Quote Originally Posted by Blade Wielder View Post
I'm pretty sure I had a relevant post in this thread a short time ago, so I'm assuming that it was either deleted accidentally, or by someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
Someone might have typed a response, and hit the submit button. Then the internet possibly screwed up the submission of that post, and the same someone might have forgot to check if his reply was effectively submitted. That happens. I know it does.


Quote Originally Posted by Blade Wielder View Post
I said something to the effect that shaving against the grain really isn't that big a deal. It's just another bit of muscle memory to train your hands on. I also said that a lot of people talk of shaving against the grain like it's some sort of sorcery and that it's not to be attempted, since you can get a close shave by going with and across the grain. You basically have to go against the grain to attain the smoothest possible shave with a straight razor, though. Going across the grain gets it close, absolutely; but going against the grain gets it closer.
My beard agrees. I don't even bother with across for that reason.


Quote Originally Posted by Blade Wielder View Post
We first pick up the straight razor in the hopes that we will one day become experts at manipulating it.
Very true, and in my opinion, the reason that straight razor shaving is so much more rewarding than safety razor shaving. We often talk about how straight razors diminish razor burn and other post-shave facial skin issues. That is certainly true in my case, but I'm pretty sure that has less to do with the straight razor itself, than the fact that the straight compels me to prep and lather a zillion times better than I ever did in my DE-era (or knew, for that matter) AND the fact that it forces me to shave meticulously and with utmost attention. I am quite sure that if I were to pick up my old DE and buy new blades for it, and apply all the knowledge I gained about shaving ever since, that I would shave with a DE just as irritation free and close as I shaved with my straight this very morning. Nevertheless, the chance that my face will ever meet a DE again is practically zero. About the same as the chance I'll ever put a steak in a teflon-coated frying pan, or cut a tomato with a serrated knife, or buy shoes with velcro, or have my teeth bleached (I 'm fully aware that, although not intended, I'm probably offending certain people with these examples)

Quote Originally Posted by Blade Wielder View Post
If you're new to shaving and you can't quite finish your straight shaves too well, there's no sense in going to work with furry patches on your face. You clean 'em up with the DE.
Quite frankly, I disagree. If you want to shave with a straight, then shave with a straight. It's easy enough to appear presentable with just one WTG pass. It might look like a 5 o'clock shadow in the beginning, but so what. Do you honestly think that all those slick, yet razor-burned M3-guys look that much better? Wear your learning nicks with pride.

Quote Originally Posted by Blade Wielder View Post
But if months or years later you're still using it as a crutch, my point is that you're not really progressing.
Although they call it training wheels, a child can't really learn how to ride a bike with those things attached. If one wants to learn to shave without risk, then one needs to learn how to shave with a safety razor. There's nothing wrong with that. One does not become "more" manly from shaving with a straight. It does not enlarge anything. For that, one needs to buy a bigger car, preferably one with manual transmission.

Bold opinions, but they're honest,

Bart.