My accidental discovery of straight razors
I just had my first go at straight razor shaving yesterday... but I'll come to that later.
Up till a week or 2 ago, I've been a disposable user. I'd been looking for the cheapest way to shave without injury.
Some months ago, I was on holiday and forgot to take shaving foam - so I tried using some hand soap... and it worked. When I got back I bought a $2 stick of shaving soap (can't get cheaper than that) and have been using it since - just wetting my face, rubbing it on and using my fingers to make it slippery. Seemed an improvement on foam - money and shave wise.
Very recently, I started wondering if there was a better way to use the soap so I started to google 'shaving' and this is where I quickly entered the Wet shaving world (though I guess I was already in it without knowing).
Next step - $2 shaving brush from supermarket - still cheap and works fine (though I'm now thinking about a more pricey brush as a treat - and save this for travelling).
Now I've discovered how to lather - but still using the twin blade disposable with lubricating strip (which I tended to use well after they get dull).
A week ago - after more reading on shaving sites (the Art of manliness pushed me over the edge) - I bought a $25 Safety razor at the local shopping centre (the only kind they had) - Weishi DE.
Honestly - I can't understand why anyone switched to disposables. After an initial outlay, the razors are much cheaper and offer a way better shave. The power of advertising I guess.
Less than a week into DE shaving, I'm already thinking about straight blades - I remembered that there were 1 or 2 of my grandfather's old straights somewhere in my dad's garage - so I found one: Cadman and son's Bengali (Made for Melbourne), probably in the 1950s (when my grandfather arrived here).
Straight razor discovery - I attempted honing on my straight blade (there's a tiny nick in the middle) using a combination oil stone (sorry if that's alarming anyone :medvl:). I made a rough strop with veg. tan strap I had.
Yesterday, the first shave... I got ambitious and did the whole face. Overall I think the technique was ok - got stuck trying to work out how to shave under the nose. However - the blade wasn't sharp enough and I ended up with a hot face for the day.
My experience - interesting. Different having a longer blade to shave with, some things are easier, others more challenging. I also like how you need to put thought into how you approach the shave.
From here? Later in the day I discovered that the "King of knives" have a sharpening service and they also do straight blade razors for $20. I'll find out soon if this was a good move, when I get the blade back. I'm also going to part with $100 and buy a "Black Beauty" strop from the local shave shop (the only kind they have). That'll be next week (I'm going away for a few days).
Shave 2 - I'll report back next week!
Thanks for taking the time on my big post!:)