Hello and first week with a straight

First of all, hello everyone. I just wanted to say what a great bunch of guys there is here - this has got to be one of the friendliest forums I've seen.

After having tried electric shavers, cheap bic razors thru expensive mach3s and gillett fusions I decided to give the open razor a go. I finally relised shaving is there to be enjoyed, its not a chore so I thought I'd try and turn it into a bit of a hobby thing. So straight shaving it is - besides its one of the most dangerous and therefore coolest way to shave:)

Rather than throw loads of cash at it, I decided to get one of those straight razors with the replaceable blades. If I got on with the open razor I would invest in all of the strops and hones and all the cool things that go with it. So armed with my new razor I lathered up with my shave gel and got to work....

It didnt take long, just a single pass WTG and I had a reasonably good shave - comparable to a mach3 I'd say. There was only one nic - I nearly took my lip clean off when trying to shave under my nose. So after a little investigation, I found that the double edge blades that came with it needed to be snapped in half before you use them! A big thanks to the shaving shack in the UK for not giving me the heads up on that one. And another thanks for the cheapest possible pakistan blades that you supplied with it (they went straight in the bin).

So day two and I try again. Single pass WTG going realy careful round the lip area. Half decent shave and the guys in work couldnt poke fun at my new adventures in straight shaving - absolubley no nics.

Day 3 gets a little more adventurous, I decided for two passes on the next WTG and then ATG and I got razor burn from hell! After copious amounts of stiptic pencil and plenty of aftershave and even my sons nappy creme it still hurts.

Day 4 came and I could bing myself to hold the straight against my cheek. My neck still burned like hell. Back to the mach 3 for the more comfortable shave.

Day 5 is tommorrow, I'll see what happens then. Could be a straight shave - we shall see.


So what experiences to others have with these things? If I invest in a proper straight, honed by one of the honemeister dudes, will the shave be more comfortable. How do you rate those replaceable straights? If got a badger hair brush on the way, I'll see if the makes thinks a little more comftable.

Happy Shaving....

Trev

I really can't say really bad things about disposable straights. They are a good, cost effective way to get into straight razor shaving. They aren't a straight razor though. A nice straight will be a noticebly nicer shave. Personally I'd never do ATG with a disposable, as i cant strop prior to that pass. WTG and XTG. I never do ATG until my third pass. As far as badger hair goes, its an absolute luxury.

i've been useing a straight razor for about a week. one difference is mine is a real razor, not a disposable blade. and i also use shaving soap with a badger brush. now at first i only had the razor, strop, and whetstone. i used the goo-in-a-can as the shaving cream and i did get irritation and a few cuts but when i started using the ogallala bay rum shaving soap with the brush i got a much nicer smother shave. a mug, shaving soap, and a brush is a very good set to have if you want to straight razor shave.

hope this was helpfull,
xShuax

Cheers Guys

I'll give it a go with the badger brush when it arrives and I'll avoid ATG.

I guess after that I'll have to start looking at a real straight.

Trev