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

And I'm not talking about lathering up and all preshave stages, I mean the actual shave stage, for a "pro" or long time user of straights that is.

I have used gilette mach3s since about 2000 when both my brauns died, and I can get a quite good shave in about a minute if I really wanted.
I think I spend about 2-3 minutes usually going over each part of my face about 10 times in different directions.

Of course shaving is not a speed contest and quality should come before speed of course, but I just wanted to know an approximate timeframe from long time users. Sure there are variables. There always is. But you can also include these.

Also is there a difference between kamisoris and regular straights? Is there a difference between different grinds of straights?

There is a video on YouTube of a guy doing it in like 3-5 minutes or something like that.
It usually takes me about 15 or so.
Unless I do it blindfolded then it's about 7....

I enjoy the 'zen' of the whole process, so I won't shave unless I have lots of time. It's also a lot safer that way. It usually takes me about 20-30 minutes from start to finish. This being said, a lot of guys do it in 5-10 minutes. IMO, 15 minutes or so is probably average. (Also, Kamisori's don't have scales that the blade folds into).

Originally Posted by jigane

Also is there a difference between kamisoris and regular straights? Is there a difference between different grinds of straights?

Kamisori are asymmetrically ground and require different angles on each side.
Different grind blades will feel different on the face, but otherwise the results after shave will be the same provided they are honed correctly.

When I try to shave reeeeeeeealy fast with a straight razor,........it ain't pretty

I'm new to straight razors (about a month in) I do it in about 10 to 15 min. the trick is to have a razor (razors) your comfortable with and have more than one razor to shave with. I use a 5/8ths or 6/8ths for my face and a 3/8ths for under the chin and neck, I have about 6 razors in my rotation. My deal is take a shower, get out dry off, get water running hot in sink, lather and shave, how hard can it be?.

Originally Posted by jigane

I have used gilette mach3s since about 2000 when both my brauns died, and I can get a quite good shave in about a minute if I really wanted.
I think I spend about 2-3 minutes usually going over each part of my face about 10 times in different directions.

When you go over each part of your face 10 times in different directions do you put new lather on the bare spots before going over that area again? Do you apply lather once and then just shave over dry skin? Do you use shaving cream in a can? Just trying to picture exactly how you are shaving.

Bob

So maybe 5 minutes for experienced users is a normal time for the actual shave part?

Originally Posted by BobH

When you go over each part of your face 10 times in different directions do you put new lather on the bare spots before going over that area again? Do you apply lather once and then just shave over dry skin? Do you use shaving cream in a can? Just trying to picture exactly how you are shaving.

Bob

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.

Also the reason I asked about kamisoris is that I have one on order

I also own a dovo 5/8 and I have only shaved with it about 10 times, I always felt it was too floppy and not solid enough douing it own thing, I guess I just dont like the folding scales part about it. I always wished it was a solid, more maneuverable (for me, noob) chunk of steel instead, and to my surprise this product atually already existed, in the kamisoris. I'm really exited to use it.