Practice Straight Razor - Blunt

Hi all, I am a newbie and just started straight razor shaving. I was looking on the internet for some kind of "practice straight razor" where you could just practice your straight razor movements, ie: holding the razor to the face at the proper angle, strokes, using both hands, etc. without actually cutting anything, including your face! You could even lather up and just scrape off the lather. Once you had this technique down pat, you could then go to a "real" straight razor and do a real straight razor shave without (hopefully) nicking your face all up. I found one advertised on the Vintage Straight Razor website as follows: "Practice Straight Razor - Blunt $19.99". Has anyone tried this method? I would really appreciate any comments from you guys, as I think that this would allow much more practice (as you could do it numerous times a day) without really hurting yourself. The price isn't that bad if the product really works! Please advise. Thank you! Ed Oh, I do own a real Ralf Aust SR, but it is very sharp.

A lot of guys just use a butter knife.

It wont have the exact feel in your hands, but you can start getting a feel for what it's like, angle, etc..

2 or 3 passes and you will wish you had a sharp one. I bought one thinking it would be sharp. I think after that they started advertising these razor shaped objects as practice razors to keep the better business bureau off their back. You could buy a decent looking vintage off e-bay to practice with and if you like then get it honed and you will have something. Just my opinion based on my experience. The thought of shaving with a straight is scarier than it really is. There is a learning curve but as long as your careful you could skip the practice piece. I do get your thinking :<0)

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Originally Posted by Aldwyn

A lot of guys just use a butter knife.

It wont have the exact feel in your hands, but you can start getting a feel for what it's like, angle, etc..

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Great idea, Adwyn! Went to the kitchen and got a butter knife and will practice with it! My butter knife blade is 3 1/2" long, so it will be 1/2" longer than my Ralf Aust, and of course no monkey tail, but it does allow me to practice using the right angles, strokes, etc. and with both hands! Thank you so much for your help . . . .never thought of it! Has anyone else tried practicing with a butter knife? Ed Love your profile picture, especially the eyes!:rock:

I think that a blunt edge will only let you practice bad habits. :shrug:

I'm not sure how useful practicing with a dull blade would be. You might learn a little bit about angles, but without the feedback of actual hair removal, you won't know if you're doing it right or learning bad habits, especially with regard to pressure. You're better off just starting with a properly sharp, shave ready blade and following Lynn's advice on how to start shaving with a straight.

It's actually pretty difficult to hurt yourself with a straight. Small nicks are not a big deal, and you'll likely be dealing with razor burn mostly at first. A dull blade won't help you avoid those.

Okay, I assumed you hadn't bought a straight yet :<0) I still think your better off just using the straight. I mean how can you tell the proper angle if it's not going to cut when it should ?

I'm all for practicing stropping with a butter knife, but I think practicing shaving with one might lead to over confidence with the straight the first time out - which leads to a cut.

Most of the fear is in your mind. It really isn't all that dangerous and the nerves settle down after a few shaves.

Of course you can read all about how you shouldn't be afraid. I did when I started. Reading didn't help. Sweat was running down my face during the first shave because I was so nervous. The nerves settled down after a few shaves.
So I'd recommend that you wait for your straight, set aside a good hour for your first shave, and then do it!

Agree with the above. IMHO, marketing a "practice razor" in such a way is nothing more than encouraging folks to spend $20 on something they don't need. Take that $20 and buy some nice shaving soap - you will gain much more benefit from that than from a practice razor.

Road lots here on SRP, check out videos by respected members of the community such as gssixgun and Lynn Abrams (both of whom have excellent videos for beginners on youtube), keep asking questions, relax, take your time, and enjoy the ride. :)

IMO, there is merit in practicing with a "blunt" edge. Granted you won't get the "feel" of whiskers being cut off, however we already know that the proper angle of the blade to the area being shaved is between 25 - 30 degrees; we also know that we should take "short" strokes and concentrate on small areas at a time; also we know that the preferred method is to shave with BOTH hands, left on the left side and right on the right side (this is somewhat difficult for those who are not ambidextrous). Practicing with a blunt straight would allow one to work on all of the above, especially with using their non-dominate hand. Most people actually shave only once a day, at most, so if you limit your practice to "actual shaves" your progress will be much slower than one who practices several times a day with a blunt instrument. Granted when practicing you must employ proper techniques, etc. But there many videos that show proper techniques. I have Lynn Abrams DVD, which is my "Bible" for technique. Please more comments, as I want to be open minded about learning to straight razor shave! Ed

