Cribb: After many close shaves, the straight razor has been outdone (Toronto Star)

[sillymike]

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/809090--cribb-after-many-close-shaves-the-straight-razor-has-been-outdone



Cribb: After many close shaves, the straight razor has been outdone
Advances in shaving technology have even traditional barbers doubting their old toolsPublished On Fri May 14 2010

http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/72/3e/c530159c447cbd7101ed49d6f8a3.jpeg
Rick Ricci of Truefitt and Hill in Scotia Plaza shaves client Richard Hoffman with the new Schick Hydro razor, which Ricci says is far superior to the traditional straight razor.

RICK EGLINTON/TORONTO STAR


By Robert Cribb
Reporter


The straight razor, that timeless icon of quality men’s grooming, is officially a relic.

The latest generations of drugstore razors, born from millions of dollars in research and development, put grandpa’s old single blade to ignominious shame.

“I can’t compete with this,” says straight razor guru Rick Ricci as he holds up the new Schick HYDRO, a scruff chopper developed over a seven-year period by engineers in Germany and the United States.

Ricci owns Toronto’s Truefitt and Hill, a lavish men’s barbershop in Scotia Plaza, where Bay Streeters recline in old school barber chairs for the retro charm of an old school shave.

“We’re world renowned barbers and, I’m telling you, the single blade can’t do as well as this.”

Ah, these are heady days for shaving technology.

Simultaneous with the Schick launch, Gillette unveiled its latest high-priced offering – the ProGlide.

Billed as a “dramatically better” version of the popular Fusion razor (which is advertised on television every 15 seconds), the ProGlide is the product of 30,000 customer trials involving “precise measurement instrumentation used in the aerospace, semiconductor and medical imaging categories,” says a release.

The thrust: Thinner, finer blades reduce tug-and-pull and unlock the secret to irritation-free closeness.

Keep in mind, they said the same thing when they released the Fusion a few years ago.

Shaving technology standards are a swiftly moving target these days.

After hundreds of years of being largely ignored, the daily male horror of ripping wirelike facial hair from skin seems to have suddenly seized the singular attention of the world’s biggest grooming tool makers.

This is linked, no doubt, to impressive growth in the overall male grooming market over the last decade.

The modern man is motivated unlike ever before in modern history to step up his grooming game. That appears to include dropping big bucks on extortionately priced blades and other exotic skin care sundries.

The most obvious reasons for this are, of course, primal.

A recent Schick-funded poll, echoing the findings of less biased studies, found most Canadian women are more likely to get jiggy with clean-shaven men than those who aren’t.

The findings “show a clear link between material, emotional and romantic satisfaction and the frequency of men’s shaves,” says a release.

An anecdotal survey of a half dozen Toronto women backs this up.

Darcie Vany, author of Toronto dating blog fitdarcie.com, recently mused on the grooming habits of men by concluding, “Just because men are genetically able to grow hair on their face doesn’t mean that they should . . . You need to shave every day. We can tell when you don’t, and you look like a bum.”

Ouch.

Probed further, the 31-year-old says there is widespread agreement in female ranks that male facial scruff triggers silent dismissal.

“It’s a deal breaker,” he says. “We’ve all been with someone who doesn’t properly groom, non-shaving is usually symptomatic of worse bad habits.”

Enough said.

Break out the $20 blades lads.

Whatever it takes.

Robert Cribb welcomes your male-oriented thoughts and queries at [email protected]


Comming up on the 6 o'clock news... scotch is now outdated... since beer is much cheaper and easier to drink :blink:

[Antique Hoosier]

I sure hope this sends "relic" prices plunging downward.

Mr. Ricci, self proclaimed? "Guru"..... You are an idiot who deserves the finest in plastic razor technology. The founders of T&H are spinning rapidly in their graves.

[valmara1971]

I sure hope this sends "relic" prices plunging downward.

Mr. Ricci, self proclaimed? "Guru"..... You are an idiot who deserves the finest in plastic razor technology. The founders of T&H are spinning rapidly in their graves.

Doubtful, there are far too many of us ready to debunk the myths of all this sort of bilge represents. As for T&H they're welcome to inherit the plastic razor technology overpriced and overinflated sense of worth IMHO.

[sillymike]

I guess the writer is from the 'fast-food' generation...

- Doesn't have the time (or will) to learn to cook.
- Doesn't have the time (or will) to learn to shave... :wink:

[Desdinova]

I sure hope this sends "relic" prices plunging downward.

Mr. Ricci, self proclaimed? "Guru"..... You are an idiot who deserves the finest in plastic razor technology. The founders of T&H are spinning rapidly in their graves.


He is renowned.

Very rich, successful multi-millionaires go to him for a shave. Men that have had shaves all over the world.

If you read the article you would have read that the straight can't compete on closeness.

Want to know something? The article is true. The new multiblades do shave closer. Straights and DEs only shave the visible and we all know the cartridges shave below the surface.


Now the key difference in closeness at home is on replicating pre and post shave. Cartidge users dont pamper the skin like we do. All things being equal, these new razors will shave closer.



