When to give up?

[Jslinger]

I have been using a straight razor for a little while now, and I am having some regrets.
The razor came sharpened from SRD so I know that it was sharpened correctly. Although it certainly doesn't seem to cut as effortlessly as my HD with a feather in it. I have tried all sorts of blade angles and while it helps, it isn't as easy as I had expected. The end result is not as close as my DE and the irritation is considerably worse too.

I realize that it takes time and practice. But if a person was getting great shaves with their DE, after how much time should they call it quits on the str8.
2 months? 4 months? 6 months?

I want to like this, but it just seems like such a hassle.

 

[PigKnappster]

I say if your not enjoying it stop. Go back to what you were enjoying.

I went from cartridge shaving to a straight. I enjoyed using the straight but to get a nice bbs it was taking me almost 35 to 45minutes, thats when i came across DE shaving. With the DE i get a nice bbs shave in about 10-12min, so now I only use my SE on Saturdays when I have time, otherwise I keep my enjoyment and use the DE.

 

[Seraphim]

I have been using a straight razor for a little while now, and I am having some regrets.
The razor came sharpened from SRD so I know that it was sharpened correctly. Although it certainly doesn't seem to cut as effortlessly as my HD with a feather in it. I have tried all sorts of blade angles and while it helps, it isn't as easy as I had expected. The end result is not as close as my DE and the irritation is considerably worse too.

I realize that it takes time and practice. But if a person was getting great shaves with their DE, after how much time should they call it quits on the str8.
2 months? 4 months? 6 months?

I want to like this, but it just seems like such a hassle.

Depends on if you enjoy the process of really learning how to use it, or in the end if all you're after is a nice, quick shave.


I love everything about straights. The way they look, the way they all shave a bit differently from one another, finding out how to put the best edge on there, stropping, shopping, drooling, on and on.....I think straights are the coolest, and enjoy the 30-40 mintes I usually take shaving with one.

What kind of razor is it?

 

[mkevenson]

I did 6 months of str8s. I really liked the lore, the feeling and the blades. I didn't really like the nicks, even after 6 months I would get them every week. I went back to DEs and have not regretted it. The razors are not as classy or varied but there are some beautiful old DEs around. The shave for me is better with nary a nick. The time spent for shaving is about the same but there is no honing or stropping, which I did enjoy. I say stick it out as long as you can and don't quit until you know that it's the right thing to do. You can even hold on to your str8s and stuff just in case you wander back. There is no shame in whatever decision you make.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

As a Newb to str8s who has been getting DFS/BBS with DEs for over a year, I can say I've probably read all the tutorials you have and know what you mean....my str8 shaves are not anything close to my DE yet.

But I really want to learn this and am willing to take the time to do so. As Joel said in his tutorial....you have to be willing to suffer crappy shaves for up to a year to truly learn str8s....is that what you want?

I agree with Seraphim...decide what you truly want (to shave well with a str8 or to get a good, clean and top notch quick shave sooner than later) and go for it!

 

[fidjit]

10 Input Effort/Pain/Frustration$
20 Input Enjoyment$
25 Straight Shave
30 If Effort/Pain/Frustration$ > Enjoyment$ goto 50
40 Goto 10
50 End

 

[AFDavis11]

It's a lot like golf. A couple of bad rounds can bring you down. One perfect swing can change your entire outlook.

I would transition to your DE and treat yourself to a straight shave, good or bad, one day a week.

The key is to understand that a straight razor edge is the most delicate thing you own.

It must be honed out on an ultra high grit stone endlessly until the edge is so thin that only a few more strokes will destroy it at its very core.

Then it must be stropped, flat, with exactly the appropiate amount of pressure.

If you want a simple, cheap, cheat; take a piece of paper, fold it in half twice, then draw all over it with a number two pencil, completely in both directions filling the paper with graphite. Then rub your strop vigorously with the piece of paper. Strop your razor until it is wicked sharp, maybe 100 passes, then wipe the graphite off with a wet towel.

From this point forward only apply enough pressure on the strop to feel a draw.

You'll soon wonder what all the fuss was about . . .

 

[TChewy]

I've only had 2 shaves with a straight and maybe I'm an odd case but I already feel like I'm getting closer shaves than when I used my DE. I'm not sure why or anything like that, but I also just like the fact that it's such an old form of shaving that men used to do and if they could do it back then, we should still be able to do it now right? If you find you really are not enjoying shaving with a straight and it is more frustration than you want to put up with, I would say go back to DE since it's still going to be better than cartridges anyway. Also, I'm sure there will be more than a few guys that would be willing to take some str8 gear off your hands, myself included. Good luck.

 

[charismata]

I agree with the other posters. If it is a cause of frustration, stop. Don't let it be stressful. Go back to a method that is comfortable for you and isn't frustrating.

You already have the gear. My guess is that you will probably decide to use the straight once in awhile and maybe one time around it will just click for you.

