Thread: Help, I'm a complete beginner!

I've only used an electric razor to shave, and i don't grow facial hair that much because I am still young.However, I have decided to start shaving with a straight razor and need some feedback.

1. Should I shave with a straight razor even though i don't grow that much facial hair?
2. I have researched a little on straight razors and i found that there are ones with disposable blades and ones without. Which one should i buy?
3. Which razor is good for extremely beginner like me? I read that dovo are pretty good, and on another forum that i should buy a 5/8th width razor.
4. Should i buy razors on amazon.com?(With the below $20 razors)
5. Do i have to sharpen both disposable blades and non disposable blades?

I understand that some of these questions are very basic, but i am just new to the whole shaving thing. I appreciate you're responses and may have other questions in the future.

Me personally, I would start with a straight that takes disposable blades ( injectable) I like persona and you can get those at Sally Beauty Supply. That would let you get a feel for it and see if your going to stick with it. By the time you use 5 injectable blades (one box) you are gone you will be ready to up-grade to a real straight razor. Also, that will give you time to research one here and see what razor you may want to try and get up to speed on all things shaving. Anyway thats my 2 cents. Start slow and grow.

Originally Posted by Phooey

I've only used an electric razor to shave, and i don't grow facial hair that much because I am still young.However, I have decided to start shaving with a straight razor and need some feedback.

1. Should I shave with a straight razor even though i don't grow that much facial hair?
2. I have researched a little on straight razors and i found that there are ones with disposable blades and ones without. Which one should i buy?
3. Which razor is good for extremely beginner like me? I read that dovo are pretty good, and on another forum that i should buy a 5/8th width razor.
4. Should i buy razors on amazon.com?(With the below $20 razors)
5. Do i have to sharpen both disposable blades and non disposable blades?

I understand that some of these questions are very basic, but i am just new to the whole shaving thing. I appreciate you're responses and may have other questions in the future.

I started with an electric razor because my dad used one and recommended it. I didn't like the results.

It's hard to answer your question, because a shavette (which uses machine blades) is reasonably priced but is harder to use than a straight. A true straight is a much more expensive option up front because of the accessories necessary.

Unless you have an absolute obsession with straight razor shaving right off the bat (like I did), I think I would go to razorbladesandmore.com and get a Parker shavette for $20. It is an inexpensive way to try straight razor shaving, and if you master it you can either keep using it or get a true straight and the necessary accessories later, knowing you will get your money's worth.

I am a straight razor shaver, was always fascinated by their use in movies, barbershops, etc., and knew I would stick with it. So I bought the complete package up front.

Hi and welcome.
1. Every one should use a straight
2. This will depend on you. A true straight will need a strop as well and you will need to learn stropping as well and honing will be needed at some point. A shavette will mean all you need to do is change the blades. For both a brush snd soap is recommended.
3. A Dova 5/8 round point is a good starting point
4. Not recommended as they are usually crap
5. A shavette you just change blades a straight needs honing

Hope this helps

Welcome to SRP. There are tons of ways to get into using a straight razor. Just get one that is shave ready and from a reputable place. You are not going to get a brand new razor that will work properly for under $80 and that will still need a proper hone. These cheap deals you find are made for suckers and will only separate you from your money. ( I was a sucker :<0) ) If you read around and decide what you want to spend trying this out you will easily make up your mind. I will say you can't go wrong if you buy a nice straight, strop, brush , and bowl. Your next step will be learning how to use and maintain it. Not hard but it does have a learning curve. Be patient !

I think Straight razor are great for those that dont grow much hair. Multi blade cartridges caused me so much irritation when I didnt grow much hair. With the single blade SR you have an option on how many passes you do. I started doing one pass and now I need three passes. Its totally customizable to your face.

I recommend to any one that asks me about straight razor shaving that they start with a shavette(disposable blade SR) Its really inexpensive and the blade angles I find to be much more forgiving. So you dont beat your face up as much trying to get used to the proper angles. Also you dont have to worry about stropping a straight razor. There is gonna be a lot to learn with wet shaving so breaking things up will make it less hectic.


As for when you switch to a real SR pick one that appeals to you and fits your budget. When you finally decide on buying it we can get into specifics brands. There are many great ones to choose from especially if you are open to getting a vintage SR. Make sure you get it from a reputable vendor and that it is indeed shipped out to you shave ready.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE avoid amazon! thats my opinion

So in conclusion enjoy your learning experience and please dont get discouraged if things dont go perfectly for a while. Its worth it in the end. Welcome to SRP and ask all the questions you need

I'd go ahead and get a straight. You can get a restored vintage razor, shave ready sharpened with poor man's strop and decent brush from whipped dog.com for a great price (I'm talking about the sight-unseen razors). He has a good reputation. If you decide it's not your thing, you could always sell the razor and strop on ebay for not much less than what you payed for them. But with the tutorials on this site, you'll get the hang of it. Make sure you read the beginner instructions in the wiki.

Originally Posted by Phooey

I've only used an electric razor to shave, and i don't grow facial hair that much because I am still young.However, I have decided to start shaving with a straight razor and need some feedback.

1. Should I shave with a straight razor even though i don't grow that much facial hair?
well you have to shave with something, and with less, finer hair it will be easier to learn to use a straight.


2. I have researched a little on straight razors and i found that there are ones with disposable blades and ones without. Which one should i buy?
if you dont want to put time and money into maintenance, a shavette might be a good compromise, though i never used one myself. In some ways i wish i had given them a go.

3. Which razor is good for extremely beginner like me? I read that dovo are pretty good, and on another forum that i should buy a 5/8th width razor.
either a new known brand such as dovo, ralph aust, revisior, theirs issard, or a nice vintage. Whatever you choose needs to come from a reputable vendor who will hand hone the razor to shave ready.
Either 5/8 or 6/8 are recommended sizes for beginners but realistically you will learn to use anything you buy if it is sharp.

4. Should i buy razors on amazon.com?(With the below $20 razors)
NO

5. Do i have to sharpen both disposable blades and non disposable blades?
disposable blades are just that. You can strop them i think but if you buy them by the hundred from ebay you will spend less than $15 for 100 which will translate to 200 half blades which is what you need to put into a shavette

I understand that some of these questions are very basic, but i am just new to the whole shaving thing. I appreciate you're responses and may have other questions in the future.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you cosidered a D/E