Straight Shave vs. DE

[rklement]

Hey guys,

I've been shaving with a DE for about a month now, and I've concluded that my craft is about as mastered as I will get it. I don't cut myself unless I rrreally get cocky with it. I never can quite get a great shave on my neck, and I guess my overall shaves haven't been as good as I was hoping. My best shaves have been with feather blades.

This week I'll be making the transition to the straight. For those of you straight users who had previous DE experience, have you found the straight to be a better shave? How is it with the neck? I've seen videos of straight razors passing "the hair test", so I figured I'd grab a new feather blade and try it out. My feather blade didn't pass the test. Just based off of this I've concluded that you can get a straight sharper than a DE blade. I'm hoping that I'll get a more efficient (and more fun!) shave with the straight. Can any of you guys shed some light on this?

[Luc]

Is a straight razor a better shave or not? I don't think someone can say one is better over the other. With proper technique you will get a BBS shave from either tool. Once you get a BBS, I don't know what else you could get. I personally prefer the straight razor over a DE but the results are as good. Keep in mind, the first straight shave won't be nearly as good as your DE shaves. I use a straight razor every day now and I get a DFS-BBS.

I would suggest looking at this: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Interactive_Guide_to_Straight_Razor_Shaving

[QuarkVI]

As Luc said - don't expect learning a straight to be as easy as a DE. I am only starting to get close to BBS with a straight after 40 odd shaves.

Takes quite a bit more patience and persistance to get right but you can get as good a shave as with a DE once you have the skills.

Boils down to what you enjoy but don't make a decision based on those first few shaves.

You won't find a shortage of enablers on this forum :001_rolle

[Leche]

No offense but it doesn't sound like you have mastered the DE yet. Neck creates a lot of issues but it can be overcame with time and skill. I can get just as good results with a DE as I can with a straight but the straight is much more fun to me and the results last longer for some reason. I straight shave pretty much daily.

[rklement]

thanks Luc - that info was definitely helpful

Leche - that could also be it too. I've been shaving every day and some have been better than others. I have definitely improved a llllot since I started, and I guess I honestly have no idea if i have room for improvement left or not. I have pretty sensitive skin, so this is also a barrier to me making more passes, using a more aggressive razor, etc.

When you guys mention BBS shaves, does that include when feeling against the grain as well? My face is BBS when feeling with the grain, but on the neck some parts against the grain have a long way to go.

Either way, even if I do have some room for improvement with the DE, I won't be missing out on spectacular shaves for the moment while learning with the straight, which will make it much easier to endure the process :thumbup1:

[Luc]

thanks Luc - that info was definitely helpful

Leche - that could also be it too. I've been shaving every day and some have been better than others. I have definitely improved a llllot since I started, and I guess I honestly have no idea if i have room for improvement left or not. I have pretty sensitive skin, so this is also a barrier to me making more passes, using a more aggressive razor, etc.

When you guys mention BBS shaves, does that include when feeling against the grain as well? My face is BBS when feeling with the grain, but on the neck some parts against the grain have a long way to go.

Either way, even if I do have some room for improvement with the DE, I won't be missing out on spectacular shaves for the moment while learning with the straight, which will make it much easier to endure the process :thumbup1:

A DFS is a presentable shave (you will feel stubble if you go ATG). BBS is smooth in any direction.

You could continue with a DE and get great shaves or take the straight razor path (or use both). One way or the other, you will get there with practice.

[rklement]

I would definitely say that all of my shaves in teh past week and half have been DFS then - I would be comfortable going to a job interview with these shaves. I haven't had a true BBS then as of yet. Either way, great shaves with a DE or not, I am just looking forward to the fun and badass appeal of the straight, regardless of the time it will take to learn.

Thanks guys!

[dpmtherrien]

A DFS is a presentable shave (you will feel stubble if you go ATG). BBS is smooth in any direction.

You could continue with a DE and get great shaves or take the straight razor path (or use both). One way or the other, you will get there with practice.

Don't overlook using both. I get very good shaves with my straight, but I also continue to use my DE at times. It all depends on what I feel like using for the shave at hand. Also when first starting out with the straight you might want to do your first pass with your DE, and your second pass with your straight. By doing this you'll get the tough whiskers out of the way, and the next pass with your straight will be easier and smoother. This is a good way to get your technique with the straight down with a minimum risk to your face. :thumbup1:

[Kentos]

To me DE and straights are so different that one skill set wouldn't translate that well to the other. However your beard prep and lathering skills are the same, even more important in straight shaving. I am not sure how you are doing with that after a month, but if you want to do it, do it!! It's fun, just don't get discouraged when it takes 3 months to get a decent shave.

