Too much work/effort?

**hotreds** · 07-27-2012, 02:26 PM

Straight shaving seems like too much work! I got the film and stuff, but 100 or so strokes on 5 different sizes, then more stropping- all done at a slow pace- you're talking an hour or so just to get shave ready! And, 20 minutes of stropping either before or after each shave. It takes me 15 or less minutes from start to finish three passes with my DE or SE and I doubt a straight could shave me any/much closer! And there are three main learning curves on lapping, stropping, and shaving with a straight- with a DE or SE there is only one main learning curve. I'd love to be told I'm wrong, but it sure seems like a lot of work for - why?

**dakotaev** · 07-27-2012, 02:34 PM

It is more work for sure. With practice it becomes quicker and easier but most of us do it for the love of the hobby not to save time.

Not to mention, you don't have to get your razor shave ready every time you shave. Once it's shave ready only minor touchups are required to keep it going a long time.

**Doc226** · 07-27-2012, 02:39 PM

I straight shave in about 5-6 minutes of actual shaving time. Stropping takes 1 minute.

Honing is done for enjoyment, but I have 26 shaves into a razor and do not have to hone it yet.

Why, I enjoy it.

If you want the straight experience without the "hassle", get a feather AC.

I quoted "hassle" because the gents here, I would dare say don't consider it so.

**hotreds** · 07-27-2012, 02:41 PM

"Love of the hobby" is an excellent reason! That is, in fact, why I shave with a DE or SE. I'm still willing and AM trying the straight, but that nagging thought keeps pestering me!

**Doc226** · 07-27-2012, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by hotreds

"Love of the hobby" is an excellent reason! That is, in fact, why I shave with a DE or SE. I'm still willing and AM trying the straight, but that nagging thought keeps pestering me!

You will enjoy the honing and stropping as well-in time.

I shave to hone.

**Kentos** · 07-27-2012, 02:43 PM

DE shaving just seems boring now that I am proficient with a straight.

If it isn't your cup of tea it's no biggie

. I don't think anyone straight shaves out of convenience.

**Xman74** · 07-27-2012, 02:56 PM

On the days I have the time I will ALWAYS choose straight shaving over a DE. It's the skill, it's the nostalgia and it's the novelty for me. Plus I get a more comfortable shave with my straight than I do with a DE. All up I'd say the straight adds about 5-6 minutes to a DE shave for me. It's worth the extra time in my mind.

**BakerAndBadger** · 07-27-2012, 04:54 PM

I've been at it almost 2 months. Yeah it take more time than a DE but it's a lot more FUN! You slide a really really sharp blade against your face and it finishes smooth, at the same time you might cut yourself but hell, are you a man or a mouse? I think I've just realised the other reason I use a straight, testosterone! Have the biggest balls in your entourage, use a straight. Disclaimer.... I don't shower naked with other men!

**BakerAndBadger** · 07-27-2012, 04:56 PM

Oh and I'm a perfectionist idiot too, if someone else can do it then so can I. DE shaving now seems like cheating!

**BakerAndBadger** · 07-27-2012, 04:58 PM

Before anyone else quotes me, I only shower with other men after getting out of the public pool and yes, in Belgium that means wearing a Speedo!

**BakerAndBadger** · 07-27-2012, 05:00 PM

Last post, maybe connect 4, I've been drinking wine and whiskey all night and now I'm off to bed, with a lady, unless she makes me sleep in the spare room for snoring.

**joshua1970** · 07-27-2012, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Kentos

DE shaving just seems boring now that I am proficient with a straight.

If it isn't your cup of tea it's no biggie

. I don't think anyone straight shaves out of convenience.

I recently swiched to DE from Straights out of convenience. (well I also had a full beard for a few years to boot, and found it easier and more convenient to shave the unwanted parts with a DE)

I love both, though now my SRAD is kickign in bigtime again!!!!

I've never honed (I had a guy in LA do it, and when I moved to Pennsylvania, my neighbor did that for pipe tobacco trade) so that is something I'm reading up on alot. trying to be patient before I pull the trigger.

will eventually get the equipment

stropping is fun tho!!! makes me feel like a stropping young lad LOL

**joshua1970** · 07-27-2012, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Xman74

On the days I have the time I will ALWAYS choose straight shaving over a DE. It's the skill, it's the nostalgia and it's the novelty for me. Plus I get a more comfortable shave with my straight than I do with a DE. All up I'd say the straight adds about 5-6 minutes to a DE shave for me. It's worth the extra time in my mind.

Bingo!

**BakerAndBadger** · 07-27-2012, 05:01 PM

OK, I lied, it wasnt my last post. Don't you just love monologues?

