DE vs. The Straight

[ever_learning]

Hey guys

Curious about straight razor shaving. Specifically, those of you who have converted from DE to straight exclusively or who alternate between the two. What are the advantages of one over the other? Pros and cons of each? What made you choose or prefer one over the other after you tried both?

I use a DE and will for a while but straight shaving is something I'm researching to get into later and am curious about what your thoughts are on the differences.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I use both, and since I only shave every 3 or 4 days, and my beard is thick and heavy, I usually use my DE for the first pass. This gets off the really heavy and longer whiskers. Then I use my straight for the second and any cleanup passes. This works great for me.

I got into straight shaving because I always thought it would be a cool thing to do. And I asked a barber friend of mine if he would teach me to use a straight. He replied that I shouldn't and couldn't do it as it was too dangerous and hard to learn. Well I showed him, and went and taught myself. It was a rough time learning, but with help from B&B, and the members here, I got it down, and can now do a complete straight shave from start to finish, and usually without a nick or cut.

 

[Luc]

This might help: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/DE_VS_Straight_Which_one_for_me

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

DE is a bit faster, you just grap the razor and start. A straight has more maintenance, you have to hone the blade (or have someone do it) once in a while, you have to strop before every shave and it requires a bigger learning curve then a DE. But it's not as difficult as many let you believe. I would say around 3 months before you get in the territory of fantastic shaves. The more you do it the faster muscle memory takes over, I made definitely the best progress once I stopped cleaning up with a DE, I got so p****d that I had to walk around badly shaving that I really made more effort in my shaving.

 

[ever_learning]

@Luc - Yeah, I read that and it was very interesting. My purpose in asking this way was to kind of get a "real-world" assessment from several different perspectives. I get the generic "this vs. that" that the Wiki has to offer and it was helpful, but I want to hear from the guys in the field, so to speak.

One specific question I have is, going from a M3 and Fusion to a DE was like night and day. Now that I've shaved with a DE, it seems like the M3 and Fusion days weren't REALLY shaving. That's not a slam to any cart shavers, I'm sure you guys know what I mean by that . Is it the same experience going from DE to straight?

 

[Lmarkow]

I made the switch from DE to straight; now shaving 6 days/week with a straight, one with a DE. Although I am still more consistent and get "better" shaves with the DE, I prefer the added skill required to get a great straight shave. I also enjoy the variety of razor makers, grinds, scales, etc. There is a steeper learning curve, but I think it's worth it.

 

[seattleshaver]

I'm like many who notice that it seems that the shaves last a few hours longer with a straight and the shave is more consistent (just due to the longer blade I'm sure) but when you first finish your shave it doesn't feel (to me) and closer.

In the tricky areas (upper lip and chin) I can rarely get it as close. At the moment I'm shaving more often with a DE and shave with the straight (when I do) just for fun or as a hobby.

 

[ever_learning]

@Seattleshaver - The consistency is what I've heard the most about from a straight shave. The closeness was also one thing I wondered about, I get pretty close shaves with the DE (especially since I discovered the Crystal (IP) blades... WOW!) but I have never really been able to shave ATG with any razor, cart or DE, it tears me up fierce. That was one reason I've been looking at straight shaving. Are you able to go ATG with it at all? How's the irritation level compared to your best DE blade when you do go ATG?

 

[Shyguy]

Straight razor, pro: a closer shave than the a DE, con: need to give yourself more time to achieve a great result.
DE, pro: have a quick shave with nice result without worrying about your technique like a straight. Con: does not produce a close shave like a straight razor.
Overall I found the straight razor more fun to use and a BBS results.

 

[buca3152]

I use a shavette for 6 yrs, then de for 1 now straights since october. de is very good and fast, but the straight is more comfortable. Plus im honing and i have found my comfort level with the sharpness, so all my razors shave the same. I have shaved every day with a straight since dec 1. I figured it would take some time and like everyone says, it took about 100 shaves til I can get bbs smooth all over without cuts and a comfortable shave. I almost packed it in a few times. But I figured if I want it so bad I can learn this. I progressed slowly but surely and the last 2 weeks I went from getting bbs every other or so to everytime.
Now it takes me 20 minutes stropping and all, where the de was less than 10. Shave lasts longer and skin feels like velvet which I nevver got from de. Bottom line is it works for me and many others, so it can work for you too. 100 years ago there was no other way.

