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

Originally Posted by Tierdaen

I use Supers quite often and disagree completely with your assertion that they're too sharp.

My experience is that the SUPERS are too sharp to shave with as quickly as a hand sharpened SR. I would certainly not recommend them for any newbie - what a blood bath. I am much more relaxed with my SR than when I am using my Japanese style Feather SR with a brand new SUPER installed. I have great respect for that blade. I have also used Feather scalpels and have the privilege of using an electron microscope to confirm that these are the sharpest blades you will ever bring to your face. It takes almost a threefold increase in magnification to see the edge when compared to any straight that I have seen personally or the ones on this forum (with micron magnification noted). Nevertheless, I cannot argue with your anecdotal experience, which may indeed differ from my own.

Yeah, the hobby aspect of it is a major part of it for me. For decades I used canned goo and cartridges. I got into wetshaving at first to save money. Then I contracted several shaving related acquisition disorders....... And then, shaving gradually went from being a chore, to being a hobby. Adding straights to the equation is just going to make it more enjoyable.

It doesn't clog and it cuts straight lines precisely.

Do not really think a straight has any advantage over an open comb Gillett and a feather blade.
I think the main allure is doing something our ancesters did,just turned 65 so am talking to a younger crowd,the connected generation,the high teckies.I used to be one,today I fiddle with my blades and stones to get away from that (IMO) crap.
I grow all my own vegies,I compost everything and raise worms that I use to catch fish to run thru my little smokehouse.
I still roll my own cigs (by hand) like my dad did.Am a retro guy,in my Heart I always was one.
The blade and brush are great things for the young to explore,a connection to the past that should never be forgotten.
If I live long enough,say to about 90,I will most likly be 100% retro and back in Diapers like I started out

Originally Posted by RMarsh

Now, I have only been at the straight razor game for a matter of months, but for me the greatest advantage is the tactile pleasure I get from the whole experience. I can get a very good shave from 2 passes with my Merkur DE, but there are a multitude of things that it cannot provide, beyond simply cutting the stubble on my face. Let me elaborate-

Disposable razors are indicative of a disposable mindset, and a disposable culture. Most men think of shaving the way they think about doing laundry or taking out the trash, just a 5 minute chore that is tolerated but not savored. Furthermore, I am realizing more and more that many of the men on this forum are the type that can build things, repair things, maintain things, rather than the type to just buy something, use it once, and throw it away. We strive for quality, and workmanship. We enjoy the satisfaction of doing things the proper way instead of the convenient way. You care for a razor, sometimes repair it, sometimes modify it and elevate it to a work of art. This aspect of SR shaving is directly related to the enjoyment of the process. It is also a skill that must be practiced, evaluated, modified, honed (so to speak), and improved over many years. This is something for which few in the general public have either the aptitude or inclination. Learning the skills required to shave one's face with a potentially dangerous piece of metal just adds to the fun. Finally, there is a zen-like quality to it- you clear your mind and take the time to use luxurious and often expensive products and prepare your skin before taking an elegant instrument (that likely costs as much a year's supply of mach 14 razors) to it and then apply more nice-smelling stuff...you get the point. Basically I'm saying that all these aspects of SR shaving add up to a total tactile experience that cannot be matched by any other method.

I second that emotion!

Nothing like RELAXING at the beginning of what you know will be a hectic day with a straight shave. Then throughout the day reminiscing by running your fingers over your still smooth face. Not to mention looking at the heathens you work with that have two to three day growth who think that's "Manly." IMHO

Originally Posted by velocityboy

Yup. Agree with this.



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.

You'd need a bag full of disposables, and a case of styptic pencils too!

Originally Posted by Gammaray

My experience is that the SUPERS are too sharp to shave with as quickly as a hand sharpened SR. I would certainly not recommend them for any newbie - what a blood bath. I am much more relaxed with my SR than when I am using my Japanese style Feather SR with a brand new SUPER installed. I have great respect for that blade. I have also used Feather scalpels and have the privilege of using an electron microscope to confirm that these are the sharpest blades you will ever bring to your face. It takes almost a threefold increase in magnification to see the edge when compared to any straight that I have seen personally or the ones on this forum (with micron magnification noted). Nevertheless, I cannot argue with your anecdotal experience, which may indeed differ from my own.

So let's get technical then.. Since you have SEM experience

In micron size what are the "Too Sharp" edges at ???

What micron size have you found the edge to become "Face Friendly"

What micron size makes the edge "Harsh"

Is this micron size universal so at 2 microns the shave is good but at 1 it is too sharp, or is this a moving target, that depends on the steel the grind the finish...


What is the difference in microns between a DE and a SR

Perhaps there is something more to it





I know but you broached the subject

I too would have to say that the main thing that drew me in to the world of straight razor shaving was initially the 'cool' factor.
But once I got started, this little 'hobby' of mine has completely changed the direction of my life. After I started collecting razors and doing little bits of restoration on them I realized how much I enjoyed working with tools, power tools, etc. At the time I was studying Commerce and on my way to getting a degree which I really wasn't finding very interesting and did not really feel like I had much purpose in life. I've since made a lot of radical changes to my life plan and am now studying a pre-apprenticeship in Engineering Studies (Fitting and Machining) while I'm also taking a weekend course in Blacksmithing, and for the first time in my life I'm actually looking forward to going to school because I'm learning about things that I find useful and interesting and I can't wait to start working also. It is likely that I wouldn't have made this realization were it not for this forum so I am eternally grateful to everyone on here and Lynn for starting up SRP in the first place.

I seem to have gotten off topic now but yeah, a big advantage of straight razors for me is that it's actually fun to shave now instead of just being something I have to do.

I'm never without a weapon, in the bathroom.

Originally Posted by Gammaray

My experience is that the SUPERS are too sharp to shave with as quickly as a hand sharpened SR. I would certainly not recommend them for any newbie - what a blood bath. I am much more relaxed with my SR than when I am using my Japanese style Feather SR with a brand new SUPER installed. I have great respect for that blade. I have also used Feather scalpels and have the privilege of using an electron microscope to confirm that these are the sharpest blades you will ever bring to your face. It takes almost a threefold increase in magnification to see the edge when compared to any straight that I have seen personally or the ones on this forum (with micron magnification noted). Nevertheless, I cannot argue with your anecdotal experience, which may indeed differ from my own.

Your post may not have been intended to come across as prickish as it does, but try not to use dismissive language when someone disagrees with your assertions that one with experience would certainly agree with you. As much as I disagree with Glen about many of his posts regarding science and especially engineers, he raises the useful question of where your supposed knowledge is justifiably translated into absolute statements of "too sharp" and the assertion that everyone agrees. I found the Supers to be a great forgiving shave, and they rescued my Feather from the bin (well, probably bst forum...) when I thought the standard Pro blades were unpleasant to use.

Referring to my personal opinion as "anecdotal" is a well-known rhetorical strategy to disparage opinions as "poor evidence" (even when sidestepping the word evidence) Your statements are not evidence and I was not bringing forward, nor claiming to bring forward evidence. Saying you play with SEM does not turn your "too sharp" statement into fact, nor does it count as evidence that could discredit someone's "anecdotal experience".