Thread: Safety vs Straight

The difficulty with DE razors is that the attack angle of the blade and the amount of exposed cutting edge can vary ever so slightly from one plate or manufacturer to another and can make a huge difference in comfort and closeness of the shave.

The other variables are the blade you are using, the shave prep you do, the angle at which you hold the razor, the beard on your face and the shape(s) of your face. This of course is further complicated by how different blades work with different razors on different faces and whether the razor head is open or closed comb..

I suggest you get one of those razor blade sampler packs from one of the wet shaving vendors and see which blades work best for you with each razor. I used to swear by the Wilkinson stainless blades in my Merkur and Rockwell DEs, but now I favour the Gillete Super Blue blades. I guess playing with all the variables is part of the fun.

I only use my DE razors to shave my neck and much prefer a straight razor for my face to keep my beard lines true and I have found as you have that my straight razor shaves are much closer and last longer than shaves done with a DE.

I have nicked myself with a straight razor when I wasn’t paying close attention to what I was doing, but I have only really SLICED myself when using a safety razor in which I hadn’t properly seated the blade. That one involved a lot of blood and a long bandage.

Originally Posted by DZEC

The difficulty with DE razors is that the attack angle of the blade and the amount of exposed cutting edge can vary ever so slightly from one plate or manufacturer to another and can make a huge difference in comfort and closeness of the shave.

The other variables are the blade you are using, the shave prep you do, the angle at which you hold the razor, the beard on your face and the shape(s) of your face. This of course is further complicated by how different blades work with different razors on different faces and whether the razor head is open or closed comb..

I suggest you get one of those razor blade sampler packs from one of the wet shaving vendors and see which blades work best for you with each razor. I used to swear by the Wilkinson stainless blades in my Merkur and Rockwell DEs, but now I favour the Gillete Super Blue blades. I guess playing with all the variables is part of the fun.

I only use my DE razors to shave my neck and much prefer a straight razor for my face to keep my beard lines true and I have found as you have that my straight razor shaves are much closer and last longer than shaves done with a DE.

I have nicked myself with a straight razor when I wasn’t paying close attention to what I was doing, but I have only really SLICED myself when using a safety razor in which I hadn’t properly seated the blade. That one involved a lot of blood and a long bandage.

Jerry (Gasman) generously sent me a large selection of blades when I got my Rockwell, the Nacet was the one I liked best. I find Nacets to be super sharp, almost feather like but much more smooth.

I bought 100 Nacets which should last years as I use a straight usually now.

Treat each DE as if it was different from the others you have tried because they usually are. Just like the angle of the bevel on straight razors vary enough that you have to adjust your angle. There is no one size fits all technique.

Bob

I've accumulated a good number of DEs and SEs over the years including some of the new all stainless models.

So, I'll give you my pearls of wisdom on this.

I've been shaving with a straight for around 30 years and these days mostly use a DE.

Blackland makes their Vector SE and Blackbird DE and Timeless makes their DE. Yes, they are costly razors but I find paired with a Personna Medical Prep or Feather or Kai and I get a shave essentially the same as a straight. 24 hours after a shave my face is still BBS and around 36 hours stubble is beginning. That's the same as with a straight. I have a pretty heavy tough beard.

I'm sure if I used some laser measuring device from a lab the straight would come out ahead. But the everyday experience is as I said for me.

Like Bob said you have to experiment to find the right combo for you.



They keep improving these things all the time.

I enjoy the 2 Timeless DEs I have. The weight of a solid razor is a good thing after you learn to use it.

Originally Posted by STF

... I did shave everyday with a straight to begin with but as I got better with it just don't need to anymore, I don't go that much anyway and every other day keeps looking pretty enough.

"don't need to anymore"?! It doesn't have to be about need. I love the experience of straight shaving so much that I would shave twice a day if I could!! ...

I too have been going back and forth between straights and DEs over the past year. With straights, when there's a nick, cut, or weeper, I always know the reason. With DEs, I never really know. Very rare with straights, but more frequent with DEs. I boil down the difference to this, the straight is a blade without a clampdown-press near the edge holding things rigid, and thereby more flexible, whereas the DE blade is held in place between the cap and the blade, near the edge, ensuring rigidity and making it less flexible.

That said, I do like the Razorock Game Changer and Lupo line of razors paired with a Vi-John platinum blade. So maybe the DE blade as used also comes into consideration. And don't forget the cap. Excessive height/angle guide there in a DE razor leads to tragedy, as I have recently discovered with another brand that shall remain nameless.

Originally Posted by Charlie416

"don't need to anymore"?! It doesn't have to be about need. I love the experience of straight shaving so much that I would shave twice a day if I could!! ...

I used to say exaclty the same and shaved at every chance i got, Oh we're going to McDonalds, I better shave again

I have shaved with a straight for just a few years after I joined here, but before that I used a Fatboy for almost 40 years, you might say I can use it well. On a 9 setting with feather blades I can’t tell the difference between straights and DE. I just like using the straight, but still get my Fatboy out every now and then

After some more thought on this subject...
I do find I can get the exact same shave with a DE or SE as I do with a Straight, EXCEPT... I do have one spot on my neck on only one side that I can only get BBS if I use a smaller blade like a DE or SE as with the Straight I can't get into the hollow as well. So IMO, if you cant get a BBS with a DE as a straight then you just need more practice with whatever razor you're using other than a straight. And learning what blade works best for you.
Also, As Best for you could be leaning towards smoother and not as keen. Then it's your fault. LOL. The Feather Blade in a DE does wonders. It just doesn't last long IMO.

My 2 cents worth.