Thread: Here to learn (transitioning from electric shaver to straight razor)

Greetings. I joined this community a few days ago.

I am currently waiting for my first Straight Razor. I have been using an electric shaver for nearly a decade. I am excited about the forthcoming change of my shaving habits (and lifestyle?).

I like the passion of other SRP members. I can't wait to experience what you enjoy.

Years ago, I stopped using disposable razors and started using the electric shaver. I had to "train" my face to get to used to it.

I have been a Soldier and an electric shaver allowed me to shave relatively quick and without the need of water, creams or a mirror.

I am looking forward to shaving with a straight razor, initially because I imagine myself relaxing during the weekend and spending more quality-time with myself. Later, I discovered the beauty and diversity of Straight Razors and I consider making it hobby.

Confessing my ignorance, I ask the following questions candidly:

1. Does my face have to go through a transition period from electric shaver to straight razor?

2. Does anyone here shave sometimes with a straight razor and sometimes with an electric shaver?

3. Can you shave with your Straight Razor without using a mirror?

Welcome.

I would find it hard to shave without a mirror.

Your face doesn't need any transition time, but lack of skill may make you think so at first. Its a steep learning curve.

I sometimes use an electric, with moderate results.

I'm usually in complete agreement with Alan but not this time. I think your face will need an adjustment period as you begin but that only lasts a few days where you will probably experience razor burn but even that will probably be a combination of your face adjusting and you technique adjusting. As far as using an electric goes, once you use a straight and become proficient I can't see why you would want to use an electric. If I'm in a hurry I'll use a DE but I would never want to use an electric and I used them for many years. Maybe if I was in an unusual situation with no water available and it was the only alternative.

As far as a mirror goes I think we have a member who is legally blind and really you use a straight more by feel. I think most use a mirror because they are used to it but I think they would be surprised that they could shave pretty good without one. There are also certain moves where you will find you hand or arm blocks your view.

Now I'm not recommending people start shaving with their eyes closed but if you start slowly with different areas of your face you eventually could get by pretty good.

With a little practice I believe you could! Here's why, as big spender said, its more by feel. Have been a soldier myself, US Army Infantry almost 7 yrs, so shaving in the dark w/o water nothing new, used to use disposables at the time when out in the field, I could use it once and then throw it away due to stubble mixed with camo paint, it wasnt worth trying to save. Anyway it is by feel, slowly apply blade to skin , get the feel with no pressure applied and let the blade follow the contours, when the contour changes significantly, start over changing direction of movement, as you shave check for areas that you have missed. Practice,practice, practice! I would not however recommend doing this out in the field w/o proper beard prep! Be Careful, take your time and good luck!
BTW: Watch and remember how you do it in the light , contours, angles and manuevers and then try it in the dark.

Welcome to SRP and the world of straight razor shaving. I hope your pocket is ready for it.

I would never shave without a mirror. I suspect you ask that because you electric shave without one. If that is the case then you'll just need to get up a little earlier to spend time in front of the mirror. In fact you may find the longer you give yourself the more you enjoy it and the better the results.

I only briefly used an electric razor in my teens and went to a Gillette Mach3 before coming to straights so I dont know about any transition period. I will say however that if this is your first straight and its brand new then get it honed by one of the honemeisters on the board before you start working with it.

I CANNOT STRESS THAT POINT ENOUGH. If you dont get it properly honed then the learning curve will be even steeper, your first shaves will be painful and you wont like your early straight razor experiences. Get it honed by an experienced member.

Rant aside I dont ever go back to the goop of the Mach 3 in between shaves. And tbh electric having is far more brutal to the face (once you get used to straight razor shaving). Your skin may not thank you for switching often between the two.

Any questions just fire away. All the very best and I hope you learn to love it.

Welcome; if welcome from a newbie counts at all.

Afield a plastic signal mirror can keep you on track. The plastic ones have less distortion than stainless. It's not as nice as a full mirror but I have shaved several times with the mirror in one hand razor in the other using only feather shave gel as a substitute for beard prep. not my best shaves but I lived through it.

A minimalist straight kit is my pet project, when I get it all the way I want it I put it up in show and tell forum.
While enjoying the comforts of home it's been hard to work on cold prep techniques for wet shaving.

I hope you find great success shaving blind
trying it makes makes me nervous

I shave half the time with a straight and the rest with my electric razor. At my work you have to shave everyday like the Army because we use gas masks sometimes. Usually I simply don't have time to shave with the straight because I work some long hours sometimes and usually only have time to shower and go to bed.

Dear All,

I appreciate your comments and recommendations. They are interesting and informative.

I am at skill level #0 of Straight Razor shaving. I will certainly have to learn and practice a lot before I attempt to shave without a mirror. Honestly, I doubt that I will venture this act, at least not any time soon.

I purchased the razor from SRP’s classifieds and it states “shave ready”. I trust that it will be sharp enough to begin my learning experience.

On my electric shaver days, in seldom occasions, I drained the batteries, broke, or lost an electric shaver. Having to shave, I used disposable razors briefly. During that time, it burned. In a couple of days, I would have bumps and ingrown hairs on my jaw line and neck.


Other concerns :


(1) I read about “over-honing” or “sharpening a razor too much”. Is there an ideal sharpness that avoid bumps or ingrown hairs?

(2) Can one shave with a Straight Razor over bumps without slicing them?

Thank you

Originally Posted by morfiel

I purchased the razor from SRP’s classifieds and it states “shave ready”. I trust that it will be sharp enough to begin my learning experience.

Thats ideal. You should have no worries if it was bought on the SRP classifieds.

Originally Posted by morfiel

Other concerns :

(1) I read about “over-honing” or “sharpening a razor too much”. Is there an ideal sharpness that avoid bumps or ingrown hairs?

(2) Can one shave with a Straight Razor over bumps without slicing them?

Thank you

(1) Over honing is not something i'd worry about for you immediately. When you get your razor in it sounds like all it will need is a light strop. As for honing that depends on how often you shave with it, how coarse your beard is etc. since these things affect how quickly your razor will blunt. I'd give it at least 3-4 months before you concern yourself with that. For better advice on honing see these INVALUABLE youtube links brought to us helpfully by heavydutysg135:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...eo-series.html

Again though, this wont be an issue for you for some time.

(2) Very, very carefully. But it risks slicing them open and making the whole healing process take longer. So for new straight razor shavers i'd suggest dont try it.

Hope that helps, and let us know how you go.

PS: if you are new, how have you changed your status to 'motivated learner'? When I joined changing that wasnt possible until you'd become a proper member....

oh well

Welcome to the board...

To answer your questions, I present to you... urrr... myself!

I transitioned from an electric, to a DE and then to a straight, but think I should have jumped immediately on the straight bandwagon. I sometimes use the electric still when I'm in an absolute rush to get out the door.. (5 min shaves - electric, 8 min shaves -DE, 10-20 min shaves - Straight).

There is an adaption period, having shaved with an electric you wouldn't be used to having your face exfoliated as often as you would with a straight, so it takes about 2-3 weeks before it settles down, just like transitioning to an electric.

When I shave with an electric now I tend to need to exfoliate either before or after, usually after or it looks as if I'm recovering from sunburn in certain areas (the peeling thing, not the irritation thing).

You can shave without a mirror, but I wouldn't advise it until you can handle a blade well, just takes practice like anything else.

Shaving over bumps.. short answer: yes, but carefully.

Anyhow, do give it a shot