Straight Razor vs Double Edge

I couldn't find a thread similar to this. Here's an interesting one.

I love straight razor shaving, but don't always enjoy the blade prep. I've never DE shaved, but I am willing to try. Don't really mind paying for blades because they're so cheap compared to today's cartridge shaving.

Had considered getting a Feather Straight Razor w/ replaceable blades or an Edwin Jagger DE razor.

I've averaged blade prices online and both blades are close to the same price if I stick with Feather blades for both. I've been leaning toward a DE razor for convenience. I don't mind taking my time for a shave though. I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks for you time!

I find Feather DE blades sharp but harsh. While some love them, I found what, for me, is a better DE blade. But if you would use a DE only every-now-and-then it may not matter much.

When I was a young man, a DE blade from one maker was pretty much like a DE blade from another (or so I thought at the time). No longer the case, if it ever was.

For a DE: most people recommend starting with a Mekur 34C (relatively heavy closed comb), and a pack of assorted blades (since different ones work better for different beard & skin types).

I recommend staying with the straight razor. Stropping & drying the blade gets faster. Lathering & the number of passes is the same time for each system. And the time per pass for a straight razor gets as fast as a DE once you have some practice.

Also, when you are comparing the two systems, you can reduce the amount of time you count as stropping if you don't have something else to do while the lather sits on your face for 2-3 minutes to soften your wiskers before the 1st DE pass.

You can get a great shave with a DE. With the right razor and blade combination and the right shave technique it can come very close to a straight shave but it will never match it. I use a straight mainly but also use a DE on a regular basis and after a straight shave 24hrs later I have barely enough stubble to shave again. With a DE, 24 hours later and I need a shave.

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Originally Posted by daviswalber

I couldn't find a thread similar to this. Here's an interesting one.

I love straight razor shaving, but don't always enjoy the blade prep. I've never DE shaved, but I am willing to try. Don't really mind paying for blades because they're so cheap compared to today's cartridge shaving.

Had considered getting a Feather Straight Razor w/ replaceable blades or an Edwin Jagger DE razor.

I've averaged blade prices online and both blades are close to the same price if I stick with Feather blades for both. I've been leaning toward a DE razor for convenience. I don't mind taking my time for a shave though. I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks for you time!

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Since you can straight shave, I recommend a Merkur Slant (37C for regular handle and 39C for long handle).

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Originally Posted by daviswalber

Had considered getting a Feather Straight Razor w/ replaceable blades or an Edwin Jagger DE razor.

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I bought a Edwin Jagger Chatsworth DE before I started straight shaving. Amazing razor and did not have any regrets. I believe it has the newer Muhle head and is a very smooth shaver. The advise to get a blade sampler is worth taking. I bought a nice sampler pack from West Coast Shaving; I think several other vendors sell sampler packs too.

I bought the Merkur 34c and a sampler pack of blades. I can recommend both as money well spent. However I had also got the straight shave down before I bought the DE and now I wish I had have bought the Slant version of the 34c. I think that would be a better choice for someone who can use an open razor.
The shaves, as thebigspendur said, are fairly close and I would +1 what he stated above. I use mine when I am trying to save a few minutes...and it really is only a few minutes difference.


Mick

I started off with DE then moved to str8's...the DE is more convenient for sure and I'm still on the learing curve with the str8 but I like the str8 better for some reason...some of it is the whole thing about taking the time to start the day off relaxed, part of it is reconnecting with my grandaddy who used str8's for a while and part of it to be honest is the bada$$ factor. I work and live overseas and we have minimal "facilities" and these are shared/common "facilities" where six sinks are in a row across/in front of 6 "stalls" and to the right of the sinks is a group of 8 showers....anyway, many times guys come in and basically I get the "woah" factor going then someone wants to talk and/or ask about str8 shaving...while I have an open blade across my throat no less...lol...but...it's definitely not a very common practice to shave with the str8. The str8 can be quite intimidating to start. Just the other day I had my Wade and Butcher (HUGE and heavy) and to be honest, that thing had me spooked. I'm certainly no veteran (5 months and the str8 shaving) but I manage ok for the most part. My first
str8 is a Dovo 6/8 hollow grind from SRD and the W&B has to be 7/8 or 8/8 and is a wedge grind with a lead wedge in the handle too. It has been "butchered" (pun inteneded) but took a honing and really plowed thought the whiskers. To be honest though, I still haven't gotten the shave as close with the str8 as I have with the DE but I prefer the str8 shave. If I'm running short on time I'll go with the DE but again, I prefer the str8 shave. Happy shaves either way you go.