A modern Ferrari will outrun a 60s muscle car any day of the week. We all know the difference between the 2 so there is no point arguing on that. Each has benefits. Some still prefer the muscle car for it's simplicity and the fact tht you can fix it in your driveway.




I will not give up my straight for these new blades at all. I see their benefits but it is not for me. Not anymore

[RetroGrouch]

Well, I'm not in it to get the "closest shave possible". When I'm shaved too closely, I get ingrown hairs. And besides, in a few hours, my beard grows back!

I just prefer to shave with a straight. I enjoy the experience, and I like the idea of not throwing hunks of plastic and steel into the landfill every week. (Plus, I'll admit it, I get a smug satisfaction from resisting the efforts of marketing/advertising folk who want to sell me crap like Febreze, Swiffer, Fusion...)

The "article" reads like an advertisement for Shick. Kudos to Shick's PR agency I guess.

Sheesh, I'm sounding like a Retro Grouch...

Mike

[mainaman]

the price of the new cartridges will be high enough for people to still prefer DE/straight I hope.
those cartridges will still give people ingrown hair.

[Chimensch]

Straights and DEs only shave the visible and we all know the cartridges shave below the surface.

Wrong, very wrong. Straight shavers stretch the skin and that's why straights shave below the surface. Either you've never shaved with a straight or you're doing it very wrong.

By the way, how is it that cartridges shave below the surface? Voodoo?

[DapperJames]

If I'm paying for a shave at a Barber Shop I want the "straight shave experience". Who on earth would pay for a Schick Hydro shave, it's laughable to me. I could do it myself in the shower.

[RetroGrouch]

Good point, Chimensch.

But what about those "very rich, successful multi-millionaires"? Surely they know more about shaving themselves than us mortals? :tongue_sm

[Umbranaut]

Looks to me as if the guy in the chair has a few ingrown hairs on his neck.:tongue_sm

[RazoRock]

They charge $47 for a shave and they use a drug store cartridge razor?? My Father in-law is an ex-barber from Italy and shaved me with the straight razor before my wedding... there is no way a cartridge can compete with a skilled hand and a straight razor... after the shave my father in-law gave me, my beard didn't come back for almost two days and it was a completely irritation free shave. I'm sad to say I'm disappointed to live in Toronto and seeing these guys at T&H shaving people with a cartridge; this put a downer on a great morning I was having.:mad3:

[jrowen]

If I'm paying for a shave at a Barber Shop I want the "straight shave experience". Who on earth would pay for a Schick Hydro shave, it's laughable to me. I could do it myself in the shower.

This.

[RetroGrouch]

At the risk of being branded a heretic, I think the technique is more important than the hardware.

I've never tried a Fusion (or whatever), but I suspect I could probably get a great shave from one if I used the straight razor technique (preparation, stretching, multiple passes).

I just don't see the point in trying to get a closer shave. I'm BBS. Do I need to be smoother? Do I really want to be??

[Wingnut]

Now, boys, play nice. We don't want the mods to lock out this thread, now do we? This is a gentlemen's forum, let's all treat each other with respect.

[Desdinova]

At the risk of being branded a heretic, I think the technique is more important than the hardware.

I've never tried a Fusion (or whatever), but I suspect I could probably get a great shave from one if I used the straight razor technique (preparation, stretching, multiple passes).

I just don't see the point in trying to get a closer shave. I'm BBS. Do I need to be smoother? Do I really want to be??




Exactly. As was said above, there is something about the barbershop experience.

WWhen using straights and DEs, we prep properly. We lather our specialty soaps and creams. We stretch skin. We use multiple passes in different directions. We apply proper post-shave product.


Users of cartridges don't do this. Single pass using canned goop in the shower.

[DapperJames]

Exactly. As was said above, there is something about the barbershop experience.

WWhen using straights and DEs, we prep properly. We lather our specialty soaps and creams. We stretch skin. We use multiple passes in different directions. We apply proper post-shave product.


Users of cartridges don't do this. Single pass using canned goop in the shower.

In times of not having enough time to straight shave I still use my Mach 3 cartridge razor. I do however prep properly and use my soap, stretch the skin and do multiple passes just like I would with a straight. It's much better compared to the under ten minute Mach 3 canned goop shower shave but I still get that sporadic ingrown hair.

[RetroGrouch]

Exactly. As was said above, there is something about the barbershop experience.

WWhen using straights and DEs, we prep properly. We lather our specialty soaps and creams. We stretch skin. We use multiple passes in different directions. We apply proper post-shave product.


Users of cartridges don't do this. Single pass using canned goop in the shower.

Those who want the "barbershop experience" don't want canned goop and cartridge razors. Nor do the folks on this forum.

[RetroGrouch]

In times of not having enough time to straight shave I still use my Mach 3 cartridge razor. I do however prep properly and use my soap, stretch the skin and do multiple passes just like I would with a straight. It's much better compared to the under ten minute Mach 3 canned goop shower shave but I still get that sporadic ingrown hair.

You must be in a much bigger hurry than I am. I can't imagine how a cartridge razor would "shave" more than a few seconds off my time. (It takes me less than 10 minutes to shave.)

