Ah but.... would you mess with a hick who kills deer with an AK-47? I sure wouldn't. 
How is a disposable-blade straight razor not a straight razor?
- Thread starter raccoonandbrush
- Start date
Not to go on-topic, but...
I use a Feather regularly, and it shaves closely and comfortably. Its a learning curve. Just like when you started using a DE. Soon, your shaves will get better, and your blades will last longer. Its just patience and perseverance.
I use a Feather regularly, and it shaves closely and comfortably. Its a learning curve. Just like when you started using a DE. Soon, your shaves will get better, and your blades will last longer. Its just patience and perseverance.
How is a disposable-blade straight razor not a straight razor?
What really bothers me about this thread is nobody really has answered the OP question in a meaningful way . There are a few references to maintenance issues (no kidding). A few references to differences in shaves (never saying anything specific to what those differences are) . And a lot of POOR analogies.
If some one asked me; “whats the difference between a mach3 and a DE?”
I could give a str8 answer (pun differently intended) .
1. Blade is sharper . Doesn’t pull and hack like a cartridge. Requires no pressure. etc.
Or I could say :
DE is “pretty bird tweeting in tree . Mach3 is a wreath of pretty flowers that smell bad.”
Now I cant answer his question , I don’t know much about these or straight razors.
I hope somebody does.
What really bothers me about this thread is nobody really has answered the OP question in a meaningful way . There are a few references to maintenance issues (no kidding). A few references to differences in shaves (never saying anything specific to what those differences are) . And a lot of POOR analogies.
If some one asked me; “whats the difference between a mach3 and a DE?”
I could give a str8 answer (pun differently intended) .
1. Blade is sharper . Doesn’t pull and hack like a cartridge. Requires no pressure. etc.
Or I could say :
DE is “pretty bird tweeting in tree . Mach3 is a wreath of pretty flowers that smell bad.”
Now I cant answer his question , I don’t know much about these or straight razors.
I hope somebody does.
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He answered his own question relating to the technical aspect. Where you are wrong is in ignoring the part of his question, "I hear these people...". Essentially, it seems like he asked why said people do not consider a disposable straight a straight. Hence, IMO the analogies were on point. He already acknowledged the technical differences. His question was essentially, "Why don't these people consider a disposable straight, a straight when they share the same purpose and description on paper". The answer he got was clear; there is more ritual and "refinement" to a regular straight and straight users hold this sacred.
This post has gotten ridiculous. We all shave with a "razor". No matter what you use it's a "razor" be it straight, disposable, cartridge, DE, Electric or SE. To all who use whatever they know what defines their razor and however YOU want to define it, well that may be important to you but to most of us each individual method is different and why can't we just leave it that without trying to bring in issues like superiority and all that nonsense. Anyone who wants to know the differences between the different kinds of "razors" only needs to use each and the differences will become apparent. The rest is semantics which is a useless exercise in my opinion.
He answered his own question relating to the technical aspect. Where you are wrong is in ignoring the part of his question, "I hear these people...". Essentially, it seems like he asked why said people do not consider a disposable straight a straight. Hence, IMO the analogies were on point. He already acknowledged the technical differences. His question was essentially, "Why don't these people consider a disposable straight, a straight when they share the same purpose and description on paper". The answer he got was clear; there is more ritual and "refinement" to a regular straight and straight users hold this sacred.
I did not ignore his post
"- A razor having a long blade set in a handle, usually folding like a penknife.
- A razor with a straight cutting edge enclosed in a case that forms a handle
when the razor is opened for use.
- A razor with a blade that can fold into its handle
Now it sounds to me that a disposable falls under those definitions. "
I doesnt sound like he is acknowleging differences, he is stating simmularities. Only acknowledges "these people say its not".
What I did seem to ignore is the many posts were the difference is bragging rights. Which seems to be the only difference. I guess I was expecting something a little more technical than mere Ambiance .
I think you summed it up right there. I am sure that devout straight razpr users will claim a better shave but I don't know if I buy that. You can only get such a good shave. You cant get better than BBS. If you reach that with DE you're set. After that it's all ritual and nostalgia.
Is a disposable camera not a camera?
There may be differences between the one-time camera you buy at the drugstore and a professional SLR model, but they both take pictures.
There may be differences between the one-time camera you buy at the drugstore and a professional SLR model, but they both take pictures.
The answer to your question is that the definitions of “straight razor” that you have read are not very good or helpful.
