Hello to SRP! Just a common newbie question

Hi, everyone, I'm new to this forum. My name's Craig, and I'm starting to get interested in Straight Razor shaving. I got interested in wetshaving a couple of months ago, and made my way over to the great guys at Badger and Blade. Got myself a DE razor, and am enjoying shaving! But unfortunately, the AD has kicked in! I started to read about straights, and I think I could handle it. It would be only on days that I have free time, but my schedule this semester lets me have a couple of mornings to myself plus the weekend. That's what I need!

I'm eventually going to pick up a used straight and strop from an experienced member from either here or B&B, not sure yet. Is there any style of razor that is preferable? The brand I can figure out (in one of the newbie stickies). It seems like a full wedge or 1/4 is the way to go for a newbie. Thanks in advance, I'm glad to be here!

Craig
Let me be the one with a whole month of experience to congratulate you on your good fortune! This is the place to be. There's a wealth of knowledge here and as straight razor shaving is an 'acquired art', it makes sense to glean all that you can before rushing. Look at the Wiki, get Lynn's DVD, listen to the voices of experience. That's what I did and it has paid dividends. I'm in the very early days of a lifechanging shaving experience. It can be as comfortable as I want to make it! With a little perseverance, you will find, as I have done, that there's nothing to match the closeness of a straight razor shave - and I'm only at the beginning too!

Enjoy - now over to the experts. Drum roll.....

Craig, just wondering why you think that a full wedge or 1/4 is the way to go? I'm not an expert, a long way from it, but curious.

Typically people recommend a 5/8 to 6/8 round point razor with a medium hollow as a good starting razor. This does not mean that others would not be good razors but if you start with these guidelines (right in the middle), you would get the average experience. later on, you can drift from these as your preferences dictate. So in general about wedges or singing razors for your first razor.

Al raz.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mkevenson

Craig, just wondering why you think that a full wedge or 1/4 is the way to go? I'm not an expert, a long way from it, but curious.

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Hm. After a half hour or so of searching, I have absolutely no idea where I read this. :thinking: Maybe this school thing is finally driving me crazy.

And thanks Al raz! Between 5/8 and 6/8. But don't worry, I'll be patient and do enough research before I take a lip off!

Some people that shave with straights love wedges. Their tend to be harder razors to hone in the opinion of experts. I never shaved with a real wedge but 1/4 and 1/2 hollow razors feel better in my skin than full hollow razors, particularly around the neck. This may be an angle issue.

Al raz.

My advice would be a 5/8 ROUNDPOINT hollowground blade. But, one caveat-make sure you buy a blade that has been prepared by someone of known experience. A "honemeister" if you may:D.

NOTHING- and I mean NOTHING is more frustrating than taking on a new physical challenge- LIKE PLACING A WICKED SHARP BLADE against you face. AND not having an appropriately prepared razor. Razor sharp doesn't necessarily sharp enough to shave with.

As your skill level gets established and you develop some muscle memory and the basic principles of Str8 shaving-you may decide to try different size and grind blades. But you must first walk before you run. This site is a wealth of information as well as Lynn's DVD on Str8 razor shaving.

Patience and practice-along with a true shave ready razor will allow you to establish a set of habits that you can build on. And then of course you'll spend tons of loot and suffer RAZOR ACQUISITION DISORDER like of the rest of us.:tu

:gl: and remember-ASK questions.

I'll say a 5/8 or 6/8 medium ground as well, but I don't like round points so I wouldn't recommend them. I started with a spike and have never had an issue with them.

X

Hi Craig.. welcome to the straight path... it will lead you to territories of BBS cheeks and xyrophobic (just love to use that word:rofl2:) whiskers.

I haven't got a bad case of RAD yet so I only have 4 razors to compare with.. One is a wedge, two real hollows and one a bit less hollow I would say half hollow (it says extra hollow on the blade)..
to start with I would go for something hollow with a roundpoint. If you have a tough beard I would go for something less hollow..But I think it is all a bit of personal prefference.. but always make sure it is has been honed properly!!!

Maarten

as others mentioned I would recommend a 5/8 or 6/8 definitely pre-sharpened and shave ready that is really the most important thing, don't concern yourself with hollow 1/2 hollow, wedge, etc now as you have never shaved with a straight yet so you really have no idea what you like or don't like yet

welcome to srp i would recomend a 5/8 or 6/8 half or full hollow.when you decide to learn how to hone a full wedge would not be good to learn on. as for the point round vs spike that is up to you and is really a matter of personel preferance

I am of the opinion that people should learn shaving with a full hollow razor 5/8-6/8 in size. Once they master that they can experiment with different grinds and sizes. Not that you can't do it otherwise if you have a good reason, but I think the default option should be the one I mentioned.

Thanks, everyone! Seems like theres a general consensus about the grind of the razor. I guess now I should start watching the Classifieds for a used straight and strop

yep, that would be a fine approach. good luck.

Well, just to update everyone, I purchased a used straight from a B&B member- it's a 1865 Henry Sears & Son 5/8. Here is the link, it's the third razor (black scales) FS: 3 Straights - Badger & Blade. I can't wait to get this honed and give it a go.