straight versus safety?

[AJ-blade]

After shaving off my beard of ten years, I then went and purchased a Muhle DE.

I think it is really good and is certainly better than the junk I used to use over ten years ago. I could also be the good quality shave soap that I now use.

Anyway, even with the Muhle, I find that I can shave WTG, but if I try XTG, I get small bumps and miniscule nicks. But do I really need such a close shave anyway?

OK, but would a hollow ground straight blade WTG give a superior shave to my Muhle and Merkur blades?

Thanks,
AJ

 

[buyandhold2018]

For me, the answer is 'NO'. I can get a BBS with a DE safety razor... Though I love getting a straight razor shave from an experienced barber.

 

[Doric]

Try a different blade, Merkurs aren't exactly in high regard around here. I would try Gillette 7 o' Clock SharpEdge (yellows) or Iridium Supers.

 

[taffy]

I love buying/cleaning/honing/using a straight, but if I am honest, every de I own gives me a better shave than any straight I have ever tried, and that includes straights that have been professionally honed up for me.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Bumps aren't caused by the razor, they're caused by errors in technique.
If you review all the fundamentals, it should be easy enough to identify the problem and correct it.

If anything, moving to a straight will make things worse, as they are much less forgiving at first.

 

[dreadpirate]

+1 on the Gillette 7 o' Clock SharpEdge (yellows). I've had good experience with these blades in my Merkurs.

Try a different blade, Merkurs aren't exactly in high regard around here. I would try Gillette 7 o' Clock SharpEdge (yellows) or Iridium Supers.

 

[maj_planb]

I find that I get better shaves from the straight. Using a straight is more challenging, but I get better results in fewer passes. As it so often happens, ymmv ...

 

[Luc]

Bumps aren't caused by the razor, they're caused by errors in technique.
If you review all the fundamentals, it should be easy enough to identify the problem and correct it.

If anything, moving to a straight will make things worse, as they are much less forgiving at first.

+1

You must be very careful not to apply any pressure at any time. Using a straight won't help.

However, I get good shaves with either a DE or a straight... when I used a DE...

 

[sanfranciscian]

I am going to agree with the dump the merkur blades and probably get a sampler. i settled in on the iridium supers. though now i use straights i cant imagine going there until you get a good set of skills with the DE. there are a few folks around that went right to the straights and seem to be satisfied but not having tried that i am still glad i at least got my face reacquainted with a single edge blade.

Ian

 

[gull]

I'm going to put another vote in for trying another blade. I keep trying to give the Merkur blades a chance since they have such a high price tag (in relation to other blades), but they just fail me every time.

 

[AJ-blade]

Thanks for the answers. I have three unopened boxes of Merkurs. I'll buy some of the gillette or iridium blades and try them. I could always use the Merkurs for a WTG shave and swap out for a better blade for an XTG.

It seems that I have been applying too much angle for shaving XTG - especially on my chin and upper lip.

Thanks again.

 

[Disburden]

Practice for a year and see how much the bumps have gone away and then ask yourself the same question.

Straights are awesome btw, I use one daily.

 

[rosborne]

Ditch the Merkur Blades.

You shouldn't get bumps or ingrowns just going XTG if you have good blades and good technique. Use a light hand.

I use both Str8s and DEs. Only in the hands of an experienced str8 shaver will the str8 give you as good of results as a DE. One of the first things to learn about using a str8 is not to expect as good of shaves with the str8 as a DE until you have become very experienced.

 

[woodturner]

Shaving with a straight has given me the best and closest shaves I've ever had. I've used all manner of shaving devices and find the straight to my liking. With a little experience and a sharp blade you'll do fine.

 

[Ignatius]

You know, I'd usually be in the camp that says almost any issue can be solved by an adjustment to some part of your technique; we too often assume a new product is all we need. The one exception is Merkur blades - DON'T USE THEM. Btw, I'm also one of those guys who can get a good shave with basically any DE blade, and don't really notice a difference from one brand to another. Again the exception would be Merkur blades. Get some cheap Israeli Personnas from your local supermarket, give them a few shaves, if the issues still there we can have a look at wha else could be causing the problem.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

After shaving off my beard of ten years, I then went and purchased a Muhle DE.

I think it is really good and is certainly better than the junk I used to use over ten years ago. I could also be the good quality shave soap that I now use.

Anyway, even with the Muhle, I find that I can shave WTG, but if I try XTG, I get small bumps and miniscule nicks. But do I really need such a close shave anyway?

OK, but would a hollow ground straight blade WTG give a superior shave to my Muhle and Merkur blades?

Thanks,
AJ

AJ,

Most guys thinking about diving into str8s want to know exactly what you asked..."Will it shave better than my DE?"

The answer is tough to come by. For me, I find that I can get the same shave with my str8 as I do with my DE...its not really better...just different.

Now..with those Merkurs...all I can say is that many on the boards do not like them...my recommendation would be a sampler pack from West Coast Shaving

Best of luck!

 

[wazazzle]

-1 for the 7 o'clocks... never had any luck with'em. The Sharks SS work good for me.