Straight razor versus safety razor
Straight razor versus safety razor
Hey guys. I've been wetshaving for probably 3-4 months now and i have not looked back. I started with a HD(now sold to my cousin, i'm preaching the word haha) and i now have a Progress and 4 Gillette Fatboys which all give me excellent shaves. The one thing that has always bothered me if the fact that with a safety razor, the safety bar clears up the lather before the blade cuts the hair. Where with a straight razor, this is not the case. Would this not result in an even closer/more comfortable shave as the beard hair would be more lubricated and wet?
Re: Straight razor versus safety razor
There are Open Comb Safety Razors that would probably meet your expectations. Merkur produces them and there are older Gillette versions that have Open Combs as well.Mickey_85 wrote:Hey guys. I've been wetshaving for probably 3-4 months now and i have not looked back. I started with a HD(now sold to my cousin, i'm preaching the word haha) and i now have a Progress and 4 Gillette Fatboys which all give me excellent shaves. The one thing that has always bothered me if the fact that with a safety razor, the safety bar clears up the lather before the blade cuts the hair. Where with a straight razor, this is not the case. Would this not result in an even closer/more comfortable shave as the beard hair would be more lubricated and wet?
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Remember; It's Not A Race, It's Your Face...
And As Always, Enjoy Your Shave...
(Racso) Oscar...
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Why would the safety bar clear the lather? I know that it will scrape off the top layer of lather, but since the safety bar shouldn't really be touching the skin it should leave behind a thin layer of lather on the skin to protect it from the blade. The safety bar is there to lift the blade away from the skin if your angle gets too steep.
I agree with mparker. The first thing to touch your face should be the edge of the blade. Now that Im over 50 and using a MAGNIFYING MIRROR to shave with, I can SEE BETTER and can watch the angle of the blade on my face.
However, I do want to try a straight razor sometime. Once I know what brand and grind I need, I'm going for it!
However, I do want to try a straight razor sometime. Once I know what brand and grind I need, I'm going for it!
Roger
I've been a wet shaver for 56 years!
I've been a wet shaver for 56 years!
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Evening. I also agree, although with the way I shave, the bar does touch my skin. But it doesn't act the way that you fear. Regarding straight razors, well, in the end, you'll just have to try them yourself if you're interested. Whether they shave as close as a DE is debateable. I'd say that they don't for most shavers, unless one's technique is exceptionally good with one. Keep in mind that a traditional straight, even honed by a pro, is not as sharp as the better DE blades, so one experiances much more 'pull' during the stroke, compared to a well executed DE stroke. Much less so with the super sharp disposible Feather straight blades, but still I found it to be noticeable. For me, anyway, the safety bar seems to be an advantage, rather then a hindrance. But, straights are their own thing, and for those who get hooked on them, they become really the only way to go. You'd have to try it and see.
Regards,
Gordon
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Gordon
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The was definitely my experience and since I did not want to spend copious amounts of time honing and trying to get the blade just right, I chose to use a Feather Artist Club. Now I get an excellent straight razor shave with a sharp blade that I did not have to spend any time maintaining.bernards66 wrote: a traditional straight, even honed by a pro, is not as sharp as the better DE blades, so one experiances much more 'pull' during the stroke
Now it should be noted that that is exactly why many people shave with a traditional straight. They find the honing and stropping of their razor and indispensable part of the shaving experience and enjoy the time spent in such endeavor. I chaffed under the chore.
bernards66 wrote:straights are their own thing, and for those who get hooked on them, they become really the only way to go.
I use my Artist Club about 90% of the time and the rest is divided between an Ever-Ready GEM and a couple of Gillettes I keep in rotation. The only other combination I am wanting to try at this point is a bit of a hybrid; a Merkur 38C handle with a slant head. Even with all the options available, I still reach for my AC almost every time.
There is only one difference between a madman and me. The madman thinks he is sane. I know I am mad. - Salvador Dali
I'm really interested in a dedicated shaving mirror, and haven't found much talk about mirrors here. Does yours attach to the wall?Shave4Fun wrote:...Now that Im over 50 and using a MAGNIFYING MIRROR to shave with, I can SEE BETTER and can watch the angle of the blade on my face...
Greg
--PS: I'm originally from Quincy, FL...
Fiat lux, et facta est lux. Que la lumière soit, et la lumière fut. Let there be light, and there was light.
May I ask if you already have that razor, or how you plan to get one? I know of only two right now; I have one and Jimmy (Slant-Fan) has the other. It was my understanding that Merkur would not take any more orders for the parts to make these. If they have changed their mind, that's great news.jfrancisco wrote:...The only other combination I am wanting to try at this point is a bit of a hybrid; a Merkur 38C handle with a slant head.
I think it's possible to buy a 37C and either a 38C or 12C and swap handles, although I have not done so.
Der Fritzer
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