Thread: Straight Razor's single greatest advantage over DE's or modern day disposables?

Originally Posted by Gammaray

However, I must ask if you have actually used a SUPER Feather brand SR disposable? If you have, then I am certain you would concur with my statement that there is such a thing as too sharp for shaving.

Yeah I had this same discussion with another guy & even tried it in a Merkur slant. I couldn't tell any difference from my Iwasaki as far as closeness went.

While I don't know the exact reason for it, I can say that my complexion improved after I started using a straight. Could be the brush and soap, could just be the change from shave goop to shave soap, could be the razor... I don't know, but I was happy for it.

For me the greatest advantage, is the shave quality and how it leaves the skin. I share regularjoe's sentiment with regards to complexion improvement . In comparison to a DE, I find that a straight razor is more forgiving on the skin. Hardly any nicks, bumps and no irritation.

Originally Posted by regularjoe

While I don't know the exact reason for it, I can say that my complexion improved after I started using a straight. Could be the brush and soap, could just be the change from shave goop to shave soap, could be the razor... I don't know, but I was happy for it.

Yup. Agree with this.

Originally Posted by Lemur

When your not shaving everyday a "normal" razor will clog up all the time, a straight wont!
And they look better!

Absolutely right! This winter i took the opportunity to grow a full beard for the first time in my life. A few weeks ago when I decided to take it off, I simply took it off (via Wade & Butcher).





Try THAT with a disposable.

For me its mainly the angle at which the hair is cut. Maybe my skin is just strange but with DE's and modern crap, I ALWAYS get some sort of irritation and ingrown hairs when the hair starts to grow back. Not so with straights though, its as if the angle the hair is cut is one which does not agitate the skin when the hair starts to grow back.

Theres so much more to straights though. Just knowing that you're shaving with an incredibly sharp, switch blade looking thing that, it big enough, could be used as a weapon, is awesome! Also, there's a lot of history to the art. Shaving with a straight goes back hundreds of years. Not only that, but if you're shaving with a vintage razor, you could be shaving with something that was used during WWI, how amazing is that? Then their's the relaxation aspect to it as RMarsh brought up. I look forward to shaving with a straight, its really exciting for me and very relaxing; my mind isn't wandering or distracted, I'm calmly focused in the present moment. Its also a skill, an art; not every body can do it and it takes practice and precision (and courage as some non-straights guys have pointed out.) Lastly, call me feminine but I'm a sucker for all the accesories that come with straights: collecting different kinds of razors, using European shave creams and moisturizers, and trying different mugs, soaps, and brushes. No clue why the majority of males don't use straights, no razor is better in my opinion.

OK, I'm new around here. I'm not even 100% sure why I'm getting into this. It's not just the quality of the shave - with a Slant DE or a OCMM SE I can regularly get a pretty much perfect shave. It's not just the cost, either one of those two saftey razors can be had for $25 and a 40 cent blade lasts me over a week. Plus let's face it, I'm doomed to contract a brand new kind of RAD. I wouldn't be bothering if those were the only reasons. A couple of people have touched on the feeling you get shaving and maintaining a straight. It's cool. It's bad. It gives a sense of accomplishment. It instills confidence. It's a connection with the past. For me it's more along those lines.

IMHO The closest and Smoothest shave is from a SR. Period. Thats the biggest advantage

There are two sides to every story so if you are going to talk about the advantages of a straight you also need to consider the disadvantages.

So the question is, is the added labor and time and learning curve (among other things) worth the total cost versus the convenience of the modern alternative and it's total cost?

I already know the answer in these parts however in the real world........

I'm sorry but Mr Gillette made me write this post.

Pro:fun to use
Con:not as sharp

I agree that a blade can be too sharp. Feathers are too sharp (IMO) but Astras are perfect for me and are still sharper than a straight.

I use both but straight shaving is more of a hobby for me.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are two sides to every story so if you are going to talk about the advantages of a straight you also need to consider the disadvantages.

So the question is, is the added labor and time and learning curve (among other things) worth the total cost versus the convenience of the modern alternative and it's total cost?

I already know the answer in these parts however in the real world........

I'm sorry but Mr Gillette made me write this post.

Well said. Most of us who have been shaving for more than 35 years must admit that there is more time and care required of a SR shave. So there must be something very special about this experience to motivate us to invest the time and energy demanded of this hobby. It must be the experience combined with the treasured result of a baby-smooth shave. Chicks dig it too.