I hesitate to tell you whether you should or shouldn't use a blunt edge to practice, because it's your hands and your face and I've only done it 3 times, so far, myself. I will say that practicing with a dull blade may not prove to be very helpful, since you could do some seriously wrong things with a blunt edge and not pay a price for it. Then you might carry that newly acquired habit over to the real thing and get an unpleasant surprise. For example, one could lay a blunt edge against one's face, find the angle and then press down to start moving the blade. That's not a problem with a butter knife edge, but a razor may well deliver a very different outcome. Besides, it's really not as difficult or as dangerous as some make it out to be. It's easy to get a nick, it's not very hard to get a minor cut, but you'd have to seriously mess up to do yourself any real harm. The key here is, if it hurts, stop.

Watch Lynn's shaving tutorial video on YouTube, read his article at the top of the Beginner's page, then take your razor and do what he said and you'll do just fine.

When I started out at the tender age of 14 there was no internet, nobody to go to for help, and no practice razor. I just jumped right in with Grampa's Army Navy straight...........even doing a "fool's pass". Gramp's razor really mowed off those baby whiskers on my upper lip and it felt so good I did a full shave even though there was no beard on my neck or cheeks yet. No blood and I felt like a MAN.

I say go for the real thing. Just make sure you do it when you have plenty of time, no one is around, and go slow. Proper angle and strokes will all fall into place.

I had a lot of problems with trying to figure out how to hold the razor and twist my hand so that I could shave near my ears when wearing my glasses. I used a practice razor to figure this out, didnt take that long but it was really helpful to me at least.
Buy a gold dollar, you should be able to find one for under 10$. Put electrical tape on the edge and use that. When you are done you can play around with it learning how to hone, something i am still working on learning to do. You could also get a Pakistani straight but you have even less chance of turning that into a useable razor afterwards.

Ok, count me in the with "just use a real blade" group, now. What they are saying makes perfect sense!

For what it's worth, I never used anything to practice with, and just started out using a straight. And I survived to tell the tale. :)

I could see the merit in learning to stretch your skin in the different areas with a " practice whatever" as to learning the angle , that is not a hard and fast rule of degrees. Sometimes in different areas it's 10 degrees , sometimes a little more , so it won't help any for that ,But using the razor and skin stretching ,, ? It might just help, angle has to have feedback on the cutting edge. On that there is no compromise, but stretching us as important as angle, especially if you don't want cuts and irritation.
So give it a go , and I think a cheaper razor with tape on the edge might be a way to go,that way you have two razors, just remember to knock the edge off and then get it honed after your done practicing,, Good luck. Tc

Well guys, I am still leaning towards getting the practice razor with the blunt edge, here's why:

I'm 78 yo and have competed in many sports that require hand-to-eye coordination (think tennis, golf, skiing, martial arts, Nordic walking and others) and I learned that repetitions through practice (of course using correct techniques) is the best way to develop your "muscle memory" in executing the proper movements. Since I shave (and I have started to shave with a real straight razor) only every other day, some times every third day, I would not get that many reps in while doing my "real" shaves. Any "bad habits" started using the practice razor would soon be corrected when doing my real shaves. Also, and one of the MOST IMPORTANT reason is that I am right handed and I NEED THE PRACTICE WITH MY LEFT HAND. IMHO, I think that $20 is a good investment in developing the necessary skills to shave properly with a straight razor. Does anyone here see where I am coming from? :)

I see where you are coming from. I think must of us see where you are coming from and we are trying to advise you that are talking about trying to practice playing golf using a tennis ball. It's close to the same ball, but in both cases you may develop a wicked slice (pun intended).

Ultimately, it is your shave and your face and your decision. We are just offering some advice from people who have been doing this for a while. If you think the practice razor will help you, then do it. The practice razor will definitely help with stropping and that is where you really need to develop the muscle memory.

