Thread: Not so close with the straight razor

Originally Posted by beluga

I consider that a normal occurrence and (unless you have a substandard razor) to me it is an indication that your technique is still evolving.
For a straight shave to surpass a good safety razor shave everything has to fall into place, honing technique, stropping technique, shave prep, shave technique.

If you have serious issues in any one of the above four areas the shave will be be ruined, if you have minor issues the shave will be inferior to a good safety razor shave, if everything falls into place your shaves will be equal or better to a good safety razor shave.

I consider the often quoted 100 straight shaves the point where straight and DE shaves should be about equal, but after that technique still continues to evolve and you slowly start to pull ahead with straight razors.

Having said that; until about two years ago I believed that ultimately a safety razor was no match for a straight, but since then I have reviewed my view somewhat and believe now that with the right (positive) blade exposure and (generous enough) blade gap it is possible for a safety razor to match a straight. Safety razors that meet above two conditions (essentially that the blade glides directly over the skin and is not recessed somewhat) are however in the minority.


Hope this helps…


B.

Interesting points. The Gillette Red Tip and the Slim are excellent razors. But it’s not really about just the shave. It’s about mastering a new skill and using a well crafted vintage tool. Achieving a BBS has never made a lot of sense to me. I can hardly believe that I can shave with my left hand. I will push on.

Yea, there are a select group of DE Razors that will give you a shave equivalent to a straight but for many, maybe most that's not what it's all about. It's more about some real tradition and learning a new skillset and being in touch with the past. It's also a hobby for many though they didn't intend that when they started.

Best of all after you pass our test and pay your fee you will be a card carrying official Troglodyte with a badge and fancy certificate.

It takes time mastering but once you get it, it's the closest shave you can ever have.

Badges....certificate's....! Damn kids. Think they deserve everything. Those sure weren't around when I started with a straight.

Originally Posted by outback

Badges....certificate's....! Damn kids. Think they deserve everything. Those sure weren't around when I started with a straight.

Yeah, I know. You would think there was a Nobel Prize involved. Today I got a pretty close shave with a Wostenholm wedge, and I bragged about that in another post. It will eventually all be routine.

Maybe for some but a DE never got as close a shave for me as a SR. In fact I didn't shave AG with a straight for a long time, only WG because I always get a rash with any safety razor shaving against the grain. Now I do a two pass; WG then AG with a little XG under the chin. With that routine I can get no detectable stubble at all.

Oh, I've gotten shaves every bit as close as a straight, but never as calm and comfortable.

I feel pretty BBS with a de if i go for it but it doesn't stay smooth for as long as a straight