[JRichmond]

I can honestly say, being a former Fusion user, that I absolutely can get as close a shave "all things being equal" with a straight razor. It does take much longer (and is more enjoyable), but to say that you can't achieve the same results as a cartridge just hasn't been my experience.

[Thebigspendur]

Well guys just admit it, we've all been had using an inferior medium when we should have all stuck to the cartidges. See, Gillette and Shick are right afterall. Also since ONE "world famous" barber says it's so that negates what thousands of barbers who used straights in earlier times and their customers would tell you.

[Seraphim]

The only way to truly tell, is for those opposed to the accursed Fusion/Shcicks out there to go out to the local mart and pick one up and give it a whirl next shave using all the rest of your standard prep and truly see what your unbiased opinion is.

Go ahead, we won't tell.....:001_rolle

[Desdinova]

Ultimately, the average man is not interested in spending as much time as we do on shaving.

They want fast and easy.

Disposable with canned goo.



In the meantime, we will continue to enjoy our morning zen.

[Seraphim]

It should also be pointed out that since in most states it is illegal to use a "old fashioned straight" due to health concerns, is it really so surprising that a professinal barber, who stands to make $47 a shave would tout the only tool left available to him as now being "the best"?



Just sayin'.....

[DogHair]

When I consider all the things I do or use that are outdated, time wasting, unsafe or just plain unhealthy, not using the latest and greatest cartridge razor to get the closest shave possible doesn't even make the list.

[DapperJames]

You must be in a much bigger hurry than I am. I can't imagine how a cartridge razor would "shave" more than a few seconds off my time. (It takes me less than 10 minutes to shave.)

Congratulations on it taking you less than 10 minutes to shave. I'm new to straight razor shaving and because I'm learning I take my time with it. Even when I'm excellent at it I still plan on going slow and enjoying every second as I do now while learning.

[ouch]

Now, boys, play nice. We don't want the mods to lock out this thread, now do we? This is a gentlemen's forum, let's all treat each other with respect.

Thank you. As grandma used to say, "Everyone make nice." :tongue_sm


You just want to be a hater because you don't agree with a professional barber that has way more shaves under his belt than you.

As for Chimensch's experience, you may have missed this-
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=136249 :lol:

[jrowen]

I can honestly say, being a former Fusion user, that I absolutely can get as close a shave "all things being equal" with a straight razor. It does take much longer (and is more enjoyable), but to say that you can't achieve the same results as a cartridge just hasn't been my experience.

This. Although with a DE. I'm still learning the the straight.

I believe the closeness of a multi-blade cart has more to do with the lift-n-cut action, which "pulls" the hair above skin level, cuts it, and then allows it retract back into the folicle, far below skin level. I believe this is what also leads to ingrowns when using multi-blade carts, as the hair may not grow out of the folicle correctly, but will instead dig into the skin. It seems to me that skin-streching would only magnify the effect. This has been my experience, and was a contributing factor in my decision to start wet shaving. IMO, this is more akin to "pulling" the hair out than "shaving" it off, which will necessarily result in a close shave with minimal effort, though I would argue it isn't necessarily a better shave.

There are obviously enough men who can get a get a decent enough shave with a multi-blade cart that they feel no compulsion to try anything else. If its fast, easy, they like the result and can afford it, then I suppose that's just their cup of tea. YMMV. I happen to not be one of them. I wouldn't use one at home, let alone pay someone else to do it for me.

My own case in point, there are those men than do not get a good shave from a multi-blade cart. From a professional barber's standpoint, I would think that would mean they would want to use the tools that are going to be the friendliest to all their clients. From that standpoint alone, I think it's a bad business move, as some men will clearly not appreciate the result, and will decline the service. Additionally, I could not bring myself to pay barber shop prices for drugstore shave.

- Jason

[Go West Young Man]

You can't extrapolate from your person experiences and assume that everyone else will have the same reactions. Now, if only there was a convenient and catchy acronym for this concept.....

[JRichmond]

really? Single WTG pass with a straight (no skin stretching or prep) gets you as close as a Fusion under the same circumstances?

No. I did not at any point indicate that I could achieve the same results with a single pass.

I did state that given more time, I could achieve the same results. I suppose that without stating what I thought was obvious (since you stated we as wet shavers do things differently than cartridge users), I did mean that I require multiple passes, varying angles, and generally pay more attention now than I did when I used a cartridge.

All of that said, I have done the "test" and found that I can achieve the same results with a straight that I do with a cartridge given that I require more time with a straight. I enjoy the experience much more with a straight razor, and that is the reason I use it instead of a cartridge. That was the point I was refuting. I do achieve the same result with a straight.

I hope you enjoy all of your shaves, regardless of which tool you use.

[Desdinova]

No. I did not at any point indicate that I could achieve the same results with a single pass.

I did state that given more time, I could achieve the same results. I suppose that without stating what I thought was obvious (since you stated we as wet shavers do things differently than cartridge users), I did mean that I require multiple passes, varying angles, and generally pay more attention now than I did when I used a cartridge.

All of that said, I have done the "test" and found that I can achieve the same results with a straight that I do with a cartridge given that I require more time with a straight. I enjoy the experience much more with a straight razor, and that is the reason I use it instead of a cartridge. That was the point I was refuting. I do achieve the same result with a straight.

