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Major you have taken the exact same trip in wet shaving as I have. You also gave about the exact review of what my experiences have been. I will say that once you find that magic combination in your DE your hurry up DE shaves will rival a straight shave. They don't seem to last as long though. If I want that almost straight shave with a DE for me its a VTG red tip Gillette an feather blade. Or a Merkur hd slant. < That's a wicked shaver. Still nothing beats the shavette an straights.
So today I ran a scientific experiment - right side was a Parker shavette with a new feather blade. Left side was 6/8 Solingen straight.
I must say, both gave great shaves. I'm still more comfortable with a straight vs the shavette, but both did great on first pass. Where I noticed the difference was second pass. The shavette would grab/cut vs the straight when going against the grain and the straight still kept running smooth. In the end, I used the 6/8 to finish a second pass on the right side as the shavette couldn't go against the grain as well.
I did however like the shortness of the shavette. Much more manageable vs the straight. But I might be able to do the same with the 5/8 and still be able to do against the grain cuts. Bottom line - sticking with the straight. I'll try this experiment again with my DE and the straight tomorrow.
Comparisons I've had between my shavette (SR1 w/ Bluebird) and my Straight (Hart) always have left the SR1 winning everywhere except that I need FAR more concentration to make sure I come out unscathed. It's faster, more consistent and I'm always good with two passes.
I spent a solid month forcing myself to use the SR1 with different blades and settled happy at the end. It no longer matters which soap or if I'm sloppy with the soap - much like when I use a DE.
In the several months I've been using the Hart near-exclusively: I'm not at the point I can say I have as good of a shave yet. One thing I do like, however, are the subjective points that it feels nicer, looks nicer and it's way cooler than the SR1.
Just packed my straight , leaving for vacation tomorrow I am considering a DE for travel thank for the info Major.
I have to agree with the guys on the R-41. Mated with a feather blade it's really close to a straight. I think that combo is a real anomaly as far as DE's go though. It's performance is way out ahead of it's closest rival.
This is rather interesting although have you tried kamisori? Some guys say that kamisori gives even better and easier shave than a straight razor does!