Taking the jump

Hi all,

Have been reading this and other wet/straight shaving sites for sometime. I am continually impressed by the knowledge of many as well as the advice and help that the community provides to individuals such as me.

I have been shaving for about the last 25 years and bar an initial period in my teenage years, have used an electric (yes I know, I can imagine most of you shaking your heads). The problem is I have very thick stubble and the cartridge razors I used to use ALWAYS left me with severe razor burn, blood spattered sinks and feeling sore all day.

The job I do means I have to be clean shaven as I wearing a suit an tie. The electric was quick and didn't leave me sore. The downside is that if I shaved about 6AM, by about 10AM I look like I could do with another shave.

Having looked at advice on this and other well known sites, I switched to a DE razor, badger brush and creams such as TOBS, poraso etc about 4 months ago. I almost gave up at the beginning however as the blood battered sink returned no matter how carefully I shaved. I gave up after about three months and returned to the electric. I soon found however that even with the blood - the DE was a far better shave, persevered, returned to the DE and have recently been getting very smooth, pain free and more importantly - bloodless shaves - only just got the angle and the various passes right. The best part of it all is that I am sitting here typing this about 16hrs after my shave this morning and still have a pretty smooth face - can just feel the stubble starting to break through in patches.

I kind of have this this urge however to try the straight. At the moment I really look forward to getting up in the morning and taking a lazy 45 minutes with a good hot shower and then prepping the face followed by about four passes with the DE. I am drawn towards trying that with a straight however and looking to invest in the required equipment.

I am looking at a Dovo tortoise shell 5/8 carbon steel razor and a strop. Have the brush etc already of course. Won't even look at honing yet, so need a pre-honed/sharpened razor.

So this is the advice piece really -

Is it that much harder to get a cut free face as a newbie with a straight as opposed to a DE?
Is the straight going to give me an even smoother shave than a DE, appreciate it may take some time to get used to using the straight before I get a smooth shave.
I live in the UK so probably going to purchase a prehoned/sharpened razor through classic shaving - seen the site recommended in a few threads here. Anybody know if there are similar sites in the UK who provide a similar service for razors or should I stick with classic shaving - they look like they ship overseas.

Any other general advice fully appreciated.

Hi Rogue and welcome to SRP. For what it's worth, on the back of a month of shaving (and a very 'sharp' learning curve):

It's all too easy to cut with a straight - but there is a technique that differentiates between flesh and whisker - sharpness, angle of attack, lubrication, direction of travel, pressure, skin stretching all come into play.

The most important piece of advice that I can offer is - take a patient approach (and I don't mean A&E). Read, read and read some more. Keep asking! Get Lynn's dvd (worth the few days wait from the US).

A pre-honed, shave-ready razor is essential (anything not shave-ready will spoil your experience, resulting in more likelihood of nicks due to excess pressure, with razor burn and stubble left over).

Start gradually - literally one pass down a cheek to get the feel - enough for the first session, consolidate learning, train the brain!

Again 'Welcome' from a near neighbour.

See guys, I've been listening!

Check out Introduction to razors - the guy that runs it is a member here.

Welcome to SRP! One thing you have going for you is having the prep and I assume the multiple pass shaving technique down before you start with a straight. Here is a post by Lynn Abrams, SRP founder, with his suggestions for beginning straight razor shaving.

My first few weeks I followed this approach and finished my shave with my DE as I gradually got the feel of manipulating the straight. As they used to say when I was an ironworker,"Getting in a hurry will get you hurt".

Here is some other good reading in case you haven't seen it and here is the video section which may be helpful. Also read my sig line below. Following that advice I rarely get a nick. :gl:

Welcome aboard mate! You will find a wealth of straight razor and wet shaving info here. As with many things in life patience is the key with this style of old fashioned shaving. Don't worry too much about a bloodied face, just respesct the blade. Though I'm still a newb I have yet to encounter a cut of any significance, or much irritation at all for that matter, though that is not everyone's experience. You are already on the right track with your choice of soaps/creams (TOBS and Proraso are two of my favs), so no problems there. I'm surprised no one has recommended getting a leather strop yet, so I will. Canvas/linen is optional. Let us know about your progress.

Cheers,

Ryan

Guys, thank you all for the advice. Some good and useful links, especially the local one for the razor. Just got up so off to prep my face and a good shave. Unfortunately still only the DE at the mo.

I highly recommend getting a copy of Lynn's CD. It contains over 3 hours of great infomration on most all aspects of straight razors. Great investment for the new person!! :tu

Welcome to SRP.. I found my start with the Straight not too bad.. only once I looked like I was attacked by a cat (and that was by getting overconfident the third shave) .. then I had some minor nicks every now and then but nothing to worrie about..

Just take it easy and you will be fine...
Get a good sharp razor and strop (I saw kenrup has a nice offer in the vendors corner) and have fun!!

+1 on the DVD.. The DVD is a very nice intro .. I've got it as wel and every now and then I come back to it..

Maarten

The DVD is looking like a must, also been watching various youtube clips.

Been looking at a number of Dovo Razors in the £100 to £135 price mark. Forget about a necessary piece of equipment - some of those razors are real works of art.

For those ex or partial DE shavers out there - is it worth the move to the straight? Do you get a more comfortable and smoother shave?

Does a 'singing blade' razor have a better edge and therefore give a better or smoother shave?

Any recommendation on a strop?

Apologies for all the questions, but would like to get myself a straight in the next couple of weeks so the mind is like a sponge. Trying to suck up as much info as possible to help make he decision.

Again thanks for the help to you all for the words of advice and comments.

Rogue

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rogue

For those ex or partial DE shavers out there - is it worth the move to the straight? Do you get a more comfortable and smoother shave?

Does a 'singing blade' razor have a better edge and therefore give a better or smoother shave?

Any recommendation on a strop?

Apologies for all the questions, but would like to get myself a straight in the next couple of weeks so the mind is like a sponge. Trying to suck up as much info as possible to help make he decision.

Again thanks for the help to you all for the words of advice and comments.

Rogue

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I really enjoyed DE shaving until I got going on the straight. I can honestly say I have not shaved with anything but a straight razor in 10 or 11 months of shaving daily.

It is smoother, as close once you get the hang of it, and for me way more fun. If you get into the honing too the total involvement with the razor is substantially more then popping a blade into a contraption every three shaves. I could go on and on but I won't.

IMO a "singing blade" is a marketing term. TI and Dovo both make good razors. Whatever you do have it pre sharpened by someone who knows what they are doing.

Most guys on this side of the pond swear by Tony Miller's strops found here. Keep asking questions, gives old blabber mouths like me something to do. :D

Thanks Jimmy. I'll take a look at the site.