I hope you enjoy all of your shaves, regardless of which tool you use.


I too enjoy using a straight and will never go back to cartridges.


Gilette and Schick have done a good job of advancing the technology so that men can get a very close shave in a minimal amount of time.

But as has been said by many of us across many threads on this forum, there is just so much enjoyment with wet shaving.

To turn something that used to be a chore into something we would like to do twice a day (if only we had enough hair to do that LOL)

[RetroGrouch]

Congratulations on it taking you less than 10 minutes to shave. I'm new to straight razor shaving and because I'm learning I take my time with it. Even when I'm excellent at it I still plan on going slow and enjoying every second as I do now while learning.

Sorry if my post came across wrong. I wasn't attempting to boast about how fast I can shave. (Anyone could do a crappy job quickly. And besides, it's not a race.)

My real point was, how much time does using a cartridge really save?

Mike

[Go West Young Man]

Sorry if my post came across wrong. I wasn't attempting to boast about how fast I can shave. (Anyone could do a crappy job quickly. And besides, it's not a race.)

My real point was, how much time does using a cartridge really save?

Mike


Cartridge in the shower - 2 minutes.
Fastest sink shave, including lathering ,etc = 10 minutes.

[taffy]

I have only just got into straights after years of de shaving, cartridge razors do give a very good close shave, closer than a de, not had enough experiance of straights yet to compare, but it is much more fun and enjoyment with a de or a striaght, but i cant knock modern cartridges for delivering a good shave.

[kadett]

Can't believe a barber has the lack of self-respect to actually shave a customer with a multiblade razor and then charge $47 for the service.

I'm sure the issue of whether a cartridge multiblade or more traditional shaver is superior will always be a matter of debate. However all I can say is that I get BBS shaves with my single blade Schick injector no problems at all and my skin has always felt better using the injector, DE or a straight as compared to a cartridge razor. I believe the Schick they are talking about in the article has something ridiculous like 5 blades or something...just stupid.

Overall I would say the article and content is tripe. See the following as examples:


the ProGlide is the product of 30,000 customer trials involving “precise measurement instrumentation used in the aerospace, semiconductor and medical imaging categories,” says a release.

I find this part really funny as if somehow the author actually thinks this is different from the past. Companies like Gilette always claim this, back in the days of the Techmatic they claimed they had developed the razor in collaboration with NASA, hence why they shaved with a Techmatic on the Apollo missions.


After hundreds of years of being largely ignored, the daily male horror of ripping wirelike facial hair from skin seems to have suddenly seized the singular attention of the world’s biggest grooming tool makers.

Muhaha I guess all the adverts for soaps, creams, razors, shaving systems etc which have bombarded men in Western countries since at least the 1890s don't count.

[SliceOfLife]

Article reads like an ad.

Cartridges shaving closer than a straight razor is a novel idea. Did you know that planes can cut deeper than an axe? I didn't.


edit: It is an ad right? No journalist could actually write this if the manufacturer wasn't paying him, right?

[htownmmm]

Break out the $20 blades lads.

probably the scariest words I have ever seen-but at least we know where the cartridge market is headed. Pssssssssssssst, hey buddy over here-i got 'dem proglide packs right here.......



the price of the new cartridges will be high enough for people to still prefer DE/straight I hope.
those cartridges will still give people ingrown hair.

and that's why I shave w/ a DE or injector or Gem Micromatic....


Well guys just admit it, we've all been had using an inferior medium when we should have all stuck to the cartidges. See, Gillette and Shick are right afterall. Also since ONE "world famous" barber says it's so that negates what thousands of barbers who used straights in earlier times and their customers would tell you.


Just keep your hands offn my 'inferior medium'!:biggrin1:


marty

[richmondesi]

So, I figure this is about as good a place as anywhere on the board to post this.

I've been working away from home for the last 3 weeks, and sharing a hotel room with my manager. He watched me shave with my straights and went on to talk about how he loves his fusion cause he can just shave in the shower and it hardly takes any time. Never mind all the little razor bumps on his neck, and the TERRIBLE job it does (5 O'clock shadow shows up around 11am)...

It's very common for new guys to come in and tell us how we all "know" that cartridges cut closer, and then accuse us of doing this only because we enjoy it more. However, many of us have thought that we could use our newfound techniques and go back to cartridges to save some time, only to be very disappointed.

[Robert Williams]

Want to know something? The article is true. The new multiblades do shave closer. Straights and DEs only shave the visible and we all know the cartridges shave below the surface.

A good straight razor actually shaves beneath the surface of the hair follicle. I was surprised to find this out after doing some 200x magnification snapshots of pre and post shave follicles. A GOOD straight razor shave is so close that I don't know how anything but electrolysis can do better. I'd like to know by what mechanism the new plastic cartridges can cut deeper beneath the surface of the follicle than a straight razor. The physics of several combined seems to indicate that any individual blade isn't going to be able to push deep enough catch the hair at the root.

[Robert Williams]

So, I figure this is about as good a place as anywhere on the board to post this.

