Hi everybody. I was wondering whats the difference between the traditional straight razors and the straight razors which use a disposable double edged blades like the Dovo Shavette. I have read at many places that the traditional one gives a better shave. Why so? is it more sharp or ......?
Not Too Sharp.. The non-disposable straight razor edges are almost always not honed to the level of sharpness of your typical DE or disposable blade. That results in a more forgiving shave and less nicks/cuts. People like this and consider it a plus. YMMV (your mug may vary).
Sharpness Is that the only reason why straight ones are better than their cousins. I think sharpness gives you an upper edge, of course we have to be more careful and skilled but it can be learned.
Straights are also "better" because you don't have to keep buying blades, although I am not too sure that the cost of the equipment needed to hone a straight successfully would not keep you in disposable blades for many years..... My personal opinion is that once a blade gets to a certain level of sharpness, extra sharpness is just overkill and unnecessary. By sharpness I mean the width of the edge, or how close the two sides get where they meet at the edge. What matters after that, at least in terms of straights, is how smooth you can make those two sides with polishing stones or pastes. I do not know how sharp or smooth machine-made disposable blades are, but I have shaved with some straights that I cannot imagine being improved upon in any way in terms of sharpness or smoothness. But in the end the choice is yours. I imagine one of the attractions of straights is the extra skills you need to obtain to use them (honing, stropping, etc). But these very things are also what makes some people not like them. YMMV! James.
Real straight razors are adjustable to your face... What do I mean by that ??? Well you can first off adjust the grind itself, some people like the heavy stiffer grinds or the 1/2 hollow middle of the road grinds, or the extreme full hollow, or even the sharpest of the sharp, the bellied hollow you can try them and choose for yourself... Width. length, and points, are adjustable to suit your needs too.. Even the Handles (scales) can be adjusted to fit your hands and even color tastes... As for the edge,, I personally don't think DE's or SE's are sharper, with the right SR and the right stones you can get down to the same levels of sharpness (approximately .38-.48 microns) but you don't have to take them to that level either, you can adjust that to suit your face, with different finishers available to you, from the Comfortable Coticule, to the Stupid sharp .10 micron Diamond paste and Honing films... I guess that is what really appeals to most SR users is "You Decide" where you want to go with the hobby... But you have to embrace the challenge because learning is a steep curve...
Straight vs Dispoable Blade Straight. I personally have never used a real straight. I have 2 Magic and 2 no-name shavettes that are designed just like the Magics. I believe that if one wants to become a true dyed-in-the-wool straight razor shaver, you must buy a real straight, learn to hone, strop, and use the accessories that accompany them, because then you will experience not just the actual razor, but all the rituals and nuances. However, if you want to get a general feel of whether you might like straight razor shaving or not, I would think a disposable blade straight should at least give you a good indicator of whether you would like genuine straight razor shaving at just a fraction of the price. I personally like the shavettes because they shave in the style of the straights, but I don't have the skill, nor the desire to learn the skills necessary to maintain a real straight properly at this point in time. If you really believe you will like straight razors, then go ahead and get all the stuff you need and learn how to strop, hone, and shave (if you don't know how to already). It can most definitely be done and has been done countless times, it will just take a little time to learn, that's all. If you decide to do this, may everything go well for you and your pursuits.
Well heres my two cents-I use both,I started with a real SE,and told my fathers barber and could he give me any tips,that was many moons ago,also he gave me a Wicks hair shaper (which I have never seen since) and a pack of Personna single edge blades,and a pack of Gems.The advantage that I see in the disposables is that they are quick,sharp AND disposable,sometimes you dont want to strop your razor or are in a hurry. My perference is the Personna blades,the down side it I have come across a few blades that are crazy sharp,they will sink into your skin without you knowing it if your not careful,other then that you can give them a quick strop and get some real mileage out of them,or if you dont want to be bothered throw them out.I like the convenince of haveing both.YMMV.
There are two more reasons why traditional straight razors are better. First, DE blades are thin and flex and vibrate when the cut the hair, which makes it easier for you to cut yourself. Traditional straight razors are stiffer and don't flex, giving you more control. Second, traditional straights have more mass and plow through the hairs easier, while DE blade razors are relatively light. Some high-end replaceable straight razors, like the Feather have more mass and hold a stiffer blade in a way that makes it flex less. All in all, traditional straights are easier to use and give a more comfortable shave.
