Thread: 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 ). 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!

Welcome countryman!

Indeed it was one pivotal moment in life that led me here also and I'm quite sure most members, regardless of origin, would speak of the same kind of story. You can learn so much here it is not funny and the talent that abounds within the walls of this forum regularly blows my mind.
You will see. Enjoy the journey and cheers

Welcome to SRP. This has become my new cyberhome online. This is a great place to come after you get home kick of your shoes. Sip a beer(or something harder) read a few things, maybe buy a few things from fellow SRP members (good work, good people) and overall see alot of cool stuff.

I never truely understood how to sharpen things until I came here. Learning straight razor shaving and sharpening has allowed me to improve and understand other things. Just today actually my friend's girl friend handed me a kitchen knife and asked me to fix it. The things I learned here allowed me to put a very impressive and far more useful edge on that knife than she'd previously been used to hacking away with...she can actually SLICE now.

Welcome to SRP. I'm gald your first experience wasn't a total disaster Straight shaving has quickly become the best shaves I've ever had. Take time to read the wiki for beginners and if you are getting a new strop I would suggest practicing with a butter knife before putting a freshly sharpened blade to it. One wrong flip of the razor and bam one bid gash. If there are any questions/problems you come across as you learn to shave all over just ask there is always someone who either knows the answer or where to find it. Again welcome and good luck.

Welcome to SRP! I agree with the others that this forum is amazing with everything it offers from commerce to friendships. I'm sure you'll come to enjoy exploring the forum and further enriching your experiences here.

I hope the razor comes back in fine shape so you can really enjoy it. Oddly enough even on the shaves where I end up bleeding a good deal, I enjoy every shave. Then again I haven't shaved with a razor that wasn't honed correctly yet. *knock on wood*

FTG - 'Welcome' from another Aussie str8 user. I've only been using a str8 for a little over two months now, but I haven't looked back. It just gets easier and more enjoyable as time goes on.

I've seen the Black Beauty strop in a shop here also, and must say I was tempted. The Dovo strop I got with my blade is a little too narrow for my liking. I like the idea of a wider strop.

Hope all goes well.

Nice journey, and it was just the beginning! Welcome to the world of SRP!

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