Confession of a Straight User

[SIG9]

I've been wet shaving since the start of the year. For the first three months I used a DE (Merkur 34c HD) and was achieving fantastic shaves. However, I was enticed by the straight razor and for the past four months I've been shaving with a straight exclusively. With about 60 shaves under my belt, I can pretty consistently achieve a DFS and more frequently a BBS. I recently started honing and have not had much luck in that department (yet).

So last night, for some unknown reason, I decided to try out the DE again. Maybe just as a comparison or perhaps I was just feeling a little lazy. I put in an Astra blade which I know to be a smooth shaver and went to work. In not time flat I had a BBS shave. No fuss, no muss. It took very little time and was extraordinarily easy.

When all was said and done, I’m left wondering why would I want to shave with a straight? Increased cost, increased maintenance, increased time, increased face prep and increased risk. For $0.04 per shave with the DE, I could have an incredible shave without the hassle.

I love my straights and I do like shaving with them. I just wonder if anyone else sometimes second-guesses why we do this?

 

[setldown]

When I absolutely have to have a nick free, close BBS shave, I use either my Progress or Futur with a feather. Inexperience probally is my enemy as I've been shaving less than 6 months with str8ts. But I'm drawn to the tradition and skill of using a str8t. I get satisfaction from honing, maintaining, stropping and shaving with a str8t. It's probally the complete control that I have over the process that makes it addicting to me. If something goes wrong it is something that I did and there is nothing else to blame.

 

[pmaster]

I had the same experience once or twice, but so far I always get back to the straights. Its about the whole process, not necessary the results. I find it very relaxing and nice. If it was only about the results, I'd say DE gets me there more consistently.

 

[Lmarkow]

I used to throw in a DE shave every now and again when I was learning to shave with a straight so that my face would have a chance to "recover." Now I only use a DE when I'm on business travel. I am finally at the point where I can use the straight almost as proficiently as the DEs. Just about BBS almost every time. This has taken way more than 60 shaves (. . . I'm a slow learner, I guess). Because I still see progress, I keep at it. And because I still see progress, I know that I'm not done figuring this stuff out yet.

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Using a straight is like going sailing. It is not about the destination, it is enjoying the ride. And I enjoy using a straight. When I travel which is seldom the straights are left behind and I look forward to using them upon return.

 

[u2u]

All in the journey, learning to hone, strop, developing skill in the use of your first straight, then mixing in variety be it blades or shave products. With time, the destination is the same. Many BBS or near so shaves. I am a dedicated straight user, but even so I added new DEs to my rotation recently. They will always have a time and place. Usually when time is short.

Some only use a straight occasionally, say as a Sunday ritual for example. You will find your level and that may change as life moves on. Do I second guess? Absolutely, but usually it is about why I want to add another straight or brush into my rotation, never why shave with a straight.

 

[tomjr]

the one thing i think all or at least most str8 users have in common is a stick to it quality or 'stubbornness' to accomplish what they have decided to do. along with a splash of independence. that does not mean u cannot use or try other things occasionally.

 

[temjeito]

I agree with pretty much everything said above. I'll add that, for whatever reason, I get less irritation from a straight than from most DE shaves. Also, your post immediately made me think of a few other posts I've seen, which look something like this:

I've been wet shaving since the start of the year. For the first three months I used a cartridge razor with canned goop and was achieving fantastic shaves. However, I was enticed by the safety razor and for the past four months I've been shaving with a DE exclusively. With about 60 shaves under my belt, I can pretty consistently achieve a DFS and more frequently a BBS. I recently started using a brush and soap as well, and the ADs are starting to kick in.

So last night, for some unknown reason, I decided to try out the cartridge again. Maybe just as a comparison or perhaps I was just feeling a little lazy. I grabbed my Mach III and went to work. In not time flat I had a BBS shave. No fuss, no muss. It took very little time and was extraordinarily easy.

When all was said and done, I’m left wondering why would I want to shave with a DE? Increased cost, increased maintenance, increased time, increased face prep and increased risk. For $1/month plus S&H with the Dollar Shave Club, I could have an incredible shave without the hassle.

I love my DEs and I do like shaving with them. I just wonder if anyone else sometimes second-guesses why we do this?

 

[noahpictures]

1. I enjoy shaving with straights more.
2. The idea of one straight, one strop, one coticule for years if not decades of shaving is very appealing for me. No blade chucking, no waste.

When I shaved with a DE it would normally take me about 22 minutes for a three pass shave. After shaving with straights for a while I am getting close to that time. With enough practice you can get a BBS with a straight in 15 minutes of less.

 

[cleanshaved]

No dreaming of DE here. I enjoy the SR shave from strop to splash.
The end results for me are also better with less irritation. Even the Mrs has commented on that.
I had considered selling my only DE to buy another straight but think I may come back to it one day, so it stays in my Den just in case.

 

[SIG9]

Thanks guys for the perspective. I see myself in all of the comments made above. It just helps to be reminded that it's the journey not the destination.

 

[Seraphim]

Why women?

The increased fuss, headaches, maintenance, etc are a real bother. You could take care of your *ahem* needs yourself with much less fuss and trouble, and the end result the same.

Sometimes the added fuss is worth it.

Just sayin'....

 

[SteveWY]

One of these days I will venture into straights or hope too if I can find a nice affordable SR. I'm wondering if the months of straight shaves improved the technique and the result was amazing DE shaves?

 

[SIG9]

ROTFL Very true... Thanks.

Why women?

The increased fuss, headaches, maintenance, etc are a real bother. You could take care of your *ahem* needs yourself with much less fuss and trouble, and the end result the same.

Sometimes the added fuss is worth it.

Just sayin'....

 

[ridnovir]

Traitor

 

[SIG9]

I was waiting for someone to say that

Rest assured, I have no intention of going back to the dark side!

Traitor

 

[Doc226]

I enjoy my straights.

I used soap and brush for some time with carts and had very good shaves. If I had to change something I would keep the soap and brush and use carts. I would never go back to using canned stuff.

 

[Thomas Martin]

Bevor I shaved straight shaving was a daily routine that had no joy whatsoever in it. Now, I'm looking forward to it all day (I'm an evening shaver). Even thinking about what straight I'm going to use fills me with joy. So, short answer: No. No way I'm going back to cardridges.

 

[buca3152]

BBS straight shave leaves the skin velvety smooth for me. And des give me that slight itch a half hour later. Its not for everyone I would say but for me its the best way and that's all that matters. If the de ,cart kamisori, straight, floats your boat then that's what you should use. My friends and neighbors all use carts. And when they see me honing they look at me like I got ten heads. Why bother they say, just get a mach 3.

 

[Compa]

While I am very new to straights, I can tell you: I do it because it feels nice to shave like that.
I archieve same or better results with my GEM or my Merkur HD, but it's nice to shave with a straight (A shavette or CJB to be honest)

I do it for the fun of it it's more hassle yes, but it's also quite fun n___n