Thread: If I were starting over . . .

I think I would STILL purchase a DE to get me started in the traditional shaving arena, but nothing too fancy, especially if the end goal was to get into Straight Razors. I would use my time shaving with the DE to gain an appreciation for the sharper edges while perusing this site for videos on Straights and lurking the classifieds and other for a to learn as much as I could. This also allows you to acquire the other hardware and software needed before jumping into Straight razor shaving.

I would NOT buy a new production razor as my first blade. Not that there was anything wrong with the razor I did purchase, but there are simply SO MANY cheaper options available to those starting out that I think it is foolish to do otherwise. The quality of the vintage "shave ready" blades on offer, even in just the Classifieds here, is equal to any lower priced production blade you will find on the market. The money I spent on my first razor could have purchased TWO razors on the secondary market.

Anyway . . . these are just a couple thoughts from a fairly recent convert to Straights. The ramblings were worth what it cost you to read them, and I hope you found them illuminating.

Aside from my short stint with the the straight razor in my early 20's which ended in failure due to my ignorance about maintenance, The DE rekindled my love for the Wet Shaving experience. DE shaving set me up with the foundation needed to make the leap back into the SR world with understanding of the processes involved, prep, lather, angles, beard growth direction and so on. I think in retrospect i could of bought 2 or 3 good serviceable vintage blades that were honed with love by its previous owner to start my journey back into straight shaving. Instead I found myself at the door of a large retailer and paid way too much for a Thiers Issard which was neither ready to shave and had all sorts of geometric issues that needed to be dealt with also. A daunting task to say the least for a new guy wanting to give it another go. Good thing I was stubborn this time and got through it but it meant buying some other Straights from reputable vendors here to get it done. So again I will beat the drum in favor of a good shave ready razor whether that means brand new or a secondary market for the new guy starting out. Reputation of source is key and I am happy we have many choices in our community. Outside its the wild west.

It has been a good time for me. Perhaps I too would have spent less on new blades, and should have spent less on the vintage blade I bought early on. We live and learn. I think if I had spent less on razors and more on going to meets it would also have been a smarter move. All in all it has been good. DE razors are scary items. I have gotten a few bad cuts from razors over time and none of them have been from straight razors.

Originally Posted by RezDog

It has been a good time for me. Perhaps I too would have spent less on new blades, and should have spent less on the vintage blade I bought early on. We live and learn. I think if I had spent less on razors and more on going to meets it would also have been a smarter move. All in all it has been good. DE razors are scary items. I have gotten a few bad cuts from razors over time and none of them have been from straight razors.

^^ I'm with what Shaun said...^^

I suppose if all you shaved with from the start were multi blade cart razors and crap in a can a DE would be a good way into traditional wet shaving at low cost. It will tech you about pressure and getting a good angle on the blade as well as allow you learn to make a good lather from a brush and soap. Fortunately I started shaving before cart razors were readily available.

If you go with a new straight razor or a used one the key thing is to get one that is truly shave ready. A used vintage razor does have the advantage of being less costly though. I started with vintage blades and had them pro honed. No regrets there.

Attending meets or having a local mentor could help immensely and greatly shorten your learning curve. Wish I would have been able to have those benefits.

Quickly came to the conclusion I'd have to learn how to hone my own at the rate I was dulling blades as a beginner. Just too expensive to keep sending the blades out especially when accumulating more vintage blades all the time. That was a long hard road without the benefits of going to meets or a local mentor. You do what you gotta do, so no regrets in the end.

Bob

IMHO starting with a DE will be a good way to learn direction of growth and also gentle touch on strokes. Skills that can be transferred to SR shaving later.

If I were to do it over again, I would have started much sooner.

40 plus years with a DE, only time I ever used a plastic job was in an emergency , I had my DE with me in the military even. I know this it taught me a lot about the skills you need with a straight , proper angle, touch, and stretching. Plus the lather part. I did try a straight back in the 70,s and like most had a bad time , not the amount of info that we have now , plus the only one I could find was a knife guy who really ruined my shave experience ,, tc

I started with two Wacker 4/8ths, and the full Castle Forbes line.

Today, I would start with a GEM Open Comb Micromatic (commonly referred to as OCMM), the full Baume.be, Esbjerg, or Meißner Tremonia line, and probably stick there.

The vintage single edge ("SE") razors put every DE razor to shame. Including the Pils line. There really is only one type of blades, so you can blissfully skip the fanboy stage of "oh, look, Ma, my new DE blade is somehow different from the previous one".

An SE in the hands of a capable user will also give any cut-throat razor a run for its money. But while you can master an SE in a few weeks's time, a cut-throat will take much longer. And that is not mentioning money wasted on "oh, look, you totally need that $INSERT_HYPED_BRAND_DU_JOUR razor".

So, $200 for preshave, soap, and aftershave. $200 for a Thäter brush. $10 for a GEM. $20 for 100 blades lasting a few years. Done.

Yes, life can be as simple as that.

Well, life can be simpler than that and cheaper too. I never knew anyone using a pre shave of any sort till I got on these forums and I still don't. An Arko or Palmolive shave stick will do just fine for a soap and drug store AS like Aqua Velva will do the job also. Add a decent serviceable boar brush and for about 20 bucks you are good to go. These will allow you a good comfortable shave without the $ INSERT_HYPED_BRAND_DU_JOUR soap, AS or brush.

I somehow easily and comfortably survived at least 45 years of shaving without any expensive gear. After joining these shaving forums I have tried more expensive soaps and brushes and come the conclusion that although they are nice to have they are not a total necessity in actually getting a smooth comfortable shave.

Bob