 

[gash]

...One specific question I have is, going from a M3 and Fusion to a DE was like night and day. Now that I've shaved with a DE, it seems like the M3 and Fusion days weren't REALLY shaving. That's not a slam to any cart shavers, I'm sure you guys know what I mean by that . Is it the same experience going from DE to straight?

Yes.

In my experience:

Cartridge=Yugo (laughably horrific)
DE=BMW (nimble, fun, and easy)
Straight=Ferrari (powerfully enjoyable, if you know how to use it, and potentially a little dangerous)
Traditional Japanese straight (kamisori)=Formula 1 (in a higher realm of potential enjoyment and precision, and uncompromising in its demand of perfect technique)

 

[Graybeard57]

I don't use a straight, but I DO wonder about getting straight razor info from someone named "Gash." Or perhaps Mr Gash is the best to listen to, since he is apparently a true survivor?

Your call, sir. Enjoy your shaves!

 

[global_dev]

Is it the same experience going from DE to straight?

Yup!

Yes.

In my experience:

Cartridge=Yugo (laughably horrific)
DE=BMW (nimble, fun, and easy)
Straight=Ferrari (powerfully enjoyable, if you know how to use it, and potentially a little dangerous)
Traditional Japanese straight (kamisori)=Formula 1 (in a higher realm of potential enjoyment and precision, and uncompromising in its demand of perfect technique)

i'd say that's accurate, but what are the analogues for bumper cars or rally? 2 of my favorite driving experiences.

 

[buca3152]

De shaving uses the same principle to carts,Im not saying its the same but the motion is very similar. using a straight razor to shave with for the first time is a little awkward. it would be easier imo to use a de if you have shaved with a cart. Watching videos for a while before and while you are learning helps alot.

 

[ackvil]

I started out with DEs but tried straights. My only problem with straights was the amount of work involved to keep a razor sharp. I found it much easier and less of a hassle to drop a new blade in my razor rather than stropping and do all of other necessary things to keep a straight shave ready.

 

[Mr5x5]

I started out with DEs but tried straights. My only problem with straights was the amount of work involved to keep a razor sharp. I found it much easier and less of a hassle to drop a new blade in my razor rather than stropping and do all of other necessary things to keep a straight shave ready.

+1. I prefer using my straight, but am not good at honing and don't have enough free time in my week to work on improving at it. If I was retired I would do nothing but practice honing until I was good enough to just use a straight exclusively.

 

[ever_learning]

@ Gash - That sort of assessment was exactly what I was looking for, thank you sir.

@ graybeard57 - Your first point was pretty funny!

@ Buca3152 - I think that motion you are talking about is where a lot of my problems come from when shaving. It's awkward for me to get the correct angle on the DE because the cart is not really angle dependent. I think maybe SR shaving would break me of habitually holding the razor at the incorrect angle. Granted, I'm still very new with DE and my face reminds me pretty quickly when I slip into scraping instead of shaving, so it's just a matter of time before the angle becomes second nature. There are a lot of videos out there, what are some reccomendations?

@ackvil - I can see the SR being very time consuming, but if it can give me the shave I'm looking for, I believe it could be worth it.

 

[jiminyshiznit]

Yup!



i'd say that's accurate, but what are the analogues for bumper cars or rally? 2 of my favorite driving experiences.

electric=bumper cars
obsidian=rally (see this thread)

 

[TheTrunkDr]

+1. I prefer using my straight, but am not good at honing and don't have enough free time in my week to work on improving at it. If I was retired I would do nothing but practice honing until I was good enough to just use a straight exclusively.

That's why they invented Feather ACs and similar razors.

 

[gooser]

i get a good shave from both , and lately it has been almost %90 of the time i use both during a shave !!
i dont even have to shave and only really started shaving with anything other then no attachment on hair clippers when i got into straights .. now i shave every other day because i just like using a straight razor ... i started DE because i figured that with my job in the summers i can be out of town 5-14 days and a DE would be quicker , less to carry around and like the straight would be cool to use ... now i find myself doing a pass WTG , XTG with my straights and or XTG /ATG with my DE after my pass(es) with the straight , or one side of the face with a straight and one with the DE ...

yes im quicker with the DE and set right with the right blade it feels no difference then the straight .. where i notice the difference is one side seems to have just a tiny tiny bit more growth then the other and that is usually the DE side so i imagine my straight does get just a tad bit closer .. but the only advantage for me is im not the best ATG shaver with the straight so my DE comes in handy there ...lol