First of all, the term straight razor is I believe a modern description of what used to be called an “open razor” and which in turn was often in slang called a “cut throat razor”. The term open razor is for me at least the most descriptive and the term straight razor is totally meaningless as the one thing an open razor isn’t is straight. Incidentally, the open razor was not replaced by the closed razor but by the safety razor. Interestingly safety razors are very rarely called safety razors but variously described as DE razors or disposable razors or even trade names like Fusion. All very confusing, but it is far easier to understand if you go back to basics. There basically two types of razor, the open razor and the safety razor.
The disposable open razor is just that. It differs from the open razor in as much as once the blade becomes blunt , the blade is disposed of.
Today, many barbers use open disposable razors to give a traditional wet shave because of concerns about hygiene in relation to the open razor. Some however use disposable safety razors. The blade they use is used for one person only and then it is dosposed of.
If you know how to maintain an open razor by yourself, I think the cost of ownership of an open razor is likely to be significantly less than the disposable open razor. It is also more environmentally friendly. However if you need to send an open razor off for rehoning on a regular basis, the disposable open razor may well be more cost effective.
The disposable open razor is quite an inexpensive razor to purchase and it is
far more utilitarian than many open razors which can be highly decorated with expensive and exotic handles.
As to the quality of shave that each shaving instrument can bring to the individual, I think that this largely depends on the skill of the user or barber.
I hope that clears up understandings and definitions a little bit.
First of all, the term straight razor is I believe a modern description of what used to be called an “open razor” and which in turn was often in slang called a “cut throat razor”. The term open razor is for me at least the most descriptive and the term straight razor is totally meaningless as the one thing an open razor isn’t is straight. Incidentally, the open razor was not replaced by the closed razor but by the safety razor. Interestingly safety razors are very rarely called safety razors but variously described as DE razors or disposable razors or even trade names like Fusion. All very confusing, but it is far easier to understand if you go back to basics. There basically two types of razor, the open razor and the safety razor.
The disposable open razor is just that. It differs from the open razor in as much as once the blade becomes blunt , the blade is disposed of.
Today, many barbers use open disposable razors to give a traditional wet shave because of concerns about hygiene in relation to the open razor. Some however use disposable safety razors. The blade they use is used for one person only and then it is dosposed of.
If you know how to maintain an open razor by yourself, I think the cost of ownership of an open razor is likely to be significantly less than the disposable open razor. It is also more environmentally friendly. However if you need to send an open razor off for rehoning on a regular basis, the disposable open razor may well be more cost effective.
The disposable open razor is quite an inexpensive razor to purchase and it is
far more utilitarian than many open razors which can be highly decorated with expensive and exotic handles.
As to the quality of shave that each shaving instrument can bring to the individual, I think that this largely depends on the skill of the user or barber.
I hope that clears up understandings and definitions a little bit.
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Guys, it's only shaving. 
Part of the appeal of a straight is the all encompassing commitment it requires, from researching and selecting one to learning how to wield it against one's face to mastering the necessary mainenance. It's certainly not for everyone.
Now a disposable straight may not satisfy someone who uses a traditional straight, but how many of them can honestly say that they can routinely achieve an edge as sharp as the blades you put into a Feather Artist? Not many, I'd think.
Part of the appeal of a straight is the all encompassing commitment it requires, from researching and selecting one to learning how to wield it against one's face to mastering the necessary mainenance. It's certainly not for everyone.
Now a disposable straight may not satisfy someone who uses a traditional straight, but how many of them can honestly say that they can routinely achieve an edge as sharp as the blades you put into a Feather Artist? Not many, I'd think.
Not me for one, but then I'm not trying to. I want an edge that's sharp enough to cut my beard without tugging and smooth enough to give no irritation. For me that doesn't need to be as sharp as a DE blade, which is perhaps why I find my shavette a bit harsh sometimes.
And to take that a little farther, if you don't know what you're doing, the pro SLR is still going to give you crappy pictures. It is possible to have good photos|shaves with a disposable, just as it's possible to have crap results from the "professional" tools.
And just to take that a bit further -
A photographer who does know what they are doing will be able to produce much better results with the SLR than the disposable camera.
In my opinion.
But I could be wrong.
I'm not a photographer.
And I've never used a disposable camera.
Or a disposable straight razor.
Or paper underwear.
At least that I recall.
Hey! Hey! Hey!.
Rene Magritte is a Belgian artist.
I would not say Elvis Presley was a Mexican singer, would I?
