve the "nice shave" comment from my wife when I hugged my wife. Nowadays, I often think I must be careful, if I shave too closely there won't be any reason to shave next day.

When I started shaving, back in the 50's, straight razor shaving was fairly common, although on its way out. I learned on one because that's what my father used. You better believe a 16 year old with a razor pressed to his cheek had some issues at first. Look at it like a new hobby, and not a quick, easy cool change from DE's. It will take you some diligence to learn what you are doing. Don't give up. You'll be glad you didn't once you figure it all out. Remember, you'll have a bad shave if: you didn't do proper beard prep beforehand to soften your beard hairs, you use too much pressure, use the wrong angle, don't stretch your skin close to where you're shaving, roll your edge on a strop by stropping wrong, improperly honing, etc. It's not as simple as ZIP! ZIP! you're done. This is a manly pursuit and it takes manly perseverance.

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Originally Posted by Egilhei

Hello gents,

A few months ago, I went from cartridge blades to DE razors. This was a huge improvement to my daily shavings. Suddenly, the daily shaving routine has become a positive thing that I look forward to. Following the enevitable path, a professional honed and shave ready straight razor arrived early this week. I have had three straight shaves, and I must say that my experience so far is negative and several steps back. Not comfortable at all, and a poor result compared to a smooth DE BBS shave. The first two shaves went ok without a scratch, but I had to finish with a DE to get things in order. This morning on my third go, I cut myself on my cheek during an XTG pass. Probably moving too fast ahead, I guess.

For the moment, morale is low and I am not sure if I am willing to invest the necessary time and training to achieve a shave hopefully close to my comfortable DE shave that I anyway can get today. I now understand why the safety razors became so popular when they were introduced. I am close to degrade my straight to the kitchen to slice vegetables with (not excactly true). Have any of you gentlemen straight shavers had the same feeling on your way to where you are today?

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I think your experience starting out with straights may be pretty normal, maybe even typical. My experience has been about equal to yours, the difference being only that I have now shaved with straights for three months and am hooked on them.

I've used a mug and brush for decades, but shaved with a cartridge razor. There's nothing wrong with them, in my opinion. I always got great shaves with them, and could make a single cartridge last for months, so there was no economic argument against them as far as I was concerned. Then, in November, I tried a DE on a lark, a Merkur 34C. It took two weeks before my shaves were as good as with the disposable (mine is a Pro Fusion). Even when they got as good, they still took me twice as long. They weren't better shaves, but they were a lot more fun. I can still get a perfect BBS shave with the Pro Fusion in under two and a half minutes every time. All I have to do is lather and shave, no extended prep, no fuss, no muss.

Then I happened to run into this forum, read all the stuff, especially all the talk about great shaves, immediate BBS shaves, and decided to try straight shaving. My experience was just like yours. The shaves were lousy. I cut the crap out of myself. I learned what razor burn was. My shaves took not three minutes, but half an hour. Then I learned to strop and to hone, my shaves got bearable by about the 20th shave, and I was really enjoying shaving with straights. I realized that I just wasn't the kind of person to prep for 10 minutes and then shave for 20 more.

All along the way, I'd get a nick or a lousy shave and ask myself the same questions you are asking. To this day, three months later, I can still get a better shave with a DE in less time. People in this forum complain about disposables because this is a straight razor forum and it's pretty biased. Tomorrow I know I can get a better shave with my disposable than I can with a straight. I can get a shave with my Pro Fusion that is absolutely perfect. I would love to go head to head or shave to shave with someone using a straight razor. I'd bet money on my chances although I'd have to wait ten minutes for him to finish so I could collect my winnings. But I'll shave with a straight razor tomorrow morning. Why?

Because it's one heck of a lot more fun. It's a challenge. My Pro Fusion works great, but it's no challenge, and it's not much fun. I agree with others on this forum about this: when I shave with a disposable, I don't look forward to it. My shaves with straights still take a little longer, take more effort and concentration, and may not be as good yet, but they are a challenge I have taken on, put effort into, and a challenge I am winning. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's shave. I've honed and stropped the blade I'll use. It's going to be me doing it, not just a chore with a cartridge, but something I have taught myself how to do. Most people I talk to don't see why I even bother with it, but I know why. Because it's a blast to do it and because it's almost an athletic event.

