Do you find a difference in quality of a shave betweem a DE or Straight?

[Fletch]

I did my first shave tonight with a straight. I found it to be an enjoyable experience and the whole idea of shaving with something that scares the bejeezus out of most people pretty neat. Needless to say my first complete shave was nowhere near a BBS like I can usually get with my DE. But it's not something I'm going to give up on either.

However I'm curious on those who are proficient with both. Do you notice a difference in the quality or closeness of a shave with one or the other?

 

[Luc]

Eventually there's a stage where BBS is BBS, what else?

I would say that shaving with a straight is a different experience but the result will be same. I find a straight to be much more enjoyable to use.

 

[Gustav]

Some parts of my neck and the mouth area are easier to shave closer with a DE but apart from those bits I find that the straight just seems kinder to my skin. I also find it more enjoyable and satisfying to shave with a straight, so much so that I am prepared to settle for an ever so little worse result.

 

[Legion]

You could add to the list "I get better results with a DE but I prefer to use a straight"

If I had to be honest I think the quality of my shaves is a bit more consistent using a DE. Sometimes my straight shaves can be a tiny bit off, whereas my DE shaves are pretty much always BBS. That is OK. I still find the straight shave more fun and the fact that is challenging just makes it more appealing for me. That is why I switched. I got bored getting a BBS shave with my eyes closed every day.

 

[RF1963]

I don't think 4 months use makes me a straight veteran so I took option A. I was surprised recently when circumstances dictated I use my DE and the shave was fantastic. I've been using the DE for a week now and my skin is noticeably smoother than when I use a straight.

 

[Troggie]

I guess it depends on how you classify a "better" shave. I can get the same results with a DE or Straight but it seems to take fewer passes with my straight then it does with a DE so there is less chance of irritating my face. I also started with straights though so it may be more a technique issue with the DE than anything else.

 

[tpoof]

after almost 3 years now of straight razor shaving I find I can get the same shave with a straight as I can with the DE.. it just takes more time and concentration to achieve with the straight... the straight offers more satisfaction when the job is done, while the DE offers a great shave in a smaller portion of time.. both have their place in my rotation
I use either as the time and mood allow.. took awhile to become proficient enough with the straight though..

 

[ateace]

I got bored getting a BBS shave with my eyes closed every day.

This is true for me most likely some others here.

FYI, I don't shave with a straight, but for some reason, when I find a great combo that yields effortless, comfy, BBS shaves, I'm off to the next thing as quickly as if the shaves were sub-par.

Too much stuff to try out, I guess...

 

[Munxcub]

Still new to straights but am getting CCS/DFS with patches of BBS every day. I get MUCH less irritation with a straight. I'm also less inclined to push it going for a BBS everywhere every time... maybe that's why I get less irritation.

 

[Mink]

The move from cartridges and shaving in the shower to wet shaving was the big, wonderful jump. I learned the DE first, but it was just too similar to the carts, and razor burn or irritated skin was always lurking if I didn't pay attention. I get no burn/irritation with the straight, it's very different from a DE or cart, and there's just a wow factor to a straight the others just don't have for me. It's not about the closeness of the shave, which is very similar.

 

[BladeRunner001]

Eventually there's a stage where BBS is BBS, what else?

I would say that shaving with a straight is a different experience but the result will be same. I find a straight to be much more enjoyable to use.

+1

I enjoy straight shaving much much more than DE . But get the same BBS result(s) from both.

 

[pauls51]

I have only begun using a straight and at this point in time, my DE still gives me much better shaves... But that will hopefully change in the next couple of months!!...

 

[Alraz]

Agreeing with Luc and Bladerunner on this one, the experience is different between shaving with a straight and a DE. I can get close shaves even with cartridges... I do prefer the straight myself.

Al raz.

 

[Speedwell68]

I have a straight, I can get a reasonable shave with it. But for me it is DE every time, it is by far the easiest and best way of having a shave.

 

[mdunn]

easier shaves with a DE, better shaves with a straight

 

[Drybonz]

Right now I would say better with a DE, but not by much, and it's because I'm really inexperienced with a straight. I can tell with more practice it will be about the same.

But man, I do enjoy using that straight razor.

 

[joejmcnulty]

I can get a consistent and comfortable BBS from DE. A straight shave makes me feel good about myself afterward, but I usually have some irritation and DFS at best. I am going to keep trying the straight because of how the experience helps my pride. It is like a drug.

 

[gull]

I get better shaves with a straight. Maybe I need a more aggressive DE? Right now I only have one DE (Gillete Tech).

 

[ramon]

I never used a DE only a straight razor that why I dont make the census .