Thread: Newb question

Hi everyone. I'm happy i found this forum, because otherwise i would be in a dead end right now. I spent hours reading and looking at razors and finally i feel educated enough to ask a question here

So i want to begin using a straight razor. The reason are many: more fun, cheaper (in time), more environmental friendly and so on.

I would like some advice on what blade i should get.

1. Stainless or carbon?
Which is better for beginner, and which is better for advanced?

2. What size?
longer/shorter, wider/thinner and what is the difference for beginners and advanced butchers ?
I guess the longer blades cover more area per stroke and the shorter are easier to shape different facial haircuts.
Also i think a shorter will be better for me because my face is kinda skinny and not at all roundish and easy to shave vast areas per stroke, but i may be wrong. I also like to leave a chin beard, which shouldn't be a problem with any razor, but again i may be wrong.

3. What price?
Should i get a cheaper, older and more worn out and ugly looking, or should i get a not so cheap old one, with good-quality and good looks, which i will use for longer time.
(i prefer the second option because i'm more eager to follow instructions carefully than having to look and buy again in time)

3. How hollow?
I have no idea of the signifficance of this.

Are these good for a beginner:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TODAY.m238.lVI
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TODAY.m238.lVI



I hope that's not too much info i'm asking for.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by zarniuup

Hi everyone. I'm happy i found this forum, because otherwise i would be in a dead end right now. I spent hours reading and looking at razors and finally i feel educated enough to ask a question here

So i want to begin using a straight razor. The reason are many: more fun, cheaper (in time), more environmental friendly and so on.

I would like some advice on what blade i should get.

1. Stainless or carbon?
Which is better for beginner, and which is better for advanced?

2. What size?
longer/shorter, wider/thinner and what is the difference for beginners and advanced butchers ?
I guess the longer blades cover more area per stroke and the shorter are easier to shape different facial haircuts.
Also i think a shorter will be better for me because my face is kinda skinny and not at all roundish and easy to shave vast areas per stroke, but i may be wrong. I also like to leave a chin beard, which shouldn't be a problem with any razor, but again i may be wrong.

3. What price?
Should i get a cheaper, older and more worn out and ugly looking, or should i get a not so cheap old one, with good-quality and good looks, which i will use for longer time.
(i prefer the second option because i'm more eager to follow instructions carefully than having to look and buy again in time)

3. How hollow?
I have no idea of the signifficance of this.

Are these good for a beginner:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&i tem=300192937195&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&i tem=160202417364&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI



I hope that's not too much info i'm asking for.

Cheers!

1/ Carbon. Easier to hone than stainless, and some say take a better edge.

2/ 5 eighths is a common size to find and a handy size to use.

3/ Old but in good condition. Best to buy two. You could also buy a junker if you want to practise honing.

3? Hollow ground razors are lighter and easier to hone, but wedges or half-hollow ground razors can still take a good edge. They are also more robust if knocked or dropped.

Revisors have a good reputation. Dovos are still made and expensive new, so likely to be less of a bargain on eBay even second hand.

P.S. It is very unlikely that if you buy a razor, new or old, it will be shaving-sharp unless you buy it from someone here. So having bought it, get it honed; by someone here unless you know an old barber or someone who actually uses one themselves.

I intend to buy one from here, but i was just curious about these ones. The thing is that i live in Bulgaria so it may be hard to find someone to hone the blade, or i will have to do it myself. But i want it to be ready for shaving when i buy it, so it will be from here.
Maybe better to get a 1/2 hollow and not too expensive because of the honing problem.

many thanks

oh, one more thing. You say carbon in easyer to hone and takes better edge but does it rust more or i shouldnt be worried about that? I dont know why i've got the feeling that generally stainless steel is better.

Otherwise if someone has a good one for a beginner please write.

Don't worry about the rust issue - a bit of preventative care is all that's necessary (like making sure it's dry before putting it away).

There's a trade-off with stainless steel blades: yes, they take *longer* to hone, other things being equal, but I've found they hold their edge longer - and I think this is the general consensus here. Also, I've never found my stainless(es) to take a worse edge than carbon - in fact, my Friodur has the best edge of all my razors and has kept it for months and months (and months).

James.

Carbon steel will rust very quickly if you don't clean and dry the razor after use.
A lot of the members here are in America and shipping can be expensive and can be slow. There are some British and Europeans here as well who can sell (give, if you're lucky) you a shave-ready razor or hone one for you that you've bought elsewhere.

I can personally recommend this guy for fast and excellent service, although he's not posted here for a while, I'm told.

http://www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk/shavereadyrazors.html

I completely agree with the above. Learn to shave first, then decide what you want/like/need in a razor next. Buy something inexpensive but shave ready initially from a forum member and learn to use it for several weeks. What you think you want or like now will evolve over the next several weeks or months. You will also probably want to learn to hone as well at some point. These inexpensive first "starter razors" will serve that purpose so you don't hone away several millimeters of steel (while you are going through the inevitable learning curve that keep many away from this sport) from the more expensive razors you will eventually buy. I actually have a few inexpensive razors that might work well for you if you are interested. Just PM me .

Scott

By the way, don't buy a cheap new razor or an unbranded one because there's a lot of rubbish being hawked around at the moment.

Just sent you a PM, but yeah what everybody said.

Don't worry about rust, bulgarian climate is dry, just use common sense, dry the blade after shaving on a towel, or with a piece of toilet paper, not touching the edge, then leave it open to air dry any residual moisture. Just don't shake it off, as that's a recipe for a quick disaster when you hit the faucet or the edge of the sink.

I bet you can find a barber hone for cheap in an antique shop somewhere and that could be enough to maintain the razor, or alternatively pasted strop, or I hear pasted balsa wood is even better. If you're to have one stone I'd get a small belgian coticule. However you should wait few months before investing in that.

You'll need a strop as well, but you should be able to find very good quality leather in bulgaria for very cheap. In fact if you find the right shop chances are an old person there will know exactly what you need.

Shipping to bulgaria is as expensive as shipping to other places in europe. a razor is fairly light but USPS's rates have gone up and the best way may be the flat rate priority mail envelope for $11.