Thread: is it harsh?

Originally Posted by BobH

I think I would have to say a qualified no to that. An aggressive DE from my limited experience will come close to a shave with a straight but the shave will not last as long and there is more irritation with an aggressive DE.

Bob

+1 to that although an aggressive slant shave will last pretty long you have more control with a straight and where a DE's coating wears off after a few shaves a straight is smooth every time. So again, +1 to what bob said.

Originally Posted by buzzhave7

Well I just thought that an aggressive DE means more blade exposure whereas on a SR, it's just all blade no safety bar. Being a newbie and all, if my skin don't like the aggressive DE because of the amount of blade exposure, won't that be the same with SR?

No, it's not the same. Yes, they will both shave your face and they can both cut you, but they are both also dependent on technique. Even a mild DE can give you irritation if you use it like a cartridge razor.
Because aggressive DE's are more dependent on technique, it's probably best to start out on something more mild for learning.

Both straights and DE's require technique to get a good shave, regardless of skin type.

Originally Posted by buzzhave7

Well I just thought that an aggressive DE means more blade exposure whereas on a SR, it's just all blade no safety bar. Being a newbie and all, if my skin don't like the aggressive DE because of the amount of blade exposure, won't that be the same with SR?

The blade exposure means little. It's all how you use it.

IME the Muhle R41 (and from what I've heard the Cobra SE) is every bit as aggressive as a SR, and if not treated with the exact same respect I'm sure it could cause some damage. It's also my experience that it will also yield the same great results as a SR, just not as fun to use

These are completely different beasts...though you can easily be cut seriously with either.

To the OP.

You seem concerned about blade exposure with a straight. Since a straight is nothing but blade, its a bit misleading to think of it that way. I guess the best context is to think about "blade exposure" with a straight as being controlled by angle and pressure.

Less of both is better until its not cutting whiskers being too little.

Originally Posted by buzzhave7

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie to wet shaving and I have a lot questions. Is aggressive DE is equivalent to a straight razor shave?

The short answer is no.

Others who posted before me have gone into some of the finer points, but the bottom line is NO, since you specifically phrased your question about the "shave" which I take to mean the results. I don't think anyone can get as close a shave with a DE, no matter how aggressive a razor they use, as you can with a SR once you learn good SR technique, which takes a while. However, use of a DE also requires good technique, but it is completely different.

On the general topic of SRs vs. double edge, there is one major difference....there is nothing "safe" about a SR. You can cut yourself badly enough to need stitches, if you are careless and stupid at the same time. I don't think anyone on here has managed to do that with a DE, unless it was on a finger mishandling the loading of a blade.

If you have a more specific question, please ask it as kwifca has suggested.

I thought I'd throw in my lot.

I'm three months into using a SR, and over that period I have gradually moved from exclusive use of cartridge razors, while slowly weaning myself, into the exclusive use of a SR. My razor is not a very good one yet, but I will say that for me there is not going to be a return to a cartridge in the foreseeable future (barring onset of Parkinson's, or something).

To answer the original question: it is my view that a cartridge is the least aggressive shaver one can use, and the straight - while coming with a steep learning curve - results in a more pleasant shave from beginning to end. However, the morning ritual I have developed with the exclusive use of the SR is up to a solid hour out of the morning, but I'm totally okay with that.

Rich

Good shaving is like good sex. It's all about timing and technique. Having used a lot of DE blades on my face (and neck during the 40 bearded years), I rarely managed to get as comfortable a shave as I now do with a straight razor.

The timing thing is what it is. I gave up on on DE razors at least 30 years ago - never had much pleasure from them - and started using a straight razor after the age of 60. Thing is, you learn a lot about how to listen to good advice and how to do finesse stuff between the ages of 30 and 60. Maybe, pre-30, I was just a nincompoop. You may get better at certain things as you get older so there's that. Another timing thing - I used to shave in a hurry just to get it done; now I take a little time, put a little more thought into what I'm doing... I take time to sweat the details and squeeze out good results from an experience that (now) gives me some pleasure.

As to technique, I was a prep-slob back in my DE days. I was also slow to toss a used blade - I probably tried to stretch them out for way too many shaves. Neither did I focus on making good lather or stretching my skin too maximize a shave and minimize irritation. As an older and wiser person I look back on every shaving method I've ever tried and conclude the straight razor is the most effective, most comfortable and, in a sense, least aggressive way I know to shave. It's counterintuitive but a very close straight shave is very easy on the skin. I sometimes think I'll buy a reputable DE razor and a blade sampler just to see for myself but I keep being perfectly happy with straight razor results.

I think you may not like a shavette because the feel is very close to an agressive DE.

A well honed straight is much smoother. Only way for you to know is to try one for a few months untill your technique improves and then you will suddenly "get it".