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

I see where you are coming from. I think must of us see where you are coming from and we are trying to advise you that are talking about trying to practice playing golf using a tennis ball. It's close to the same ball, but in both cases you may develop a wicked slice (pun intended).

Ultimately, it is your shave and your face and your decision. We are just offering some advice from people who have been doing this for a while. If you think the practice razor will help you, then do it. The practice razor will definitely help with stropping and that is where you really need to develop the muscle memory.

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I like your "pun"!:D You, and most of those that commented, never said anything about training/practicing with your non-dominate hand. This is where I need to develop some "feeling of confidence" when using my left hand to shave my left side. Using the practice razor to develop muscle memory when stropping is also a great side benefit! Thanks again for all your advice! I did purchase the "Gold Dollar Practice Straight Razor - blunt edge" this morning from Straight Razor.com. I will post my experiences with it once I get it. I do not intend to have this razor honed in the future . . . . it will always be my practice razor/toy!

A lot of beginner's actually have less problems with their non dominant hand. I think it is because that they (we) actually pay more attention to what we are doing with our off hands. I have yet to nick myself with my off hand, it's always my dominant hand that gets me - just ask my left ear.

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Originally Posted by ironmaned1987

Hi all, I am a newbie and just started straight razor shaving. I was looking on the internet for some kind of "practice straight razor" where you could just practice your straight razor movements, ie: holding the razor to the face at the proper angle, strokes, using both hands, etc. without actually cutting anything, including your face! You could even lather up and just scrape off the lather. Once you had this technique down pat, you could then go to a "real" straight razor and do a real straight razor shave without (hopefully) nicking your face all up. I found one advertised on the Vintage Straight Razor website as follows: "Practice Straight Razor - Blunt $19.99". Has anyone tried this method? I would really appreciate any comments from you guys, as I think that this would allow much more practice (as you could do it numerous times a day) without really hurting yourself. The price isn't that bad if the product really works! Please advise. Thank you! Ed Oh, I do own a real Ralf Aust SR, but it is very sharp.

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I'm not a pro or experienced at all but recently I got a coticule and honed my first razor on it and that edge seems to be a very good practice edge imo, for me, a noob that is. Its not super sharp, but it does its job. no more no less. Pretty idiot proof to me at least. And I'm an idiot. :)

I am new to using a SR when I wanted to start practicing I just bought a new one this helped my confidence plus I bought my SR from SRD when Lynn Abrams does the honing, and it shaved great, also I practiced stropping with butter knife before received my SR, and while I was waiting for my new SR, I did purchase a blunt SR a Gold Dollar, but I did that because I want to use that for honing when I'm ready that way I won't mess up a good SR if I don't do it correctly, well that's my take, hope it helps

You can get this cheap. Install the blade, then tape the edge. It will be an adequate analog for practice...

Attachment 225807

Diane Shaper Stainless Steel * With 3 Guards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UN3CW..._J4TOwbXYCQS4D

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Originally Posted by leftyonly

You can get this cheap. Install the blade, then tape the edge. It will be an adequate analog for practice...

Attachment 225807

Diane Shaper Stainless Steel * With 3 Guards
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014UN3CW..._J4TOwbXYCQS4D

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Thank you, Leftyonly, but I already purchased the Gold Dollar Practice SR - Blunt.

If you find it not blunt enough, then run the edge vertically over a glass bottle. Essentially, try to use the razor as a knife to cut the bottle open. Just use light pressure, the weight of the blade is usually enough to flatten any edge out. It's called bread knifing the blade.

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

If you find it not blunt enough, then run the edge vertically over a glass bottle. Essentially, try to use the razor as a knife to cut the bottle open. Just use light pressure, the weight of the blade is usually enough to flatten any edge out. It's called bread knifing the blade.