I've been working away from home for the last 3 weeks, and sharing a hotel room with my manager. He watched me shave with my straights and went on to talk about how he loves his fusion cause he can just shave in the shower and it hardly takes any time. Never mind all the little razor bumps on his neck, and the TERRIBLE job it does (5 O'clock shadow shows up around 11am)...

It's very common for new guys to come in and tell us how we all "know" that cartridges cut closer, and then accuse us of doing this only because we enjoy it more. However, many of us have thought that we could use our newfound techniques and go back to cartridges to save some time, only to be very disappointed.

I've had the same experience. Now, you know what razor I shave with, so maybe that's got something to do with it, but I can tell you for a fact that neither double edge nor cartridge gives me as close and bloodless a shave as my straight razor and I've shaved with some of those when away from home and a couple times when I thought I would save some time (wrong).

Each and every time, I was disappointed in how long it took to get a fair shave and certainly was disappointed in the quality of the shave and closeness of the shave.

Today, everyone with a keyboard is a bona fide expert on everything that suits their fancy.

[Robert Williams]

Do we truly know how they work, or have we just bought into the marketing hype? As far as I know the supposed "1st blade lifts the hair (but doesn't cut it), and the second blade actually does the cutting" has never been scientifically proven. I am more inclined to think it is marketing mumbo jumbo.

It's absolutely true. You just have to tweak it a little bit. You dull up the first blade so it just pulls like a M8$@*F#%! and then the second blade comes along and cuts it after the first one is done ripping it out by the root.

[Aaron W.]

Can't get any closer than bbs. I know with my double edge feathers and no pampering,hot towel any of that stuff,I can get bbs with much less irritation and the blade cuts my beard better then my mach 3 ever did. I used to cringe before I put the mach 3 to my face with two days growth. Now with the feather I don't think twice smooth cut all the way.

[azmark]

Well said:001_smile


So, I figure this is about as good a place as anywhere on the board to post this.

I've been working away from home for the last 3 weeks, and sharing a hotel room with my manager. He watched me shave with my straights and went on to talk about how he loves his fusion cause he can just shave in the shower and it hardly takes any time. Never mind all the little razor bumps on his neck, and the TERRIBLE job it does (5 O'clock shadow shows up around 11am)...

It's very common for new guys to come in and tell us how we all "know" that cartridges cut closer, and then accuse us of doing this only because we enjoy it more. However, many of us have thought that we could use our newfound techniques and go back to cartridges to save some time, only to be very disappointed.

[azmark]

It's absolutely true. You just have to tweak it a little bit. You dull up the first blade so it just pulls like a M8$@*F#%! and then the second blade comes along and cuts it after the first one is done ripping it out by the root.

:lol::lol:

I wonder what the 4th one does?

[azmark]

My biggest problem with this is not lack of experience by the barber and even less the reporter but that a T&H employee charges so much for a disposable shave. As much marketing T&H does to target the distinguished gentlemen and their grooming needs, I feel they really took a swipe at the straight edge community and even though the DE'ers weren't named they were subliminally in there too.

I mean if they support the new age of shaving and technology why bother using T&H's soaps and tubs of creams? Just go for the can of the latest marketing trend and hype.

[ouch]

Thank you. As grandma used to say, "Everyone make nice." :tongue_sm


Poor granma. No one listens to her any more.

[azmark]

Poor granma. No one listens to her any more.

Mine was more of shut up and smack you behind the head type.:lol:

[richmondesi]

To be fair, I think I'll try the Schick HYDRO and Fusion ProGlide. One thing of note, the gentleman photographed here appears to be using the 90º technique that was discussed in a video that was met in a similar fashion (dismissively :tongue_sm)... It's definitely worth a shot, IMHO (not that I anticipate converting or anything).

Joel wrote a very interesting review of the Fusion Power in case you haven't seen or don't remember: No Joke (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1625&highlight=Fusion) :001_smile

[michiganlover]

I mean if they support the new age of shaving and technology why bother using T&H's soaps and tubs of creams? Just go for the can of the latest marketing trend and hype.

I have used the newest Schick Hydro 3, there is little point in using it with top quality creams/ soaps, as the gel reservoir combines with the shaving cream/ soap to create a slime that just can't be shaved off of the face.

Strangely enough, if you instead use the razor with it's Schick Hydro Gel, this phenomena does not occur.

I find it interesting that the barber is promoting a product that doesn't seem to function optimally with his own line of high end shaving creams/ soaps.

I have no choice except to chalk up the barber in question as an uniformed idiot. :lol::lol:

[drifwood]

I find it interesting that the barber is promoting a product that doesn't seem to function optimally with his own line of high end shaving creams/ soaps.



Yeah, it's hard to see how this article helps anyone but Schick. The guys from Bay Street (Canada's Wall St.) who spend $47 a shave probably weren't buying his other products anyway. And for every DE or str8 user who makes the switch to Hydra, he's lost an existing or potential client for his soaps and creams.

And ... how long will it take the guys in the barber chairs that there is no advantage and no panache in paying for a service that can be administered at home? "Yeah, I got a great barber ... he whips that cartridge onto the handle so fast ... " Doesn't hold a candle to "And then he takes this super sharp blade about an inch wide, strops it up and starts to shave my cheeks ..."

