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.

What would I do different? Nothing. It's all been a tonne of fun and still is. Too many razors, too many hones, too many soaps, creams, aftershave, too many brushes, too many strops.

In the words of Maxwell smart: And loving it!

James.

This thread got me thinking back about how it all started for me and what I would have done differently. To my surprise, I was able to find my first posts on the straightrazorplace yahoo group I had joined when I was a poor university student back in 2003. Namely, my first straight razor newbie experience.

I bought a straight razor kit off a forum member, consisting of a dovo prima ebony 5/8, a wide dovo strop and a barber hone. I was able to keep that going for a couple of years, before getting more razors and stuff.

If I were starting over, I wish I would have been able to find someone who is very experienced to show me the ropes hands on. Namely stropping technique and to inspect my edge to see if it is really shave ready and at its full potential. It would have shaved off a good 6 months off my learning curve. My barber at the time was experienced with straights, but was reluctant to share his knowledge. The straight razor meet ups were very helpful in acquiring that hands on knowledge, but that only came 5 years later.

We are very lucky today to have such a large and globally widespread community.

Oh and I almost forgot. I wish I would have discovered the joys of the coticule earlier on in my journey.

The only thing I would change would be to start with a 3" wide strop.

And maybe add a hot towel steamer to the bathroom. (SWMBO still won't let me do that)

The 3" strop is an excellent point. And a modular one, too. Like SRD's Natural. The perfect beginner strop.