Thread: straigh razors are rubbish

Originally Posted by fpessanha

One thing I've learned in almost a year of straight razor shaving is pacience. This isn't - today... - for everyone. If you are a "rush it" kind of guy you are better off with a Mach3 and foam from a can.

Amen! That's one of the things I love about the entire SR experience...in our "hurry-up-get-it-done-NOW" world, this relaxing and recharging process makes you slow down, and take your time. To me, an often overwhelmed business owner and author, that is PRICELESS.

Adam--I strongly suggest you read the stickies in this forum. Either you have the wrong equipment, the wrong process, the wrong attitude, or you're just not an SR type.

I'll be a bit of a contarian here as I think the Mach 3 and electrics are great for the majority of shavers. I think the best shave is not always the closest shave though. My theory is many people have problems with the Mach 3 because they're so sharp and shave so close that they can easily cause irritation as the hair starts growing back. That atleast seemed to be my issue if I tried shaving with a Mach 3 any way other than with the grain. My Braun electric always gave me a very good shave too.

One of the biggest reason I'm still shaving with a straight is that I shave only once or twice a week. Cartdridges clog too fast on the longer hair from a few days growth and electrics require trimming down first with clippers. The straight powers through it without blinking though.

The fact that I actually enjoy shaving is the other big reason I'm still at it a year later. I will say it took me a good 6 months before I could say I enjoyed it though.

Originally Posted by SlamMan

My theory is many people have problems with the Mach 3 because they're so sharp and shave so close that they can easily cause irritation as the hair starts growing back. That atleast seemed to be my issue if I tried shaving with a Mach 3 any way other than with the grain. My Braun electric always gave me a very good shave too.

A friend of mine has a similar experience and only shaves with a straight on weekends. He gets fine shaves, but he doesn't consider it worth using everyday. It isn't a hobby for him, it's just another tool that has its strengths and weaknesses

Originally Posted by SlamMan

My theory is many people have problems with the Mach 3 because they're so sharp and shave so close that they can easily cause irritation as the hair starts growing back.

This was my experience as well. I shaved with cartridge razors for years. The most problematic area for me is a patch on my neck. I just lived with continuous ingrown hairs that I'd need to dig out with a pointed tweezers when I was shaving with cartridge razors to the point that I have permanent mild scarring there and I was never one to shave ATG with cartridges. Cartridges gave me close shaves but irritating shaves and caused ingrown hairs. What good is a close shave if the aftermath is irritating and unacceptable?

With straights, I still have to be careful with that trouble spot on my neck, but not only does it almost never get irritated when I pass a straight over it, I rarely have ingrown hairs anymore anywhere from a straight razor.

AND.......a single edge (straight razor) gives me close shaves that last twice as long as a 2 or 3 edge cartridge razor. Go figure.

Chris L

Originally Posted by Chris L

Rest assured though, thousands of us guys around the world who shave this way daily aren't sticking with it because we like to imagine that we're getting great shaves but really aren't.

Chris L

Thats what im trying to say! I think maybe everyone is!? its just because you take more time and care over it with a straight one. suddenly going to spending twice as long shaving and going over more than once is clearly going to give a closer shave wether its with a straight razor or disposeable.

I use a disposeable straight blade one (think in mentioned that before) its a sanguine x-d20 probably not really worth selling. Do non-disposeable straight razors shave better? I was thinking about maybe getting one. I got this one first so i could try it and see if i liked it.
I do difinately enjoy using straights more, theres an art to it. But it takes longer and seems to give if anything worse results!
Thanks for the replys. I mainly asked cus i want it to be better! so if anyone can convince me id b very greatful.

Adam

Sorry i should of read more replies before making another reply. Everyone keeps saying I'm probably not good enough at it n stuff. Im sure im not amazing but i dont cut myself. If you have hair on your skin and go over it with a disposable razor 3 times or with a straight 3 times they seem to both cut it down to nothing (i actually tried shaving half my face with a straight and half wit a disposable!)
It just seems that wen people start using a straight razor they, at the same time, start really paying attention to shaving and making sure they do it right. Is it the razor thats made it closer? or the fact your now heating up the skin, brushing it etc. cause or effect thing if u get me.

