Safety razor when time is short?

[Thomas Martin]

Gentlemen. First of all I would like to introduce myself as a new member to this forum. I'm 44 old and began straight shaving some weeks ago. After roughly 50 shaves I managed to achieve a fair result with my Dovo and my TI and have become somewhat of an afictionado since. Considered my limited experience it takes me a rather long time, though; 15' beard preparation and stropping included. For that matter, I mostly shave in the evening since time is short in the morning. As a solution I consider purchasing a safety razor and keep shaving straight on weekends, when time is not an issue. Furthermore, a safety razor would probably be more appropriate for traveling not having to pack strops and hones and all. Are these good arguments to buy a safety razor? Do some honorable members if this forum do the same?

Edit: since I don't want to offend anyone with my first post I might add that I'm far from considering safety razor shaving being an easier or inferior method to straight shaving but I think it may be less time consuming and travel friendlier since stropping and blade maintenance is not an issue. But I might be wrong about that.

 

[Mad Man]

I guess the question to answer is; are these good arguments to buy a safety razor?

Answer; yes.

Considering you are time-poor you may want something in a closed comb that you can be a little more 'cavalier' with...?

 

[Der_Kaiser]

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, I have tried a straight on a few occasions and I can see how time would be an issue. IMO you would still need a good half hour with a DE to begin with, this includes shower and a 3 pass shave after a while you will get quicker. As always on here YMMV!

 

[Giant Kiwi]

Sounds reasonable.
For travel I use a feather straight
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Feather-AC-System_c_72.html

 

[Useless shaver]

IMO you would still need a good half hour with a DE to begin with, this includes shower and a 3 pass shave after a while you will get quicker. As always on here YMMV!

+1

It used to take me 30 minutes. Now, about 15', depending on.. the phase of the moon...

 

[Legion]

I use a straight 90% of the time, but I still keep a safety for rushed jobs. And i still have a big collection of safety razors, along with the real ones. Whatever gets the job done...

 

[The Kiwi]

If you want a fast shave in the morning, you can't beat using a Schick Injector.

 

[PugslyCat]

Several other members have posted on other threads that they use straights on the weekend and other razors during the week to save time.

I've been a DE shaver for a year and a half. My normal three pass DE shave takes about 6 minutes from when I start filling the sink with hot water to splashing on aftershave. I've done some "speed trials" and can do a two pass shave in two minutes if I really have to do that, but that isn't fun. I really don't think I could go any faster with a cartridge or disposable razor and still achieve as good a shave.

Some posters have mentioned that they don't travel with their best razors (straights or otherwise) for fear that something will happen to the razors in transit or they might get left somewhere. Also note that you can't pack a straight or DE/SE blades in a carry on bag when flying. They can only come along as checked baggage. You can pack an empty DE/SE razor as carry on luggage and arrange for blades at your destination, but that's not an option for straights.

 

[Boro62]

I'm actually in a similar situation as you but reversed I shave with a DE and want to pick up shaving with a straight for weekends when i have more time to spend. I have found that if im in a hurry, with a DE i can get through a single pass with some touch ups within 10 min. It wont be a completely BBS shave, but usually its good enough to hold me over till evening.

 

[ateace]

Do what works for you. The idea is to enjoy whatever that is.

 

[rxonmymind]

If you want a fast shave in the morning, you can't beat using a Schick Injector.

+1

 

[Thomas Martin]

Thanks a lot, gentlemen. Another way to go would be to continue with my straight until I get sufficiently skilled to get a save and close shave in a acceptable time. Actually, after shaving in the evening yesterday, my shaving time this morning was down to 10', stropping included. It may not be the best shave in the world but it feels OK. The travel issue is another matter. It will have to be a DE (or a beard) I guess. Returning to these darned cartridges is not an option.

 

[joe2]

I had my first shave this morning with a schick injector (G) and thought to myself that this would be a great razor if I am in a hurry. Took me back to my cartridge days in terms of feel and speed.

 

[TheLegalRazor]

Welcome. I use a straight but usually end up using a DE on some weekdays to save time. I also enjoy the change in my shaving routine.