Thread: a little piece of advice from shaving masters

Hi everyone!
I'm obviously new to this forum and excited to be part of this masochistic community of enthusiasts who like to put "out-of-the-ordinary-sharp" metallic blades to their throats every morning.
I have several questions about guidance and maybe it's worth spending the time explaining why I want to move to SR shaving. (I've already spent a great amount of time reading all FAQs and first shave and beginner guides around this forum)
32 year old now and have been using disposable blades all my life. I'm attracted to the idea of doing something that I consider as an old ritual and tired of having the skin of my neck irritated after every shave. Plus let's admit it: it's pretty bad ass.
The thing is: I do not shave all my face. I do keep a week-long beard that I trim.
Which gets me to my first questions: is it worth it?
And if it is, is my learning curve going to be a lot harder since I'll be starting with the neck right away? (no practice on the cheeks...)

Now the other part is that I usually prefer to spend a good amount of money the first time and not having to change stuff every 6 months (and sell old stuff when getting new stuff rather than accumulating unused objects) . So I'm looking at razors that not only carry good reputation but also that I like aesthetically. A few doves have caught my attention but I kind of fell in love with "the art of manliness" razor.
Problem is: it's 7/8 (so larger than the recommended 5/8) and a square tip (I read everywhere that round tip is encouraged for beginners).

So to sum it all: expensive razor + 7/8 width + square tip + starting right away with the neck = am I asking for a disaster and a trip to the ER here?

Any input would be greatly appreciated before I start investing about $400 in a whole kit.
Thank you all!

Cheers.

IMHO and IMHO Only. The only way to know if it is for you, is to try it. If you try it and like it, you will buy more kit, seems to be the nature of the beast. If you buy expensive stuff up front and don't like it, well you have some really nice bathroom decor. So I would suggest spending what you need to give straight Shaving a fair shot and no more. You will know better what you want after a few months of shaving.
Now will it be worth it? I find the shave more comfortable than any other form of shaving. But it didn't start that way, it took weeks to get good shaves and months to get really good and comfortable shaves. I still have lots of room to improve at 8 month.
There are other benefits that aren't obvious at first. I wear a goatee and it is much nicer lined by a straight. My wife complements me on the shape of my goatee now, I didn't even notice until she mentioned it. She also says my skin has improved. I have smooth and less wrinkled skin. Again, not something I would notice. I do notice how much I enjoy the experience. The scents, the meditative aspects of stropping and shaving ...etc.
So hope that helps.
Welcome to the forum, happy shaving!

Hi and welcome. I stated with a short beard that I just did my cheeks and lower neck. Even with newb mistakes it wasn't much worse than carts and soon was much better. I find that the tip is something personal. I have hollows in my lower neck area that can't be flattened out by stretching so a square point makes it harder to shave. Really no matter what razor you buy you will learn to use it or it will let you know. Good luck

I had a beard for the last 10 years, the reason being I could not get a comfortable shave, now I'm always more or less clean shaven I don't get razor bumps anymore and find I look forward to shaving rather than dread it. As far as starting sr shaving with just your neck to practice on I don't see it as a problem, though shaving your cheeks is far easier and way less nerve racking When you're starting out. If you could stand to rock a goatee or just go clean for a month it would be worth it in the long run if straights end up being your thing.

As far as points go, I would opt for a muted square at least if not a round given its intended use is your neck and all its inherit odd angles and hollows, plus you'll get more razors, it's unavoidable.

Welcome.

Go for it. Watch videos and pay attention to how they shave thier necks. You'll do fine. Once you achieve greatness you may not want to stop at your neck.

If you want to avoid purchase after purchase you may want to check out the soap/ cream threads and pick one you will enjoy. Soap and brushes are highly personal and can be expensive rabbit holes to travel

Welcome to the Forum. Please trust me after a short time wet shaving... the AD's will kick in

Welcome to the forum. Imho a 7/8 would not be a good razor to start up the things due to its width. In my own life experience, a kid can learn learn how to ride a bicycle with a mountain bike, but with a lot of knee injuries

Wow!
You guys are FAST to respond!
Thanks a lot for all the replies!
Looks like the general consensus is : Go for it, you'll be fine.
As long as I invest in some good equipment the rest should follow I guess.
Any reviews on the "art of manliness" razor and strop as far as quality/durability?

I'm going to book a beard trim and straight razor contour shaving at the barber and see how they do/how I like it.
Probably going to invest in the cream/mug/brush right now as it seems like an overdue upgrade compare to the canned goo and keep reading EVERY posts on this forum before I get to pick a razor/strop.

Also, just went by the sharpener, says he charges $15 for a hone on a brand new ready to shave razor, about $20 for maintenance honing once it's used. Seems fair pricing?
He also had a few refurbished razors. One caught my intention in a pretty wooden box. Round tip. Is "puma" a good brand?

Thanks again for all the responses!

Anyone in the bay area if one day I want to learn how to strop and/or hone?

+1 on watching videos. My first razor was a dovo ebony 5/8 spike point. I love it the spike for sure taught me quick that I have to know where all parts of my razor is at all times. But it shaves great. Each element of the wet shaving system will take time to learn. Cream/soap/uberlather lathering, stropping, and shaving all will have to be mastered individually. But they will pay off and then let's not mention self honing at this moment. That's a whole different animal, but you more than likely will want to go there some day. But this can be fun, just don't get disappointed when the learning curve hits. If you press through it, you will not regret it.

Originally Posted by LeNoun

Also, just went by the sharpener, says he charges $15 for a hone on a brand new ready to shave razor, about $20 for maintenance honing once it's used. Seems fair pricing?
He also had a few refurbished razors. One caught my intention in a pretty wooden box. Round tip. Is "puma" a good brand?

Anyone in the bay area if one day I want to learn how to strop and/or hone?

The selection from your last post caught my eye. A few questions.

Who is the 'sharpener'? Is he primarily a knife, scissors and tool sharpener? Does he shave with a straight razor? If so, how long? The difference between tool/knife sharpening and razor honing is like living in Australia and commuting daily for work in New York. Razor honing picks up where knife sharpening ends. I've gone that route and it was expensive to get hose razors back in shape in the hands of a qualified razor honer. If he is a true razor user/honer than he can teach you to properly strop a razor. Learning to do it yourself is best left till you can say you've had a years worth of successful shaving and know you likes and dislikes with in the shaving world. Do this before decending into the murky world of honing (believe me, it's a whole nother universe).

Look on the left side of the main SRP page, click on Local Help, I don't think there are any Mentors or Senior Members listed there that are near you in SF but PMing someone like Euclid should give you info on someone possibly nearer to you that can do a face to face with you. Nothing beat a face to face in terms of shortening the learning curve.

Good luck and as Lynn Abrams says, "Have fun".