Thread: DE motivations vs. straight razors

Motivations?

For me, straight shaving is much more "involved" and I find straights infinitely more interesting than DEs. DEs have a history of course, but straights have a much longer and more colorful one.

Also, I take a great deal of pleasure in the fact that I am maintaining a shave-ready edge myself as opposed to just popping another blade into my SuperSpeed. There's a much greater sense of accomplishment with a straight compared to a DE.

Besides, IMO, straights yield a closer and longer lasting shave than with a DE. There's both an upside and a downside to that: If you enjoy shaving, you don't have to shave as often. That statement therewithin contains both the pros and cons. I CAN shave with a straight every day, but I far prefer shaving every other day as the shaves are just somehow better that way.

In reference to traveling, I don't travel very much, so I don't have an opinion on that...

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

"Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors."

I would think a DE constitutes a safety razor?!

Hell, I'm pretty safe with a straight (unless provoked)... I'd think that would count too!!


v/r

Allen

Oops, my mistake (and an ironic one at that). I think I read up to "razor blades not in a cartridge", and stopped. Confirmational bias in action.

Well, lets hope that no group of nutters hears about this, or we'll soon hear about the "dangerous things that the government allows on flights". Intentionally allows, that is...

I haven't been on a plane since '96 so I can't speak to the issue of transport but as far as shaving with them, a DE with a good blade is fine to shave with. I like the Merkur Slant with a Feather blade or a Gillette Swede. If I didn't have a straight razor to shave with the DE would be my second choice. Here is a photo of a couple of rare (I think) Merkur Slant travel razors. One would fit in a watch pocket. BTW, if you have a problem with RAD be aware that it is the same with DEs if not worse.

Shaving with a DE is like driving a well made and expensive automatic family car where as shaving with a straight is like driving a high end sports car. But then shaving with a mach 3 is like driving some cheap piece of crap that was made in Korea in the 80s.

Originally Posted by RMC_SS_LDO

Maybe I can work out a temporary swap with a DE user for a straight to see how I/we like the "other side" before taking the plunge... Just looking at travel options.

I have picked up some WONDERFUL Gillette DE's for next to nothing. I nabbed a '48-'50 Aristocrat a bit ago for $5 at a flea market, and subsiquently got the best, closest shave that I have EVER had. Given, I have not shaved with a straight as of yet, so I am sure that statement will change soon. I hope to be shaving with a straight very soon. I am sure that I might look upon DE shaving as unfavorably as some straight users do some time down the road, but as of right now, I love my shaving ritual using a DE.

Let me know if you are unable to find anything. If I can look around here and grab something to help you out I would be more than happy to do so.

One can always consider a straight razor that takes disposable blades. That is what I use when I travel and loan out to friends who want to try straight shaving. I get BBS results from the el cheapo ones as well as the more expensive one.

Ever since I have been using a straight razor, my standard for a good shave has skyrocketed.

Pabster

My sincerest thanks! I have received some fine shaving gear from very kind folks here. I haven't tried the DE just yet; seems odd for now but I guess it is no stranger than taking up a straight!

Thanks!!

Allen

Jimmy - that travel Slant is SWEET!!

I've got a Merkur HD and a Slant as well as my straights - never tried to travel with any of them, though - was always worried about either having to check my bag or getting them confiscated, especially going through Europe.