Thread: New guy: Are straight razors for me?

Just a word of warning: while colleens soap is good stuff, it caused significant discomfort for my skin. On the second pass it stung like hell. This is not exclusive to colleens soaps. I've had lots of soap that I couldn't use. The worse one was wilkinson shaving soap.

Colleen also makes special hypo-allergenic soap that have a different composition, so I think it would be best to ask her about the difference between soaps if you have a sensitive skin.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Just a word of warning: while colleens soap is good stuff, it caused significant discomfort for my skin. On the second pass it stung like hell. This is not exclusive to colleens soaps. I've had lots of soap that I couldn't use. The worse one was wilkinson shaving soap.

Colleen also makes special hypo-allergenic soap that have a different composition, so I think it would be best to ask her about the difference between soaps if you have a sensitive skin.

Her shaving creams are heavenly though.

Originally Posted by cybrok

I don't shave often enough Once or twice a week most of the time. I usually have to trim before I get a blade on it. If I shave more it will be with my electrical razor.

A straight is less effected by beard length than cartridges or electrics.

With a week's beard, a cartridge will only cut an inch (25mm) before getting clogged.

So I say a straight is you.

Hydrogen Peroxide is really good at getting rid of acne. I am a newbie with sensitive skin (and a thick fast growing beard) also. I am still learning the ropes.

Thanks to all for th welcome and infos.

I think I'll move to shaving soap now, even before I buy a straight. Just to get my skin used to it, and see wich one of the 2 brands in drugstores fits me the most. I remember seeing some Proraso.

A few more questions about razors. For knives, you start to get something decent around 60$, is it about the same for razors? I'm looking for a beginner straight, but also something I will be able to use for a LONG time. I don't care if it has scratches, don't look that great or are restored. I have a few knives that are seconds because of cosmetic flaws but they still are as good as the "normal" ones.

Same thing for a strop, I'll use it on my knives too so I want something decent.

As for the stones, what's the difference between 4000 and 8000 grit for the result? And if I get a honed razor, how long with around 3 shaves a week before I need a stone?

thanks

Originally Posted by cybrok

As for the stones, what's the difference between 4000 and 8000 grit for the result?

4000 grit probably won't give you much of a shave on its own, but it should be plenty sharp to shave your arms 8000 is the coursest grit I have been able to get a shave from

Is 8000 enough or I also need a 12000?

Originally Posted by cybrok

Is 8000 enough or I also need a 12000?

I don't know.

The only sure way I know of is to try your razor off of 8000 and see how it shaves. There are other sharpening options than hones, too. It wouldn't do any harm though to get a finer grit to try and see if you like it. If you don't, you can recover your cost very quickly here or on eBay.

All I have at the moment is a basic kitchen knives sharpening stones. I don't even know the grits (it's a dual).

Good sharpening stones are expensive, so I want to optimize it and buy something for my kitchen knives and razor. I could try sandpaper too, great to sharpen convex edges. I guess a paper on a flat board would do the trick.

Hey I had read this before I decided I wanted to buy a straight for myself... you will find a ton of the answers you are looking for and also some more that you never thought of... suggestions for things to get and even what you do and dont need.

The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving - Badger & Blade

Of course if you have any questions after you read that everyone is willing to help.. this is from one new person to another. Everyone has been great to me; you'll find your answers here.