My best shave ever.... But
I was tasked with teaching my nephew how to shave the other day. His mother didn't want me to show him the art of the straight razor, (probably wise he is still very young) so I cracked out my DEs and set him up with one and a nice badger brush.
As I was demonstrating the technique it was clear that since I had now truly learnt what a light touch was, (thanks to straights) this shave was the best yet. All of my new skills with a straight put into the use of a DE just gave me the best shave I have ever had.
I have been at the straights every day now for 4.5 months, my shaves are nick and irritation free, they are comfortable and oh so enjoyable, but I have now discovered they are not nearly as close as they can be with a DE.
The question I have is this, why do you think this is? Is it my technique? Are my straights not sharp enough? Am I still at the bottom of the learning curve, even though I have come a long way since my first shave back in June?
If I could get something like I did with my DE with my straights, then that would be it for me. I would have found my shave perfection. For the moment though the enjoyment that I get from straights means that my DE is back in the cupboard, but maybe if I am going somewhere that demands the closest of shaves maybe I will reach for it again...
I still find the XTG and ATG passes really difficult with a straight, I just don't seem to be able to control my touch and angle with those passes perhaps I just don't have the dexterity. So maybe I will never get there, but the pleasure is still the biggest draw for me regardless.