How does a safety razor compare to a straight razor in...
Quality of shave
Likelyhood of cutting oneself
Other
Discuss
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How does a safety razor compare to a straight razor in...
Quality of shave
Likelyhood of cutting oneself
Other
Discuss
IMO its easier to get a higher quality shave with a DE because you must master the technique with a SR before getting a similar shave. Part of the SR expierence is just that learning the art of sharpening and maintaining an edge and learning how o use it. Personally I'm pretty new to this game but have already expierenced a superior SR shave relative to a DE. I'm still early in the learning curve and consistency isn't there yet.
No question a SR can cut you faster than a DE. Respect the blade all the time. Just today I relaxed bait wiping water off my blade with tissue when I noticed it sliced through the tissue and went a layer or two into my finger. It didn't bleed and was less than a paper cut but I was lucky. An unplanned event and a wake up call.
Much of the wet shaving process is the same but learning the art of using a SR is the appeal. IMO once done the SR is a superior shave. If you're up for the challenge try SR shaving and stick with it.
So far for a newbie I've done pretty well.
I don't really shave with safety razors too much but I find the quality of a straight razor shave is beyond compare of a safety razor. I have never been able to get a bbs shave from a safety. I also have cut my self more with a safety than with a straight which is probably due to the fact that I rarely use a safety razor and thus haven't gotten comfortable with it. I will say though that it was easier to use a DE than it was to learn a straight razor. Also, and this is probably why most people like to use straights, straight razors are more involved. They require more care than just rinsing and changing the blade every few days. You have to hone them and strop them and that takes skill and practice so it becomes a hobby to get the best shave from that blade. Whereas with a DE, if you dont like the edge than all you do is pop in a different brand of blade and your ready to go. Not saying that I dont like de's. They're great when your traveling or in a rush but the straight razor is a little more involved. If I were to compare it to cars a mach 3 or cartridge razor would be a care that drives itself I.e. no skill involved and a de would be an automatic honda where any one can drive one once you learn the fundamentals and a straight is a full blown race car. Anyone can learn to drive one but it takes money, time and patience to learn and a high level of dexterity and it becomes a hobby and sometimes a passion.
When you are learning to use a DE (safety) razor you are probably more likely to cut yourself than with a straight.
Straights require a steady and gentle hand to get your required angle.
DEs provide the angle but the type of blade is a HUGE variable. I have some blades that give a close and smooth shave and others that continually cause nicks. Same razor, same technique but different blades. While you're finding the DE blade you like best there are likely to be a number of minor cuts.
Might take a bit longer to get to the point where you're getting the type of smooth shave with a straight that you're after. But in my experience far less blood involved than with the DE blade trials.
Once you've got your technique (and blade selection) dialled in then the results are likely to be fairly similar. The straight gives you just a bit more control over angles and you're far less likely to use too much pressure ;) The prospect of slicing yourself is a better reminder than the possibility of a little post-shave irritation.
I like both. The learning curve is (much) less with a DE.
You have to really be careful with a straight as most of the cuts are due to being careless. The cuts are usually when positioning the blade rather than when actually shaving.
You can cut yourself with a DE as well but you don't have to be quite as careful as with a straight.
The appeal of the straight is (as already mentioned) the learning required to master the technique of shaving and honing (and perhaps restoring).
It's all wet shaving however and I do both for variety. Anything is more enjoyable than cartridge or electric shaving.
If you mate the right DE with the right blade with you the shave you get can come very close to a straight but it will never be as close. As far as cuts go a DE wasn't termed a safety razor for nothing.
I like both. I also throw in SE razors into the mix. :)
As has already been mentioned, DE razors (and safeties in general) are easier to master quickly. The shaves are equally close once you work out the technique properly.
One area that the safety razors work better than straights in my hands is on the upper lip. I can get a pretty close shave without an ATG pass with a straight on the upper lip, but it's not perfectly smooth. With a safety, I can do the ATG pass and get it smooth. I've never been totally comfortable with trying an ATG pass with a straight in that area.
Shaved with a few different types of razors over 45 odd years of shaving but came late to straights, about a year and a half in on those. That said, my favourite DE can give any of my straights a run for the money in the quality of shave department although with a bit more irritation. I have not cut myself any more with straights than DEs which means no great blood letting, touch wood.
