Thread: Back to the Mach 3....

Your story couldn't have said it any better. I think anyone who made the switch to a straight has a similar story. Going from a straight back a mach3, is like going from a Rolls-Royce to a pinto, no comparison.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Great post...thanks for sharing Red

I know how that feels. I shave the back of my neck (once in awhile) to get rid of some of that extra growth and I use a Gillette Fusion 3...I was too lazy to break out my DE and I won't dare do it with my str8 (angle of view is too strange).

I did it today and my neck is irritated ...The DE is definitely coming out next time for this.

I'm a recent convert, and had been worried about getting my neck for some time. Finally it just got too fuzzy to stand, and I asked on the forums about it. Some people use a mirror, others don't, but most said it wasn't as hard as I was imagining it.

So I dove in and did a neck shave and it really was a lot easier than I thought. The skin on the back of the neck is tougher, so its less easily irritated. It is also quite flat and easy to stretch out just by tilting the head forward. The angle is easier to keep than you think, and a light touch isn't a problem at all.

So I'd advise giving it a shot. You may surprise yourself.

I'm like Ryan...I stopped using a multi-blade razor nearly a year ago. If I can't shave with my straight razor, I'll go to my trusty Merkur DE.

Hey Mark,

Hmmm. In fact, this is probably impetus for me to do just that next time


stay tuned

Originally Posted by markevens

I'm a recent convert, and had been worried about getting my neck for some time. Finally it just got too fuzzy to stand, and I asked on the forums about it. Some people use a mirror, others don't, but most said it wasn't as hard as I was imagining it.

So I dove in and did a neck shave and it really was a lot easier than I thought. The skin on the back of the neck is tougher, so its less easily irritated. It is also quite flat and easy to stretch out just by tilting the head forward. The angle is easier to keep than you think, and a light touch isn't a problem at all.

So I'd advise giving it a shot. You may surprise yourself.

Well I guess I'll never try that on year 4 and can't see ever going back

As far as DE's... those buggers still give me the wiggins... I have a few (got from "lot buys") and haven't gotten around to getting rid of them..

Originally Posted by commiecat

Here's a whole bunch more:
Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good Grief! (GG)


***
Funny this story came up. Two days ago, in response to a ~week's worth of skin irritation, I went back to a 5-6 (or whatever they're up to these days) blade razor just to see if there was any difference on the skin. Turns out there was no effect, but to be honest, I was impressed how [blasphemy] high tech that thing felt. Ultra-smooth. The straight definately gives a better (1.5 day) shave and has the aesthetic/retro properties that I like, but I have to say that the engineers that designed these high-tech jobbies do get the smooth factor....[/blasphemy]. Experiment over.

BTW - I just have sensitive skin, no matter what I shave with...

Originally Posted by red96ta

...rely only on your straight and it will accelerate your learning curve. Secondly, straight shaving is by far the best and cleanest shave you will ever get in this lifetime...

Thank you Yoda! Seriously though, you´re 100 percent right. I head shave aswell and I try to shave the face _every_ day and it gives results. Thanks to my head shaves I some days shave twice

Originally Posted by red96ta

First, go cold-turkey and rely only on your straight and it will accelerate your learning curve. Secondly, straight shaving is by far the best and cleanest shave you will ever get in this lifetime...

And that's the bottom line.

The learning curve is steep, but once you're up there you'll see a whole new world...

Done some personal research keeping shave conditions constant ie soap, routine, pressure etc.
A summary of my findings

Cartridge: crap, not at all close unless extra pressure used which equals irritation.
DE/Shavette: Close shave, harsh edge, cuts take longest to heal.
Straight properly honed and whett: Close and most comfortable.

Well it appears all the statements made on these forums about these methods is about right IMHO. YMMV.

I, too, went cold turkey about 3 weeks ago, and the shaves just keep getting better. I think I made a lot of progress quickly. Very close to BBS the last 2 days on 2 passes each (WTG and XTG on the cheeks, chin and jaw; WTG and ATG on the neck). The only exception is when I have to fly somewhere on business. I'm not too keen on putting my straights in the hands of the airline baggage system, and something tells me the security folks might be a wee bit miffed with me if I tried to take 'em in my carry-on, so it looks like I'll have to still use the twin-balde for those trips. But that way I'll have my straights to look forward to when I get back home!