Thread: You Don't Get the Best Shave with A Straight Razor

I did an experiment today and I have a new theory that you will not get the best shave by using a str8. I agree that a str8 produces the best shave, but not when you're doing it yourself. If you gave someone else a srt8 shave, it would be the best because you can see what you're doing and can move the razor around better.

I shaved today with a superbly prepared str8 I had just received from Lee, so I eliminated my skill as a factor (it was much better than any str8 I have used except the Feather). After doing the best I could with the str8, I had a great, close shave. But it wasn't entirely clean. I could still feel slight stubble on my jawline, neck and chin. I really worked diligently buffing those areas, but I concluded it wasn't going to happen with the srt8, because the razor itself gets in the way of seeing and it's also too big. Also, I can't find a way of holding the razor that will let me shave forward on the portion of the neck under the jaw.

I decided to follow up with a Merkur slant because it is very aggressive as well as small and maneuverable. I was easily able to see and eliminate all the areas I couldn't get at with the str8, and I ended up with a really clean shave.

My conclusion is that I can get the cleanest shave with a DE, but it won't be the closest. The str8 shave is the closest. So, the best shave would be with a str8 followed by buffing with a small DE or maybe the small Shavette.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

I did an experiment today and I have a new theory that you will not get the best shave by using a str8.
<<snip, snip>>
My conclusion is that I can get the cleanest shave with a DE, but it won't be the closest. The str8 shave is the closest. So, the best shave would be with a str8 followed by buffing with a small DE or maybe the small Shavette.

Shouldn't that, and the title, more accurately read, "I will not get ...."?

Try going twice, I really find the second pass cleans all the stuble left.

Also, that theory in the comercial for the Mah3 is true: The first blade slices the hair and extends (pulls) a little from the skin, second blade slices that extension and pulls a whisker a bit more, and the third blade... and so on. That is why with Mah3 you did better with one pass, than a straight.

I found that the best way for me is shaving with a scyting (was that a word?) motion, in strokes not longer that half an inch, progressing about 1/4 inch at a time. So, each hair is sliced 2-3 times, simulating the Mah3 effect.

This gives me a realy close shave.

Joe, David hit the nail on the head with his subtle statement....
That is why some call it the "art of shaving with a straight razor". It is an art, and only the best shaving artists will get the "optimum" results. Learning so shave cross grain and against the grain while holding the razor in some unusual ways is neither quickly nor easily learned. Other subtle techniques that need to be mastered aren't even invisioned by the beginning str8 shaver. I work to improve my technique all the time, and I haven't even begun to fathom the depths of this art form.

Sorry, Tis really a skill ting. 8) Lynn

I felt the same way for weeks, I decided to think about it for a while; analyzing why my DE shaved so much closer. First, the obvious. My straight shaved just as close on the sides of my face, not as close under my chin where I slide the DE against the grain straight up my neck. The straight got "caught" trying this. So clearly the straight was not as sharp as the DE. I am now proud to say (after weeks and weeks) I have taken my honing skills even further than I imagined and can now slide a straight against the grain with no pulling at all. Amazing, I credit this (and I"m not sure really) to honing at a 90 degree angle. i.e. no longer trying to get the heal or toe to lead. This way I can replicate the angle exactly each pass, and also thinking in terms of sharpening the burr instead of the blade. Results dramatic.

Next, I worked on how I hold the blade and more importantly my face with whatever is the off hand at the time. Focus and patience...results; even more dramatic.

Finally, I started perfecting my scything motion. For me a long scything stroke is impossible, but short circular strokes with half the arc of the circle mimicing a scything motion. Results....OMG close.

With good prep and patience a shave as good as a DE, still the DE is a little quicker. It also knicks more...but with practice comes speed. So we'll see.

It also helps for some reason to buy more razors...don't laugh I'm serious. Not only is it a good excuse to buy more razors but I think there is an experience gained in practice with different weights, sizes, and balances of blades that makes one more of a "craftsman" of the art.

Now just to show this post to my gf.... :-)

Woops, thats me...forgot to log in. Who would've guess a visitor can post? I'm not trying to fool my gf into thinking that was someone else posting and suggesting buying more razors...lol

Thanks for all the input, fellas. I, too, have to clean up with a double edge more than I'd like. It is usually in just a few particular spots though, and those spots are getting fewer and fewer with time and practice.

I think there is a difference between closer and cleaner, though I am not going to try and define either. Why do certain close straight shaved parts of my face stay smooth for the entire day, while my chin has a shadow at 5pm because I used the DE on it? The chin sure "felt" smooth, but obviously not as close as the SE shave. Mystery of life, I guess.

Also, about scything: I too use this technique with some level of success, but I'll tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. With every sideways movement I have alarm bells going off in my head. I'm waiting for the day I do it just wrong and have a big slice.

As my honing and stropping improve, so does my shave. Now even last month when my razors were dull compared to today, they were still sharp. That is, sharp to the finger, sharp to the neck, sharp to the spot under my nose, but NOT necessarily sharp to very short, stiff, hairs. This month, I am honing better and shaving better. It is sometimes hard to believe how sharp a razor can be; even when holding what is a sharp razor to you, there can still be sharper razors. And also, I think some razors can only become so sharp. OK, now I am philosophizing.

Glad to hear we all go through similar stages,
showme

Joe,

With your provocative subject heading this thread should see a lot of activity!

A str8 razor requires considerably more skill to use than a DE, so without the adequate skill a str8 razor will be no match for it, no matter how keen the str8 razor. On the other hand, with sufficient skill applied, if the blade isn't keen, a str8 razor won't be any match for the DE either. However, with both skill and a really keen (hair popp'n) blade, a str8 razor should be a superlative shaver. A DE will also offer an a great shave, but with everything else being the same, I doubt it would provide a _better_ one.

Hal

A nice, sharp straight razor and a little time has yielded a better shave than any product Gillette ("The best a man can get." Yeah, right). has ever produced.

A good straight shave (for me, say two passes, half an hour or so) will last for a day and half. I had to do a quick shave with the Mock3 I keep around for just such emergencies. Lots of stubble around the next morning, whereas a straight would have still been smooth.

With a little patience and practice, your skills will improve. I found it best to not rely on having a "backup" razor, which forced me to make strides in improving my skills.