Thread: Thinking of trying straights

I'd say tat you do indeed have the relative pros and cons right, but that you shouldn't think of a straight razor as 'risky', perhaps just more demanding. Sure if you lose focus you can cut yourself, but that's true of shaving in general. The straight razor demands that you actually know how to shave, know your angles and which passes work best for your face. there are many of us here who do it regularly and we all seem to do just fine.

I also support Tony's gear and Lynn's DVD.

X

Wow, I posted my question in the morning and just came back to THREE PAGES of friendly and informative answers! This is really an incredible place!

It's great to know that Tony is so well-respected here, and I'll definitely get his pasted paddle strop. I also saw in the vendor's forum that Vintage Blades has the honed Dovo razors on special, so I'll get one of those to go with it. Also the DVD will be useful to learn what to do with these things! Heh, I haven't been this excited about shaving since I first moved to DEs

Out of curiosity, what's the difference between getting a paddle strop and a hanging strop? I was going to get the paddle simply because I don't have a place to hang a strop in my bathroom, and also because it can be pasted (it seems that this is useful for people with wiry beards like mine to extend time between hones). But the hanging strop must have some advantages as well, or else it wouldn't be so popular!

It's great that there's such a nice community here. It definitely makes taking the plunge to sliding a sharp knife over my face less jarring! Thanks to all who replied!

Jim's razor offer is hard to beat!

I have a getting started page on my website explaining the pros and cons of paddles vs. hanging strops.

Tony

In a nutshell, the hanging strop is what you use for daily stropping to align the edge of the razor. Hanging strops can be pasted, but it's generally not advised because the hanging strop can round the edge of the razor. It's advisable to use pastes with a reinforced/stiff medium, hence the paddle strop. Paddle strops can also have a daily stropping side which makes them handy for travel, though the standard for daily stropping is the hanging strop.

Out of curiosity, what's the difference between getting a paddle strop and a hanging strop?

Edk442 nails it In a nutshell as he says.

I would just add that the hanging strop is sexy as all get out and I guarantee it will increase your overall experience.

Originally Posted by Creel

I would just add that the hanging strop is sexy as all get out

and couldn't we all use a little more sexiness in our lives i know i could...i have 5 strops

I too am thinking of the streight, but I have two problems here, one is finding someone to show me how to use these things in the Washington, DC area; second I am paying currently approximatly three cents per day for the blades in my safety razor, if a streight razor set costs me $115 it would take me approximatly 15 years to make up the cost of the streight for the price per blade that I am getting. The fifteen year mark is a bit high for me. Can anyone help.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I too am thinking of the streight, but I have two problems here, one is finding someone to show me how to use these things in the Washington, DC area; second I am paying currently approximatly three cents per day for the blades in my safety razor, if a streight razor set costs me $115 it would take me approximatly 15 years to make up the cost of the streight for the price per blade that I am getting. The fifteen year mark is a bit high for me. Can anyone help.

How good of a shave are you really getting from the 3 cents per blade shave? How did you come up with the cost of the blade information, because you are only considering the blade. What about all the goo and such you are using with those blades?

Hope you are not dry shaving like my very simple brother

jbcohen, there are more reasons to move to the straight razor than just to save money. You'll be getting great shaves and saving the landfill from those disposable cartridges. As for getting going on a budget; read this.
Lynn has a great DVD for sale which shows a lot about this little obsession, but you can view some guys shaving on Youtube. Just do a search there for it.

X

Originally Posted by xman

You'll be getting great shaves and saving the landfill from those disposable cartridges.

This is one reason why I took it up as well. My hippy buddy X had that as a pro as well.