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.

My shaves improved 10 fold with a DE after using a straight for a couple of years. Problem for me with DE, I get quite a bit of burn. Don't get that with a straight.
There are many variables, and it is something you have to stick with. My shaves with a straight now equal or exceed any DE and are much more fun.

Yes, I had the same experience when I tried DEs again after shaving with a straight razor for a bit. The DE shave was very much improved and better than I could do at that time with a straight razor. A few years have gone by since then and the shaves are pretty much equal now with the DE still giving slight irritation over the SR. I still get more pleasure from using a SR though.

I'd say just give it more time to refine your SR shaving technique especially since you are still having some difficulty with XTG and ATG passes. The learning curve with a SR is much longer than most would expect when first starting out. Keep enjoying you are almost there.

Bob

You will get there with straights.

It takes time to develop skill and muscle memory. Are you stretching skin? The cheeks are what everyone recommends to start your straight journey but I found, in the beginning it was easier to go across the grain on my neck because I could simply tilt my head and have tight skin. Once I found out how smooth my neck could become I got better all around.

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Originally Posted by JTmke

You will get there with straights.

It takes time to develop skill and muscle memory. Are you stretching skin? The cheeks are what everyone recommends to start your straight journey but I found, in the beginning it was easier to go across the grain on my neck because I could simply tilt my head and have tight skin. Once I found out how smooth my neck could become I got better all around.

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Thank you for that, I am stretching my skin. I am getting a comfortable shave all round, I will try the neck trick tomorrow.

That's the only problem with this hobby, once you get another suggestion you have to wait a day before you can try it out :D

Porl, I experienced the same, it's a combo of practice and technique. I didn't give up SR's and enjoy the shaves much more. I still use DE but only when I travel, easier to deal with security on this side of the pond.
Learning curve on SR can be long sometimes even longer. I didn't do any ATG passes for
about 6-9mos exclusively shaving with SR's. Take your time and I'm confident that you will get BBS with your straights.
Cheers!

Interesting subject. I travel (rarely) and use my DE then. But a few shaves ago, I wasn't in the mood for a straight shave so I broke out the DE and a new Merkur blade. Very nice smooth and comfortable and close shave. I believe I have more confidence and better technique with my straights, but I also feel that the DE handle provides a degree of separation between the hand and blade that allows for a more ergonomic experience. Between that and the increased mass, I usually end up with a closer shave with the DE. Nowhere near as exciting though...

I shaved with a DE for over 40 years, I got quite good with one, so my shaves were BBS when I wanted one. But since I actually learned the straight and then learned what a proper edge was, then finally got to where I improved an edge from stropping, my straight shaves will rival any DE shave. Tc

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Originally Posted by tcrideshd

I shaved with a DE for over 40 years, I got quite good with one, so my shaves were BBS when I wanted one. But since I actually learned the straight and then learned what a proper edge was, then finally got to where I improved an edge from stropping, my straight shaves will rival any DE shave. Tc

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Yes, this is what I was thinking, perhaps my edge isn't good enough. DE blades (I think) are always going to be sharper, but I believe that the proper edge on a straight is more than sharp enough.

I have my own stone now (Naniwa 12K) so maybe I will see what I can do with one razor and send another one away so that I have a comparison to guide my honing and then I can see if that makes a difference.

I know it is still early days for me relatively speaking and that I still have much to learn, but most importantly I do love it and will continue with straights regardless.

I am glad that you have the same problem as me! I still struggle with the atg pass with a straight but have no issues with a DE. I think it boils down to technique, and we will both get there eventually:)

This thread didn't go at all like I expected. You usually hear some variant of "in time your straight shaves will far exceed a DE shave". Unless you have the skills to use aggressive techniques with a straight, I don't think you'll see what they are capable of. Many straight users have trouble going ATG, blade buffing and using a scything stroke. I find straights easier on the skin, but it does take a lot of skill and work to achieve a BBS shave. I can get BBS quicker with a DE, but usually accompanied by irritation.