Thread: Why So Much Better?

Originally Posted by mparker762

As the whiskers absorb water and soften, they swell and expand. After you finish shaving they dry out, shrinking and shortening, and retract under the skin.

I long ago concluded that there are differences in how our faces respond to heat and water and blade. If I don't shave well, immediately after I shave I might not feel any stubble. But, in 5 minutes, after my skin has dried and cooled, I feel stubble. This seems the opposite of what MParker762 is saying. I believe fully that what he is saying is true for him and thus for many. The opposite is true for myself, and from other conversations I know some others are like this.

(I think in my case that the skin flushes and expands over the whisker more than the whisker expands. But, the theory is not the important part here.)

My point is that there are differences. You will just have to listen to as many scenarios and possibilities as are offered. Then, cobble together your answer.

The more low tech things are and the more you control them directly the better the result over automated systems with one caveat, you need to be highly competent to get the best result. If you drive a manual tranny car and are good at it there is no auto that will do it as good. With a straight you are in charge and you adapt your technique to best suit your skin and beard and each part of your beard. You really can't do that with any other system.

That's my view and I'm sticking to it. The only real exception to this are very highly technical systems that are specifically designed to be run by automated systems because of their complexity. I'm thinking of the space shuttle or some stealth fighter planes.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The more low tech things are and the more you control them directly ... The only real exception to this are very highly technical systems that are specifically designed to be run by automated systems because of their complexity. I'm thinking of the space shuttle or some stealth fighter planes.

Why the gross diminution of our various shaving abilities! I would rate about equal the skill required to run a space shuttle or stealth fighter compared to a straight razor.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

There is another variable, the mind set of the typical cutthroat user.
Most of us put a lot of effort into preparation and the shave itself. Multiple passes and so on.
Put in the same amount of preparation and effort with a DE or even a Sensor Excel and the results will also be very good.
Many cutthroat converts come from a background where they thought taking 5 mins for a shave was too long. Once converted, they spend as much time on grooming as their wives.

A big +1! Thanks for being the voice of disenssion, Welshwizard.

Is a straight shave really "so much better"? In many ways, yes. Is it more enjoyable? Definitely. More relaxing, or zen as some members describe it? For sure. I'll admit it puts a challenge back into shaving, with a source of pride after the fact. But I do believe there's also somewhat of a placebo effect at work as well. After all, no one wants to spend 30 minutes or more shaving and then admit that they got a worse shave than from a disposable! The trick is in the time spent, including excessive, yet rewarding, prep combined with technique gained from patient practice.

This is why I totally disagree with the notion that you can't get an equally close shave from a DE or other appliance. Don't forget that your average DE shaver looks upon a DE shave as just another utilitarian way of removing whiskers, and can probably whip off a shave in 5 minutes if in a hurry. But if you put just as much effort into a shave with a DE or other kind of razor as you do with a straight you might be surprised at the results.

This is why I asked for scientific reasons. I know the "I spent 45 minutes shaving, so it must be better" mindset. But in this case, since I stopped using an M3, and since I shave exactly the same way and length of time using a str8 or DE, and the shave is closer and lasts longer with the str8, I can legitimately ask why is one better. Becuase it is.

Originally Posted by Alembic

This is why I asked for scientific reasons. I know the "I spent 45 minutes shaving, so it must be better" mindset. But in this case, since I stopped using an M3, and since I shave exactly the same way and length of time using a str8 or DE, and the shave is closer and lasts longer with the str8, I can legitimately ask why is one better. Becuase it is.

Don't worry, you don't have to preach to the choir, I'm on your side. I'm a reformed M3 user myself and I know of the advantages of using a straight razor and I agree with most everything that has been said thus far. It's just that someone has to play devil's advocate every now and then, and I do believe a DE is pretty close to a straight shave, at least for me if I use the same care and attention.

So is a straight shave better than anything else by leaps and bounds? I'm not sure about leaps and bounds, but it's definitely at the top of the heap for me.

To paraphrase FM Alexander, we need to educate ourselves not our razors. (I've been wanting to say that for a while), but it is a little contrary to what I'm about to say. A few weeks ago, for some strange reason, I decided to try the old Bic twin blade disposable again, but with the techniques and preparation I use for straight razors. And I did everything I usually do: four passes, scything, slicing, stretching, etc. It was a great shave, but the results didn't last as long as those of a straight. Interesting, isn't it?

Well, I don't have any answers for you.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

To paraphrase FM Alexander, we need to educate ourselves not our razors. (I've been wanting to say that for a while), but it is a little contrary to what I'm about to say. A few weeks ago, for some strange reason, I decided to try the old Bic twin blade disposable again, but with the techniques and preparation I use for straight razors. And I did everything I usually do: four passes, scything, slicing, stretching, etc. It was a great shave, but the results didn't last as long as those of a straight. Interesting, isn't it?

Well, I don't have any answers for you.

Frankenstien,

This is what I'm talking about. People trying different things and offering emperical evidence like "how long it lasted", "how close the shave was", "how much razor burn", "any ingrown hairs". And not perceived, but actual.

As I stated, I know about the placebo affect that was referenced by Ryan82. Percieved quality is probably a good discussion for a different thread.

People here have stated some great thoughts on this:

1. Sharpness of steel
2. Shape of blade
2. Infinate angle variability
3. The pencil like shape of the hair as it is cut from different directions
4. The saturation with water, then shrinking below the skin line when it
dries
5. Possibly the slightly rolled edge of the blade

BTW, I am an engineer, and I will not be satisfied until I know why!

The reason why it is important is that nothing is as good as it could be. We improve everything incrementaly. So if we can prove some or all of the above, we can further improve by adjusting those variables.

Good Lord, I sound like a mad scientist. Are we still talking about shaving?

David