 

[BEAR DEN]

I really wanted to learn...so inspite of some very bad shaves I stuck with it. There was an area on my neck that that no matter what I tried it seemed impossible to get. That is when I learned to truly stretch my skin. It finally clicked...I was able to get far better shaves then with s DE.
The time period for me to experience that was between 6-8 months. I however did enjoy the journey getting there. If the journey is no fun...take a break and come back later. Enjoy your shaves!

 

[Luc]

10 Input Effort/Pain/Frustration$
20 Input Enjoyment$
25 Straight Shave
30 If Effort/Pain/Frustration$ > Enjoyment$ goto 50
40 Goto 10
50 End

good old Qbasic...

I knew how to make proper lather/prep so I didn't have to learn it on top. It took me a good ~40 shaves to get something that started to look decent (shave some hair/DFS/~30 mins to shave).

I'm unsure how many shaves I did since but I've been a straight shaver full time since Christmas 2009 (I was straight shaving/learning part time before that).

It took me a while but as mentioned up there, if you're not happy and want to get a DE, that's fine. It's not for everyone. I get the shaves that I want and they are as close as a DE.

 

[betat]

Nothing new to add. I have shaved a handful of times with the straight I bought before Christmas. I have found if I don't have the time to do it right, I don't enjoy the experience and I am better off shaving with my DE. Even when I have the time, I still can't get the angles right on my chin and usually defer to my DE to "finish" the shave.
To plagiarize Life is Good, "Do what you like, like what you do."

 

[mbrossar]

You, of course, will have to make your own decisions, but I for one, feel your pain. I'm new to straights and have almost given them up twice since starting 3 months ago. For me though, each time I was about to give up, I reached an epiphany, cleared the hurdle that was frustrating me and moved on. Now I've advanced to the point that I'm hooked. Along my journey though, every now and then, I'd reach for my DE (or I'd use my DE while waiting for my straight to come back from the honemeister) and I'd think, this is so much easier, what am I doing?

I think it comes down to what do you really want in a shave? I know that my straight shaves are more comfortable than my DEs, although it took me a while to get there. I can still get a closer shave much easier with my DE, but I'm getting acceptably close with my straight. And, on my last epiphany, I drank the Kool-Aid. I believe the seasoned veterans when they say they can get a BBS shave in 1-2 passes and that it lasts them most of the day. I also believe them when they say your shave, strop and hone techniques all have to come together to make it work, but I'm ready for the journey.

I think the golf analogy earlier in this thread is a good one. I also heard an analogy of playing the guitar versus playing Guitar Hero. The person posting the analogy made the point that playing the guitar was too much of a pain, that Guitar Hero was easy and it was pretty fun. Personally, I'd rather play the guitar.

Bottom line though, it's your shave, your face and your life. There's no shame in whatever you decide, unless of course it's to make yourself miserable for no good reason.

 

[Leche]

Do what you enjoy. Straights aren't for everyone and if its frustrating you, you might want to stop.

 

[O.G.]

Never give up if you want to learn to use it. If DE's give you a great shave then use it and occassionaly use the straight to ease into the technique. People don't fail, they give up.

 

[DE Shaver]

Straight razor shaving is a skill and requires practice and discipline. It takes time to develop these skills but it will happen given enough time. The question is now...

"Is there going to be a pay-off for all this work and is it worth it?"

Well, this is a judgement call only you can make. Personally, I decided years ago to switch from straight razor shaving to DE shaving. That's because of all the extra time and effort required and that fact I get as good, if not better, shaves with a DE blade. I still straight razor shave but not on a daily basis. I continue to do it, however, because it's fun and enjoyable. However, as someone as pointed out, straight razor shaving may not be for you just like sailing many not be for you.

 

[Thebigspendur]

It's all in the context of modern attitudes and expectations. At one time a straight was the only way to do it so everyone learned and everyone used one. So what you're saying is you can't do what everyone else was able to do however now we live in different times and most peole want it now and don't want to take the time and effort to master a skill.

Yes this is a skill and some learn fast and some learn slow but if that's not for you no biggie, continue using your DE.

 

[professorchaos]

Never say die!

Actually, I say quit when you've had enough. Since you are asking it seems you are pretty close. Before you give up, how long have you been shaving with one razor? I ask for two reasons 1. shaving with a dull (or even dullish) straight stinks. If your razor is dull, it could account for much of the unpleasantness you are experiencing. 2. When I was learning, it seemed that I dulled edges quicker than I do now that I have some experience.

So before throwing in the towel, are you entirely certain that your razor is currently shave ready?

 

[netsurfr]

This is one of those, it depends answers...
If you still feel intrigued by the challenge, then keep at it.
If it is just plain stressing you out, lay it aside.

While you may have initially received a very sharp razor, it may be a bit dull by now for any number of reasons. I initially dulled my first couple of razors by poor stropping technique.

 

[Jslinger]

Thanks everyone. I gave my DE to a friend to try for a while. This way I have no choice but to learn with a straight. I am going to stick with it.