DE vs. Straight Razors

[Cannata]

Do straight razors give a closer shave than DEs?

Steve

[Mike H]

While both can provide a BBS shave, the straight shave leaves my skin smoother for longer.
The straight is also much more satisfying.

[timj219]

Do straight razors give a closer shave than DEs?

Steve

I can get a BBS shave with a DE. I'm not sure how any shave could be closer. It is possible to get a BBS shave from a straight.

[jdto]

They both get the job done, but I find that shaving with anything other than a straight gives me problems with ingrown hairs on my neck. I still get them with the straight, but a lot less than with other types of razor.

[THG]

Straights do a closer job for me, but they are much, much less comfortable.

[Rob72]

I find the same with SE vs. DE (haven't tried a straight yet). My DEs leave me with 5 o'clock roughage(from the night before to around 9 AM), my SE shaves are still "clean" well into the afternoon.

My suspicion is that you have fairly extensive exfoliation by the blade with a well honed straight, and especially the comparatively thinner edges on SE safeties, whereas the DE is more a superficial worker.

[johna2231]

WAIT GUYS! WAIT! I gotta go make some popcorn! This is gonna be GOOD! evil grin

John

[jdto]

Straights do a closer job for me, but they are much, much less comfortable.

With the right technique and a good edge, I find my straights feel like a butter knife on my face (ie. no discomfort). DEs feel like there's nothing happening to my face and I get no feedback. I should say, though, that I only used a DE for about a month before picking up straights and have hardly used one since.

[Senetsomed]

My experience:

In Theory, yes, a SR could provide a closer shave, however, the level of commitment to the rite (stropping, technique, time, etc) usually I end up having best results with a DE.


Also, I personally appreciate the attention to detail in a good designed DE.


My 2 cents.

[tattewell]

I think you can get an awesesome shave from both, and I use both.

While I find the straight much more satisfying (sorry about spelling im drinking right now), I have to travel alot for work, and the DE is just better at travelling.

I think that with any setup, you need to find the equipment that works best for you, and I think Im narrowing that down for me.

I will say one last thing, like alot, i started on the DE, and as I went I started to love the straight, but as I learn more and have found a good DE setup for me, I enjoy it as much as a straight.

find whats good for you, and you wont really know what that is until you try it. This hobby, this passion that we are all caught in has way too many options to limit ourselves to just one setup...]

Tyler

[Gammaray]

ceteris paribus (Latin for all things being equal)

I can get the same excellent shave with either one.

However, the SR lasts longer but the DE is much faster for most users.

The SR is more of a Zen experience for me.

The DE is mainly a speed/utility fast shave.

Enjoy



shaving.gif

[dpmtherrien]

Its all in your technique, and your experience with either.

[Slipperyjoe]

For me it doesn't matter as I've never had any interest in straight razor shaving. A DE is close enough without any potential disasters.

Dito...

[JCinPA]

I cannot say from experience, my first straight shave will be in about 9 hours.

But, I am after the zen of the straight, the nostalgia, the mastery of a difficult way of doing something you could do with an electric gizmo. A throwback to happier times.

But I seriously doubt you can get a closer shave with a straight. I am into tools, zen, martial arts, and old stuff. That's why I want to do it.

That said, I am a DE shaving master (no brag, just fact). I get a DFS every day, I've taken about 4-5 days off of shaving in 9 months, including weekends. I can get a BBS on demand. I have no expectations of a closer shave with a straight.

But if I can get one as close with that implement, it will be infinitely more satisfying.

[Wid]

You can get good shaves with both but I get a better shave with a straight razor. The shave also lasts longer than with a DE. No doubt, there is BBS to be had with a straight.

[bkfist]

[snip]
I have no expectations of a closer shave with a straight.

Seriously, you might be surprised. Just because the DE shave feels BBS, it can STILL be even closer. Once you get the straight technique down, you may find you remain BBS for longer into the day with a straight than with a DE. Yes, you will spend twice as much time getting that BBS shave in the first place, but the efforts are rewarded.

I'm sitting here at 10pm, shaved at about 5AM with a straight (Happened to be a Feather RG with the "Professional Super" blade) but I can get the same from my TI 6/8 when it's properly honed up and stropped. The feel of my face at 10PM is about what my face feels like at 5 pm with a DE shave. With a BBS DE shave, I can just start to feel whiskers on my cheeks about 4 to 5 hours after the shave. With a straight shave, that same point is about 7 to 8 hours after the shave.

Good luck tomorrow morning!! (Keep the styptic pencil handy, just in case)

Let us know how the shave went!!!! (If there's lots of blood, we want pictures!!!!!!!) Make sure to get some pics from inside the doctors office if you need stitches!

[ajs2294]

Straight Edges just make you look like more of a BA....

[JCinPA]

The styptic will definitely be out, Brian! I'm open minded about the closer thing. Looking forward to it!

[DFSDAILY]

Straights deliver a far more comfortable and close shave for me. DE does well but I'm still more likely to get razor bumps and ingrowns from them. If straight shaving isn't the most comfortable shave for you I will bet that your doing something wrong.

[intheshaw]

I just started with a straight a few weeks ago so I am far from a close shave yet. I just find it more fulfilling shaving with a straight and I love the feedback from it.