Thread: Double edge vs straight

Ok, I am curious why have you selected a straight over a double edge? I love that bad to the bone image of the straight.

I learned to shave with a double edge when I was a youngster! When I joined the military I went to disposals and electric, After about ten years of this I discovered straights And was hooked!! I didn't remember the double edge until I discovered these shaving forums about a year ago, but after fifteen or so years of straight shaving I am not likely to go back to double edge razors!
What attracted me to straights is the skill required, the fact that it is almost a completely lost "art", and the old time aspect of the straight! I always fancied myself belonging to the 1800's America!

Nothing says masculine than a straight.

Well there is certainly the "zen" like experience of using a str8 which appeals to many str8 users.

Also for many the str8 provides a far superior shave than a DE. This is definitely true in my case.

Originally Posted by Amyn

Well there is certainly the "zen" like experience of using a str8 which appeals to many str8 users.

Also for many the str8 provides a far superior shave than a DE. This is definitely true in my case.

I forgot to mention that what keeps me using straights is exactly as you say!

I shaved with a DE for two years, but after my very first straight shave I sold all but one of my DE razors. These were some of my reasons:

• A straight razor is the ultimate adjustable blade. You can make almost infinitely small adjustments to angle and pressure to customize the shave to your face that just aren't possible with a DE.
• There is both art and craft to learning to shave with a straight that I feel are muted with a DE. When I first started DE shaving, I loved how there was a learning curve, which separated it from the plug-and-play, mind-numbing ease of the multi-bladed modern razors. Getting a close, comfortable shave with a DE was a rewarding experience. Now that I am shaving with a straight, I find myself at the bottom of a far steeper learning curve again, and it is exhilarating.
• Learning to hone and strop your own blade gives you a personal connection with your shaving tools that you just can't get from slapping in a new disposable blade every 5-7 days.
• Hell, I simply feel like a badass holding a straight razor to my throat and getting a superlative shave from it...what can I say?

Recently I was in a rush and I was forced to go back to my DE for a quickie shave. I was surprised at how comfortable the shave was...and even more surprised at how much stubble I felt later that evening. The straight razor allows me to shave closer than I ever could with a DE...it is not as comfortable yet (see my other thread on that matter), but I am working on that.

Hope that helps,
Dave

Two things in the above posts that I really connect with are the Zen like experience not only of shaving but for me honing is particularly akin to a form of meditation.

The total involvement I have with the honing, stropping and finally shaving as opposed to simply changing a blade. When I first thought about getting into it I felt that it would be a PITA to have to learn all of the above and then do it. On the contrary it has been a really great experience so far.

Shaving with a DE was just so easy that it was boring!

Originally Posted by Amyn

Well there is certainly the "zen" like experience of using a str8 which appeals to many str8 users.

Also for many the str8 provides a far superior shave than a DE. This is definitely true in my case.

Long term curiosity got me started but the above post nails it.

I can really relate to that one black beard.