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Thank you, Criswilson10, for your very helpful tip! When my Practice Gold Dollar Blunt SR arrives, I will remember your tip and I "bread knife" the blade if it isn't blunt enough. FYI, I did my SECOND shave this morning with my Ralf Aust 3/8" Rosewood SR. Actually used it on my whole face, including my left side with my left hand! Didn't really do too bad (IMHO), had a couple of nicks around the chin area. I was very cautious and kept the blade angle pretty close to my face which resulted in a "not too smooth" shave. I did 2 passes with the straight and then did a "clean up" pass with my DE Muhle R89 Twist. End results very smooth shave!! Also as I was stropping my Ralf Aust (very cautiously, and slowly), and I put a couple of very small nicks on my leather strop near the ends. I have a SRD 3" "Natural" strop with the premium linen backing. I will be practicing my stropping with my Gold Dollar Practice SR - Blunt when it arrives. I will use your "bread knifing" tip to make sure that I do not cut my strop. Thanks again for your help! :tu

To make sure you don't cut the strop, don't strop too slow & practice on a single sheet of news paper suspended from a clamp.
Also don't touchdown on the flip until you have reversed direction.

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

To make sure you don't cut the strop, don't strop too slow & practice on a single sheet of news paper suspended from a clamp.
Also don't touchdown on the flip until you have reversed direction.

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Thanks for the tips!!

It seems I am late to the party, I was going to suggest that if you really want to to go down the blunt razor path buying a gold dollar or other razor for about $6 from eBay and running the edge over something to really blunt it.
I wouldn't suggest taping the edge as I imagine the tape will provide a fair bit of resistance when shaving.

Hi edhewitt, You are not too late to join the "party" (just bring a liter of single malt scotch with you:D)! I agree with you and I wasn't planning on taping the edge for exactly the reason you gave! Thank you for posting!

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Originally Posted by ironmaned1987

Hi edhewitt, You are not too late to join the "party" (just bring a liter of single malt scotch with you:D)! I agree with you and I wasn't planning on taping the edge for exactly the reason you gave! Thank you for posting!

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I taped the edge when I did it and it doesnt increase the resistance at all. It does negate any possibilities of slicing an ear off however.
Ps. can I havce a dram?

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Originally Posted by AlanQ

I taped the edge when I did it and it doesnt increase the resistance at all. It does negate any possibilities of slicing an ear off however.
Ps. can I havce a dram?

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Hey Alan! I don't plan on slicing off my ear . . . . .I do have some sideburns, so I don't go that close to the ears! You are welcome to enjoy a dram or two of my single malt scotch, however you will have to come down to Franklin, Wisconsin (suburb of Milwaukee) to the party!:beer2: Take care!

I suspect the value of owning a blunt razor will be moot by the time you receive it, seeing as you are already doing full shaves with a sharp razor.

That is a suggestion that I wish I had taken to heart more when I started. It certainly would have saved me a good cut or two!

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Originally Posted by Augustagj

That is a suggestion that I wish I had taken to heart more when I started. It certainly would have saved me a good cut or two!

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Augustagj, IMHO, it has been a very good investment! I am still using it to practice my strokes with both hands and I also practice my stropping flips on a leather covered 3"x10" book while watching TV in the evening. I will be doing my 4th straight razor shave this morning with my "real" Ralf Aust 5/8 Straight. My real shaves are improving and my "confidence" using both hands with the very sharp straights has also improved. I really do feel that the practice with my "blunt" Gold Dollar helps!:)

Congratulations. It sounds like you have done some good homework to maximize the experience and minimize blood loss. I think that was very prudent!

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Originally Posted by Moonshae

I'm not sure how useful practicing with a dull blade would be. You might learn a little bit about angles, but without the feedback of actual hair removal, you won't know if you're doing it right or learning bad habits, especially with regard to pressure. You're better off just starting with a properly sharp, shave ready blade and following Lynn's advice on how to start shaving with a straight.

It's actually pretty difficult to hurt yourself with a straight. Small nicks are not a big deal, and you'll likely be dealing with razor burn mostly at first. A dull blade won't help you avoid those.

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Thank you so much for this input. I too was thinking that it might be of value to get a blunted practice razor, but not so much now. I'll just get a "ready" razor from Lynn at SRD. Thanks!

I know this is kind of an old thread, but I want to throw out there that, as a beginner, I have found the blunt GD practice razor I have very helpful. It was originally given to me as part of a "starter kit" by my mother-in-law, who accidentally ordered the version with the "practice razor". I found it very helpful to work with it while I waited for my real straight to arrive. I could've just use a bread knife, but the grip would've been different, and it just made more sense to work with an actual razor shaped object.