[Gamma]

I've never gotten a hanging-hair test to work on a straight or a DE blade. I test straight edges with boar bristles sometimes - that works for me, but not the same way you'll see in videos of the fabled HHT.
Dunno if it's me, my hair, or what. My edges are stupid sharp so that's not the issue.
If I understand things correctly - a straight can't ever be as 'sharp' as a DE blade because the straight's blade is thicker or something along those lines. I try to not get too deep into geek-speak about this stuff because I tend to obsess over it when I do.
Still - I definitely get closer shaves with a straight than I do with any DE. 14 hr till stubble with a DE vs 24 hr till stubble with a straight.
With a straight - the neck is tricky - I pull the skin up and to the side to get the difficult whiskers to stand up.
My first shaves with a straight were quite messy.if I would have went slower and didn't try to get a BBS right away I would have bled a lot less.
I'm not prone to giving unsolicited advice - but - if you focus on not bleeding and geting your angles down, eventually you'll get where you want to be. Don't sweat the tough spots early on. Work on beard prep, technique, and having patience. You can always clean up any missed stubble with a DE or Mach or whatever.
It doesn't have to take 3 months to get a great shave with a straight but if it does who cares? Go slow - pay attention - have fun - & enjoy the lather.

[BladeRunner001]

Is a straight razor a better shave or not? I don't think someone can say one is better over the other. With proper technique you will get a BBS shave from either tool. Once you get a BBS, I don't know what else you could get. I personally prefer the straight razor over a DE but the results are as good. Keep in mind, the first straight shave won't be nearly as good as your DE shaves. I use a straight razor every day now and I get a DFS-BBS.

I would suggest looking at this: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Interactive_Guide_to_Straight_Razor_Shaving

+1 :thumbup:. I get much better shave with a straight that DE now...That's probably because I haven;t used my DE in quite some time...But the straight gives me a BBS shave everytime, much more control (over angle especially) and a whole lot more fun. I am sure technique with DE will come back after a couple of shaves.

[taffy]

I have achieved a hht on a few, but not all razors i have honed, but i can shave well with them all, cant say if a straight is a better shave, but its certainly more rewarding, the one thing a de wins for me is shave time, if i need a quick shave, a de wins that hands down, but i like doing up old straights, honing, cleaning, stropping etc.
I found the learning curve longer than i thought, especially using my left hand, something i am still not 100% with, but with practise the results are worth the effort.

[Picaro]

After one month, yes I would think you are comfortable with the DE shave. But after about three months you will have a better mastery of your overall technique, including subtleties of lather, cool water vs hot shaves etc.
Personally I think it was better ( for me at least ) to establish a solid foundation with the DE before tackling straights.

That being said, I think there is a difference in results. Not something particularly noticable in BBS or DFS. The difference I find is a longer lasting result, and when the regrowth is back I dont have that tightness in the face, which occurs with regrowth from any other shave type I've used. So basically my face feels more comfortable for longer, with straights it takes about 3 days before I feel I have to shave to feel 'fresh'. Not that I usually leave it that long.

[global_dev]

i'll agree with most of what everyone said, although i found that the straight shaved my neck better than my DE results and my DE results are pretty damn good.

[Seraphim]

A new DE blade comes with a Teflon coating. That is why it doesn't do the HHT correctly. Try it with a Feather blade you've used once, and it should perform the HHT easily.


And get a straight!:thumbup:

[Antique Hoosier]

I said I would never get into straight razors. I need to find that post someday... it is among the 6500 or so. IMO... The TRUE "Art of Shaving" is done with a straight razor. Beyond that I would say a Japanese straight which I am never trying... ( I WANT to.... but I don't DARE to because it would mean an infinitely more expensive journey)

[Antique Hoosier]

..... a Japanese straight which I am never trying...

See what you made me do??? I just finished a private message to Telly to take his advice on my FIRST Japanese Straight razor...Gee thanks!:lol::lol::001_rolle:sneaky2::biggrin1:

[Ecl]

I said I would never get into straight razors.

Yeah, I told myself the same thing when I switched to DE from cart 5 months ago. Now I have 5 Le Grelots and a Dovo in the rotation.

[damooshki]

See what you made me do??? I just finished a private message to Telly to take his advice on my FIRST Japanese Straight razor...Gee thanks!:lol::lol::001_rolle:sneaky2::biggrin1:

LOL!

You're your own enabler!:lol:

[nrdoty]

For me the biggest reason I use straights right now as apposed to DEs is that I just love the look of the blades and the feel of using them. For me straights are to DEs as DEs are to carts.

I am still learning, but I have been able to get the tricky spot on my neck much better with straights.

[JeffM]

I shaved 6 mos with a DE and the last 3 mos with a straight. Even after 100 straight shaves I still must exercise caution and care. About a week ago I carelessly tried to touch up a spot on my cheek and had my worst cut to date. It is not second nature yet but I will go quite a few shaves with no nicks but my guard is still up.

