Thread: Discouraged

Hey goaT,

Don't apologize for venting. In fact, thank you. I assure you that a whole bunch of other folks have felt the exact same frustration and just swallowed it and quit.

Ask questions, study, absorb and practice. When you figure out the one little thing you were missing and the light bulb turns on...you'll say to yourself, "it was worth it".

In the immortal words of Chief Dan George...

"Continue to endeaver to perservere"

I wish you success.

Once I began using a straight razor I never looked back--except to use my trusty Merkur 34c HD de when I'm rushed.

Originally Posted by goaT

The last few times shaving have been let downs for me, and then the other day I wasn't feeling that great, so I shaved in the shower with my Mach 3. Pure BBS, and it took about 2 minutes to acheive, and no nicks. Now, I don't shave with a straight for the BBS, because it's far more difficult for me to get than with the Mach 3, but it's just leaving me frustrated right now.

I don't think I'm going to give up the straight, but last night I really considered it. It seems like people on this thread typically have the attitude of "I used a straight and now I'll never go back," but I wonder if moments of doubt happen for anyone else?

Thanks for providing a forum to allow me to vent.

If you have a Mach3 face the Mach3 may be the optimum.

Me, the Mach-3 gives me ingrown whiskers and a rash...

But before you abandon all, work on your lathering and
work at understanding your face.

A great straight razor shave is very satisfying...
There is a learning curve.

I'm not sure about everyone on this forum, but if your in a hurry, stick with ur Mach 3 or whatever.
Even though I joined this forum 9-10 months ago, I've shaved with a str8 almost 4 years now. I started using str8's for the enjoyment of using a crude piece of steel that was honed and polished, along with some fine lathers and some post shave products just for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Sure, when I started it was up and down. Sometimes okay and other times it sucked. Before I used str8's, I used a plain Jane long handled Merkur and had no problems getting a BBS shave in a short amount of time. To this day, I can still get that BBS shave with my Merkur. I also get BBS shaves with most of my straights given I have the time to devote to it.
If your constantly in a hurry, it's going to be tuff to get a smooth comfortable shave from your str8 every time until you get very proficient at doing it. For me, I don't waste my time trying to get a perfect shave from my str8 if I don't have the time to enjoy it.
I don't shave everyday, and seldom shave after a shower since I work nights.
Str8 shaving is something I consider as one of the finer things in life. Enjoy it like good wine or a fine cigar. Not something I do so I can say I shave with a str8 razor.
Slow down and enjoy the polished edge, cushioned and lubricated lather, and great smelling and comfortable post shave products.

Mule

If I had known just how long the learning curve really is, I might not have done it, but now that I know how to do it, I prefer it. Here's why:

To get a BBS shave I have to go ATG. I can do just as good a job with a new DE blade, but the DE irritates me more because the blades, though sharp, are not as highly polished. Plus, my steel-eating beard makes short work of DE blades. (It makes short work of straights too, but I can touch the straights up). I had the same result with a multiblade disposable once while traveling; if I go ATG it does about as well as the DE and the straight, but it irritates me more than both.

I still use the DE when I travel and when I don't have time for the straight. I also don't shave ATG every day because it irritates me too much, I only go ATG when I want a really smooth shave for going out with my lady or some such thing.

So that's my 0.02. The straight will be the best shaver in your toolbox once you get good at it, but don't throw out your DE, it has a place in the toolbox too.

Maybe your expectations are a little high. I shave with a straight on the weekends or when I know I have nothing scheduled in the morning on a weekday. I have probably done it less than 40 times, but it is definately the process that is enjoyable more than the results right now. It requires a focused mind unlike many things in life now.
It is also satisfying as a hobbyist because like coin collecting, wood crafts, etc., there are always more tools and things to collect.
Try only doing it when you want, and make it less about having to do it every time.

Originally Posted by goaT

I guess my frustration has been, I have never even come close to getting as close of a shave with a straight as I get with the Mach 3. I still used the straight last night, and enjoyed the time to myself. I started using the straight for that very reason, and to slow myself down and force myself to focus 100% on the task at hand.

Thank you for all the advice!

It seems a lot of people here think that Mach3 are bad razors. Well, they are not. They are an excellent means of shaving.
.
.
.
If you replace the blade every other shave.

There's nothing wrong with a Mach3/Fusion other than simply being too expensive. Being so expensive, people tend to use them too long (i.e. longer than it takes the hair+skin residue to grow fungi, bacteria etc.).

See, a DE will cost you a little more skill for signifcantly less money. And you can actually clean off the blade after use, making sure it won't be a germ party.

just my 2 cents.

I have definitely thought that as well. There are times when I just don't feel like taking the time to strop, prepare lather, do multiple passes, etc. Or if I'm in a hurry, I'll use my electric. But I always end up kicking myself in the ass for doing it. It always hurts to touch my face afterwards from the irritation. In the end I'll always stick with my straight because I never get irritation or break outs with it, and my face just feels healthier as well. Even if some days the shave doesn't turn out as well as I want it. I just owe it up to still being fairly new with SRS. (less than a year)

The M3 was a money sinkhole and it gave me many ugly ingrown hairs that took a long time to resolve themselves. Since straight shaving, that problem went away immediately and I always get a superior shave as part of the effort.

I dumped a load of money into buying nice straight razors, pasted strop,..etc and calculated that I will break even in just two more years. But my face looks 100% better and I am one happy dude!

I did start out with disposable straight razors and soon after bought my first straight razor, strop, soaps,..etc. This worked well for me as I was able to focus on learning how to straight shave with the disposables straight blades, then understanding how my straight razors should perform and knowing if I need to sharpen them up some more.

Cheers!

Pabster

Originally Posted by shiznix

It seems a lot of people here think that Mach3 are bad razors. Well, they are not. They are an excellent means of shaving...If you replace the blade every other shave.

I was able to use the Mach 3 for about 5 shaves or so. I have very very light facial hair. Part of my frustration originated because of these forums. It seems like the majority has a snobbish attitude of "Oh, you shave with a Mach 3, you are inferior." I understand that many of you get razor burns and ingrown hairs from the Mach 3, but please know that this isn't the case for everyone, and acting so High-And-Mighty is kind of a turn-off. It's noone in particular, but it's certainly an environment that exists on this forum.

That being said, I still enjoy using the straight, and enjoy many of the posts I read.

PS -- The line about this being cheaper than Mach 3? I think that only applies if you buy one strop and one razor, and does anyone here really only have one?