Straight vs. DE

Hey all,

This thread isn't about the pros and cons of using a straight vs. a DE, but just to share my experience. I didn't realize how close and comfortable my shaves have gotten with my straight until I used my DE yesterday. If I go to visit my girlfriend, I can't be bothered anymore to bring my razor and strop (it's mostly the strop I don't want to bring), so I just bring my safety razor. The safety is what begin my quest for the perfect shave in the first place.....

So my shave with the DE was less than perfect....Looking back it was actually a good shave, but my standards have gotten REALLY high! It was after the shave that I realized that I get a closer, irritation free, and actually faster shave with my straight!!! I didn't know I became so proficient with the straight razor until I compared it to the shaves that I used to get. I'm actually more comfortable shaving with my straight razors too.

Long story short, I am not against using the DE for convenience/travel, but I will always stick to my straight for a quality shave. There's no competition in my mind. Plus, knowing that I'm shaving with a razor that I honed myself adds an element of pride and ownership in the shave.

Anyone else share these feelings?

I've used a DE for most of my life. I had a Schick injector for a while in my twenties, but they seemed to stop selling the blades in the UK. I'm slowly converting to straights. What using a straight razor has taught me is the importance of good preparation. I get better shaves with a DE now than I've ever done, purely because of better preparation.
Hopefully I'll use a DE less and the straight razor more as time goes on. I certainly don't have any problems with a DE razor that some seem to report.

I can get a very good shave in a short amount of time with a DE.

One thing i like about the straight is that it is sharp every time i use it.

On a DE, the quality of the shave is going to deteriorate every shave, unless you constantly change the blade out.

Plus, it is just cooler to use a straight. It adds to my street cred.

The shaves I get from my DE are amazing. I use a 1926 Gillette NEW improved bostonian open comb and it's just always BBS with a feather blade. I use it for days when I have to wake up at 5 AM and I have 30 minutes to get to work, it only takes five minutes to do three passes. I love that DE, and I will keep it forever.:rock:


On the other side of things, there is something just special about using a straight and I use one six days a week. I get really nice shaves from my straights, and with more practice I'm sure I will get the problem areas down better (jawline, etc). Honing is another special thing about straights, it's like a meditation and it takes you away from all your troubles when you're honing.

Have you ever used a SE razor, specifically the GEM 1912 with stainless PTFE-treated blades?

I am new to straight shaving and if I want a really close shave I do a final pass with the SE as my straight technique isn't up to the job yet. A SR only gets me to a SAS (socially acceptable shave) and even that can leave a little "reminder".

I was a recent convert to SE from DE shaving when I decided to give straights a try and at that time (couple of weeks ago) I found that SE shaves were significantly better than DE shaves. I wonder how close an SE is to a well-practiced straight shave.

Is it SR > SE > DE
or SR ~ SE > DE ?? (~ meaning similar)

As a matter of fact it was the experience of SE shaving that convinced me to try SR shaving (after major disappointments with shavettes that use split DE blades). An SE blade is significantly more rigid than a DE blade and I believe that is what makes it shave better. Based on that belief I figured a SR would be even more rigid and might therefore be even better. With my current skill level I can't say.

I got good shaves from my DEs. I had the RAD with that too and I have been through all of the Gillettes from '03 double rings to fat boys but my favorite DE is the Merkur Slant with a Feather. I have to be more careful with a DE to avoid nicks oddly enough and I get as good a shave if not better most days with a straight. I haven't shaved with a DE in over a year. Fortunatly for me I have no time constraints when I shave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TexasBob

Have you ever used a SE razor, specifically the GEM 1912 with stainless PTFE-treated blades?

I am new to straight shaving and if I want a really close shave I do a final pass with the SE as my straight technique isn't up to the job yet. A SR only gets me to a SAS (socially acceptable shave) and even that can leave a little "reminder".

I was a recent convert to SE from DE shaving when I decided to give straights a try and at that time (couple of weeks ago) I found that SE shaves were significantly better than DE shaves. I wonder how close an SE is to a well-practiced straight shave.

Is it SR > SE > DE
or SR ~ SE > DE ?? (~ meaning similar)

As a matter of fact it was the experience of SE shaving that convinced me to try SR shaving (after major disappointments with shavettes that use split DE blades). An SE blade is significantly more rigid than a DE blade and I believe that is what makes it shave better. Based on that belief I figured a SR would be even more rigid and might therefore be even better. With my current skill level I can't say.

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I've never used a GEM but from what I've heard they are amazing razors.

I kept up to date with DE razors for a while and used a Swedish Gillette blade in a quality DE razor.

In February and march this year, I went to India for a long trip and for convenience took the DE with me.

Big mistake, never again and boy was I glad to get home for a good shave.