Just to inject a personal example, when the US troops pulled down Saddam's statue, I was in the chair of a Tunisian barber who was cleaning up the back of my neck with a straight razor. We were all watching it on TV in a kind of stunned silence. It doesn't sound nearly as menacing if it was a Mach III. (BTW, It wasn't the least bit menacing. )

Cheers,
Ian

[Seraphim]

Yeah, it's hard to see how this article helps anyone but Schick. The guys from Bay Street (Canada's Wall St.) who spend $47 a shave probably weren't buying his other products anyway. And for every DE or str8 user who makes the switch to Hydra, he's lost an existing or potential client for his soaps and creams.

And ... how long will it take the guys in the barber chairs that there is no advantage and no panache in paying for a service that can be administered at home? "Yeah, I got a great barber ... he whips that cartridge onto the handle so fast ... " Doesn't hold a candle to "And then he takes this super sharp blade about an inch wide, strops it up and starts to shave my cheeks ..."

Just to inject a personal example, when the US troops pulled down Saddam's statue, I was in the chair of a Tunisian barber who was cleaning up the back of my neck with a straight razor. We were all watching it on TV in a kind of stunned silence. It doesn't sound nearly as menacing if it was a Mach III. (BTW, It wasn't the least bit menacing. )

Cheers,
Ian

As I reclined in the barber's chair, with a hot towel applied to my face I enjoyed the sound of the barber pulling the Hydro from the Walgreens shopping bag, and wrestling the 5 bladed razor out of it's infernal plastic packaging. "*crinkle, crinkle*"

It was then that I realized I was in for a truly great shave.....


:thumbup:

[Shane27]

I don't get why the T&H guy would say such a thing, knowing that it will likely affect his future "shave" business. Anyone can shave with one of those 5 blade razors, and save themselves the $47 he would charge to do it in the shop.

Part of the allure of the barber shave is the whole old school straight razor style experience, that goes to crap when the guy is standing over you with a plastic thing you will be able to get for free when you buy $50 worth of razorblades...

[StillShaving]

IMO the multi-blade claims to being superior over single edge blades like a DE or straignt are silly. Does a timber company harvest trees in a forest with a 2, 3, or 5 bladed saw? A multi-blade setup might reduce the number of passes but cannot get as close to the skin without causing more discomfort IMO. One blade...one hair shaft...one face...how can a better balance between closeness and ripping skin be obtained?

[LaughingAtFate]

IMO the multi-blade claims to being superior over single edge blades like a DE or straignt are silly. Does a timber company harvest trees in a forest with a 2, 3, or 5 bladed saw? A multi-blade setup might reduce the number of passes but cannot get as close to the skin without causing more discomfort IMO. One blade...one hair shaft...one face...how can a better balance between closeness and ripping skin be obtained?

Well, technically, a forestry saw has like, a hundred individual blades, but your analogy still fits

My opinion, if I pay near fifty bucks for a shave, I am sure as hell not gonna like it if it was a cartrage razor

Sure, it might give closer shaves, y'know what, I don't care, Sure it may be the latest tech, again, Don't Care.

The cost of a year's shaving with these puppies gives me a new minted razor from TI, or maybe even a Hart. which will last me a good long time indeed. Hell, I'd be even so crass as to say I hate the feel of the cartrages, the 'moisturising' strip feels oily and yuck on my skin, and doesn't wipe off, it stays there the whole day.

Give me a puck of Tabac, a badger brush, and a vintage blade, I might not get as close in a single pass as this thing will, but y'know what, Why not enjoy that extra "me" time:001_smile

[Seraphim]

If any of you have young children ,you will be quite familiar with the fact that the Onceler found that chopping one tree at a time was too slow, so he invented his super axe hacker that chopped down four truffella tress in one smacker!

I will leave it to you to say whether the substance they use in the new lubrication strips is either gloppity-glop, or shloppity-shlop

[SliceOfLife]

Poor granma. No one listens to her any more.


A new custom User Title, perhaps?

[CraigJ]

ARGH!! Whenever somebody says "Everybdoy knows..." or "It is common knowledge that..." I start tuning that person out. You can state your opinion, tell of an experience, or relay heresay.

My experience, with all thngs being equal ie; stretch, prep, etc. is that straights give the closest shave if you do an ATG pass. Plastic razors will give a smoother shave. I have gotten close smooth shaves from both types of razors. YMMV

For me, strights provide a value that is intangible but very real. If a barber pulled a plastic razor out to shave me, I would feel that I did not get the true value of the money I paid for the shave.

[Thebigspendur]

Just two thoughts here. First most people who go to a "barber" for a shave do not do it for a "straight experience" they do it for the pampering and all the bells and whistles. To me it's like they used to say "(all show and no go"). Also BBS is not indicative of anything. I can use an electric and be absolutely BBS but 4 hours later the stubble is there where with a straight I may not be quite BBS all over but 24 hours later the stubble is first comming out.