For me from a purely practical POV a DE is superior as it is quicker, shaves as close and requires less maintenance. There is a reason that they supplanted straights. Practicality is not the end all and be all for me though. I prefer the overall experience that shaving with a straight affords me. It is a much more enjoyable and relaxing experience once you get past the initial nervousness shaving with a straight can induce. Using a straight is not a magical cure for poor shaves. As always YMMV.
Bob
I have been tempted lately to try out a DE, but I'm trying to fight that off. I love shaving with straights and all that comes with it, so I really have to reason to try a DE other than curiosity. I really don't need more stuff to buy too.
I have in my arsenal 20 some straights, one old 3 piece Gillette DE, one old Schick injector, one Christy SE, one Valet SE and thinking of getting a Rolls razor. All said, straights for almost all because of the level of art and skill needed to shave with one. That equals satisfaction and because you need to concentrate on what you are doing it gets the mind working properly for the day. The DE gives as good a shave as a straight with no cuts and I use it when in a hurry (rarely or when I wax sentimental (it's a dead ringer for the one my Dda used). The others are for pure variety and the challenge, once in a while to see if I can get a good shave from them.
In short - A straight is great - A DE will do it - All the rest whenever for fun.
I shaved with a DE for 7 years before I started with a SR last year. I have the SR shave technique down, but I still use the DE for touchups once in a while.
Here is my experience:
* I can get a close shave with a DE (with the right DE blade) or SR.
* The DE was much easiler to learn than the SR.
* I got about the same number of cuts/nicks with a DE or SR when I first used them.
* The DE covers a smaller area in a single shave stroke, due to the blade width, than the SR.
* I rinse my blades under running water during shaving. The DE requires much more rinsing than the SR because it clogs quickly after a shave stroke. Depending on the blade width, the SR can get you through several shave strokes before having to rinse it once.
* The SR requires more skin pulling for a close shave.
* SR requires higher maintenance than the DE, but I quickly got used to it. I always maintain my tools, so integrating the SR into my maintenance routine was easy.
* With SR shaving, I learned to map out my beard growth pattern, which is important. I never thought about that when using the DE.
* The SR itself is much more expensive than a DE razor.
* The SR is more delicate than the DE. If you drop either razor, then you'll understand just how delicate I mean.
* The SR is more fun/enjoyable for me.
Really well said more detailed than my first response but I totally agree.
OP I had the closest best shave ever today. The last couple days I had some mild irratation going on (too many passes chasing the BSS) so I went back and stropped my SR really well. But today I was running late and planed to do a one pass DE shave and get on with my day. Did a really good prep and one pass WTG with my DE. Blade is essentially new. Feeling really good no irritation I did two more passes and some mild special area clean up and my shave was so close I doubt I'll have to shave tomorrow. Really an amazing shave, just one of those days.
I'll break out the SR on Friday.
Well I think much of what I may have said has been covered, but I will add that for those of us that keep a certain amount of facial hair, nothing is as good as a cut-throat for getting into those small areas for culling out the stray whiskers amongst those you want to keep.
I use both types of razor regularly. Both are enjoyable and both give good shaves.
Mick
I am a couple of months in I guess and I cut myself way less with a straight. I can see the edge. I can adjust the shave angle lower if I need to. For me the straight allows more fine tuning and more details I can control for a better end result. Sort of like a race car driver competing with a stick or an automatic.
Give an inexperienced person a DE and a straight and he will do better with the DE. Maybe. The same guy, a few months down the road, shaving alternately every other day with DE and straight, will probably do better with the straight. I think.
IMO a straight beats a de in comfort and closeness. (Is there anything else?) The learning curve is more obviously but worth it. The de may seem closer cutting until you know what a shave ready blade is and your angle is correct. The shave with a straight last a lot longer imo.
just moved to straights from Des looking forward to finding out !
For me, honing was never part of the equation.
When I get a razor, it either comes shave ready, or I send it out for a honing.
Then, with proper use of stropping and maintenance, the blade should be good for a year. If your new to SRS, you may go harder on a blade your first go around...that's normal.
I've gone so far as I have a CroX pasted balsa board (you can paste a strop), which I will use to touch an edge if I feel a bit of tugging or pulling. When the CroX gives up, I use my coticule or a barbers hone to refresh the razor, that will work for several months (approx).
Now, most will encourage you to have more than one razor, so if you can rotate your blades, just using those steps should keep you in business for quite a awhile, maybe a year before you have to send it out for honing. More razors in your rotation, the longer you can stretch it out, and while you have some to shave with, others can be out.