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Originally Posted by daviswalber

I couldn't find a thread similar to this. Here's an interesting one.

I love straight razor shaving, but don't always enjoy the blade prep. I've never DE shaved, but I am willing to try. Don't really mind paying for blades because they're so cheap compared to today's cartridge shaving.

Had considered getting a Feather Straight Razor w/ replaceable blades or an Edwin Jagger DE razor.

I've averaged blade prices online and both blades are close to the same price if I stick with Feather blades for both. I've been leaning toward a DE razor for convenience. I don't mind taking my time for a shave though. I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks for you time!

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daviswalber,

If I were in your shoes, I would opt for the Edwin Jagger DE over the Feather straight razor with disposable blades. Everybody I know who owns an EJ DE loves it. There's at least one online vendor out there who is giving 15 free DE blades with the purchase of any DE razor.

Happy New Year!

I have only experienced straights, but I remember from my initial research that Straights > DE > feather straights.

The only reason I haven't purchased a DE myself is that I would only use it in clutch situation where I would need a fast shave and not have time for a proper straight shave, and I've still got 4 unused mach3 cartridges. Shamefull I know, but I'm a frugal bastard and I'm not going to throw away brand new blades, even if they give me such shitty shaves.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You can get a great shave with a DE. With the right razor and blade combination and the right shave technique it can come very close to a straight shave but it will never match it. I use a straight mainly but also use a DE on a regular basis and after a straight shave 24hrs later I have barely enough stubble to shave again. With a DE, 24 hours later and I need a shave.

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This about sums it up for me as well.

I agree that a straight shave beats the DE. I started with a straight and bought a DE later, but have to admit that no matter how much I like the straight, the DE is just quicker.

No doubt my spastic technique is to blame there. :D

While I can shave faster with a DE, I also find that I'm at risk for more cuts and nicks than with a straight.

I prefer to shave after a shower, so I strop while the water is getting hot, shower, then make lather and shave.

No matter how careful I am with a DE, it never matches the shave from a straight.

But, I can't blame you for wanting to try a DE. A nice Gillette can be had on eBay for a reasonable price.

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Originally Posted by daviswalber

I couldn't find a thread similar to this. Here's an interesting one.

I love straight razor shaving, but don't always enjoy the blade prep. I've never DE shaved, but I am willing to try. Don't really mind paying for blades because they're so cheap compared to today's cartridge shaving.

Had considered getting a Feather Straight Razor w/ replaceable blades or an Edwin Jagger DE razor.

I've averaged blade prices online and both blades are close to the same price if I stick with Feather blades for both. I've been leaning toward a DE razor for convenience. I don't mind taking my time for a shave though. I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks for you time!

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The Edwin Jagger de89 is a great entry level razor, only about $30-$33 and has a beautiful chrome finish. Great entry level razor. Personally I wouldn't get the feather straight razor because of not only the price (for that much money I can get a really nice straight), but also because the blades are so extremely sharp that the slightest mistake will be unforgiving. I'd get the EJ de89, for the price you can't go wrong.

Here is a good demo on the EJ de89.

YouTube - Do YOU Want The BEST & CLOSEST Shave Ever? Try Shaving With a SAFETY RAZOR! Edwin Jagger Chrome DE89

Personally, I find I have much more control over angles w/ a straight--you can also maneuver a straight a bit more easily through weird areas (assuming the blade is not super big--8/8+). With practice, it's also easier to take the cutting right up to, but not over the limit if you're susceptible to ingrowns.

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Originally Posted by PA23-250

Personally, I find I have much more control over angles w/ a straight--you can also maneuver a straight a bit more easily through weird areas (assuming the blade is not super big--8/8+). With practice, it's also easier to take the cutting right up to, but not over the limit if you're susceptible to ingrowns.

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I love my DE razors, but I do fine too that its easier for me to get ingrown hairs or irritation when going XTG with a DE than with a straight. The straight just works better for me in that area. I just have been too lazy and broke after Christmas to get my razors re honed.