Thread: As smooth as a modern cartridge system? I think not

Seriously, can a straight make my chin as smooth as a modern razor? I mean, the makers spend millions on research or something like that, right?

I have been using straights for a few months now and have been learning a lot from this forum (about shaving and honing - thanks!). But even after using a 16k shapton for honing, my chin will never be as smooth as with a modern razor, no matter if I stretch the skin, shave up, down, left or right, at any angle and any pressure. It will always be acceptable and sometimes quite good but compete with the modern one? I don't think that's realistic.

Does anyone think they actually get the same smoothness at the edge of the chin regardless of which kind of razor they use?

yep. my chin gets every bit as smooth with the straight is it did with mach3 and fusion shavers. it took about half a year before I was able to accomplish this, though.

All chins/whiskers are not created equal. It's been so long since I've used a cartridge razor but I can get my chin smooth with a straight. What the straight razor does for me that cartridges and electrics just can't give me is DURATION of a close shave. My straight razor shaves last a long time before I get noticeable stubble. Electrics, even the $150 ones are a joke for me in this regard. I can look smooth in the AM with one and look like a slob by 5 o'clock. Other methods of shaving including DE have never given me that kind of duration coupled with comfort.

YMMV

Chris L

Originally Posted by Oliver

Does anyone think they actually get the same smoothness at the edge of the chin regardless of which kind of razor they use?

I hear your frustration, and I've been there. It is the only part of my technique (the chin) that is still changing from time to time, but I've found the changes are dependent on the razor I'm using. So the short answer is; No, not regardless of which kind of razor.

I have a technique for a razor that I *thought* was "shave ready", and one for a razor that is "shave ready".

What happens with me is I'll shave with a razor I've practiced honing, and felt shave ready, but I've met with disappointment at my chin and the sides of my upper lip (the two tell-all spots for me). This has been a fairly consistent issue. I will either have to stop short of a perfect shave, or finish up with a truly "shave ready" razor.

The one consistency is, all the razors (regardless of make or design) that I get a perfect shave with came to me professionally honed (mostly by someone in the forums). This is refreshing since I *know* my razors can get there, and this keeps me trying for the perfect honing technique.

All I can offer for advice is: Good prep, lots of lather, a "shave ready" razor, and technique. The result of a perfect BBS is totally possible.

Guys,

OK that sounds intriguing. But is the BBS shave judged during the shave or after cold water has been applied and the skin has contracted again?

Chris, how long do your shaves last?

Oliver

If I do a full WTG, XTG, ATG on my cheeks and an WTG and XTG on my neck and chin (I Don't do ATG on my neck and chin), I have been able to get 24 hours before my stubble looks like the "5 o'clock shadow" kind of stubble but it depends on the edge and even the razor to a degree. More typically 12-18 hours or about twice as long.

BBS for me is after I'm all done with the shave (cold water, alum block, Thayers).

Chris L

I definately get a better shave with the straight vs any other method I've tried so far. Just as an example I'm in the military and normally have to shave every day, but since getting into straights I've found I could shave 2 passes, wtg and xtg, the night before work and have a good shave the next day still better than most others who I work with. Today was a bit of an exception, I shaved yesterday around noon, two passes, and this morning I decided not to shave as I still didn't have enough whiskers to shave. First time that has happened, I almost did that one time before but it wasn't good enough as if I come to work with an unsat shave I can get in a bit of trouble.

I can get smoother shaves more consistently with a DE but usually get some ingrown hairs when I use that. Thats not to say I can't get a smooth shave with my straights, just not quite as consistently yet on my neck and chin.

You should be able to get your chin as smooth or smoother than cartridge razors. A truly sharp razor is the first step. Proper prep, always with the grain first. One thing I developed was my final pass was with water only. I keep the chin wet the entire time. Stretch from in front of the blade (very, very carefully!!!!) and target a small patch of whiskers. Just move from patch to patch, being careful and mindful of pressure. Finish with cold water rinse. My chin stays much smoother, much longer with a straight than anything else... typically lasts 2x as long as with a DE.

smoother my friend, much smoother.

Originally Posted by Oliver

Seriously, can a straight make my chin as smooth as a modern razor? I mean, the makers spend millions on research or something like that, right?

They spend millions on marketing research and advertising.

Smooth does not come in gradations for me.
After my shave, when my skin has dried, I run my finger in every possible direction over my face.
If I don't feel any stubble on a particular spot, then that spot is declared smooth. Otherwise it isn't.
It's a binary thing for me.
So far I have never managed to get it smooth all over. I always manage to get smooth for at least 90% of my beard area. The chin is not a problem zone for me. It asks for utmost concentration, but I can get it done every single time. My problem areas are along my jawbone. I have a fairly invisible, but deep scar at the left jawbone. And I'm also having smoothness issues at a hollow part of my neck.
I have managed to get each of those spots completely smooth on occasion, but so far never all at once.

I like to think that upon transferring the knowledge gained from straight razor shaving to my former DE, that I should be able to get about the same great results. Shaving used to be a total disaster, during my DE-years. (I only shaved a couple of times each year, and used a beard trimmer at the zero setting weekly) But I'm out of DE-blades, and I don't plan on buying any.

Bart.