Straight shaving doesn't come quickly nor easily, but it does come if you persevere. You don't have to persevere, but you will be rewarded if you do. For me, it's not about the quality of the shave, it's about the quality of the activity. I've put a lot of work into it, and it has been worth it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpicyJem

In my mind, switching from a DE to a Straight is like changing from an automatic transmission to a manual stick shift. You're still driving a car, but there is a learning curve to make it run properly.

We have a great community of members here, and we all support you in the journey! If you want to continue forward, you got a lot of support here!

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First and Foremost, I apoligze for only using part of SpicyJem's Post. However it was what I wanted to talk about!

As a 58 year old who learned to shave with what my father called "A Double Bladed Hog Scraper" I fully understand what SpicyJem is saying!

Even for those who drive a rig with a manual transmission, they have synchronized gears these days! Try getting into an old rig with straight cut gears where you need to (Double Clutch) to be able to shift!

The comparison between the Disposable/DE (HOG SCRAPERS) and Straight Razors is Right On the Money! It's a whole new learning process and that process takes time!

My soon to be 18 year old son picked it up fairly easy! He hadn't shave all that much, and his beard isn't very heavy yet! He didn't have as much of a learning curve to conquer!

My advice is to just stick with it and go slowly! If you need to use the DE Use It! Just be patient it will come!

Hang In There! Smooth Shaving!

I see it like this, DE shaving is like shooting a compound bow,with sights and a trigger release,only holding 10 percent of the bows weight at full draw.And on the other hand,shaving with a straight is like shooting a self bow,one peice of wood with your fingers ON the string, NO sights,and holding 60 pounds at full draw,its a whole different animal,and take lots of practice to shoot with good results!!!!! Anyone can shoot a compound bow and alot of people wont shoot a selfbow because they wont get instant results,because it takes alot of practice,just like shaving with a straight. So its up to you if you want to put the time in.Oh yeah i shoot an English Self Bow made by Gerald Welsh in Alaska and love it!!!! If you never shot a bow the above will make no sense to you. LoL

I've been shaving with a straight for... 9 months or so now? And I still haven't shaved my chin or upper lip. Of course the fact that I had a mustache and gotee over the tricky to shave parts probably works in my favor.... To get a REALLY smooth shave does take a couple extra passes.

Funny thing is, my first partial shave was with a pocket knife...

I know I am new, but I am one of those research it to death types before I stick my head into it. The comparisons of transmissions and such are definitely true... And believe me when I tell you, almost anyone can throw down a quick decent shave with a Mach or fusion.. (ducking for cover)... In fact you can get a close shave pretty quickly that way (ducking again)... Being an Ex Navy (and this goes for any military guy) we were all taught to get in.. get shaved and get out so truly what is one to do.. and under those circumstances (as much as I am hooked now only three shaves in) I would NOT throw down with blade in those situations.. there is just no way..

So with that said.. I read a quote somewhere on the net.. (unfortunately I cannot remember what the web address is) but it stuck in my head and was actually the deciding factor in me taking my first true steps into Straight razor shaving. By the sound of your post and such we have pretty much started around the same time so this may help a little... "in terms of straight razor shaving does one truly get a better/closer shave than any other wet shaving method? Could it be that a shave can be achieved faster? On the first question the answer is they are pretty much the same if done right, and on the latter.... Oh definitely not... Straight razor shaving is a life style choice that offers two things that modern shaving (e.g. Mach/fusion, or electric shaving) do not. One being the fun factor, and the second being the ability to bring a small amount of meditation into a mans life." (Yes I know there are ladies that shave but I am just quoting the guy) "There is nothing more fun that will bring your focus to one thing only.. You definitely do NOT want your mind wandering on you with one of these at your throat"

I kinda liked what he said... I am definitely not trying to discourage you. Just trying to open a perspective..

My first shave (barring My son being there and I paid a little attention to him too) took a while.. and it was relaxing.. For which ever reason.. I like the FUN FACTOR the most.. but that's because I am probably clinicly insane.. (just kidding.. or am I) No really, it was just invigorating to me and while i was pulling that blade across my face I had taken time to get to know my skin for the first time. Plus it was cool to see my little one stand on a chair next to me pretending his block is a razor and have me lather his face with soap and pretend to shave as I did it.

I generally shave at night and that is so I can get that moment of calm and meditative state.. here is a pretty good read too.. ZEN

I hope this helps...

I am in my fourth month of shaving with a straight razor. I only did my cheeks for the first couple of weeks. For the first month and a half, I did WTG with the straight and XTG and ATG with a DE. That gave me time to become comfortable with the new technique.

