Straight razor vs DE safety razor
- Thread starter J23
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This is a tough one as they are very different beasts.
In my opinion for what its worth is the straight razor for the most comfortable. I found it the best for the cheeks and neck area.
Absolutely no irritation or rashes etc but I never could get a decent shave under my lip and chin area.
The DE is the quickest and dare I say it closest shave but sometimes I do suffer from one of the above issues.
I don't think you will get a definitive answer as it's always a YMMV situation and they are completely different shaving styles.
I hope it helps somehow and I will end with, technique is really the key to either option.
In my opinion for what its worth is the straight razor for the most comfortable. I found it the best for the cheeks and neck area.
Absolutely no irritation or rashes etc but I never could get a decent shave under my lip and chin area.
The DE is the quickest and dare I say it closest shave but sometimes I do suffer from one of the above issues.
I don't think you will get a definitive answer as it's always a YMMV situation and they are completely different shaving styles.
I hope it helps somehow and I will end with, technique is really the key to either option.
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- 811
- Location
- Forio d'Ischia, Naples, Italy
Main issue abou SR is the edge. Time to have and mainteain it keen.
A good shavette with AC blade can be a nice alternative.
As the DE have poor blade, SE with AC can be better.
YMMV realm is wide ...
BTW, with a good basic technique each system shaves well.
I use each of them, from antique SR to modern multiblade.
Each has pros and cons. The point is to choose it wisely.
The result is a smooth BBS.
A good shavette with AC blade can be a nice alternative.
As the DE have poor blade, SE with AC can be better.
YMMV realm is wide ...
BTW, with a good basic technique each system shaves well.
I use each of them, from antique SR to modern multiblade.
Each has pros and cons. The point is to choose it wisely.
The result is a smooth BBS.
- Messages
- 15,922
- Location
- Halifax, Republic of Yorkshire
Straight razor ... something about the carbon steel, perhaps?
It's a funny thing to say because I am one of those kinda "all in" fellows but maintaining straight razors is not for me. I don't enjoy it. Continuing that idea, using disposable straights like the vintage Weck system is something that I find very enjoyable but absolutely not the Feather Artist Club system. In the middle, I have a Feather Custom Razor which takes both the Weck-style and the slightly thinner Feather Cut blades - those, I really enjoy! There's a real sing to those blades, not dissimilar to a good hollow ground.
I do have some vintage Weck Sextoblade blades which are serviceable and found them to be very nice indeed, almost to the point of a real straight razor experience. Likewise, vintage Durham Duplex blades which can be rehoned give a really ... err, milky shave.
... so, maybe it's just something in the feel of that material on the face.
It's a funny thing to say because I am one of those kinda "all in" fellows but maintaining straight razors is not for me. I don't enjoy it. Continuing that idea, using disposable straights like the vintage Weck system is something that I find very enjoyable but absolutely not the Feather Artist Club system. In the middle, I have a Feather Custom Razor which takes both the Weck-style and the slightly thinner Feather Cut blades - those, I really enjoy! There's a real sing to those blades, not dissimilar to a good hollow ground.
I do have some vintage Weck Sextoblade blades which are serviceable and found them to be very nice indeed, almost to the point of a real straight razor experience. Likewise, vintage Durham Duplex blades which can be rehoned give a really ... err, milky shave.
... so, maybe it's just something in the feel of that material on the face.
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- Not too far from LHR
It's going to come down to how good your edge is on the straight. I use both, well, I mean, DE, ACSE and straight razors.
Straight razors, being bigger, require fewer strokes. In addition, you're less likely to apply too much pressure to a straight. Oftentimes I find DE blades sharper than I can get my edges though, but I am enjoying the process of learning to hone etc.
Comfort wise I find straights best. Results wise, if the razor has a good edge then it's a good as DE if not better.
Time wise straight razors need time in the shave and for maintenance hence I tend to use SE or DE in the week.
Straight razors, being bigger, require fewer strokes. In addition, you're less likely to apply too much pressure to a straight. Oftentimes I find DE blades sharper than I can get my edges though, but I am enjoying the process of learning to hone etc.
Comfort wise I find straights best. Results wise, if the razor has a good edge then it's a good as DE if not better.
Time wise straight razors need time in the shave and for maintenance hence I tend to use SE or DE in the week.
- Messages
- 811
- Location
- Forio d'Ischia, Naples, Italy
Why? Just Feather?
Actually, I prefer Kai.
- Messages
- 15,922
- Location
- Halifax, Republic of Yorkshire
I don't like the face-feel. Simple as that. I've used a CJB as well. The Feather AC blades don't float my boat much but they're okay in the Razorock Hawk. I tried Schick ProLine & Kai Captain but didn't like either as much as the regular Feather.
