Thread: First Weapon?

I've been using cartridge razors since I started shaving, and I'm looking to get a better shave. I've always wanted a straight edge.

I've been looking around for a starter kit, and prices keep adding up faster than I would like. My concern is that I will spend a bunch of money and mess up my blade (and then my face ) while I learn to maintain it.

I thought I'd start this thread to see what people think a good first razor would be. I hear some people recommend starting with a DE; while another route would be to buy something like a Feather AC so that I don't have to worry about learning maintenance technique at the same time that I'm learning my shaving technique, and then there's the obvious option of getting a straight and getting straight into it.

Thoughts?

Welcome Red, I've never tried a Feather or other disposable, but from what I've read, its not the same as a traditional straight. So, if you want the "real" straight experience, that's what you should get.

If you're careful, I don't think you need to worry about ruining a razor or your face. You may knock the edge off with bad stropping or honing, but that is something that can be fixed.

Tony Miller has very good starter sets that come "shave ready". You can also find very reasonably priced vintage razors here in the buy/sell section. From there, you'll just need a strop to get you started - again Tony Miller has very good strops at various price points. If your budget allows, you can also get a pasted paddle strop for touch ups. Then, when/if you want to start honing, you can get a junker on ebay for practice and a Norton or Belgian (or other) hone.

Whatever you get, be sure the razor is shave ready. That means hand honed by someone who knows what they are doing.

Best of luck and enjoy the process. That's half the fun!

Jordan

Let me be the first to say "welcome",

I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advice here so me let stick my oar in the water. The first thing I'd suggest is to order Lynn Abrams Straight Razor DVD, to begin with watch the Preshave and Shave chapters.

Next I would suggest that you look at the starter sets that Tony Miller sells at The Well Shaved Gentleman web site. Sometimes you will even see members here selling starter kits. If you are real careful using the strop (not like me) that original sharpening from Tony or one of the members here will last a while before needing honing.

While you are learning shaving technique, be on the lookout for an inexpensive but good quality razor to practice with on a Norton 4K/8K stone. You're original razor will be the standard for the edge you try to obtain on the backup razor.

Next thing you know, you'll be up to your eyeballs in razors, soaps, aftershaves, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't go the Feather route. From what I hear they are just too dang sharp. Besides then you would have a feather and need to keep replacing blades.

OH I would also recommend that you spend as much time as you can reading not only the current posts here but look back through some of the older ones. There's a ship's hold worth of great advice and links.

Have fun, it's someone else's turn.

Well Dang, I guess I wasn't the first to say "Welcome". As you can see though Jordan pretty much has the same message as I. Smart fellow him.

First of all, let me welcome you to this place.

My 2 ct: learn to shave with a real straight. You can buy a shaveready razor in the buy sell trade section for 25$, and a starter strop does not ave to be expensive either.

Real straights are very forgiving despite the fact that they are sharp. You will not cut yourself badly as long as you are careful.

Shavette and feather razors are much harder to learn to use. They are much sharper and very unforgiving. Learning to straight shave with a feather will leave you bloody.
I learned it like that without anyone to teach me. Trust me when I say I paid my dues in blood.

A real blade also feels smoother on your face, and feels 'better' in a way that I cannot accurately describe. It is just more fun/