Thread: straight razor vs. disposable straight razor

I am relatively new to Straight razor shaving. I have three solid straight razors that are of great quality, however, I find that my disposable straight razor does a consistently better job. It seems a lot sharper, it cuts my hair without missing any hairs, and it doesn't pull. The same cannot be said about my other razors.

How would you compare your experience with a disposable straight vs. a straight razor?

Welcome to SRP. My experience mirrors yours in the beginning of my straight razor shaving. It began to gradually change as my shaving technique improved. Having professional quality honed edges is important as well. Not necessarily to just shave, but to achieve edges as good or superior to alternative shaving implements. This can be accomplished by learning to hone or by sending them out.

I can say with no exaggeration that I get as good a shave with some, not all , but probably most of my straights, as I do with anything else I've ever shaved with including my Merkur slant with a Feather blade. The proof of that pudding is that I almost never shave with anything but a straight by choice. If something was better I'd probably be a weekend warrior with the straights. OTOH, that is for my skin and beard. We are not all playing with the same deck of cards.

Thank you for your input.

I am confident in my razors, I believe that perhaps I am not getting them sharp enough with my strop (I get them honed every few months). This is due to either poor stropping technique or a low quality strop. I am pretty confident in my technique though I am always striving to get better. Can you recommend a quality strop and a place to buy one? I am finding that it is easy to fall for companies that are putting high prices on low quality materials.

Welcome to SRP. I find straights to shave more comfortably (after I became proficient) than disposable straights and DE blades.

Originally Posted by shaveryeah

Thank you for your input.

I am confident in my razors, I believe that perhaps I am not getting them sharp enough with my strop (I get them honed every few months). This is due to either poor stropping technique or a low quality strop. I am pretty confident in my technique though I am always striving to get better. Can you recommend a quality strop and a place to buy one? I am finding that it is easy to fall for companies that are putting high prices on low quality materials.

Any product from www.straightrazordesigns is quality. You mention you get your razors honed every few months, is your honer a straight user?