Thread: Why do I like straight straights?

Just can't seem to get the hang of the smiling blade. Slight smiles I do OK with, but I always get the best shaves with a straight edge.

Is it because I'm used to straight edges or is my face inclined to prefer the straight straight? I'd really like to love the smiling blades, they're so fun to use, but I can't get BBS everywhere, theres always a couple of "acceptable" patches I suppose DFS, not sure what the difference is.

Leighton, could be your honing. A slight smile hones the same as a straight blade. A more pronounced smile will require a rolling honing technique. I've seen discriptions and videos of the rolling X honing stroke so a search may provide an answer.

Here is the thread "The Rolling X" that Russel Baldridge posted some time ago. I have also found Lynn's suggestion of a heel leading 45 degree angle to be effective on some blades depending on the extent of the smile. As far as shaving with them I prefer the smiling blades. I seem to have to be more careful with the straight profile. That may be purely psychological as I rarely get a nick with one or the other.

I agree it may be the honing.

I find the smile on a razor helps to stretch and smooth out the skin as the razor glides along, much as you would smooth out a tablecloth or something.

A straight edge is OK, and a frowning edge works to bunch up the skin in front of the blade, thus resulting in a crappy shave.

First thing I do with a new razor in the rotation is to put a bit of a smile on there, 'cause I roll like dat...

Originally Posted by Seraphim

I agree it may be the honing.

I find the smile on a razor helps to stretch and smooth out the skin as the razor glides along, much as you would smooth out a tablecloth or something.

A straight edge is OK, and a frowning edge works to bunch up the skin in front of the blade, thus resulting in a crappy shave.

First thing I do with a new razor in the rotation is to put a bit of a smile on there, 'cause I roll like dat...

How do you put a smile on a straight blade such as a DOVO.

I think the smile would help with getting the area next to the adams apple which for me is concave...

Same situation for me with the Adam's Apple,
ericstki. I can stretch the skin to get this part
relatively smooth, though.

I don't think that there's a good way to impart
a smile on a straight straight, but I could be
wrong...

- Scott

Its not the honing, the razor is perfectly sharp at all angles. I know what I'm doing, thanks.

I only get a DFS rather than a BBS in the same two places. Left and right sides of my chin. Right at the edges. Rather annoying to have to go over it again half an hour after I shave when I realize I didn't quite get it perfect.

I know i am a straight razor newb, but what are you guys talking about? What is a smiling straight razor? Thanks!

personal razors :: wb3-02.jpg picture by ltyau - Photobucket

Originally Posted by Leighton

Left and right sides of my chin. Right at the edges. .

do you go ATG IN THAT places?
i do stretch the skin and go against the grain