Thread: Straight razor vs Mach 3 or disposable

Unfortunately I meant 6 passes! I just can't have any whiskers left over! And I know that's bad but I'm learning real quick.... still have such a long way to go. Gonna try your style in the am.

Completely lack of arguments. It is simply the conscious choice of a man who simply knows what is best for him. This is all I have to say on the subject.

Originally Posted by Airportcopper

So what's are argument my friends how do we justify the benefits and costs of the straight razor Art how do we preserve this art..???

If it takes 6 passes, you have the angle wrong or a dull razor or not enough attention to stretching the skin. Do you have a professionally honed razor? There are people on this site who will hone it for free.

With my 2 or 3 passes, after I've completed each, I sometimes do short buffing strokes in all directions(except ATG) where needed.

If you are using long strokes, you may be less efficient at knocking down those whiskers. Read and watch Lynn Abrams and other people's videos on shaving. Lynn promotes the short stroke technique. More control, less chance of nicks, better shave.

Originally Posted by anthogia

Unfortunately I meant 6 passes! I just can't have any whiskers left over! And I know that's bad but I'm learning real quick.... still have such a long way to go. Gonna try your style in the am.

Originally Posted by BobH

A friend of mine is quite happy using his cart razor for 3 to 5 months with the same blade in it. I shake my head at him and he at me. I don't understand how he can do it and he can't understand how I would waste a half hour on a daily shave routine. At least he uses a brush and Proraso. Each to his own.

Bob

I keep reading about people getting 3, 5, and now months of shaves from a cart. Way back when I used a cart I could never get more than a single shave from one. This got real expensive so I looked for an alternative and found the world of DE shaving. Much cheaper but still I could never get more than a single shave from a blade, the second shave felt like every hair was being plucked out !
This went on for 15 years so I make that 5475 blades used.
My beard is not extremely thick or heavy but is about average, maybe a little thicker than average but not much so I have no idea why I could only get a single shave where as everyone else gets several
Thankfully by total chance about a year or so ago I stumbled upon a thread on a Photography forum about using a straight razor.
I now get months of shaves with a straight between touch-ups which is normal so what was going on with the carts/DE ?

Let's consider putting the burden of proof on Gillette.

If I told you to drive 5 cars to work by towing 4 of them behind the first how would I justify that logic?

Originally Posted by England

I keep reading about people getting 3, 5, and now months of shaves from a cart. Way back when I used a cart I could never get more than a single shave from one. This got real expensive so I looked for an alternative and found the world of DE shaving. Much cheaper but still I could never get more than a single shave from a blade, the second shave felt like every hair was being plucked out !
This went on for 15 years so I make that 5475 blades used.
My beard is not extremely thick or heavy but is about average, maybe a little thicker than average but not much so I have no idea why I could only get a single shave where as everyone else gets several
Thankfully by total chance about a year or so ago I stumbled upon a thread on a Photography forum about using a straight razor.
I now get months of shaves with a straight between touch-ups which is normal so what was going on with the carts/DE ?

Indeed, I think going for more than a week or so on a cartridge is crazy. The lubricated strip doesn't last that long, even if the blade(s) remain adequate. I think most of these people making such claims are baby-faced punks with milk-moustaches, for one thing... Tell them to let us know how it's going for awhile after they get done with puberty.

I shave with a straight now, but I once got a cartridge to go three months. It wasn't that hard at all. The Pro Fusion I still use from time to time goes weeks without a blade change.

Originally Posted by Furcifer

Indeed, I think going for more than a week or so on a cartridge is crazy. The lubricated strip doesn't last that long, even if the blade(s) remain adequate. I think most of these people making such claims are baby-faced punks with milk-moustaches, for one thing... Tell them to let us know how it's going for awhile after they get done with puberty.

I don't think so, my friend is Italian if ya know what I mean and collecting a pension. I think most of the problem with blades dulling quickly with carts or DE is poor technique and poor lather. Having said that I only get 5 to 7 gays out of a DE blade and about the same out of a twin blade disposable. When you shave with a straight you really pay more attention to technique, lathering and such.

Bob

Ok so I'm not sure if my opinion matters because I am a woman and I don't have a beard...lol but I felt that I needed to include a women's opinion.

Now I am a newbie and I have only used a straight razor a handful of times, but my legs have been smoother, they don't hurt after shaving (sensitive skin) and to top it off, my legs are no longer dry! Disposable razors cost a ton. I buy the sensitive skin kind (not that it matters they are all the same) and I can only use them 3x on my legs then I would toss them. Underarms are the same way (I haven't tried my straight on them yet). So far I am extremely happy with my new found "hobby".

Originally Posted by BobH

I think most of the problem with blades dulling quickly with carts or DE is poor technique and poor lather.

I think putting the words CART and TECHNIQUE in the same sentence is certainly a dichotomy, but I do understand what you are implying....