Thread: Switching to a real straight razor.

I have been shaving with a "shavette" straight razor(disposable) and I am getting a very clean shave from it. I really want to get a real straight razor now.

I have become pretty proficient with the razor I am using now. Been using it for almost a year now. At first with a regular Gillette shave gel and now with an actually wet shaving process. As i transition to a true straight razor is there any advice or obvious differences I will notice or should know ahead of time to make the change as seamless as possible.

Also with being rather proficient with the shavette razor should I be confident with the real thing. I will keep in mind not to get careless but is it fair to believe I should be able to to it without "killing" myself.

I used a shavette for 7 years and loved it until I tried a real straight. A real straight is more forgiving and gentler on the skin IMO. I think you will love it. Whatever you decide to do, I would recommend only that you buy a shave ready. SRD has some great deals and quality or classifieds here as well. Good luck.

Oh I will absolutely be switching. I am as excited as can be. I used to hate shaving until i started using the shavette. An now that you say the real thing is gentler I'm super thrilled.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I used a shavette for 7 years and loved it until I tried a real straight. A real straight is more forgiving and gentler on the skin IMO. I think you will love it. Whatever you decide to do, I would recommend only that you buy a shave ready. SRD has some great deals and quality or classifieds here as well. Good luck.

I started with a straight and then picked up a shavette for travel, and I find the shavette to be far harsher on my face.... The straights are just so smooth!

You will love the str8 but don't let your guard down. It may be more gentle and pleasant to shave with but it will bite hard if you don't pay attention.

I started out with a shavette as well and switched to SR within 4 months. It took me a long while to get my straights as sharp as the disposables, but now I feel little difference between them. I like the SR better as it allows a lower angle, but I find little difference in smoothness, both can be incredibly smooth.

Just take care to keep the light touch, as the SR may be a little heavier than your shavette. And don't strop the first time, as you might degrade the edge a little on your first stropping. If your second shave isn't as good as your first, you know it was the stropping technique.

Originally Posted by bill3152

I used a shavette for 7 years and loved it until I tried a real straight. A real straight is more forgiving and gentler on the skin IMO. I think you will love it. Whatever you decide to do, I would recommend only that you buy a shave ready. SRD has some great deals and quality or classifieds here as well. Good luck.

+1 and I find a real SR has a better feel when shaving. It is hard to explain other than the blade is more enjoyable as it passes over the skin.

Originally Posted by dexter90723

I have been shaving with a "shavette" straight razor(disposable) and I am getting a very clean shave from it. I really want to get a real straight razor now.

I have become pretty proficient with the razor I am using now. Been using it for almost a year now. At first with a regular Gillette shave gel and now with an actually wet shaving process. As i transition to a true straight razor is there any advice or obvious differences I will notice or should know ahead of time to make the change as seamless as possible.

Also with being rather proficient with the shavette razor should I be confident with the real thing. I will keep in mind not to get careless but is it fair to believe I should be able to to it without "killing" myself.

DEXTER we have a lot in common. I love my shavette and have now made the switch my razor is expected to arrive tomorrow and the strop on Wednesday. I'll post my successes and challenges Lynn told me to keep my angles lower and I think maneuvering it may be different since the straight has a longer blade than my parker. Not sure though. Just some guesses.

Give it whirl...just don't get distracted...

I shaved with a DE for a long time, then went to a shavette which led to real straights not long ago. I can honestly say the straights are more pleasurable to use, but the shavettes give a great shave as well. Just different. Using a real straight just feels better, doesn't scrape as much skin off with the hair as the shavette does. If I have to go out of town, I bring the shavette. At home, all straights now.