After 3 full months of str8 shaving I am up to probably 6 days a week with the str8. If it weren't for my chin my str8 shaves would be just as good as the DE. I have a Merkur Futur and a FatBoy. I too really like the whole aspect of using a str8. I am going on vac for a week and plan on taking only the DEs. Will see if I loose anything on the return.

Happy Shaving to all.

Mark

I have a few DEs that I like, and some blades that will do
a decent job. I do find that the thinner blade doesn't treat
my skin as nicely as a straight does, so for that reason I
don't reach for the DE.

I think that a thicker/stiffer blade on an SE might do the
trick, but then I would have to worry about blades! So it
all keeps coming back to the straight...

- Scott

Having used DEs for years now and being new to straights, the DEs are still hard to put down. The shaves I get from both are comparable. I do better on the sides of my face with the Straight and better on my chin with the DE. I think with time I will get better with the straight and lean towards it more, but as of now I use them both equally.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

This thread isn't about the pros and cons of using a straight vs. a DE,

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I've reached a stage where I no longer think of it as a competition for which method is best. Straights and DEs are both enjoyable to use and can give good results. Hell, I bet I could even get enjoyment using a Fusion if I had to, now that I'm better educated in the art of shaving.

I've been very tempted to add the Schick Injector to my repertoire, and I suppose the SE option is there too. (Does an Injector fall under the SE category?) Maybe once I've mastered straight shaving I'll get round to those, if I live that long! :rofl2:

I think that it is less about the choice of equipment and more about skill and enjoyment levels. I suspect there are people who are naturally more able, or at least more inclined to use a straight. Equally, there will be those who have talent and have some calling towards DEs and SEs. I'm not quite sure why, but I am really comfortable with a straight razor, but DEs scare the crap out of me, so do electrics. I'm so sure i'll do damage I don't think I would like to try them.

I think if you ENJOY what you're shaving with, then it's not a debate at all, it's a standpoint. I imagine most of the people on here see straight razors as THE way to shave, go one badger and blade and they seem keener on saftey razors.

There is no wrong or right, no better or worse. There is only what gives you the most satisfaction, I'm lucky that I've learned this after only 5 years shaving.

These days, my DE gets more action than my straights. It's easier when I'm rushed to whack 'em down with the Merkur HD.

There are some parts of my shave that the DE just does better than the straight. Whiskers on my neck grow straight back in places, and I can't get an angle on them with a straight to totally eradicte them. Aside from that, the straight gives a longer lasting, closer shave especially on the chin.

But, catch me on a Sunday morning when I can relax, have a 3 or even 4 pass shave, and you'll find both a straight & a DE on the counter. The DE is used for the across the grain pass, which is actually against the grain on those pesky neck whiskers.

In the end, it's about the experience.... the chase of perfection and complete enjoyment. I don't care what vehicle you use to travel to shaving nirvana, just so long as you get there.

I first noticed this when I started trying to use the Feather AC. It tore my face up something terrible, but I have to shave every day and I noticed pretty quickly that the straight was easier on my face while I was letting my skin recover from the AC.

I try to take the straight on vacation, and I've got a couple of small paddles and looms that make this easier, but if I'm really travelling light then I'll pack the Feather AC with a corked blade. I find that about 6 passes through a cork makes it feel like a good straight, and this leaves the blade with about 8 shaves left on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mparker762

I first noticed this when I started trying to use the Feather AC. It tore my face up something terrible, but I have to shave every day and I noticed pretty quickly that the straight was easier on my face while I was letting my skin recover from the AC.

I try to take the straight on vacation, and I've got a couple of small paddles and looms that make this easier, but if I'm really travelling light then I'll pack the Feather AC with a corked blade. I find that about 6 passes through a cork makes it feel like a good straight, and this leaves the blade with about 8 shaves left on it.

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Corking works pretty well. I used it on my slant with feather blades for the first few shaves, before I got used to it. I never liked the slant much though. Straights definitely leave your face feeling better, Imo.

This thread is making me want to use a DE today...Hmm...

I identify with the posts by Disburden and Rajagra....there is something special about a straight and all that goes with it; and it really its not about the competition.

That being said, I would like to say I get as close a shave with the straight....but I'm not there yet. I am used to getting a really smooth shave from the DE because I can go ATG everywhere...upper lip even. I can do the same with the SR on cheeks and neck but ..gulp...not lip or below my mouth. Also, I use those notoriously sharp Feather blades in my DE. On the straight, I am frequently using self-honed blades and while I am getting better, I am no honemeister.

But no doubt, I prefer to SR shave!

Best to all, Jim

I get perfect shaves with a DE. Though now I only use a straight. I've only been shaving with a straight since December but the shave are almost the same as a DE. I'm sure they'll get even better with time. It took me awhile before I got perfect shaves from a DE.

I enjoy using a straight more.

So I'm getting the impression that even if people aren't getting far superior shaves with the straight as opposed to the DE, they're enjoying it more. And hey, despite everything else, isn't that what it's all about? I think it is. :D