Thread: Disposable blades

Hi there everyone thanks ever so much for taking the time to look at this thread. I am a 35 year old who has just decided I want to start using a straight razor. I have a number of reasons for this choice but believe that should be another thread and may actually not be very interesting for people. The question I have which I would be very grateful for any feedback on is this.
I am about to go and buy my first straight razor i am going to buy one at the cheap end of the market. One which you change the disposable blades on. I would really like to know which blades are best? I believe the answer to this may vary from person to person. If so I would be very interested in hearing what people personally like or dislike and what it is they like or dislike about certain blades and the results they get from blades.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and again I would be very grateful for anyone to share their experiences with different blades. I would also really like any recommendations.
Thank you
Kevin.

Good morning and welcome to the forum!

I am two months into learning on a disposable blade straight (called a shavette) myself. What I would recommend is something is a Parker SRB/SR1 for your handle and for blades, a less aggressive blade such as Derby, Shark, or Personna Reds. Those handles, and almost every shavette for that matter, will use half the blade. Shark and Derby blades are sold in boxes of pre-snapped "half blades." Otherwise, you'll have to take a double edge blade and snap it in half or cut it in half lengthwise with a beefy pair of scissors.

Now if you are using canned aerosol shave cream, DON'T USE IT! You will need a better quality cream or shave soap along with a brush. No need to go right out and buy the best silvertip badger brush for over 100 dollars. A basic boar brush will do you fine. In fact, I'd probably recommend starting out with a VDH "green box" shaving set which has a shave mug, boar brush, and soap puck.

Van Der Hagen Green Box shave set

The orange box shave set is also good, but the members here seem to like the green box VDH soap better than the orange box. While I have never used it, people here are not a big fan of Williams shave soap. I'd recommend soaps like VDH, Arko, Shaving Factory and Col Conk for your first soap as they tend to lather easier. I have just began to use Shaving Factory shave soap and while it smells a bit like a bar of Dove hand soap, it makes great lasting lather easily and the lather does not dry out easily.

I started with a "magic" shavette for about 8 dollars. It will do the job but has a finicky blade holder. I'm getting rather competent with it. I started with Mitchell's Wool Fat shave soap. It's a very good soap but for beginners, I found it to be persnickety with regards to getting good lather. While I give it very high marks, I would not recommend it for a first time wet shaver due to the finicky qualities of it.

Also, I'd recommend reading this thread.

Shavettes, The Whole Truth

Visit the forum library and read up on straight razor shaving, including a section called Your First Straight Razor Shave. That will give you a lot of tips. Don't worry about a nick or cut. Many of them close right up with a cold rag. After reading the resources in the library and watching videos of straight razor shaves, you get a good feel for how to hold it.

Happy shaving!

Welcome to the forum...
Sorry I can't help you on your questions.
I didnt beat around the bush...!
Dove in head first with the real thing, and never regretted it.

Mike

Most of the vendors who sell disposable blades also sell sample packs and suggest an order of use (from least aggressive to most aggressive). Once you try them and find a blade that works for you, you can order more packs of that blade. They aren't expensive, but over time, the cost does add up.

Just so you know, you can get a shave ready, used straight razor in the classifieds section here quite inexpensively. Add a strop (and the brush/soap recommended earlier, which you need either way) and you're in business.

Try the Feather Artist SS, with the proguide blades. These blades have micro wire around the edge to assist discovery of correct edge angle and therefore reduce damage to your face while learning.

Personally I like the astras and if I find them at a good price feathers but theyre usually more than I want to spend. I also found Dorcos to be a good bang for the buck option. I absoluetly hate derby with sharks not to far behind and gillettes silverblue, super7, and wolkonsons being fair if im being honest. But in the end to each is to own, some love just the opposite of me. I highly recommend buying a sampler pack to see what feels right to you. While your at it you may want to pick up a stiptic pencil.

Good luck!