Thread: First Time Straight Shaver - Looking for your Opinions

Hi everyone. I have been struggling to find a comfortable shave for years and it has finally led me to consider straight razors. A little background: I have sensitive skin and used to have pretty bad acne, so shaving has typically been a struggle. I have tried shaving with a Gillette Fusion razor and a Foil Electric Shaver, both of which cause me to breakout due to ingrown hairs and general irritation around the neckline. Now, I'm thinking a straight razor will help me to achieve a closer, more comfortable shave and I'm looking for your opinions. I've used these forums and a few other resources to put together the following set of items to get me started. Let me know what you think, thanks! I promise all the links in this email either bring you to the Amazon or Vintage Blades websites.

• Dovo "Best Quality", 5/8" Full-Hollow, Carbon Steel Straight Razor
• Badger Brush
• Fromm Razor Strop
• Taylor of Old Bond Street - Shaving Cream Bowl
• Acrylic Drip Stand
• Styptic Pencil
• Dove Men + Care Post Shave Balm

Feel free to make suggestions on what you think I need / don't need or should modify. This is my first time in this territory so all opinions are completely welcomed. Thanks again for your help!

If you haven't tried traditional wet shaving at all before, a safety (DE) razor is a nice way to try "half" of the sport while having guaranteed sharp edge, not worrying about so many variables related to maintaining the str8.

If you're looking to keep the brush budget low, consider the Omega Pro 48 for $20.

If irritation has been an issue, consider a sensitive skin formulation on soap/cream. I have recently purchased Proraso "white range" soap, very gentle stuff.

Of course, map your beard, at least mentally. Check out shave videos here as well as mantic's YouTube channel.

Once you get the basics down, don't be afraid to bend some of the rules a bit. My life got way better once I quit overthinking how large an almond is.

When you do get the str8 razor, make sure the vendor ships shave ready, thankfully many do including the one you've selected.

+1 to the above. It might be a good idea to try a DE first so that you can learn to lather and carry out multiple passes with a single (albeit protected) blade. Once you have that sorted out, try out a straight that has been properly honed. You can pick up cheap used vintage razors to see if you like it.

Good luck, tell us how you go!

Thanks for your thoughts. I've decided to work myself in by starting with a DE razor. I bought the brush, cream, stand, styptic, and balm that I mentioned in my first post. I also bought a pre-shave oil that was recommended in a few places here. Hopefully all goes well.

Keep us posted!

I definitely recommend the Proraso Green Tea & Oatmeal shaving soap.

It's an excellent soap for shavers with sensitive skin.

There are other unscented shaving soaps and creams out there, but try Proraso first.

Originally Posted by jhenry

I definitely recommend the Proraso Green Tea & Oatmeal shaving soap.

It's an excellent soap for shavers with sensitive skin.

There are other unscented shaving soaps and creams out there, but try Proraso first.

I'm a big fan of the Proraso line, great soap and great bang for the buck. While I have them all, my favorites are definitely the Red and the Blue...and of course the pre / post shave balm as well...but yea...you can't go wrong with these soaps!!

Great advice above.
It might be worth getting yourself an alum block too. Inexpensive, and I find they help with irritation.

"You've taken your first step into a larger world" (Obi Wan).

Originally Posted by drJustinC

Great advice above.
It might be worth getting yourself an alum block too. Inexpensive, and I find they help with irritation.

"You've taken your first step into a larger world" (Obi Wan).

The alum block is one of the best parts of the shave IMO....

If you do decide to go onto using SRs in the future the Dovo "Best Quality" razors are nice introductory razors. I started with a 6/8" half hollow and enjoy every shave with it.