Is a straight razor right for me?

I've been using a Merkur Futur DE razor, sometimes I use Feather blades, sometime Astra blades. I almost always shave in the shower where the water is hot, and I use a silicone based shaving cream with dimethicone. I have fairly coarse facial hair and fairly sensitive skin. The silicone based really helped the most when switching to a DE and not have any tugging or pulling.

I'm quite interested in using a straight razor for getting an even closer shave, and a potentially even less possible irritation. I've noticed most of the straight razors have a wood handle. Do any of you shave in the shower with one? Do any of you use a silicone based shaving cream with one?

I'm trying to figure out if one of these is right for me.

My initial response is one of caution. The shower is a great place for things to be dropped. Dropping a razor can and probably will ruin it,... or chop off a toe

The other feeling i get, is that it would become a hassle to strop outside of the shower. A lot of people strop in the middle of their shave if they find the razor pulling.

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Originally Posted by Stozzberry

or chop off a toe

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That would be bad of course but it could get even worse I think.

I'd never shave in the shower with my straight razor.
I'd get my sweet vest all wet :)
Attachment 131877
All kidding aside, not a great idea IMHO
Dropping a razor with wet hands my lead to serious injury :dropjaw:
Mike

If you are looking or a closer shave then getting a nice straight razor is the way to go! I really had my doubts at first being one of those sensitive skin guys as well. In fact, I was trying all sorts of different shaving techniques and ideas to try and not just get an adequate shave but to keep the horrid irritation, bump etc. away. When I started with a straight I used only the sensitive skin soaps and creams and after about a week of shaving my face adapted to the straight and I had ZERO of the issues I had experienced for years. I even got daring and ventured out to trying normal creams and soaps (not ones made specifically for sensitive skin) and those have worked great for me with no issues as well..I was sold on it from then on out!

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Originally Posted by Stozzberry

.... Dropping a razor can and probably will ruin it,... or chop off a toe

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But if You're lucky, it catches halfway downwards.


In addition to the said, You surely will need a mirror and do need a good amount of space for the elbows.

You can get plastic scales, but for shaving in the shower, I would also go for stainless steel blade. Traditionally the blades are made of carbon steel that I would not expose to too much water.

Additionally, shaving with a straight razor, at least for me, takes much longer than a quick shave with a DE or cartridge razor. And somehow... yes somehow it needs to be celebrated. Shaving with a straight razor is "quality time". There is truely nothing practical about it.

No, I don't think using a straight in the shower is a good idea... no, not at all.

Most straights do not have wood scales. Most have plastic or celluloid. Shaving in the shower with a straight is a bad idea. Water is an enemy to the blade and sometimes the scales and it makes things slippery. It's all a bad combination. You would probably be better off with a proper soap with lather made with a proper brush.

As far as "is straight shaving for you" only you can answer that.

if you are willing to endure the learning curve and don't expect fast and easy then it is for you, otherwise no.

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Originally Posted by captaind172

Do any of you shave in the shower with one? Do any of you use a silicone based shaving cream with one?

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No and no!

It's a real safety issue. Don't even think about it.

If I'd shave in the shower, I'd probably end up with a facial landscape comprised of red rivers and little forests of hair that are only partially removed. And that's with a cartridge.

So no, I wouldn't even consider it. I too have sensitive skin that's easily irritated and coarse facial hair. All the more reason to give it all the attention it deserves.

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Originally Posted by Stozzberry

A lot of people strop in the middle of their shave if they find the razor pulling.

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The need to strop mid shave often indicates that the razor needs to be honed, or at least touched up. Your razor should survive the entire shave. If it can't then it isn't keen.

If you want to shave in the shower with silicone suds, I'd say straight shaving is not for you.
If you're willing to adapt to a paradigm shift , it is for you.

It may be a great way to start! Do a pass in the shower with your DE. That will knock down most of your beard and then move over to the sink and do a WTG with the straight. To start shaving with a straight that might be the ideal for you. One pass in shower safely and one with the straight at the sink should be enough for a start!

If you don't want to take the time to enjoy a nice shave...I would stay where your are in the shower with a DE. I use to run a plastic razor over my face in the shower when I was younger and shaving was a chore. Now I enjoy it and take my time.

Three words, one theme:
1- Eunuch
2- penectomy
3 bobbit (as in john Wayne bobbit)
Ons serious not its going to end badly one day if you shave in the shower.

I have a question about your Futur. What do you have it set on? I find it hard to believe you are not getting close enough with a Feather blade in that razor. I sold mine as it was impossible for me to get a comfortable shave with that face peeler. I could not get it to remove only the beard as it always took skin with it. Seriously, you aren't getting close enough?

On the other hand, if you want to shave in the shower and use a razor that gives the closest possible shave, get a Cobra from Classic Shaving. It is a straight on a T handle. The only thing touching your face is the blade (a Feather Pro series or a Kai). There is nothing sharper.

My brain is rendering a mental image of if it fell straight down... Don't risk singing soprano! Shave on dry land, outside the shower

+1 on a lot of comments here. As long as it takes (a lot of that is on purpose), especially at first, I assume your water bill would skyrocket. I agree that it should be enjoyed, and take your time at the sink.
As for sensitive skin, I too am in the same boat, with a thick wiry beard to boot. I used to use multi blade cartridges thinking it was the best shave possible, but my skin is much happier now. You may trade irritation for a couple nicks, but I'll take that any day. And I'm not that far into it yet.

You know - I was shaving in the shower with my DE not long ago... It was great in that it was fast, and your face is always moist. I even brought in my brush and cream!

But it just wasn't the same!

There is something about taking the time to do it "right" in front of the mirror. For me at least... the romance is killed when multi-tasking the shave. :( So was the closeness.

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Originally Posted by earcutter

... But it just wasn't the same! There is something about taking the time to do it "right" in front of the mirror. For me at least... the romance is killed when multi-tasking the shave.

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exactely. If you want it practical and quick, a straight is not the best choice.