Thread: STR8 vs. DE

Why is it I can shave with a DE pretty much any whichway and get a decent shave, but with a straight I have to use proper techniques proper prep and have all kinds of problems in the chin area?

One: yo don't have very much experience with an open bladed razor yet.

Two: Most any Hoe bladed razor or safety razor also slightly stretches the skin right infront of the blade a little, doing part of your job for you.

Three: Machine sharpened factory made blades are sharper in way the keenest of hand honed edges can't be. the other side of this is their lack of durability.

Keep shaving, you'll get better.

It takes a lot of experimenting to get the right pattern for your face. A lot of good stroke ideas are in the wiki, but some are sort of advanced. Take it slow, never rush.

FWIW a str8 is the only way I can go close to ATG on my neck--if I tried the same strokes w/ a DE, I'd be a mess of ingrowns. And have been, I might add!

Originally Posted by ziggy925

Why is it I can shave with a DE pretty much any whichway and get a decent shave, but with a straight I have to use proper techniques proper prep and have all kinds of problems in the chin area?

Why do I have to practice sight alignment, trigger control and rhythm for timed and rapid fire @ 25 yds when I can just hit the target with a 12GA riot shotgun ?

Originally Posted by PA23-250

It takes a lot of experimenting to get the right pattern for your face. A lot of good stroke ideas are in the wiki, but some are sort of advanced. Take it slow, never rush.

FWIW a str8 is the only way I can go close to ATG on my neck--if I tried the same strokes w/ a DE, I'd be a mess of ingrowns. And have been, I might add!

Interesting, because when I shave with a DE I go ATG on my neck all the way with no problem. I will say I definitely don't follow much of a pattern with a DE.

my thoughts are....practice...it will all come in time...then you will be satisfied with the straight shave....it is a slower learning process that we all have gone through...but well worth the effort....

Using a DE is pretty straightforward. You could probably train a chimp to do it.

Using a straight is a totally different story. It requires a set of skillsets that only comes with practice and experimentation.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Why do I have to practice sight alignment, trigger control and rhythm for timed and rapid fire @ 25 yds when I can just hit the target with a 12GA riot shotgun ?

Why do you? you mean you can't just draw from the holster and fire 6 rounds in 6 seconds and put them where you want to? Har Har.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Why do you? you mean you can't just draw from the holster and fire 6 rounds in 6 seconds and put them where you want to? Har Har.

I can.

If I'm shooting at a barn from the inside! (And the door is shut.)

Ziggy,

How long have you been using a straight? Do you prep your face well? I'm new, but I really don't have much luck when i don't prep my face well... shower, pre shave oil, hot towel, little more pre shave oil, hot lather and a really sharp razor...when i make a second pass as I often do at least for practice... I apply more pre shave oil and fresh hot lather..... have you dulled your edge stropping?... I did that too! Then I practiced and practiced and practiced with the strop so that i wouldn't dull my razor again... Now I get a good shave wtg.... still working on xtg and atg on my neck... but my sideburns, cheek and chin are fine....can't figure out how to go atg on my neck when my beard grows from left to right..... I'll get there... maq