Who has tried straights but didn't go far with them?

[ChiefBroom]

I started DE shaving last November. Haven't shaved with a cart since. I've been thinking about giving straights a try in the New Year. I'd be curious to hear about the experiences of DE brothers who started down that path but abandoned it for a return to DE razors.

I grow whiskers (mostly gray now) that are sparse in some areas (e.g., sideburns) but tough as wire in others (e.g. chin), with extremely challenging grain patterns (almost horizonal in places between my nose and upper lip). Also have a scar running from lower lip to chin on the left side, which making shaving in that area a very delicate process. On top of that, at 59 my near-sight isn't great -- I generally use a 7x mirror. Maybe straights are a great idea for me.

 

[DEGuy]

I tried a straight back in the 1980s; I never got comfortable with it. Now in my mid 60s (where the hell did all this time go) I don't feel that I don't have and couldn't cultivate the necessary 'feel' for such a demanding blade. Decades ago everyone shaved with a straight and did it throughout their lives. Had we been trained from our youth to use one, the necessary skill would be ingrained by now. When I had used/tried a straight I was not able to get a good shave with it. I'm sure that it was a lack of technique on my part--but as I said, with age, for me, I don't think that I have ability to accurately use one. I have tough stubble on my chin, too. And even years ago I had a tough time trying to cleave it with a straight. And doing my upper lip was a challenge.

If you do this, I wish you success. I think straight-razor shaving requires one being mindful throughout the entire shave; and there are times with a DE that I can, ever so briefly, stray from the task at hand. Doing this with a straight could end in a Sweeney Todd moment for me. Good luck with the straight--again, I wish you success with it.

 

[BrookR1]

I have a few straights that I use on the weekends. I gave myself a couple of pretty good cuts when I first started. Once I learned how to strop properly and what soaps to use (the slicker the better), my shaves got much better, but for me, I could get a closer and faster shave with a DE without the added blade maintenance. I still enjoy doing it, but it takes me extra time and focus that I don't always have during the workweek.

 

[JCinPA]

I tried it and it just did not grab me for some reason. Had good gear, but the learning curve was pretty steep. I get such good shaves with a DE I just lost interest.

In terms of actual moving technology forward, I think the DE was one of the greatest inventions of the last century. I'd give it a try, just so you know, but I won't fiddle with it again.

 

[sychodelix]

I had a very cheap shavette that was way too light and super sharp and unforgiving. I actually did okay with it for the most part, but I cut myself up enough to know I wanted a real straight that had more heft to it and a much more forgiving blade . Planning on getting one ASAP.

 

[infotech]

I bought a cheapy straight razor I can't even remember the name of now and a really nice Dovo Tourtise Special. I got Lynn's DVD, watched it, and then tried to shave with the straight razor a few times and then put it down. I haven't touched either of them in about a year.

I could shave my cheeks pretty good, but I decided not to put in the time necessary to learn. I get such great shaves with a DE that I didn't feel like putting up with sub-par shaves during the learning process.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I have a straight on it's way, usps says it should be here saturday, which is perfect for a slow long careful first use of it. I'll post my first impressions and such, and toss a link to the post in this thread so you don't have to go searching, in case you wanted to read how it went.

 

[Mink]

I started wet shaving with the intention of learning to use a straight razor right away. I found that there were too many new things to learn, and the straight added to the confusion enormously. I switched to a DE to help things move along, and still own 2. I learned the straight about a year later, love it, and yet still use a DE now and then. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on wet shaving, I say stick with the DE. The shaves are just as good. There are entry level razors that are affordable, but you will need to add strop(s), hone(s), a safe place to store them, and then of course, you can always add new wonderful razors. It's very easy to spend a lot of money that you didn't intend to at the start. I would never give up the straights at this point and it's far and away my most enjoyable part of wet shaving, but until the bug bites you very hard, I would suggest holding off. There's something about learning the straight in the first month that requires commitment. My opinion anyway.

 

[Jawaburger]

I bought a straight this past spring and have only used it 5 or 6 times. I still want to use it, I just have a little trouble adapting. It seems a majority of the people that stick with it love their shaves and it does give the feeling of accomplishment, which is why I am not ready to give up yet!

 

[maxman]

It took me a long time to get the hang of a straight.
Many months of bad shaves.
I switch now between DE, straight and SE.
Straight is fun and you can get really good shaves, but it takes more effort (for me).

At one time I fully converted over, but as you can see, I've gone back to using everything in the mix.

 

[Lion and the Fox]

I appreciate this topic being brought up as I too am considering trying straights pretty soon. I was leaning with starting with a shavette initially, and it's good that ChiefBroom brought up this topic to get a sense of what to expect and reasons why not to.

 

[Giant Kiwi]

I switched to straights last year.
http://whippeddog.com/products/view/sight-unseen-deal

this is the deal that most people start with and includes everything you will need to keep the razor shave ready for months.
I started with it and still use the razor regularly amongst the others I (ahem) collected

 

[Galengwath]

I started straight shaving over a year ago after a year of DE shaving. I love it, but my straight is in desperate need of a good honing, and money being tight I have to wait until next month to send it out. So for October I'm back to me DE and Astra blades, which is fun and much less time consuming, but I'm eagerly looking forward to getting my straight back in shaving condition next month. I don't see myself ever reverting to permament DE shaving.

 

[oldbluelight]

When I first started shaving about the half a century ago I made several attempts to use a Sextoblade set that had belonged to my grandfather. I had no real idea of what to do or how to do it and the effort was hardly worth the blood loss. Along about the end of the 70's I bought a C-Mon wedge and tried again - failed again. The argument could be made that I was determined but my wife characterizes it as "slow learner". I found that old C-Mon the other day and am considering sending it off for a restoration. My wife (same one) still has the same opinion.

 

[Vlad]

I'm still trying, but I've stalled out a bit. I think my straight needs a honing, but haven't decided how to handle that yet. I may wait until I'm ready to buy a "nice" razor. Maintenance is an issue: I don't think I'm going to be into honing. I plan on checking out lapping film as the answer.

 

[Shave_Rat]

For those with honing needs, I've been advised by a few of the regular straights users and honers that many of them will do a razor for the mere cost of the postage to send it back and forth. Simply ask for the help in the forum for honing... or maybe even in the forum for the straights.

 

[brucered]

i bought a nice razor and strop, tried it 3 times and gave up. it's now being used by someone else in my office and he's having success with it.

go figure. i give it to a cartridge shaver and he's have no issues with it.

I may revist them in the future, but i'm in no rush to try again. i'm not cut out for months of bad shaves and taking 2-3x as long to shave in the morning.

 

[JonM]

I had a very cheap shavette that was way too light and super sharp and unforgiving. I actually did okay with it for the most part, but I cut myself up enough to know I wanted a real straight that had more heft to it and a much more forgiving blade . Planning on getting one ASAP.

I was the recipient of said shavette. I first tried straights about a year ago for a brief time but I gave it up way too quick. The shavette got me interested in them again. I have now purchased three straights and two strops since then. Straights have now found a permanent spot in my rotation.

 

[cwlsmith]

I tried. But from what everyone says, it's a "Go all in on straights and don't switch between that and DEs" and I like DE shaving a lot.

I just couldn't find myself giving it up.

 

[JonM]

I tried. But from what everyone says, it's a "Go all in on straights and don't switch between that and DEs" and I like DE shaving a lot.

I just couldn't find myself giving it up.

I would have to disagree with this. I enjoy both and they both have a place in my rotation.