Thread: Does your shave last longer with a straight than with other methods?

I have heard this multiple times, that your shave lasts longer with a straight than with other types of razors. I have even had a friend tell me that his barber cuts his hair with a straight razor and it stays short longer. Can anyone verify if this is really true and explain the science behind this?

The only reason why a shave would last longer is if it was a closer shave.
I believe that my straight razor shaves last longer than if I shave with an electric razor, but only because I get a closer shave with the straight.

Same here. With a cartridge I can only go with the grain, anything else and I get ingrown hairs, bumps and irritation. With a straight I can shave across the grain with no irritation as well as against it but then I tend to get ingrown hairs on my neck.

If all you're looking for is a close shave you may want to try a de. Straight razors are fun and exciting but the learning curve can be a little frustrating when you start out.

Originally Posted by 7055

I have even had a friend tell me that his barber cuts his hair with a straight razor and it stays short longer. Can anyone verify if this is really true and explain the science behind this?

The razor must be Joel's Chronik.

To answer your actual question, a vintage single edge will give you the closest and longest lasting shave. Failing that, a double edge razor will do.

A straight razor will not slow the growth of your hair, the only variable present is the closeness of the shave. I would liken that pseudoscience to someone thinking that their BMW will get them to work in rush hour traffic more effectively than my Honda. The science is the placebo effect, with people thinking they don't need to shave as often I have to shave every day for work no matter what medium I use, I just prefer using a straight because it's fun!!

You might experience a straight shave to last longer, but that has nothing to do with the edge.
It has to do with the quality of the prep.
Properly prepped you will swell the strands of hair to the maximum extent.
That will make the shave feel very close when the strands dry back to normal.

Actually I have a couple of DEs and an SE that with the right blades will give my SR a run for the money in the long lasting shave department. So no, for me a SR shave does not necessarily last longer. I do no prep just face lather and shave with any type of razor I use. Never found prepping to make any real difference for me. Then again everyone is different so YMMV.

Bob

I have been at SR shaving for 2 months now.....any how here is my take and 2 cents. I can get a closer shave with my DE razor at the moment. There are certain areas that I cant quite master the skill with the SR as of yet. It has nothing to do with the razor, its my skill level at the moment. I am getting much better. The reason the DE shaves closer and last longer for me is because I have used one for 37 years and I know just what to do for prep and all of the areas.

The straight razor gives a better quality shave on the areas that I have perfected my shaving skills with it. The skin looks better I guess you could say, the DE razor skin looks good but different. All I can say is that they both will give you a shave that beats any cartridge razor hands down.

I think like others have said its a lot to do with the prep that goes with using a SR. Its fun to use as well and you get a certain satisfaction of the skill required to use one.

There my 2 cents on the soap box.

I've only been using a SR for a year. A few months before that with a DE. before that an electric razor. I can probably get a closer shave with a DE but, why? I can get an adequate shave with my SR and sometimes a great shave. A lot of factors can go into that. Sometimes I'm in a hurry, or don't feel my best, or whatever. It depends. I get more enjoyment with my SR and in the end that's what counts the most for me. And also a sense of accomplishment that I get that I did something that most people don't do anymore.


Mike

Originally Posted by Birnando

You might experience a straight shave to last longer, but that has nothing to do with the edge.
It has to do with the quality of the prep.
Properly prepped you will swell the strands of hair to the maximum extent.
That will make the shave feel very close when the strands dry back to normal.

Using the same preparation and a similar number of passes, my DE shaves are as close and last as long as straight shaves.
I suspect that many who believe that a straight shave lasts longer base this claim on a DE shave using the same perfunctory prep and pass(es) as a shave with a cartridge razor.


B.