Thread: I can't get a proper shave with a straight

Sometimes..... one's expectations of a straight razor shave is that it should be as good or better than a DE shave, and in reality, it may not be the case.

I am one of those gents who cannot get as close a shave with a straight as I can with a DE. I also cannot get ingrown hairs like I can with a DE.

Some of us HAVE TO accept that our skills will not equal the ability of the DE razor in day to day shaving. I for one have dropped the 3 pass shave in preference for the 2 pass straight razor shave, not because it's just as close *everywhere* but because it is more than good enough, and I don't enjoy ingrown hairs. The main reason I cannot shave as close with a straight is that my left hand, does not work as well as my right hand, in shaving... I have tried to do the necessary strokes with my right hand on the left side of my face, but the direction my beard grows (spiral nebula style) on my left cheek prevents me from fully shaving bbs it two spots, but the rest of my face is.

Straight shaving is about you developing the skills to do the job. DE safety razors take much of the skill out of the equation, and while not as dumbed down as the current multiblade monstrosities, it too required some skill to be sucessful. The straight razor is as capable as any other razor in shaving close, it's the person who wields the razor who is responsible for how well it shaves. It takes time to learn how to do it right, sometimes you may well need to learn to use your off hand, and sometimes the learning curve is just too much, or you just don't care, in which case the DE, or even the Mach 4, or whatever they are called, may well be for you. King Camp Gillette made a fortune on DE blades and razors as many a gent back in the day, just did not want to "practice the art" of straight razor shaving, or spend the money on hones and learning how to hone their razors.

I worked in a public facing field where clean shaven was a requirment. A straight shave was more than adequate, nobody would reach out to see if they could feel a slight amount of stubble in some portion of my face. The lady I courted and later married was not impressed with razor burn, anymore that I was, and she much preferred a tiny amount of stubble in one or two sections.

It takes time to develop the skills, something that has been lost in this modern day. When I entered Machine and Mechanics school in the 70s in Norway, I was presented with a canvas tool bag with 6 files, two chisels, one hammer and a hacksaw. I was told if I needed anything else, I would have to make it with the tools I was issued. I spent 20 hrs per week for 6 months filing by hand, before I was allowed to touch any machine or power tool. It was a lesson worth learning, because it eliminated the excuse that just because I don't have a part, or a machine shop at my disposal, I cannot repair something.

Straight shaving has been done for a looong time, but you have to want to do it. If you do, keep at it and I guarantee, you WILL learn to do it well.

Regards

Christian