Honing, and actually being good at honing, are two different things in my opinion, and I'd rather send my out to let a professional do it, than invest the cash and time to try to learn how to hone. From what I've read here, you'd have to do 5-10 razors a day for a year to get proficient at it.
That's my take on it, works for me, YMMV...either way, enjoy!
Safety razors are for people who want to invest in a great shave and then go to work.
If friends call you Shotrod Tinkerfinger and your motto is, "If it ain't broke then take it apart and find out why not" you will prefer a straight razor.
So it is.
So has it been.
So shall it forever be.
I have a handful of de's. Only ever feel the need to use one of them. I get a great shave when I use it.
Sr's are my passion. So I have to have variety. And it's a total high when I shave with a razor that I've honed to perfection.
Michael
I own razors of all types. Electric, cartridge (BIC semi-disposable hybrid is my pick) DE, straights. This wasn't about jumping from type to type seeking the best shave. I use them all.
I use them all because All of them have some utility. All of them can do at least one thing none of the others can. Electrics can shape/trim a beard anywhere/anytime, or shear a weeks growth off in a flash with no irritation or prep cutting it down to the equivalent of a day's growth, at which point shaving with a blade will by safer and more comfortable. A cartridge razor can be used to safely and easily shave blind spots in the shower with almost no prep of fuss; if I need to shave the back of my shoulders for example. A DE razor can give a very good, very safe shave with minimal prep/investment of time and money. It's easy to handle in a rush and it's a durable tool in contrast to an open razor; drops, dings, etc won't entail costly or lengthy repairs. You don't need to spend as much time prepping your face, the lather doesn't need to be as rich, etc. Yes for best results you might prep/lather like a perfectionist regardless, but you have the option to skip it.
A straight will give the best shave, few would say otherwise, but it also takes the most investment in time, money, finesse, prep, lather, equipment, learning and post-shave care. Moreover a straight razor has a high quality threshold: a dirt-cheap DE razor using a nice blade will still give a good, fairly safe shave in contrast to a re-plated vintage fatboy. A cheap, hybrid cartridge razor will give a more or less comparable shave to the fanciest cartridge razor you can buy. No matter how cheap a DE or cartridge razor is still a razor. Not a 'razor shaped object.'
A safety razor (using either a double edge or single edge blade) delivers an outstanding shave. I got into traditional wetshaving because I just couldn't achieve closeness and comfort with the typical multiblade razor or electric razor that is commonly sold in stores. I was more than satisfied with the SE and DE razor. It solved a 40-year problem.
I wanted to learn the straight because I have always been fascinated by them as depicted in movies and in a barber shave I witnessed a friend of mine receive many years ago. That's the ultimate shaving experience for me.
The straight is clearly more dangerous because blade is not resting on a bar that helps protect your face. It's completely up to you to set the angle and guide the blade along your face.
My advice is to use whatever works and appeals to the individual. No one is a "real man" based on the razor used.
Aside from a few days off for removing a chip from my first razor, I have shaved with a straight every single day since May. The day before yesterday I tried a DE for the first time. A Gillette slim with a feather blade. I was immediately impressed with the ease of use and quality of shave. With that, my observations are (keep in mind I'd obviously get better with more DE use):
The biggest con I can see to the DE is not having the feedback I get with a straight. By the time I knew I was having an issue on my neck it was too late. With a straight I know right away if it's not going to go well. Pro: it's a good shave for the effort. I'll definitely be taking a DE for upcoming travel I have.
So long story short, I like the DE, can see using it more in the future, but just love the straights too much :) However, I know for sure that I'll be recommending a DE to everyone I know that uses cartridges but don't want to switch to straights. I mean why not?!
I use both, and can get bbs with both albeit with a little irritation from the DE, none from the straight. The best part about the straight shave is, for a few minutes a day, I am Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin and Randolf Scott all rolled into one! I always wanted to straight shave ever since I saw Steve Mcqueen do it.
I use my DE's more than my straights and gets closer shave with them, but I get less irritation from straights usually. To me both types of razors have their place in my life, and both can be a lot of fun.
Started on DE razors near two years ago, well re-started really. While looking for info, I came across this site and decided to give the old cut-throat a try. To be honest it has been a huge learning curve but well worth the effort, I now get less irritation than any other type of razor. I still get the odd nick, but that is to be expected when you look at what we are shaving with, and as close a shave as I have ever had. What ever works for you, all good,but I have gone straight.
I don't know if this has been posted yet, but straight razor shaving is far more expensive than it is with cartridges or electrics.