If you ever come across an excellent beer, a fine artist, the most famous razor hone in the world, a weird detective in an Agatha Christie novel, there a more than average chance you're dealing with Belgian stuff.
It's already bad enough they call it French fries. No need to do the same with René Magritte.
By the way: Razors are for shaving. It's pretty insecure to base a preference on cool-factor. I like the artisan-factor of traditional straight razors. But I'm pretty convinced that equal results can be obtained with disposable blades in a shavette, or in a DE, for that matter.
Kind regards,
Bart.
Hey! Hey! Hey!.
Rene Magritte is a Belgian artist.
I would not say Elvis Presley was a Mexican singer, would I?
If you ever come across an excellent beer, a fine artist, the most famous razor hone in the world, a weird detective in an Agatha Christie novel, there a more than average chance you're dealing with Belgian stuff.
It's already bad enough they call it French fries. No need to do the same with René Magritte.
By the way: Razors are for shaving. It's pretty insecure to base a preference on cool-factor. I like the artisan-factor of traditional straight razors. But I'm pretty convinced that equal results can be obtained with disposable blades in a shavette, or in a DE, for that matter.
Kind regards,
Bart.
My deepest apoligies. He truly is belgian.
- Thread starter
- #57
That is a great definition. You covered all the questions. Also, thank you to everyone else you participated in this.
What a great thread this has been. Allow me to summarize to date. But unfortunately, I didn't do that well in English classes where they had you summarize. So I took the first sentence of every post on the assumption that is the most important sentence. Sure, it took a lot of time, but it kept me off of the BST and ebay for a little bit, much to my bank account's relief.
And here is the summary, some of it actually makes sense, most of it does not:
I hear these people saying that a disposable-blade straight razor is not a straight razor.
I have never had a disposable but I assume it is because the feel is different.
You acknowledge there is indeed a difference by the very title of your thread.
To some extent it will depend on the blade format used.
Straight razors have to be honed.
I have tried using a regular straight razor, and there is a difference in feel between the two.
Just to throw some oil on the fire.
Well, arguably, a moped is a motorcycle, just a different kind, but don't show up at Sturgis on one.
A disposable doesn't fit this part of your definition.
I would use a regular straight razor, but i'm in college now and I don't have the money for all the stuff that it takes.
It does take a little practice, but honestly, if an old dullard like me can do it, a bright young college student like you can!
It's like a clip on tie vs. a real necktie.
A penknife also falls under that definition and if honed to a keen edge it could be shaved with, I'll stick to my "traditional" straights though.
Sure a disposable blade, and a straight blade look very similar, and are used in a similar way - but theyre still extremely different.
If I'm honest, this seems to sum up the superiority complex I detect in some straight razor shavers that just turns me right off.
We'll to my mind a disposable blade straight razor is just another type of straight razor, just like framebacks, wedges, etc, and indeed even hollow grounds.
luvmysuper, you're welcome to direct any additional ad hominem comments you have for me to my PM inbox, but your scathing response seems to further my point rather than support your own.
Neither of them are horses, actually.
Here's how I see it, everyone above, I believe, agrees that there are differences between the two.
Whew, its a good thing we're on the internet and not face to face.
Scroll down the thread.
They don't have honing and stropping courses at your college?
The term straight razor or cutthroat razor was coined back in the 1800s or before.
Just for the sake of clarity -
I was taught to straight shave by my grandfather at a very early age... I have his razors.
Who cares?
My question (which I also posted ine Straight Razor Section) is can you get a good (BBS) shave from a disposable straight, such as a Shavette or Feather a/c, while not totally shredding your face and neck?
I'm pretty much just going to +1 what everybody has said about using what you want to/ can afford to for now.
Here here, bravo Phil bravo.
I'm in the camp of they are both straight razors but still incredibly different.
I saw nothing but the humor you were intending in your post.
A disposable blade straight razor is to a traditional straight razor as a microwave oven is to an conventional electric oven or perhaps a wood burning oven.
So well designed they effectively eliminate 3 difficulties that most often cause people to avoid using planes at all - tuning, set-up, and blade sharpening.
Why do you care who calls it what?
I missed my session.
+1
IMHO - Yes a shavette can give just as good a shave BUT your technique needs to be spot on, especially with a fresh blade.
Well said.
IMHO elitism is what distinguishes the disposables from "straights" with the "pros".
So, if you dont shave with a str8--- your a hick who kills deer with an AK 47.
Ah but.... would you mess with a hick who kills deer with an AK-47?
Not to go on-topic, but...
