Thread: How fast is it possible to shave with a str8?

Originally Posted by mainaman

Different grind blades will feel different on the face, but otherwise the results after shave will be the same provided they are honed correctly.

I see.

How do wedges feel? Whats the thing with wedges?

Originally Posted by jigane

I use gilette gel, "sensitive" or whatever, its blue at least.

I "lather up" by using the gel between my hands creating a type of thick foam, rub it into my face and then just wet the razor if I feel its not slick enough. About half way in I put all the foamed gel thats still on my hands onto my face and do another set of passes (I'd guesstimate the amount of gel on my hands to be about 10% of what i initally put on my face). But usually I just put some water or the razor unless I'm shaving off 1 weeks worth of beard. Or at the very most more water on my face to make the remaining gel slick again.

OK, I see. I don't think you can get away with that with a straight razor but I'll let more senior knowledgeable members comment.

I will say that I think very few people here used canned goo to shave with on a regular basis. I would guess most use, as I do, a brush and some soap/cream to make lather with. It is not advisable to go over the same area without re lathering it first.

One of several ways to make a traditional lather.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zESTQWDuw

How you shave with a straight razor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Bob

I try not to shave if I am in a rush. There is not much relaxation in rushing anything. If a casually stroll into the bathroom and strop my razor do my prep and shave, clean up a little and do my post shave strop it is usually around 20 minutes, and 2.5 passes. That is 20 minutes of relaxing and satisfying prep and shave time, if I only have ten minutes, I don't have time to shave.

20 minutes or so. I'm like Shaun.... I like to enjoy the moment. If I am rushed for time..... I don't shave.

If you're interested in speed, stick with the Mach 3. If you want to shave with a straight, it takes as long as it takes so enjoy it. You'll reduce the time as your skill improves but however long it takes it's worth it.

Originally Posted by samda

If you're interested in speed, stick with the Mach 3. If you want to shave with a straight, it takes as long as it takes so enjoy it. You'll reduce the time as your skill improves but however long it takes it's worth it.

I'm not really looking for speed. I just wanted to know how long it usually takes. I have a kamisori in the mail and I intend to get good with it.
I always enjoy shaving. I seek perfection in my shaves and usually I don't stop until I have it. For some reason the kamisori scares me a hell of lot less than my dovo. (yes I'm a noob)

bobH yeah I only use the canned goo because its the fastest and I get no irritation with my mach3s. I have a dovo 5/8s and have had it for about 10 years and I know it can only do 1 pass and then you need to reapply whatever product you have on that area, with the mach3s you can make about 5-6 passes without noticing it though (at most applying more water).

Not counting prep, stropping, post shave cleanup and only doing one pass, I would probably be 3-5 mins maybe less depending on the razor.

If I have to go fast I use a Schick Injector and can get a two pass shave in probably 5 mins

I think for most of us the idea is to take out time. Even on your face if I tend to go too fast the shave won't be a good as when I take my time.

When I started it took me an hour to build lather, strop, shave, and clean up. I got it down to 15 minutes. At that point I gave up on speed and it usually takes me 30 to 45 minutes to do the whole shave. For that matter, I hate fast shaves now. The longer it takes me to shave, the more relaxation I get.