Thread: Another Newb

The feeling from shaving with those disposables is not comparable to a "real" straight. There is a great difference in the weight among other things. If you are interested in straight razor shaving, you should probably get a real straight. Otherwise, your decision on whether you like it or not, would be strongly biased.

Al raz.

Mike.. you might also try starting on something like a Wapiencia from ruprazors.com or the one that another member is selling for 50 here. you won't spend too much and you'll get a good shave ready razor that you could learn on.

Best advice I have is to go slow and be patient. I would also recommend trying this: once you get your brush and some soap... work up a lather and take your disposable razor out and practice the three pass method with it (with the grain of the hair, across the grain, then against the grain) while just using the pressure it would take to wipe off the lather with your finger (do not press against your face, just let the razor barely glide over). By doing this you will be able to find out how your beard lays.. some spots will have a grain that changes direction etc. Also, you will be training yourself to use zero pressure toward your skin... you'll be surprised at how little pressure it takes to shave. When you use a straight, you don't need to scrape your face.. the blade will glide if you don't force it. So with your disposable you can practice your process of skin/beard prep and stretching your skin correctly, while training yourself not to use pressure against your face... I think it will help...

just a thought

First off mike welcome to SRP. I have a friend who used a disposable straight, I talked him into a real straight and he told me the difference was unreal. A real straight will shave much better. Kenrup (he is a member on this site) has some real good prices on starter straights that are good razors. But like everyone else has said you can't go wrong with a Dovo, and the special with the tortise scales has gotten great reviews from several members here. It seems like every time someone brings one up everyone talks about what a good little razor it is, and getting it honed by Lynn will be the best thing you could do.

Well I hope you enjoy what ever razor you get, and welcome to the good life.

PS get a good strop!

Thanks guys, lots of good information here. I have been reading everything. It seems that I might me a soap guy from what I have read so far. I kind of like the idea of using the brush on the soap puck, it seems a little easier and less time consuming for me right now as opposed to making shave cream. I will try both once I get started and decide what I will stick with. Unless you guys think there is something else I should be starting off with.

If anything, creams are easier to use than soap, especially if you have a soft brush. Not much in it though. If you have problems with either you can find tips here on how to get good lather.

I hope you're getting a badger brush, anything else will make lathering more difficult.

Yes I will definitly buy a Badger brush, I have a few in mind but not sure about the size to buy.

I use only soap because I like building the lather on my face. Only way is to try and see - it's part of the fun.
As far as brushes go there's a lot more than just size. I'd go with something like 21-23mm knot. If you don't like it too much you can then try larger/denser/stiffer/softer/... brush after that.