D/E closeness?

spinyeel · 05-30-2008, 08:58 AM

Can a straight actually shave closer than a D/E with a good blade and the right technique? I am tempted to dabble in the art,but my D/E and S/E shaves are really close and irritation free and the fear of a naked blade is something I have yet to come to grips with.

AFDavis11 · 05-30-2008, 10:50 AM

Yea, its closer. More comfortable too. But the learning curve is wicked. I suggest if you get into it that you keep using your DE and then just get in closer with the straight while your still using your DE. I sometimes use a DE but I have to use a straight afterward because DE blades, in general, are not nearly as close.

DaveF · 05-30-2008, 06:48 PM

Seconded. I shaved with a DE for a few years, and got really good at it. My first shave with a straight was as close as my DE shaves, and now that my technique has improved, I am shaving closer than my DE.

I am still working on the comfort part, but I am confident that in time the straight will become as comfortable as my DE was, if not more so. But as Alan says, it takes time, effort, patience, and yes, maybe a little blood to get there from here.

hoglahoo · 05-30-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

My first shave with a straight was as close as my DE shaves, and now that my technique has improved, I am shaving closer than my DE.

I'm impressed. I've never used a DE, but it still takes me a lot of effort to get a really close shave with my straight

DaveF · 05-30-2008, 07:51 PM

That was one of the very pleasant surprises about a straight razor...how quickly I was able to get astonishingly smooth shaves. I mean, my DE would give me a shave that felt completely smooth right afterwards, but by evening there was noticeable stubble, and by the next day there was heavy stubble. Now with the straight, even by evening I can feel stubble only by rubbing my fingers hard against the grain, and by the next morning the stubble is just starting to show.

My issue is, that closeness is still coming at the expense of comfort. I am getting razor burn in spots (much less now than before, but some), I sometimes get nicks, and I have three "cat scratches" on my left cheek that some carelessness yesterday rewarded me with.

Sorry, didn't mean to sidetrack the thread, I'm just really excited about straight shaving, and I'm being as annoying as most new evangelists.

hoglahoo · 05-30-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

Sorry, didn't mean to sidetrack the thread, I'm just really excited about straight shaving, and I'm being as annoying as most new evangelists.

Don't be sorry or you'll make me feel bad since I hijack most threads I post in, including my own. I still evangelise on occasion and even scored a new convert over lunch who insists I sell him a razor so he can start shaving.

matt · 05-30-2008, 10:29 PM

I actually started with the straight before a DE and found it to be much easier to get a good shave with.

alabamalawyer · 05-31-2008, 06:05 AM

I think a straight can shave as close as a DE if you are willing to invest the time it takes to master the straight razor -- i.e., technique, stropping, and honing. I started with a straight then went to a DE and now have come back to a straight. I can get a very close, comfortable shave with my DE in two passes. After spending a total of 4 months with a straight I can get a shave that requires no touch up but is not yet as close or as comfortable as my DE. I do feel that it will get there in time but it will take further work on the skills involved.

This is not to say you shouldn't try a straight. There is something about being able to have the skill to strop, hone and shave with a straight razor, but be realistic in your expectations going in. Don't expect to pick up a straight and right away have the same shave you currently have with your DE. It takes most people time and practice to truly get a good straight razor shave. If you are willing to invest that then you can get a great shave.

Chris L · 05-31-2008, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinyeel

and the fear of a naked blade is something I have yet to come to grips with.

I shave exclusively with a straight. I have a DE in the medicine cabinet that was my fathers. I took the DE out for a spin about 4 months ago and just had to laugh at myself. I was fearful of that DE!!!!

I'm so absolutely comfortable and relaxed with my straight razors I actually feel distrust now for any other type of shaving tool. I'm in full control using my straights. I don't feel the same with DEs, cartridges, electrics etc. Do my straights bite me every now and then? Sure. When it happens it's my fault.

As smooth as a DE? Hmmmm....even when I used a DE, the time it took me to avoid irritation with that thing was not worth it for me. If I take the time with a straight, I can get squeaky skin almost everywhere on my face/neck. I couldn't get any smoother with a DE. Plus DEs and my neck mean ingrown hair city.

Chris L

captp · 06-06-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinyeel

Can a straight actually shave closer than a D/E with a good blade and the right technique?

My opinion only (but based on experience with both DE and straight) is that a good DE with a good blade (I use the Merkur blades in a Merkur Futur) is as close as you can get without removing a seriously large layer of skin. I can't imagine anything smoother, but a good sharp straight can get as close as a good DE. I get a perfect BBS shave with my DE and just as good with my straights.

netsurfr · 06-08-2008, 02:27 PM

Interesting thread. I find that I can get equally close with either a str8 or a DE. I use a slant DE with feather blades and I get superlative shaves. My straights are too numerous to mention and range from 4/8 to 8/8 in a variety of grinds. I get great shaves from them too that leave me BBS. I have recently started shaving in the evenings and found that my face was still smooth enough in the morning to go to work and not have too much stubble after another 9 hours or so.