[insomniac]

Didn't mantic say that his experience at T&H in Vegas - as far as the closeness and quality of the shave - was basically what he could get with a DE razor? Even with all the prep work?

I suspect their "master barbers" don't know much.

[kg4ghn]

Just two thoughts here. First most people who go to a "barber" for a shave do not do it for a "straight experience" they do it for the pampering and all the bells and whistles. To me it's like they used to say "(all show and no go"). Also BBS is not indicative of anything. I can use an electric and be absolutely BBS but 4 hours later the stubble is there where with a straight I may not be quite BBS all over but 24 hours later the stubble is first comming out.

Umm, yeah it kinda is about the straight experience as well as the prep. When I first got into this kinda thing, I called every barber shop around and asked if they did shaves and with what. I asked all the guys I work with. There are no barbers around here that do real straight razor shaves. I wanted the real, old school, barber shave experience. I just gave up and bought a straight myself. In the end it worked out better b/c I can do it myself, but one day I still hope to have the old school experience.

Now especially if I walked into a T&H to pay somebody $50 to shave my face and I saw the barber shaving somebody with a shick cartridge razor, I would have turned around and walked out.

[California Cajun]

He is renowned.

Very rich, successful multi-millionaires go to him for a shave. Men that have had shaves all over the world.

If you read the article you would have read that the straight can't compete on closeness.

Want to know something? The article is true. The new multiblades do shave closer. Straights and DEs only shave the visible and we all know the cartridges shave below the surface.


Now the key difference in closeness at home is on replicating pre and post shave. Cartidge users dont pamper the skin like we do. All things being equal, these new razors will shave closer.



A modern Ferrari will outrun a 60s muscle car any day of the week. We all know the difference between the 2 so there is no point arguing on that. Each has benefits. Some still prefer the muscle car for it's simplicity and the fact tht you can fix it in your driveway.




I will not give up my straight for these new blades at all. I see their benefits but it is not for me. Not anymore

I will give you the sum total of my 40 years of shaving experience in three little words: I hate shaving.

A couple of months ago I read an article one of our moderators and shaving vendor John Koontz wrote several years ago called The Zen of Shaving. He sold me on the notion that shaving could be enjoyable.

For the past six weeks, the three magic words changed to I enjoy shaving.

Whereas I can sometimes get a great shave with a Gillette Fusion, the results vary and in my case, over time they have leveled off.

Manufacturers cited in this thread have developed a new blade.

I have developed an enjoyable new experience and a nice shave that is less irritating on the whole, and I am experimenting with straight razor shaving, which I hope will provide an even nicer, more satisfying shave.

I have taken this post one step further with three more little words that describe my response to the new wonder blades: no thank you.

[honed]

Is it just me or doesn't this whole article just reeks of poorly hidden marketing?

If I went to the barber to get a good shave & he pulled out a quad-bladed plastic atrocity, I'd demand my money back & walk away.

[Alacrity59]

I believe that one can get a good shave in many ways. That being said my personal feeling is that there should be an art and a skill to barbering and perhaps even a bit of showmanship. There may still be some skill involved in using a cartridge razor, proper prep, gentle touch. But to me there would be something missing. It is as if Ron Popeil came out with the sushi magician . . . stick your fish into a plastic device with a crank and out comes perfectly sliced and wrapped sushi . . . where is the joy in it . . . seeing the skill, the sharp knives, the art, tradition, etc?

On the other hand with the threat of Hep-. . . name the letter of the alphabet . . the barber has limited choices. For a millionaire I would hope there was the possibility of having a dedicated razor.

[michiganlover]

Is it just me or doesn't this whole article just reeks of poorly hidden marketing?

It's not just you. It's very very poorly hidden marketing. :001_rolle


If I went to the barber to get a good shave & he pulled out a quad-bladed plastic atrocity, I'd demand my money back & walk away.

I would ask what razor was being used before the shave started. No way I would pay good money to get a cartridge razor shave from a barber; I can get far better shaves than that on my own thank you!! :tongue_sm

[Hawkeye5]

My thoughts also, Michiganlover.

It this guy is so smart, why is he killing his business? Anyone can shave with one of those multi-blade plastic fantastic shavers (Jefferson Airplane paraphrase). Why pay a barber? Oh wait, that was King Gillette's tactic.

[vitalis]

if i'm paying for a shave at a barber shop i want the "straight shave experience". Who on earth would pay for a schick hydro shave, it's laughable to me. I could do it myself in the shower.

+1

[soapbox]

It should also be pointed out that since in most states it is illegal to use a "old fashioned straight" due to health concerns, is it really so surprising that a professinal barber, who stands to make $47 a shave would tout the only tool left available to him as now being "the best"?


Nicely put. Sad, but true.


Break out the $20 blades lads.

probably the scariest words I have ever seen-but at least we know where the cartridge market is headed. Pssssssssssssst, hey buddy over here-i got 'dem proglide packs right here.......

Just keep your hands offn my 'inferior medium'!:biggrin1:

Damn straight, Marty.



I've been working away from home for the last 3 weeks, and sharing a hotel room with my manager. He watched me shave with my straights and went on to talk about how he loves his fusion cause he can just shave in the shower and it hardly takes any time. Never mind all the little razor bumps on his neck, and the TERRIBLE job it does (5 O'clock shadow shows up around 11am)...