+1
How is a disposable-blade straight razor not a straight razor?
He answered his own question relating to the technical aspect.
This post has gotten ridiculous.
I did not ignore his post
I think you summed it up right there.
Is a disposable camera not a camera?
The answer to your question is that the definitions of straight razor that you have read are not very good or helpful.
Guys, it's only shaving.
Not me for one, but then I'm not trying to.
And to take that a little farther, if you don't know what you're doing, the pro SLR is still going to give you crappy pictures.
And just to take that a bit further -
Hey! Hey! Hey!.
My deepest apoligies. He truly is belgian.
That is a great definition.
Well, back to ebay!
-jim
And here is the summary, some of it actually makes sense, most of it does not:
I hear these people saying that a disposable-blade straight razor is not a straight razor.
I have never had a disposable but I assume it is because the feel is different.
You acknowledge there is indeed a difference by the very title of your thread.
To some extent it will depend on the blade format used.
Straight razors have to be honed.
I have tried using a regular straight razor, and there is a difference in feel between the two.
Just to throw some oil on the fire.
Well, arguably, a moped is a motorcycle, just a different kind, but don't show up at Sturgis on one.
A disposable doesn't fit this part of your definition.
I would use a regular straight razor, but i'm in college now and I don't have the money for all the stuff that it takes.
It does take a little practice, but honestly, if an old dullard like me can do it, a bright young college student like you can!
It's like a clip on tie vs. a real necktie.
A penknife also falls under that definition and if honed to a keen edge it could be shaved with, I'll stick to my "traditional" straights though.
Sure a disposable blade, and a straight blade look very similar, and are used in a similar way - but theyre still extremely different.
If I'm honest, this seems to sum up the superiority complex I detect in some straight razor shavers that just turns me right off.
We'll to my mind a disposable blade straight razor is just another type of straight razor, just like framebacks, wedges, etc, and indeed even hollow grounds.
luvmysuper, you're welcome to direct any additional ad hominem comments you have for me to my PM inbox, but your scathing response seems to further my point rather than support your own.
Neither of them are horses, actually.
Here's how I see it, everyone above, I believe, agrees that there are differences between the two.
Whew, its a good thing we're on the internet and not face to face.
Scroll down the thread.
They don't have honing and stropping courses at your college?
The term straight razor or cutthroat razor was coined back in the 1800s or before.
Just for the sake of clarity -
I was taught to straight shave by my grandfather at a very early age... I have his razors.
Who cares?
My question (which I also posted ine Straight Razor Section) is can you get a good (BBS) shave from a disposable straight, such as a Shavette or Feather a/c, while not totally shredding your face and neck?
I'm pretty much just going to +1 what everybody has said about using what you want to/ can afford to for now.
Here here, bravo Phil bravo.
I'm in the camp of they are both straight razors but still incredibly different.
I saw nothing but the humor you were intending in your post.
A disposable blade straight razor is to a traditional straight razor as a microwave oven is to an conventional electric oven or perhaps a wood burning oven.
So well designed they effectively eliminate 3 difficulties that most often cause people to avoid using planes at all - tuning, set-up, and blade sharpening.
Why do you care who calls it what?
I missed my session.
+1
IMHO - Yes a shavette can give just as good a shave BUT your technique needs to be spot on, especially with a fresh blade.
Well said.
IMHO elitism is what distinguishes the disposables from "straights" with the "pros".
So, if you dont shave with a str8--- your a hick who kills deer with an AK 47.
Ah but.... would you mess with a hick who kills deer with an AK-47?
Not to go on-topic, but...
+1
How is a disposable-blade straight razor not a straight razor?
He answered his own question relating to the technical aspect.
This post has gotten ridiculous.
I did not ignore his post
I think you summed it up right there.
Is a disposable camera not a camera?
The answer to your question is that the definitions of straight razor that you have read are not very good or helpful.
Guys, it's only shaving.
Not me for one, but then I'm not trying to.
And to take that a little farther, if you don't know what you're doing, the pro SLR is still going to give you crappy pictures.
And just to take that a bit further -
Hey! Hey! Hey!.
My deepest apoligies. He truly is belgian.
That is a great definition.
Well, back to ebay!
-jim
Damn! You kinda beat me to it!
I was going to do this, but with the third word in each post, assuming it was the most important.
When I decided to take up shaving with a straight razor I had a variety of reasons but one of them was certainly the cool-factor - I just think straights are very cool. I don't really see why that would make me insecure.
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