Thread: shave longevity

Gents,
Been shaving now since Sept with straights only and while I am achieving satisfactory closeness and smoothness for some reason they don't seem to last as long as it used to when I used my Mach 3. Oddly enough I used a JR Torrey and shave seem to last longer than some of my other razors.

So my question is what are some of the factors that specifically effect the longevity of the shave? It doesn't seem to be closeness or is it my imagination?

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

Gents,
Been shaving now since Sept with straights only and while I am achieving satisfactory closeness and smoothness for some reason they don't seem to last as long as it used to when I used my Mach 3. Oddly enough I used a JR Torrey and shave seem to last longer than some of my other razors.

So my question is what are some of the factors that specifically effect the longevity of the shave? It doesn't seem to be closeness or is it my imagination?

Well what direction(s) were you going before and are you continuing that now?

If I do WTG I can get a nice working day out of my shave. When I do my normal WTG/XTG, it gives me like a day and a half.

Originally Posted by commiecat

Well what direction(s) were you going before and are you continuing that now?

If I do WTG I can get a nice working day out of my shave. When I do my normal WTG/XTG, it gives me like a day and a half.

I am going WTG/XTG/ATG/Light polishing WTG. With the Mach 3 it was a single WTG/ATG combo.

Well, V-king, we're about the same "straight-razor-shaving" age, and I get pretty much the same results you do. I know the close-ness of my shave isn't as good with a straight as it is with a D/E.

But I don't care.

I figure if the shadow I used to get at 9pm with a D/E now appears at 6pm with a straight, so what? I suspect, based on what everyone here says, that I'll get better with time, so I just don't worry about it.

Time takes time. A rose can only grow in a day what a rose can grow in a day.

I started shaving in earnest with straights in April 2010. It wasn't until September that I began consistently to think the shaves were actually really good. But then recently, the last month or so, it seems like I've gone up a whole other level. First, I know my honing and stropping are dramatically better, but also, I'm actually doing LESS.

I used to do a full 3 passes, WTG, XTG, ATG, and then touch up. Now I just do two passes, WTG and ATG and it feels great. I found if I really pay attention to the "grain" that these two passes alone give me an outstanding shave with no shadow at all into the evening.

One key is obvious: a wicked-sharp and smooth razor. I think that my honing ability and my technique have improved and converged or something, but these 2 pass shaves have been the best of my experience, and I shave every day. Haven't really thought "Yikes, what a B- shave" in a long time.

Hang in there. Some times a few small things will take way longer to work out, and suddenly you'll "be there" at a level that's really satisfying and fun.

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I started shaving in earnest with straights in April 2010. It wasn't until September that I began consistently to think the shaves were actually really good. But then recently, the last month or so, it seems like I've gone up a whole other level. First, I know my honing and stropping are dramatically better, but also, I'm actually doing LESS.

I used to do a full 3 passes, WTG, XTG, ATG, and then touch up. Now I just do two passes, WTG and ATG and it feels great. I found if I really pay attention to the "grain" that these two passes alone give me an outstanding shave with no shadow at all into the evening.

One key is obvious: a wicked-sharp and smooth razor. I think that my honing ability and my technique have improved and converged or something, but these 2 pass shaves have been the best of my experience, and I shave every day. Haven't really thought "Yikes, what a B- shave" in a long time.

Hang in there. Some times a few small things will take way longer to work out, and suddenly you'll "be there" at a level that's really satisfying and fun.

So what in your opinion specifically contributed to the shave lasting longer? Is it possible to get closer shaves than BBS? In other words I can feel no stubble going in any direction but the shaves not lasting as long...if that makes sense.

Originally Posted by volleykinginnc

So what in your opinion specifically contributed to the shave lasting longer? Is it possible to get closer shaves than BBS? In other words I can feel no stubble going in any direction but the shaves not lasting as long...if that makes sense.

I suspect the Mach3 "lasts longer" because multi-blade actually cut the hair below the skin-line. One blade pulls the hair up a bit, the next one cuts it, the stump drops below the skin-line. For many of us, this leads to bumps that look like follicle inflammation. The straight razor does not cut the hair below the skin line, but right at the skin line. That's actually why I like it. I can't go ATG with a multi-blade razor without inflammation and bumps, but with the straight I can do ATG every day on my entire face and very average beard, without irritation.

I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the answer.

Assuming your blades are in proper shape that leaves you as the other factor. if you are not getting shaves to match any other method you just need more experience. Maybe you need to tweak your technique. I know I find certain select areas on my neck are very difficult to shave and a blade with a large smile just seems to get in there better.

If you talk to guys who have been shaving for some time they will all tell you they get the best shaves from a straight period. Usually guys starting out especially after they have been doing this a few months and think they have it down pat experience what you have. With time the realize it really does take a long time to fully master a straight.

I’ve been using a straight since July, and although my results are still noticeably variable, I’d say on balance shaves from the straight last longer than those from a double-blade disposable. (I’ve never used a Mach 3.) This is based on how my face feels 24 hours after the previous shave.

Strangely, the shave from a fresh disposable rivals or exceeds one from a straight, but the next day, what’s left of the straight shave is usually better. Also, I don’t judge my shave immediately. Rather, I wait two hours and then feel my face to evaluate my work. For reasons unknown, my skin and beard need time to recover from the razor-induced trauma I’m afflicting upon myself.

I don't use multi blade razors for many reasons but number one is for the irritation problems stated by others. When I use a double edge razor at first it seems as smooth but for some reason doesn't last as long as a straight razor. I am able to go comfortably a day and a half to two days between shaves, preferably a day and a half, and when I am done it is completely smooth. I go WTG and XTG and I don't get the irritation problems either. I have been shaving with a straight since I was seventeen and I just turned fifty five. I have tried other razors when I travel and have been very disappointed. I only travel with a DE razor now.