Straight, here I come

Let me first say hello and awesome forum. I've been looking around this site for a while and felt it was time to post

I shave with a safety now, brush and Hagen luxury soap...

I can get a shave as close as possible but it takes many passes at many different angles. My face handles it fine but I find my lower neck takes a beating from the constant rubbing against the safety housing. It doesn't look bad but rather gets very tender. So I'm off to get a straight in hopes that the punishment my neck takes will be gone. A few questions I have about using a straight are...strop before every shave? Approximately how long can you go until the blade needs honed(I will have to purchase a second one as I will probably send the razor out for honing. ) How long if using the straight every day...might the edge last before honing is needed

I think I have the brands down fairly well with Dovo seemingly leading the way....which is what I will be getting unless I come across something used of note....

I am not worried about going into straight shaving. I will be patient and I've watched many videos about this topic. I think I am ready to start.
Having said that I live in an area that has no straights for sale. It sucks because I am person that likes to put my hands on something before purchasing. The closest thing to a straight I can feel near me is a shavette at Sally's. Which really isn't a straight so its a moot point.

Some things to note for other people thinking about changing shave habits.
#1 biggest need for shaving is using a soap and brush,,,i would suggest if people are going to keep using a multi blade set up at the very least start using a brush and soap. That alone makes a world of difference even in just the feel post shave.
#2 If you shave every day you wont regret giving up cartridges

I look forward to any and all replies and thank you

I love reading posts like this as you can almost feel the energy/tingling from the thought going on in the pursuit of learning something new like shaving with a straight razor! Keep this linked somewhere so you can come back and read it in a year!

I can answer a couple questions and give you a hint:

- People typically either Strop before or after they shave. One benefit to doing so after a shave is that the heat build-up from friction can help dry the razor and pivot a bit more quickly.

- I don't have a great guess as to how long a razor can go before honing. I hone mine but am always testing amd tweaking this or that so I've never done a marathon simply to see how long an edge can last with just stropping alone. But, the trouble is that for every individual who shaves you will have innumerable factors that have to be taken into account for 'that' individual and it would start all over for every other person who shaves. Some things may be consistent between indoviduals but certainly many more differences. So, you may hear that an edge can last 2-3 months and, for someone who has a lot of knowledge and skill that may be true. For someone just starting out due to careless handling, improper stropping, etc that may be unrealistic at that particular time.

Hint- You can purchase and learn to use a Barbers Hone effectively which will significantly improve your capability to maintsin your edge. They are readily available in the $30/under rsnge. So, you would not have to buy all the gear and take the time to develop your progression if you simply wanted to maintain your edge longer between professional honings.

Enjoy walking the path to shaving enlightenment! ;-)

Shawn
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I don't doubt what you say but a DE razor should give a pretty damn good shave in 2-3 passes.

Strop before definitely and after certainly won't h

Won't hurt.

Chromium oxide powder is very cheap and when applied to linen or felt or canvas, should extend the life of your razor's edge. For $6 it's a good purchase and is handy to have.

If you don't mind a used razor that may not be cosmetically perfect then look up Whipped Dog. Their razors ship shave-ready and the value is very good.

Sorry for the double post, tapatalk wouldn't allow me to edit my incomplete post!

Hi and welcome. Personally I would get a couple of vintage razors as they would cost about the same as a new one and shave just as well. How long an edge will last is very difficult to say as there are so many variables to factor. With a 12k stone you could maintain a edge for a long time. Good luck

There is a strong contingent around here that seem to advise the use of vintage razors for beginners. I have several vintage razors that cost me significantly more than new razors and I love them dearly but these are not the types of razors that they are talking about.

I think a person starting out with a straight should look at picking up a brand new quality razor, say a Dovo or Thiers issard in the $100- $150 range rather than an ebay find or a Razor that looks like it's carrying disease. Get a decent new razor from a seller that will hone it for you and start with a shave ready edge, add a budget type strop, a decent brush and soap and you are off to the races. This should cover you for a few months, long enough to decide whether you made the right choice or not before you need to get that blade honed.

Of course I have no idea what's in your budget but I do know you only have one face. Each person must decide how much they want to put into this hobby but the cheapest source is not always the least expensive. Good luck and enjoy. Let us know how you make out. I bought my first blade in a Thiers Issard kit and I still use it, it's not overly fancy but it is a quality razor.


Cheers,
Rob

good info. I had some of the same questions, but never asked.

The classifieds are a good place to shop. The vendors in the forum are trusted. What ever you pull the trigger on it sounds like your doing your thinking so I don't think your going to get killed. I think some like vintage because you can get 2 for the price of a new one and you always have a backup.
I understand the touchy feely buy thing. I bet you will run across a straight near you. The hunt is one aspect of it all.You will hone those skills as you go too .