I'm not just talking about the initial costs, but the RAD (Razor acquisition disorder) which every straight razor shaver will inevitably acquire. I've only just recently removed this website from my blocked list, after almost a month of self-induced rehabilitation.
It's true that it's very easy to slip into buying many razors, or many hones, or indeed many strops, soaps, brushes, etc. If one went into it with economy in mind I believe they could set themselves up for a modest outlay: a servicable razor, strop, brush, soap and a 3/8 Nani or 4/8 Norton plus a Gold Dollar to practice honing. Sure the razor might not have the finest finish, but a little chalk and newspaper after the 8k side of a Norton or Nani after stropping would definitely make for serviceable shaves. That would set one up for quite a while. The on-going cost of soap and alum/aftershave and perhaps having the bevel set every now and then, or buying a 1k Nani in future wouldn't amount to much, or you might use 1k paste on a mirror.Quote:
I don't know if this has been posted yet, but straight razor shaving is far more expensive than it is with cartridges or electrics.
I'm not just talking about the initial costs, but the RAD (Razor acquisition disorder) which every straight razor shaver will inevitably acquire. I've only just recently removed this website from my blocked list, after almost a month of self-induced rehabilitation.
As a person who started DE and SR shaving at the same time and continue to routinely go back and forth between the two, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I started off with much better shaves from DEs but now, a few months down the road, straights are much closer and comfortable.
I still enjoy DE shaving and when I'm in a rush DE is the way to go. Also I can shave the back of my head with a DE worry free. I haven't figured out how to do that with a SR.
Does anyone know if the quality of a safety razor (handle etc, not the blade) affects the shave? ie are some angled better etc.
thanks
Andrew:
Also different razors have different degrees of aggressiveness as the result of more or less blade exposure. What sort of shave are you looking for? Mild but requiring more passes or quicker shaving but with greater risk of irritation if you aren't exact with angle and pressure?
I was into DE shaving for about 5 years before straights. I have several Merkur's. My personal experience was it was very hard to get a BBS shave with no irritation. When I took up straights the learning was long approx. 90 days to get good. The results are a long lasting BBS shave with no irritation. It does take much longer to shave but I find the whole process relaxing. Honing just takes some pratice but it's not hard. Just by a set of Naniwa's 1,5,8,12k stones and dmt 325 for lapping and watch Lynn and Glenn's videos and read the forums.
Guy
I was into DE shaving for about 5 years before straights. I have several Merkur's. My personal experience was it was very hard to get a BBS shave with no irritation. When I took up straights the learning was long approx. 90 days to get good. The results are a long lasting BBS shave with no irritation. It does take much longer to shave but I find the whole process relaxing. Honing just takes some pratice but it's not hard. Just by a set of Naniwa's 1,5,8,12k stones and dmt 325 for lapping and watch Lynn
I'm still a beginner but I see the SR costing a more even against the ongoing cost of blades for a DE. How many blades can you buy for the cost of honing and shipping and a strop etc? You're more likely to form an attachment for your SE than the DE, so do you want to hand your baby over to an essentially indifferent third party to have it shipped to an apparently trustworthy honing service whom you've never met? If not, then factor in all the hones and lapping equipment and effort to learn to use them. You will want a second SR while one is off being honed of course and the RAD will set in not only for the SR itself but every other item associated with SR shaving, honing, and storage. I've only been SR shaving about two months but I believe I've spent more in those two months on SRs etc than in the over 20 year of DE shaving.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm all for SR shaving but it can quickly become a hobby of sorts that goes beyond the simple need to remove your facial hair. The DE is much less likely.
It strikes me that a lot of people here eventually begin to hone their own razors. And, you can get a perfectly functional set of hones that'll last you a lifetime for around $100.
This is probably a stupid question, but if it is common for people to drop their razors and damage them, why dont razors come with a wrist strap/cord like some cameras etc, (or like the old sunglasses string)
I suspect because it's better to damage a razor than to have a razor swinging around close to your body.
To be honest, I wouldnt even know where to start re what id be looking for. Im going to start with straight razor, but safety razor would be handy when flying with carryon luggage only. I guess something that shaves nice, not too hard to master, wouldnt have to give perfect shave, just a nice shave.
That makes sense :)
What about a straight with a spring loaded cover, like you get with circular saws? ie. using a finger to retract the cover etc. Not saying it should be made or that I want one, but I find it interesting to consider (for beginners)