Thread: I missed my straight razors!

During the holidays I travelled and I was unable to take my straight razors and shaving accessories with me. I ended up with double blades disposable razors for five days. I don't know why they call them razors? My worst shave with a straight was 100% better than these disposable blades. It makes no difference how many blades are added to these razor, they still do not shave as close as my straights. We do get use to a close BBS on a daily basis and sometime take it for granted, but I do appreciate my straight razors more now than before. I just shaved with my 7/8 Fili and I took my time enjoying the shave. Juan

Two words: word up.

I also had to travel for few days without my straight - eck. I sulked practically the entire time lamenting how my face felt like hamburger. Back now and soooooooooo much better!

I took along a straight and a strop, soap and a brush, but found that shaving in a strange bathroom was a little dicey. Different angles, different distance to lean toward a mirror, subtle things. Got a few nicks and I usually don't.

I needed a very quick shave not to long ago, and had one new cartridge left for my mach3, so I gave it a go. It blew me away how quick the shave went. I'm so used to taking 10 minutes to shave that being able to shave my face in about a minute was an interesting experience.

I was also surprised how smooth the shave felt. It can't compare with a straight ATG, but is was a nice shave and did not chew my face up. However, near the end of the shave I could feel the quality of the razor start to deteriorate. I remember when I used the m3 exclusivly, I used a single cartridge for a few months at a time.

It made me want to do a little experiment, which I will probably do and make a thread about it. I would start with 2 mach 3s and a freshly honed straight. I would alternate between the straight, one mach 3 where I use the recommended # of shaves per cartridge, and another m3 where I use a single cartridge as long as I can. I would probably shave every other day, or every day. THe straight shaves so close, I might have to add an extra day so that equal amounts of growth are shaved. I would document quality of shave, comfort, and time taken.

That sounds interesting, Mark, and well controlled. But... but... what if you discover something untoward? Are we... are we... ready for the truth? Will you start a controversial thread called "An Inconveniently Close Shave"?

I too remember the perfectly serviceable one-minute shave swiped out mid-shower, but it's not like I want to go back. It's like remembering what a Big Mac tastes like.

I've read and enjoyed your journal, and learned some tricks from it. If anyone is going to tackle this, it should be you.

If I went back to Mach3s, I'm sure I'd suffer an explosion of ingrown hairs. I've used straights for about 4 years, but only on leisurely weekends until recently. My skin looks better now after a few weeks of full-time straight shaving than it has since before the ravages of puberty.

Anyway, good luck with your experiment and I'll follow with interest. Horrified, horrified interest.

What I hate most about the disposable shavers is the dried out bar of goop (above the blade(s)) that gums up your face as you shave. I can take a simple Schick twin and pick off the white bar of whatever and get a fantastic shave without the sticky face. I seriously think that was the cause of so many blocked pores that resulted in pimples when I was growing up.

I just got back from Okinawa and the disposable in the Hotel was one of those disposable ones. I was glad to come home and shave off 4 days growth with a heavy F. Reynolds near wedge, a Chubby 3, and some Bay Rum. Smooth shaving.

i travel with a DE.. but i must say.. i find that not shaving while traveling makes that shaves once home that much more satisfying.

I feel your pain, my friend. I moved to the Philippines about six months ago. I was concerned that my razors might get lost if my luggage went missing. It was also a little unclear whether Philippines knife laws would permit me to bring my straights. Now that I am here, it looks like it would have probably been fine. However, I still don't have my straights. I brought a Feather RG with me and started to get comfortable with it. I have now learned to get very close shaves with minimal irritation, but the Feather just does not replace the real straights...at least for me. I have recently begun using a DE razor. Again, while I am enjoying the learning experience, I really miss my straights. I'll be back in the U.S. in about six months, and I am SO looking forward to shaving with a straight once again!