**cb91710** · 07-27-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by hotreds

Straight shaving seems like too much work! I got the film and stuff, but 100 or so strokes on 5 different sizes, then more stropping- all done at a slow pace- you're talking an hour or so just to get shave ready!

Once every 3 months or less often is such a chore?
Honing is not something that needs to be done weekly, or even monthly.
If you have 3 or 4 razors in your rotation, you could potentially just have one "marathon" honing session once a year.

Beginning straight shavers always have technique issues, just as beginning DE shavers do, and this can contribute to premature dulling of a straight, but once you're dialed in, there's no need to go back to the hones every week or two... the edge will last if you are stropping properly and not rolling the edge.

And, 20 minutes of stropping either before or after each shave.

?????

I use both pasted linen and leather and my alum application is BARELY dry when I'm done.
Seriously... 20 passes on linen and 30 passes on leather.... I have to wait for the alum block to dry anyways, may as well do something other than "watch alum dry"

It takes me 15 or less minutes from start to finish three passes with my DE or SE and I doubt a straight could shave me any/much closer!

I'm down to 15 minutes or less with the straight for 3 passes plus touchup buffing... and that 15 minutes includes a headshave with carts.
I'm at 1/2 hour if I use the straight on my head.

That's summer, when I'm doing all of my shaving in the shower.
When it cools down, I'll move the face shaving back to the sink with the brush in a hot scuttle and I'll probably be back up to 1/2 hour or so.

Quality of the shave?
DE beat my carts.
Straight beats DE.

It's hard to quantify. After finishing, I can't say that I feel any less stubble from the straight shave than from the DE... and I might feel a bit less in some areas with the carts.
12 hours later, the straight shave is definitely superior to either DE or carts.
I don't know what to scientifically attribute that to, and that's what gives me the willies because I am a very overly analytical guy (one of the guys at work calls me "Sheldon").
But that's my experience.

**cleanshaved** · 07-27-2012, 05:18 PM

yes there are 3 learning curves to master straights 100%.
you could just strop and shave to start with and pay someone else to hone for you.
Treat the learning curve as fun, go with the flow and you will move up it in no time.

modern man keeps saying he lacks time, I beg to differ.
Look at a life in the 1800's for example. not just shaving but every thing else in life took longer.
I am sure there is time to hone in your busy week.........

for me straights give me the best shave and I enjoy the shave, stropping and honing.
give it a go you know you want to

**hotreds** · 07-27-2012, 05:21 PM

I reckon I could always send out straights to be honed. Is there a person or shop that does this for a reasonable fee and reasonable turn-around? But, I'd need, what? Four straights or so to be safe? Some of these straight razors seem very, very, expensive. Are the Crowing Rooster blades any good? As seen on Fleabay? What is a good inexpensive straight to pick up by the two or three?

I DO want to do this, I guess I'm a bit unhappy with my results thus far- mostly because I think I'm dulling my blade when I strop and it hurts like the devil when I try to shave- so my trusty DE comes out and I finish my shave with said utensil. I have yet to complete even one complete pass WTG using a straight.

**cb91710** · 07-27-2012, 05:24 PM

Stay away from eBay straights.
There are some good ones, but most are Chinese or Pakistani junk that won't hold an edge.

There are a few exceptions, but even those need a LOT of prep to get to a usable condition.

For a source, watch the BST here, or Whipped Dog has a great "sight unseen" deal where you don't know what you're getting until you get it, but it WILL shave well.

If you're going to send them out for honing, then you can survive with only two blades.
Personally, my first was a Boker stainless, about $135, and it's an awesome blade.

**otto76** · 07-27-2012, 06:09 PM

I would have to time it to be sure, but I think a straight razor shave now is faster for me than a shave with a DE...stropping included. It is at least comparable. With a DE I had to rinse the razor off a lot more and it doesn't cover as much territory as a straight.
I don't do it for the speed, as mentioned above, it's for the enjoyment of the shave. If it took me 15 minutes longer to use a straight I would still do it. But it does get a lot quicker.

I think my first few straight razor shaves took me around 45 minutes or so, with the stropping! That would be difficult to squeeze in every day. I bet I'd still do it though.

**groovyd** · 07-27-2012, 06:27 PM

Sure getting an Ebay razor shave ready could take you 20 minutes up to the rest of your life but a decent razor once shave ready doesn't require the sort of maintenance you mentioned. I spend under 2 minutes per shave in stropping, oiling and light edge touch ups. I actually look forward to and enjoy those 2 minutes. Shaving with a straight razor is the way to do it, really there is no other way to appreciate a good shave for me.