Thread: Help for a potential straight shaver!

Hello, like the title says, I need a little advice. I have not yet started shaving with a straight but am seriously considering it. I currently use a safety razor (Edwin Jagger DE89L with Feather blades) and while I get consistently good shaves with it, I am really interested and intrigued by using a straight. However...I need to go ATG if I want even a DFS with safety razors on all areas of my face, including my upper lip..I have read that going ATG with a straight in that area is known as the Fool's Pass, and with good reason...So my question is, will I be able to get a BBS, or even a DFS with a straight just going WTG and XTG on my upper lip area? I guess the easiest way to find out is to get myself a straight and a strop but I do not want to just jump in if it's not going to satisfy my shaving needs...

It likely will get pretty close, but you have to consider, for the first few weeks(at least)

1. You will probably use improper technique and get a less than ideal shave

2. You will probably strop wrong and get a less than ideal shave

3. If you don't buy a razor that is honed by a pro, or GET it honed by a pro, you will get a less than ideal shave

Some things to consider. Its not as easy as you might think, there are lots of things to consider. If you're like me, you'll get mediocre shaves for a while...

I started using straights four months ago and now shave with a straight 90% of the time and with an EJ DE89L for 10% of the time. I love shaving with a straight. It is fun, challenging, and fulfilling. It took me 100 shaves before I felt I could control the shave as well as with a DE. (I am a slow learner.). BUT THE REWARDS ARE INCREDIBLE.

When I am in a hurry, I use the 89L. I also often do a WTG & XTG with a straight and ATG with the Jagger. You should feel free to experiment and use both a DE and a straight. It's your face and you should do what satisfies you.

I have found that I can get BBS on the upper lip with a straight by using one WTG pass and two XTG passes. It is not necessary to do ATG.

I hope you will commit to giving it a try. It's really rewarding.

Welcome to SRP.

As far as shaving, the main differences between straight razors and DE razors, other than the different way of holding them are

1. de blades are thinner and more flexible, often they're sharper too which to large extent is achieved by a coating to reduce friction.
2. de razors generally have a guard and preset contact angle

So a straight razor would give you much more variation in angle and pressure, but that also comes at a cost - you need a lot more skill than you need with a DE razor. If you do not have the patience to go over the learning curve (typically months even a year) and accept not particularly close, or comfortable shaves, then it probably isn't a very good choice.

I've also shaved with shavette-type razors, including two models by feather and to me they feel more like a DE razors than normal straight razors. BTW, I've never found a razor to be 'too sharp' no matter what kind of razor or blade I've used, but you often see this.
Japanese razors are just different to hold but shaving-wise they do feel like wedge type straight razors.

I think you will be able to get BBS with a straight.
You just won't for the first few shaves/months.
Once you get your technique down and are using proper tools, you'll get there.
I have used DE's and Feather artist club, and they do deliver fine BBS shaves, and they can feel sharper.
The thing is, good prep and good technique with a straight will yield the same, if not even better, results.

I have never met an experienced straight shave who couldn't get their upper lip totally smooth, if that was what they were going for.

Search out xman's videos on shaving.
He shows a fool's pass done expertly!
Good luck!

The bad news: The only way to truly know is to try it!
The good news: The only way to truly know is to try it!

Notice how they're both the same? I made the leap from electric dry shaving (painful!) right to straight razor shaving, and the payoff is incredible. Much less irritation and a much more satisfying shave. I actually feel bad when I have a day (or two) where I can't fit in a shave for one reason or another.

I do notice that a lot of guys do partial straight razor shaves, and finish with a DE. I would recommend that. Buy yourself a razor/strop package from SRD or pick something up in the auction area. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

I think you can eventually get BBS shaves with a straight razor, if that is your goal, but it will take time, practice, work at it, and maybe even more time. If you think you're going to be able to get great shaves in just a week or two with a straight, I doubt that will happen. I've seen posts in this forum in which newbies were claiming BBS on the fourth shave. On my fourth shave, I was just learning how to really cut the crap out of my face.

I think you can get where you want to go with a straight. I would just caution you that it isn't easy and that it does take a lot of work, patience, and time. I've put in that work. It did take quite a while. But, in the end, it is far more interesting shaving with a straight razor.

As far as the "Fool's Pass" goes, I can get BBS on the upper lip with it by holding the razor with both hands and "skating" it above and parallel to the skin line. It takes great care, can be a little dangerous, but does get the area under the nose close. I don't usually do that because I can live with areas that are not BBS.

Thanks for replying everyone. I know I won't be able to get BBS shaves on my first or probably even my 50th shave. I really love the feeling of the razor on my skin and that suction feeling the blade creates and I'm thinking a straight razor will give me even more of that feeling. One question, I know that shaving with a straight (after you have the technique down) will give you the best possible shave, but if DE blades are sharper, wouldn't shaving with an aggressive DE razor give you a closer shave than a straight?

The DE blades are not sharper than any straight razor, many razors can be just as sharp. Aggressive DE means just higher angle and with a straight razor you have full control over it.
Though I think you would do better to concentrate on comfort, not closeness - that's much more effective and efficient way to learn.

You can't compare a DE blade with a straight. The DE blade is machine made, very thin and has coatings. It's apples and oranges. Also it is housed within a safety housing so your angles and approaches are limited compared to a straight. I think I can be bold in saying no DE will ever outshave a straight or even equal it. If someone says it does their straight technique needs work.