Thread: Fourth type of shaving, should I make the switch?

I've gone through Electric (mistake), disposable ("Freddy Kruger") and safety (close, but still not feeling it). I had a friend at work that has a similar issue of tough beard/can't get a close shave syndrome recommend that I go to straight razors. Now, he was talking about the kind with the disposable blades, which I already have with the safety razor. I figured if I was going to switch, I'd go with the 'real thing'. Thing is, most of them seem like an investment compared to the options I've tried before (electric was a minor investment). Also, I've gotten on a 'green' kick and this is the greenest of the options available. And also camping-friendly, which I do a lot of.

I'd like to make sure I know what to look for when looking for a razor. Does it have to be new? Who would I take it to for honing, etc.? If I'm cutting myself with a safety razor, I'm I asking for a trip to the hospital with a straight razor? (Only sort of kidding there...)

Any guidance you guys can lend would be greatly appreciated. I've read several of the 'newbie' posts and they have filled in a great bit of detail. I just hope to fill in the holes of my specific situation.

Thanks.

Thanks for the reassurance on the safety and closeness of a straight razor shave. I did take a look in the classifieds and do see a number of reasonably priced shave-ready razors.

If I'm cutting myself with a safety razor, I'm I asking for a trip to the hospital with a straight razor? (Only sort of kidding there...)

Straights are no more dangerous than DE's; and as Old School said, Many will cut themselves less often with a straight. You'll be more careful with that exposed blade on your neck, than you would with the head of a hefty safety razor. A light touch and a little caution leads to less cuts and a closer shave.

Good luck, have fun, and welcome to the forum!

Well you are at a place called Stright razor place I would suspect you kinda knew we all supported the method of shaving. I say yes go for it. You will have a small investment but can usualy get most of it back if you decide it is not for you and sell. I suspect you won't need to sell after you try it.

Don

I wouldn't look at it as a way to save money. You will be fooling yourself! Seriously, when you have to overcome, RAD, MAD, and all the other AD's you will come face-to-face with so many choices, so little time and money.

A better way to look at is a wonderful investment in a truly great shaving expereience...

Check out the Wiki for some more Information:

Anticipation - Straight Razor Place Wiki

What Every Beginner Should Know - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The Shave Ready Razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Hope you find those helpful!

-Rob

Welcome to SRP!


Straight shaving is, in my opinion, one of the greatest things I've ever done. However, it also has its moments when it's the most aggravating thing I've done.

Straight shaving has a rather steep learning curve (too steep for most folks to brave). It's not exactly like the other shaving methods, where you can generally figure out what to do and how to go about doing it. Straight shaving takes time and practice and dedication and thought. That's what sets it apart and makes it so much more worthwhile in the end.

So if you're looking for a fast, smooth shave without a lot of fuss, don't switch.

But if you're looking for the best shaves and most relaxed times of your life, go straight.

P.S. To note on you cutting yourself, it's not so much a worry with straight shaves. Yes, you may be more careful with a naked blade on your neck, but straights have the ability to be the sharpest tools you'll ever hold. The sharp edge does 98% of the work for you so you barely, if ever, apply pressure, thus preventing most nicks and cuts.

But on the end, I wish you the best in your endeavours.

Originally Posted by BrianB

Straight shaving has a rather steep learning curve (too steep for most folks to brave). It's not exactly like the other shaving methods, where you can generally figure out what to do and how to go about doing it. Straight shaving takes time and practice and dedication and thought. That's what sets it apart and makes it so much more worthwhile in the end.

It does give imeadiate feedback when you do it wrong.

Don

Originally Posted by junkinduck

It does give imeadiate feedback when you do it wrong.

Don

Just like my wife.

Crash, I did the same shaving progression as you did. Now I'm addicted to straights. My face still isn't tough enough (and my skill with a straight isn't good enough) to where I can use a straight ATG every day, so I'm still using a DE (Gillette black handled slim adjustable with a Derby blade) almost daily (first pass always with a straight WTG and XTG, then ATG with a DE). It's amazing how fast you can pick up a DE after a straight and have a BBS shave in minutes. What used to take me 25 minutes with a DE now takes me 5.

Using a straight forces you to map out your whisker growth patterns almost down to each and every folicle. Having that map in your head, you can zip a DE around the real estate in no time. If nothing else, learning how to use a straight will improve your DE usage. But most likely, it'll end up being a really fun hobby.

Definitely worth trying.Just get a good razor(honed by someone with experience)and a strop and give it a couple of cautious tries.Start with a couple easy spots,then finish the shave with what you're used to using,then expand your straight shaving area til you get some technique down.It's exciting and fulfilling when you have some success.





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