I always assumed that the safety would be faster, but we tested it out in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liVDqrvPeyc
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I always assumed that the safety would be faster, but we tested it out in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liVDqrvPeyc
Faster is going to be whatever your more accustomed to using. But you have to strop? Yes. But you have to change blades too so.its a wash imo.
To do my normal 4 pass shave the DE has always been faster for me.
I've used a straight for most of my shaving life.
4 pass shave takes me less time than it takes me to smoke a cigarette. 10-15 minutes
That's start to finish
So I only shave with a straight razor now. Have been for about the past 7 years now. Here's what I found: The faster that I go, the more weepers I get. It takes me about 20 minutes for a nice 2 pass shave without cuts. You just have to know your limitations!
I always do 4 passes, it takes me about 20 minutes including post shave balm and beard oil as well as drying my razor etc.
I don't get weepers, never had any even before straights, I very occasionally nick myself but usually with a razor called a demon thats posesed by evil spirits.
Thanks for that one Mike :p
Yea, about 20 minutes sounds about right for me to do a 4 pass shave with a straight razor too. OTH I am about 5 minutes faster with a DE. Ultimately absolute speed is not the point but having an enjoyable shave is. Just ask any woman, she'll tell you.
Bob
I've never timed myself, but I'd guess that it takes about the same amount of time to shave no matter what razor I use. What makes the difference is stropping the straight razor before and after the shave. I also take more time drying the straight razor than a DE or SE. In general, if I just want a quick shave I go for DE or SE, but if I want to relax and have some quality "me" time I go with the straight razor.
I’m semi-retired so I can shave when I want, how I want and the way I want. Most times that means a 2 pass straight razor shave about every 2 days. Takes me about 20 minutes after stropping the razor and that includes post shave application of witch hazel or whatever.
When I was shaving every two days I had it down to about 7 minutes from stropping to stropping, pre and post shave. I do a two pass shave. The DE is faster but only marginally, about the extra 1.5 minutes I spend stropping and drying the straight. With Covid life and my diminishing desire to impress my wife I shave about once a week. My routine has doubled in time just due to my lack of practice. The DE is still about the same amount of time as it was a year ago. I liken straight razor shaving to shooting a bow or a handgun, it’s a perishable talent.
I seldom count the minutes I spend shaving because I consider them as precious. If I waste the moments counting I am losing moments enjoying them. Here's a few words of wisdom about time.
"If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves." Maria Edgeworth
"There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day." Martin Luther
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4: 13-14
So don't waste your time worrying about what moments are spent on the things that you love. Rather, cherish them and count them as a gift...shaving while you cherish.
I prefer ladies without beard growth.Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Who said anything about beard growth? Speed does not necessarily equate to enjoyment.Quote:
Originally Posted by welshwizard
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobH
Precisely, if speed is what matters, there are faster ways to shave than with a straight.
I am just not willing to sacrifice the quality and enjoyment of a shave for the sake of saving a few minutes.
Having said that, about 1½ years ago I did a comparison over a few weeks for curiosity’s sake and found that a typical 2½ pass shave with a prepared (stropped the evening before before) straight razor took around 22 mins from the moment I opened the tap until the time I had cleaned the brush and dried the razor, while a similar shave with a safety razor under otherwise identical conditions took about 13 mins.
As one would have to factor in straight razor (honing and stropping) maintenance for a true comparison, the safety razor seems to be the winner here, but - as said before - time is not what matters to me in a nice, enjoyable shave.
B