I have experienced less neck irritation with a straight. I believe it is because after time I can now manipulate the angle and pressure to decrease friction in trouble spots. Chin stubble is still difficult. Also I notice that after a morning straight shave I have less end of the day stubble even though both shaves feel comparable immediately afterwards. This could be as a result of the skin stretching.

[bhorsoft]

I'm fairly new to both. I'm at the point where I can get a BBS with my DE, but I can only get my cheeks BBS with the straight. Not too worried about it, though. My technique and shaves will improve over time.

The advantage of the DE is I can shave quicker than with the straight. That may change, but I do three passes + touch ups with either the DE or straight, but it just takes me longer to shave with the straight as I am being more careful. Part of it is me still learning technique and experimenting with how to hold the straight, switching or not switching hands, etc.

From a maintenance standpoint, the DE is easier - change the blade every once in a while and remove the soap film from the razor periodically - that's it. With straight there is stropping before and after each shave and a periodic honing session to keep the blade sharp.

[The Mick]

I'm in the opposite camp than most here as I started my wet shaving experience with a straight razor and am only now really learning a DE. I personally get closer shaves with my DE as far as my neck goes but I enjoy using my straights more so it's a give and take for me. I don't "NEED" to shave for any reason other than I enjoy a nice shave.

[Sir Walter of Mount Royal]

Hey guys,

I've been shaving with a DE for about a month now, and I've concluded that my craft is about as mastered as I will get it.

Really? Take a look at this thread : http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=205114

[rklement]

Checking in a few days later, I've concluded that I was fairly correct when I said I have almost mastered my craft. I went back to the lathering basics and concluded it was my lather that was killing me. I watched Mantic's vid again on basic lathering technique, and my lather has been awesome the last two days. Starting out drier than necessary has really helped me find the sweetspot after adding a little water. This has dramatically improved my shave. I definitely can still improve a little bit with my technique (really paying attention to the different grain patterns on my neck) but the lather has been a huge jump for me. I hadn't paid much attention to it because I felt it was one of the easier elements of the jump to the DE. How wrong and naiive i was :tongue_sm

[Slash McCoy]

Yes, I find a straight shave to be a much better shave. The skill set used in the actual shave differs greatly from that of the DE shave, but of course prep and post care are the same. You are still shaving with a blade that can cut or irritate more than a cartridge if you are careless, and that need not cut at all and will irritate less than a cartridge if you are careful and use good technique. Your ability to learn how to DE shave tells me that you can learn how to straight shave. Your curiousity of straight shaving tells me that you will go for it and that you will stick it out and not give up after the first attempt, that you will see it through until you are getting good results. You are probably a natural for straight shaving.

Here's M2C on why straight shaving is better:

I get better shaves, closer, longer lasting, less irritating.
I don't have to pay for blades that I will only use for a few shaves and then toss.
I don't have to worry whether I can find good blades at the drugstore and I don't have to go online.
I don't have to dispose of blades.
Straights are cool. The cool factor is off the scale. It is a very individualistic shaving method.
It is a challenge that never gets old, to keep my blades honed and stropped, and to stay on top of my technique and get nice shaves without cuts.
There is a big pride of ownership factor with many of my favorite straights. Of course there is with some of my DEs too, but not as much as my straights.

If you go for it, make your first razor a shave-ready razor. Don't try to hone your first razor until you own two shave-ready razors. A beginner can get decent, usable results honing his own razors but you should have a blade that is really and truly sharp particularly while you are learning to shave. "Good Enough" isn't good enough. The difference between the edge quality of your first honing and the edge quality of a razor professionally honed is incredible. The difference will make or break your first few shaves.

Be mindful of your stropping technique. You can really degrade the edge of your razor by stropping carelessly. Keep pressure light and keep the strop, if it is a hanging strop, stretched tightly. Keep the blade flat against the strop, and when you flip the blade for the return stroke, keep the spine against the strop and never let the edge point toward the strop because sooner or later that will cause you to dig into the strop.

Buying hones isn't particularly important for the first couple of months, so don't bother. Save your money. Don't try honing anyway, until you have a backup shave-ready straight.

Remember to stretch the skin. With a DE, the bar does much of the skin stretching for you. With a straight, it's all you.

With a straight it is possible to use a much smaller angle, so use it.

Consider purchasing a couple of paddles and some diamond paste. 1u is a good one for edge maintenance. .25u is good for finishing or refinishing a sound edge.

Remember to not try to get BBS on the first pass. You can't do it, and it will punish you to try. Use the first pass to reduce, not totally remove, your beard.

Read the threads. Watch the vids. Keep an eye on the BST and on Larry's whippeddog.com site for shave-ready straights. Good luck and happy shaves!