:lol::lol: Don't have a battle of wits with an unarmed man, Paul.


It's very common for new guys to come in and tell us how we all "know" that cartridges cut closer, and then accuse us of doing this only because we enjoy it more. However, many of us have thought that we could use our newfound techniques and go back to cartridges to save some time, only to be very disappointed.

+1 to this. I never used a Fusion until I had been DE shaving for at least a year. I was unimpressed. Then there's the added problem of my Mach III cartridges giving me about four shaves before they became unusable, which was just frustrating. I didn't give the Fusion that much time. Tossed it after two shaves.

[soapbox]

ARGH!! Whenever somebody says "Everybdoy knows..." or "It is common knowledge that..." I start tuning that person out. You can state your opinion, tell of an experience, or relay heresay.

In academia, it means you won't get your paper published because you can't cite any credible sources.


For me, straights provide a value that is intangible but very real. If a barber pulled a plastic razor out to shave me, I would feel that I did not get the true value of the money I paid for the shave.

I love the straight razor, even though I don't get optimal results with it yet (and I'm really slow with my straight). It's a skill that, to me, is worth mastering.

[richmondesi]

I'm glad you shared that, Jesse. I've been wondering about your adventures in straight shaving :thumbup1:

[cbird]

I first saw a modern straight edge at the T and H in London. I asked whether anyone really still used these and was told they only have them because people expect them to have them, but that the bulk of their razor business was in the Mach 3 razors. I did buy a Mach 3 compatible razor from them and loved it and really was very satisfied with Mach 3 shaves in general, but since switching to straights I can't imagine going back and also can't imagine that this Fusion or any other cartridge razor is going to give me noticeably better shaves than a straight (now that I have been using them two years) and I know I would never go back to the trap of having to lay out so much cash for the Mach 3 refills. I also know that this last sentence is what grammar teachers refer to as a "run on."

[professorchaos]

“We’re world renowned barbers and, I’m telling you, the single blade can’t do as well as this.”

Pish posh. Sounds like a paid shill to me.

[mouscacha]

I was initially shocked and upset with the comments made by the barber. After reading through the entire thread, I found it interesting at how many different opinions there were about this subject.

I'm very new to the straight razor and have yet to obtain a full face BBS going WTG, XTG, and ATG. My opinion may not count on the subject of straights or even on the cartridge shave, but the type of shave and experience I get now differs greatly from my first shave in high school (many many years ago).

From disposable to mach 3 with canned goop. A few minutes of distain from skin irritations and knowing my face would itch in a few hours from in-grown hairs. Many years of "I hate shaving" as someone else put it.

On to shaving with an electric. Just as fast and not as much in-grown hair. Better, but not BBS for more than a few hours.

To the catalyst of shaving and pampering. The straight razor. A puck of MWF, A simpson badger brush, a Le Grelot 6/8", and time to myself. It's not just the fact that I can get a close shave, but the experience really says it all.

I agree that if I walked into a barber's for a shave and saw a disposable, I'd walk out! It has nothing to do with how close, or how well it shaves, but the experience is what I'm looking for. A hot towel and great lather can only be matched with a straight razor in the barbers chair. A disposable cartridge razor would kill the ambiance completely!

[Desdinova]

all of those that really think this guy is using a disposable for $47, please line up. I have some prime Florida swamp land for sale.

[Neurotopia]

Your money would better be spent on a bridge I own out on Long Island.

[ofelas]

all of those that really think this guy is using a disposable for $47, please line up. I have some prime Florida swamp land for sale.

Changed your tune from touting the closeness of multi blades as used by this shill bleating barber, huh? They are a much closer shave especially when used by professionals who shave multi millionaires according to you. Let me refresh your memory as to your earlier statement -


He is renowned.

Very rich, successful multi-millionaires go to him for a shave. Men that have had shaves all over the world.

If you read the article you would have read that the straight can't compete on closeness.

Want to know something? The article is true. The new multiblades do shave closer. Straights and DEs only shave the visible and we all know the cartridges shave below the surface.



:001_rolle:001_rolle:001_rolle

[richmondesi]

I thought we were over this...

[Desdinova]

Your money would better be spent on a bridge I own out on Long Island.



Ah but is it a toll bridge? Residuals would be a nice to have

:lol:

[Desdinova]

Changed your tune from touting the closeness of multi blades as used by this shill bleating barber, huh? They are a much closer shave especially when used by professionals who shave multi millionaires according to you. Let me refresh your memory as to your earlier statement -



:001_rolle:001_rolle:001_rolle




I never said he used them on his customers.

And what I said was that he shaves people all day, everyday. He knows what a close shave is and this was his opinion.

He probably was paid by Gilette. But this guy has his reputation on the line. He would make such a statement if he did not believe it to be true.




Typical shaver that does a single WTG pass in the shower with canned goop. Will a straight or DE shave as close in the same situation. Single pass with goop. Yes or no?

[Gruder]

Gentlemen, argumentative discourse is beneath this forum. Please move on.