Thread: Question about straight razor smoothness

Hmmm... using Microsoft's translater on a Mac gave the following translation:

"Error!! Error!! Sterilize!!! Sterilize!!!!"

But getting back to the OP's question... I agree that with proper technique and skill both razors should provide equal results. However, that is mere speculation on my part since I have never used a disposable blade straight.

Some argue that a mach III gives the same 'smoothness' as a straight.

While I tend to disagree, I find that a disposable blade pulls and cuts, rather than just cuts clean.

In any event, men like tools - they have done since the world began.
One cant place much emotion over something generic that is thrown away after uses; however one can appreciate something which has been forged out of steel that glistens in the light and that one knows will last a lifetime.

Therefore one will take more pride.

Rather than dread shaving as a chore, one will look forward to that shave as a morning or evening ritual. As it takes time, one can shut off and focus on the blade and gains relaxation.

My point is - is something better and percievabley smoother if they are able to enjoy it and indeed look forward to it?

I've wondered about this and I think its because straight razors are slightly thicker metal than disposable blades and so do not skip/flex over the hairs so much. I also think the ability to adjust the cutting angle against the face makes a huge difference as well, something you cannot do with safety razors to the same extent.

I always find that I get a BBS with my straight in one pass using the system I worked out for my face and direction of beard growth. If I do get a BBS with my DE it never lasts as long as the one I get from the straight and I have to do about 17 passes to get there, so I irritate my face in the process!

ok, so regular disposable razor shaving is done almost as a chore. in haste. prep consists of canned goo. then almost with blatant disregard i shave flipping the cartridge this was and that. reckless abandon and a lack of enjoyment turns the process into quick work. a chore. done. straight razor shaving on the other hand is slower an more prep. massaging a warm lather. sometimes oil. contorting the face. pulling the skin. hot wash clothes. slow process. enjoyment. if one were to shave mindfully with a disposable i am sure they would get near the same result as w/ a straight. only w/ more ingrown hairs. thats my thought anyways

My dear Robin,

"The best tool in the world is one that is used by a skilled hand." That is a great quote. It is indeed true. Thanks. Also thanks to FrustratedSRuser for translating it.

Regards

Obie

I would have translated it as more negative- "The best tool in the land is useless in the hands of an idiot"- the literal translation should be something like, "the best tool becomes [an ornament] in the [naiveté] of [inexperienced hands]". But I haven't spoken German in oh... 7 months at best and I'm getting VERY rusty. Other things- Tor(en) is german for Gate(s) and so a translator that doesn't pick up on idiosyncrises like sayings (which aren't grammatic at all) will translate it literally to "gates". Its a ridiculous coincidence that you found that on Bing though. LOL.

Either way its a great quote. Mine has always been "A bad workman blames his tools" which I still stand by. I'm one of those people who can get a good shave with a cartridge, though I'm now at the point where that takes longer believe it or not.

Takes the same three passes, but you have to keep rinsing the hair out of the slot cus its clogged, etc etc. And you can't sharpen/strop cartridges, so they dull. I think that is far and away the best reason to use a straight. The edges. You strop before every use, so you maintain a great edge, and as it deteriorates, its a simple matter to hit the paste or barber hone for like a minute or two and you're golden. With cartridges/DE's one might be tempted to get every shave possible out of it to save money and thus sacrifices comfort.