There is no one way to learn. Take it at your own speed. I still occasionally use a DE just because I enjoy it. You are free to use a straight or DE in combination if you wish. It did take me about 100 shaves to get where I felt I had control of the shave.

A wonderful video of "Lapp" taking his first shave with a straight razor is well worth watching. Although he is nervous, notice how deliberate and focused he is. I found it to be inspirational. He must be a natural because he shaved better in that first shave than I did for a month.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ght-razor.html

Ultimately, the decision to stop or continue is up to you. I do hope you will stay with it long enough to give yourself a good chance for success.

Best wishes and Happy Shaving!
:tu

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Originally Posted by DLB

I am in my fourth month of shaving with a straight razor. I only did my cheeks for the first couple of weeks. For the first month and a half, I did WTG with the straight and XTG and ATG with a DE. That gave me time to become comfortable with the new technique.

There is no one way to learn. Take it at your own speed. I still occasionally use a DE just because I enjoy it. You are free to use a straight or DE in combination if you wish. It did take me about 100 shaves to get where I felt I had control of the shave.

A wonderful video of "Lapp" taking his first shave with a straight razor is well worth watching. Although he is nervous, notice how deliberate and focused he is. I found it to be inspirational. He must be a natural because he shaved better in that first shave than I did for a month.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ght-razor.html

Ultimately, the decision to stop or continue is up to you. I do hope you will stay with it long enough to give yourself a good chance for success.

Best wishes and Happy Shaving!
:tu

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Since we are posting videos of first shaves:
Here is mine http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...-evidence.html
Here is SpicyJEM http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...r-shaving.html

Hello again,

Thank you all for your advice and guidings! This Saturday morning I had a fantastic shave - with my Gillette Aristocrat. Sun is shining, birds are singing, yesterday's frustration is gone and life is good! I could easily let it be with that. But learning from the enthusiasm of you dedicated straight shavers on this forum, I am sure there is yet another level of comfort out there using a straight when skill improves. I really want to come there, but will take it slow from here. So my primary tool going forward will be a DE, occationally picking up my straight now and then following the valuable guidelines in this thread. Thanks!

Well, it's cloudy here, a little chilly, and the I think the birds are shivering too much to sing, but life is still good. I think you've chosen the best attitude. You don't have to be a DE shaver or straight shaver. Use whatever you want and enjoy yourself.

If you do move forward to straights, however gradually, you may or may not find more comfort. What you will find is enjoyment.

I completely agree with Ace... Just go with what you feel like for the day and enjoy it. Just like picking out what cloths you are going to wear for the day... then eventaulay you will find that shirt, or pants, or shoes that you just like WAY too much and then wear it out to the point of disentigration.. Fun factor and enjoyment are Key to anything.. Good luck Egilhei...

Straight razor shaving is like working out - if you expect results straight away you may be disappointed. Stick with it, give it a month or two, and if you are still unhappy with the results then you can abandon it.

That's the approach I've been taking at least - and it's really helped out with my mindset and expectations. Instead of disappointment I get pleasantly surprised once and a while with my progress.

Stick it out with the straight man! Use both...Do the middle of your cheeks for a couple of weeks with your straight and then use your DE for everything else and see how you feel about it after a while...and try not to compare too much. Anyone can pick up a safety razor and get a good shave. It takes a bit of practice and skill to get a GREAT shave with a straight. =)

I read a piece of advise when I started that helped me through the beginning. Don't push yourself if you feel uncomfortable stop and finish with your old way of shaving. You will eventually build the confidence to get the job done.

Into the game again!

Hello gents! I started this thread two weeks ago, and I just want to tell that things have greatly improved these weeks! A few days with a DE only, gradually shifting to my straight and for the last days using my straight only. Today I had my first "BBS-like" straight shave except the (for me) tricky area below the jawline - and no blood spilled. Point of no return is reached and passed! Thanks for your useful and encouraging advices in this thread!

To get the area immediately below the jawline, pull up on your cheek with one hand which will bring that area up onto the jawline so it is readily accessible.

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Originally Posted by Egilhei

Into the game again!

Hello gents! I started this thread two weeks ago, and I just want to tell that things have greatly improved these weeks! A few days with a DE only, gradually shifting to my straight and for the last days using my straight only. Today I had my first "BBS-like" straight shave except the (for me) tricky area below the jawline - and no blood spilled. Point of no return is reached and passed! Thanks for your useful and encouraging advices in this thread!

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That's excellent news!