KenS · 06-08-2008, 03:35 PM

I must be the only one here willing to admit that I get a closer, smoother, less irritating shave with a multi pass DE shave that with a str8. Part of that being that I have lots of angles to overcome on my face, and there are some places I simply can't maneuver the blade into position to go ATG with a str8. I still get good str8 shaves, and intend to continue using a str8, but I do get a closer shave with a DE.
Ken.

AverageJoe · 11-03-2008, 01:37 AM

KenS,

You and me both! As much as I'd like to say I get a closer, smoother, easier shave with a straight, the simple fact is I CAN'T! I'll probably still strop one of my straights up and use them from time to time, especially after letting my beard alone for a week in the wilderness, at which point a straight is the most practical razor to use, but for a great, quick, comfortable, BBS-close, hassel-free shave, my HD is hard to beat. It actually gets a little too close (causing ingrowns in my case)-----I'm looking into trying an adjustable Merkur set a the "longest" setting to see if that makes a difference.

chee16 · 11-03-2008, 01:43 AM

i'm no expert straight shaver but i just tried out the DE again and it was no where near as close. it is still much better then any Mach3 shave i could ever get but my straight shaves are the best, and my routine time is getting much more efficient. that might be just me though plus i haven't tried a lot of different DEs, which i would like to do. so i still like DEs and plan on getting a decent collection of them but my straight are still number one.

spinyeel · 11-03-2008, 07:41 AM

I've been getting my best results lately with my s/e Gem's. I still use a d/e once a week and my Roll's twice.The Gem's are definately a superior shaver imho.My straight shaves have a long way to go before they get even close to the same results. Only getting good results on my cheeks at present.

gary haywood · 11-03-2008, 08:00 PM

I have to say i shave my clients with the new feather artist club razor wich is balanced and just looks like a straight and is bril for barber like my self. The results with feather are exallant and effort less to use they do give the closes shave possible but the stubble does grow back quicker and a lot more sharper feel to your stubble. I use straights and prefer the feel to my skin after a shave and no irritation no spoty neck the next morning i can shave every day with a straight unlike a de youve got no chance of shaving every day unless you have skin like leather, also less chance of nicking your self unlike the shavette type razors. I would have to say the De shaves are closer in my opinion and less effort is needed to glide the razor down your face. With a good sharp straight razor you can achieve the same result with more time and effort , i love using traditional straights i have 15 now and love them all.

mischievous · 11-03-2008, 08:55 PM

+1 on lov'in dem straights; however, I get so close with my straights that the sensitive area below my bottom lip gets in-grown hairs and red bumps after several consecutive days. Once I go back to using my DE, and getting excellent shaves by the way, the problems clear up. I know this is an indicator of my technique and I know that over time I may yet figure it out.

I can't wait for that day!

AverageJoe · 11-04-2008, 12:56 AM

HMMMMMMM................well, I can't wait to get my straights back from Lynn. I might be singing a different tune after having them professionally honed! I'll probably always use them from time to time for the fun of it, but the ease, speed, comfort, build quality and shave quality of my Merkur HD will probably tilt the balance to the HD as being my "go to" shaving tool.............but you never know!

Maximilian · 11-04-2008, 04:32 AM

This is what I have learned after nearly 28 years of DE/Str8 shaving. take it for what it's worth.
A DE and straight both take technique and a learning curve as what works well for your type of skin and other important factors, imo.
It took me lots of trials and errors to find out what DE blade works wonders for my skin and what DE razor works best. Same with the str8. What grind, steel and size works best for you. It takes a learning curve. Add to all this technique and experience and you're good to go. I enjoy both shaves and mostly use a DE when time is running short for a shave. For a str8 I like to take my time and give myself the 30 min shaving ritual and meditation. Both give me an equal BBS shave.

Blackstangal · 11-04-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximilian

This is what I have learned after nearly 28 years of DE/Str8 shaving. take it for what it's worth.
A DE and straight both take technique and a learning curve as what works well for your type of skin and other important factors, imo.
It took me lots of trials and errors to find out what DE blade works wonders for my skin and what DE razor works best. Same with the str8. What grind, steel and size works best for you. It takes a learning curve. Add to all this technique and experience and you're good to go. I enjoy both shaves and mostly use a DE when time is running short for a shave. For a str8 I like to take my time and give myself the 30 min shaving ritual and meditation. Both give me an equal BBS shave.

+1 I like to make time for a str8 shave.Injectors and DEs when Im in a hurry

HAPPY SHAVING!!!!