Thread: Questions I'd like to ask before getting my first straight razor

I am glad that I have joined this forum. Thank you for all the useful inputs. Now I am more comfortable to pick my first straight razor.

I did learn to apply "no pressure" with my safety razor, but I have to admit, when whiskers in more tricky areas won't go away in 3rd pass, I tend to apply pressure. I know I can't let that happen with a straight razor.

I use after shave product to relief my sensitive skins from razor burn, and I think I'm adding pre shave oil into the equation as well.

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned (since it wasn't raised by your questions) is that any new straight razor you buy needs to be really "shave ready" meaning hand-honed by an expert. Dovos from some vendors say shave ready, and, if questioned will say that is as honed from the factory. Such razors are not really shave ready. So use care in buying your first SR that it comes from a vendor that has them honed by someone with skill after they are received from the factory or distributor.

Starting out, "shave ready" is very important as you will have no point of reference. The classifieds on here for used and Straight Razor Designs for new are very good choices for shave ready razors. There are probably other fine vendors with shave ready blades out there but I don't know them

Hi everyone. Had my first go today. It was as awful as expected.

I took advice from Lynn Abrams' article and tried not to perform a complete shave on first trial. I tried one side of my face only, with dominant hand, from side burn to jaw, cheek and a little on the chin, all WTG. Especially when shaving on the cheek, I felt some burning sensations which I never had before, that made me a bit uncomfortable. It felt like I could cut myself anytime. After these careful down strokes, it looked like I haven't shaved at all, and I finished my shaving with my usual disposable blade.

That was day one. I read some say straight razors are not meant to be used everyday, is it true? Do I have to wait 48 hours till I can use it again?

And strangely, I rinsed off the blade and wipe carefully away the water drops, some brownish dots immediately appeared at where the water drops was. They look like stains or even rust and thats awful. What are they and how do I get rid of them? I rinsed and even wiped again and they wouldn't go away. I wonder if those will hurt my new razor, which is supposed to last quite a long time.

Congratulations on your first efforts with a Straight razor. You are absolutely correct to take things slowly when first learning. As to the shave itself . . .

Where did you purchase your razor from? I ask because that will allow us to ascertain if it might not have been truly "shave ready". As others have said this is VERY important.

I cannot comment about the "spots" that have appeared on your blade. What I would suggest is that you not close the blade until it has been allowed to thoroughly dry itself off in open air.

With respect to how often you can shave with a straight razor, my answer would be to shave as often as you do with any other shaving equipment. For me, it is every other day. for others, shaving every day with a Straight is no trouble at all.


Above all, do not get discouraged. It takes a long time to learn how to use a Straight razor properly. I have been doing this since the beginning of this year, and I STILL learn new things every time I shave. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Orville

Where did you purchase your razor from? I ask because that will allow us to ascertain if it might not have been truly "shave ready". As others have said this is VERY important.

Thanks Orville for asking. I got this Dovo 6/8 from a knife shop and have it honed right away by an expert.

Anyone has any idea on the brown spots on the blade? These spots are ugly and just won't go away

Originally Posted by alfaspider75

Thanks Orville for asking. I got this Dovo 6/8 from a knife shop and have it honed right away by an expert.

If the "expert" was from the knife shop, then it is unlikely that your razor was honed properly. You always want to ask two questions of the honer.
1. Does he use a straight razor himself?
2. Does he use any power equipment for the honing?

Unless the answers are yes to the first and no to the second, then you probably should look somewhere else for the honing.

Welcome to SRP Alphaspider75: This is a good thread regarding pre-shave prep to avoid razor burn and irritation. I used Noxzema Cleansing Cream for a long time. I recently switched to the Neutrogena. Do some experimentation and see which products work the best for you.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...ml#post1510077

Thank you Feltspanky for suggesting products which ease skin irritation. My skin is so sensitive that I can even get redness simply by rubbing on the face or neck with my hand.