Adam

Originally Posted by adamround

Thats what im trying to say! I think maybe everyone is!? its just because you take more time and care over it with a straight one. suddenly going to spending twice as long shaving and going over more than once is clearly going to give a closer shave wether its with a straight razor or disposeable.

I use a disposeable straight blade one (think in mentioned that before) its a sanguine x-d20 probably not really worth selling. Do non-disposeable straight razors shave better? I was thinking about maybe getting one. I got this one first so i could try it and see if i liked it.
I do difinately enjoy using straights more, theres an art to it. But it takes longer and seems to give if anything worse results!
Thanks for the replys. I mainly asked cus i want it to be better! so if anyone can convince me id b very greatful.

Adam

There is a learning curve with a straight razor that involves proper preparation, lathering, skin stretching and razor manipulation. The razor itself should be honed by a bona fide honemiester until you acquire the skills if you ever want to hone your own. I would suggest you get a straight honed by a pro listed in the SRP classifieds and go from there. In the newbies corner there is a "read this first" post and in the general area videos to give you a head start.

Originally Posted by adamround

I've been using a straight razor for a couple of months now and I have no idea what the fuss is about. I use a razor with disposable blades and use new ones each time. At first i thought it was better but the only reason seems to be the fact that you take more care over it and do it more than once (i.e. with the grain then against) I've tried the same method of doing it more than once with a normal disposable razor and if anything it was closer and definitely a lot quicker.
Prove me wrong but it just seems to be that people want it to be better. Or is it just that everyone finds it more fun using one even if it isnt as good? Not trying to be abusive, i'd be thankful for any feedback. Thanks

Adam

Well I see it this way. First off I'm new to str8 shaving, but been shaving for 30 years. Using a str8 razor is like using a long or Recurved bow to hunt with. I mean there is the compounds/mach3 disposable razors and there is the Traditional Bows/ Str8 Razors. Mostly ppl find the old times, the pass that was more down to earth. I have a cheapy razor now but will be getting a real one soon. It takes more then one time or just a few months to know what feels or works better for you.

Like others have said, To each His own... If You feel str8 razors don't come close to disposable razors, Don't use one.

i used a Mach 3 for my first shaves ever and just kind of got used to it in high school so when i actually got some facial hair and the shaves started to really suck i figured it was the razor, then i tried some others and they were no better (i have never tried the fusion). i eventually settled on just doing a one pass WTG in the shower and not caring about the stubble i still had. i can't use a cartridge razor or i will get mad irritation and ingrown hairs. i honestly don't know what made me first think about using a straight but a couple buddies had told me how great he shave was when they got one from a barber (back when barbers still did them) so i thought why not learn. the first month was a bit rough as i had no clue and didn't know about these forums. i took a bit of a break where i went back and forth between a DE and my straight and the shaves were all pretty good. i once went back to the "disposable in the shower" method as i had no time and it was crap. my shaves are really good and i am still learning and getting more comfortable with my shaves that take about 15mins.

so is it possible to get a good shave from a disposable? absolutely. careful technique and preparation is all you need. is it as good as a well trained straight shave? no, but it can be close.

to me it is like everything else, i relate it to motorcycles. when you take a 160hp sportbike and put traction control and ABS on it so that you can pull as hard as you want on the brake or the throttle and not spin the tire then you can still go fast, but not as fast (yes MotoGP is a different story), and the control and fun is gone. others would argue with me on this though, and they probably wouldn't like straight shaving either.

Originally Posted by adamround

Sorry i should of read more replies before making another reply. Everyone keeps saying I'm probably not good enough at it n stuff. Im sure im not amazing but i dont cut myself. If you have hair on your skin and go over it with a disposable razor 3 times or with a straight 3 times they seem to both cut it down to nothing (i actually tried shaving half my face with a straight and half wit a disposable!)
It just seems that wen people start using a straight razor they, at the same time, start really paying attention to shaving and making sure they do it right. Is it the razor thats made it closer? or the fact your now heating up the skin, brushing it etc. cause or effect thing if u get me.

Adam

One other thing, I do tattoos for a living and I have shaved many a person with a straight razor with a disposable blade. I have used Weck, Personna and other blades I can't recall off the top of my head and have tried shaving my face with them.

No disposable straight razor blade I have tried ever came close to the comfort and effectiveness of a "real" straight razor...... if it was shave ready.