Thread: Faster shaving with a straight or safety razor?

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

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.