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

I start this thread to solicit from this forum what is considered to be the single greatest advantage of a SR over any other shaving method. We have heard the cost savings (realized by few on this forum, even after five years or more) to less irritation. But what is the single greatest advantage? Is it the nostalgia, the manual dexterity, the satisfaction of maintaining the ultimate sharpness? Here are my observations to which you are invited to take exception.

1. The single greatest advantage of the SR over any conventional, modern blade is free angle variation during the shave. This is the ability, especially with the full hollow grind 5/8 inch or wider blades to vary the incidence angle from less than 5 - 35 degrees or more for any location on the face. All commercial DE's and multi-blade disposables utilize a fix angle that is fine for most, but not all areas of the face.

2. The second greatest advantage for the SR over any conventional, modern blade is variable sharpness. There is such a thing as too sharp! If you don't believe me then try a Feather Super and be humbled. The SR allows the experienced user to optimize sharpness for cutting beard stubble without severing surface anomalies.

Yes, there are many other advantages that I could list here; however, for me the variability of angle is the single biggest reason for less irritation, against the grain potential, and smoothness afforded only by a straight.

What are your thoughts?

For me its all about smoothness, a properly dialed in razor will cut whiskers without you realizing its happening, definately something not achievable with other shaving methods.

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

I'll be honest;
There's nothing else in the realm of 'cool factor' quite like it!

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.

Originally Posted by Gammaray

2. The second greatest advantage for the SR over any conventional, modern blade is variable sharpness. There is such a thing as too sharp! If you don't believe me then try a Feather Super and be humbled. The SR allows the experienced user to optimize sharpness for cutting beard stubble without severing surface anomalies.

Never found a feather blade shaves me closer than a straight so I'd say too sharp is better explained as inadequately polished or a less refined edge. The straight has the advantage that it can be honed/polished & stropped more than any DE blade. A machine made blade is not so fine & compensated for with coatings to hide that fact. The angle thing plays a part tho. Even a well honed straight will not be comfortable at too high an angle.

Well said RMarsh, especially for someone who is new to the SR culture. There is definitely something tactically more satisfying with a SR shave over any conventional method.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Never found a feather blade shaves me closer than a straight so I'd say too sharp is better explained as inadequately polished or a less refined edge. The straight has the advantage that it can be honed/polished & stropped more than any DE blade. A machine made blade is not so fine & compensated for with coatings to hide that fact. The angle thing plays a part tho. Even a well honed straight will not be comfortable at too high an angle.

You have made my point. A SR can be dialed in to the perfect sharpness level without irritation or injury. 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. Other Super users on this forum will vouch for that statement.

Am poor,cannot afford to buy even the cheapest dispos.

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. Other Super users on this forum will vouch for that statement.

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