Thread: IS STRAIGHT RAZOR SHAVING FOR ME?

Is straight razor saving for me?

Hey guys,

I'm 23 yrs old and I became interested in straight razors because I like the tradition and art of shaving "the old fashion" way. I would lie if I didn't disclose that I also want to do it because I think it is "bad ass".

I already started the process of putting my shaving stuff together, but now I wonder if straight razor shaving is for me at all.

I don't think I grow enough facial hair yet. I get a 5 o'clock shadow -well more like 8 o'clock haha- that is most prominent in the goatee area (lip brow /chin) and my neck. I also have a very soft and sensitive facial skin.

I read that straight shaving is very useful for those who get ingrown hair and razor burn... but fortunately I don't get any of those.

Should I wait until I grow older, hence growing more facial hair, or is it OK to start from now?

I have to wonder because it is big investment -at least in my book- of about $200 to $400 bucks.

Thanks,

Welcome to SRP ! At 60 years old with many years of shaving one way or another under my belt I would say go for it. You can buy a razor shave ready in the SRP classifieds for a reasonable amount. The rest of the gear like a shaving brush, soap or cream and perhaps a scuttle can be used for shaving with a DE or whatever you choose. All you really need beyond that is a strop and if you find that you don't like a straight put the razor and strop back in the classifieds and you haven't lost much. IMO there is no better way to shave.

No where near $400. certainly less than $200. Pay attention for reasonably priced shave ready razors ON THIS BOARD. I think you will get a much better razor here than on ebay. Get yourself a strop. Buy a strip of balsa and some paste. You are ready to rock and roll. The pasted balsa should keep you sharp for long enough to figure if you want to stay with it. You should be able to get all this for around $100.

If you decide you like it you can upgrade slowly but incrementaly and get some hones.

By the way it is not bad ass, it is WAY bad ass.

Welcom to SRP!

As mentioned above all you really need is a razor and a good strop, Tony Miller comes to mind, but there are others out there too, the brush&soap&creams can be used with DE or even a cartridge razor. So it should be possible to keep the startup cost fairly low, the balsa setup with paste mentioned above should keep you in business for a long time, and by the time your razor needs to be honed, you should have been able to make up your mind if this is something you want to do, and then start looking into honing and getting a second or third razor.

Originally Posted by Preussen555

I have to wonder because it is big investment -at least in my book- of about $200 to $400 bucks.

I have to say that I can't speak for the quality of the items in this package because I won't have mine until Wednesday, and I would have nothing to compare them to; however, you might want to check this out. Based on what I've read, the razor in that set is a good quality one and great for a beginner, plus, the entire package (that I got) came to $192 shipped. (I upgraded to the 6/8 razor and got the pre-honed option, which, by the way, Lynn does the honing for them.)

Hi Preussen555

I also have a very light beard at 34 and I found that a straight works great on a light beard.
especialy when you dont shave every day and the hairs that you do have get a bit longer. The longer hairs are terrible if you shave them electric(done that and it feels like the shaver janks them out and the hairs get stuck) and shaving them with a cardridge tends to flatten them and shaving them in stead of lifting them and then shaving them... on the first pass and the second gets better.

A straight just cuts the longer hairs without a problem. Although is shave almost everyday now because I love it.

I've been shaving with a straight for a month now and my skin never felt better. I used to have some agnee (not very bad but some) and thats gone now.. I dont now if its the blade, the soap (I used to use caned goo.. and yes it is not the best a man can get) or the time I take for cleaning up and rinisng with cold water afterwards but its GOOOOOD..

Have fun!

Maarten

Would you be willing to practice a song on the piano until you got it right? If so, then straight shaving could be for you.

If you get a 5 o'clock shadow at 8 pm I suggest you shave around 7:30 . . .

Welcome to SRP. Yes go ahead and start now. As far as the cost think about the disposables you will be throwing away. That money is down the drain. The razors will last a lifetime and you would be able to sell them for what you paid for them. Shaving with a straight is one of the pleasures in life that we can do until we die. I wish I started when I was your age. Go ahead and get started and let us know how it is going.

bj

Welcome to SRP!! Yeah, go for it. Even if you find it isn't for you the only things that won't be of much use when you go back to your other razor are the strop and straight razor. You can sell those in the classifieds. I was using shave soap and a nice brush prior to starting with straights. Besides the classified, you can check with Kenrup (a member here) who sells starter sets. Look in the Vendor's Corner forum at the bottom.

Originally Posted by Preussen555

I don't think I grow enough facial hair yet. I get a 5 o'clock shadow -well more like 8 o'clock haha- that is most prominent in the goatee area (lip brow /chin) and my neck. I also have a very soft and sensitive facial skin.

this is exactly why i wanted to start straight shaving. maybe it sounds weird but i only shave 2 to 3 times per week so i thought "why not make them the best shave i can get". now that i realize how much i enjoy shaving with a straight even if i had to shave everyday i would still use one. the shaves are great and learning the skills and perfecting them is something i really enjoy.

i think AFDavis11 has it right on with the comparison to music. i wouldn't think twice about loads of time practicing a SRV song on guitar, but some people would. i guess it depends what type of person you are.