Straight Razors with Disposable Blades

Hi there! I saw this forum today and figured why not register. I've never used a straight razor before, since I'm only 17 but I had a question.

Since straight razors usually require honing and the such, I figured I may try using a straight razor that utilizes disposable blades.

I was going to get these blades: 300 DERBY SINGLE EDGE BLADES with USTURA STRAIGHT RAZOR on eBay.ca (item 170296265426 end time 20-Jul-09 14:06:02 EDT)

With this straight razor: Ustra Straight Razor on eBay.ca (item 170231270327 end time 15-Jul-09 02:26:36 EDT)

Is it a wise choice? The selections and the decision to use disposable blades?

I was going to suggest you get a sampler pack of blades, but i see you get the razor free with those. 300 is a hell of a lot if you don't get on with that blade, but i guess you can swap some with someone.
I've never used one, as i went for the real thing right from the start, but i can see it's an inexpensive method of trying it out.
It won't give you a true idea of a straight though, as they're less forgiving & slightly harder to master as far as i'm aware.
Be cautious of the corners of the blade, as they are the areas most likely to nick you.

Thanks for the reply Ben!

I was linking the 300 blades auction as an example of which blades I was going to buy. The razor comes with 5 blades so maybe I'll just purchase the razor to test it to see how the blades are as well.

I was wondering though, how is the overall quality of the shave if one uses disposable blades?

And does the razor matter at all if disposable blades are used? As it doesn't really make contact with the skin, the blades do.

It's unlikely to be as smooth & comfortable as a real straight, but it will give you an idea. A few of the fella's started that way.
The razor matter's in as much as the build quality must be sound, & the balance at least half decent, or you'll be struggling with inferior tools.
It's worth considering the classifieds. Not sure what's there right now, but a vintage shave ready razor can be had for very little. Then you just need a strop. If it's not for you you can put them back on the classifieds & not be out of pocket.

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Originally Posted by Anakin

The razor comes with 5 blades so maybe I'll just purchase the razor to test it to see how the blades are as well.

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This sounds like a better idea than buying a 4-5 year supply of blades that you haven't tried. I would compare the SE Derbys with some of the DE blades like Feathers, Merkurs, Swedish Gillettes, even the Derby DEs.

Unless cost is a major concern I would also consider a Feather AC. I much prefer it to a shavette type razor like the Ustra.

Hopefully, after you try a disposable blade straight you will try a regular straight. If you do so, make sure that you have it honed by an expert first. I think you would find it to be an improvement over any other method of shaving.

Welcome to SRP! Let us know what you decide to do and how it works out for you.

I wouild also recommend a Feather AC over other choices, such as the one you identified, or the Dovo Shavette. The Feather AC is a heavier razor, so it's closer to a straight in feel. The blades are thicker, so once again, closer to a real straight. The AC re-sells rather briskly on the boards, so you would not be out of pocket long. Appleton Barber Supply seems to have the best retail price.

Forum members here have told me that the feather is not a real straight. Others have recommened that you use a safety for the same thing that you are thinking of using a shavette for.

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Originally Posted by jbcohen

Forum members here have told me that the feather is not a real straight. Others have recommened that you use a safety for the same thing that you are thinking of using a shavette for.

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I guess this is true. However, since the technique used is pretty much the same, I would say that using either one has value for a person interested in using a straight razor. Plus, not everyone wants to take on the whole process (honing, stropping etc) at once.

I don't take the Feather/Shavette vs. standard Straight comparison as a "which one is best" sort of thing. They are different tools that have different attributes. BTW, I have a Feather AC that I use once in a while, a Shavette that hasn't seen daylight in years and a few straights that I use pretty much full time. I guess I made my choice about the right tool for the job.:)

I say just jump right in with the real thing. If you decide you don't like it, you really should not have a problem re-selling your gear on this site. Many people here tend to develop Razor Acquisition Disorder-- I started in March and somehow I have 4 razors now....

-Chief

Thanks for the feedback guys. Honestly, I would not mind getting straight into straight razors as some of you have suggested.

The only problem is I'm from Toronto, Canada and I don't really know any places that sell straight razors or ones that can hone my razor when it needs to be honed.

I did come across this store online.. They have a walk-in store in a nearby mall. The only straight razor they have is this: :::PERSONAL EDGE::: Online catalog: Product but it costs $185 alone for it.

Would you advice I get that? I don't really want to spend more than $50 excluding the strop. Or maybe is there any online that you've seen lately (I use eBay Canada so that is also an option) that you advice I get? I actually saw a few on http://ebay.ca but did not know whether they were good ones or not.

Once again, thanks for all the help!

Classifieds here are your best bet for that money, just make sure it's shave ready. I recently sent one to Canada & it took about a week, from England.
Consider the sponsors here though.
There's at least two here. This one, Rasage Poulin
or there's this one, Fendrihan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anakin

Thanks for the feedback guys. Honestly, I would not mind getting straight into straight razors as some of you have suggested.

The only problem is I'm from Toronto, Canada and I don't really know any places that sell straight razors or ones that can hone my razor when it needs to be honed.

I did come across this store online.. They have a walk-in store in a nearby mall. The only straight razor they have is this: :::PERSONAL EDGE::: Online catalog: Product but it costs $185 alone for it.

Would you advice I get that? I don't really want to spend more than $50 excluding the strop. Or maybe is there any online that you've seen lately (I use eBay Canada so that is also an option) that you advice I get? I actually saw a few on eBay - Deals on new and used electronics, clothing, collectables and more on eBay but did not know whether they were good ones or not.

Once again, thanks for all the help!

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Welcome,

There are two excellent Canadian vendors (Fendrihan, Traditional Shaving Supplies located in Ontario and Rasage Poulin : Fine Wet Shaving Supplies : Calgary, Alberta Canada located in Alberta). Between the two of them, they will have everything you need and just about anything you will want. I have dealt with Alfred at Fendrihan - he is great to deal with. Although I've yet to purchase from Rasage Poulin, Scott, by all accounts, is excellent to deal with.

With respect to honing, one of our members (Dan aka Floppyshoes) offers honing service for a good price (Dan is also doing all of the honing for Fendrihan). He is located in Montreal.

Cheers,

Rick

The first ebay auction you link to includes the shavette (straight razor) along with the blades. The shavette in the second link is exactly the same as the shavette in the first link, just without the blades.

I bought the shavette/blades package from your first link about six months ago. I've been pretty happy with it; it's not bad for a very cheap shavette.

Once you get shaving down with the shavette, switching to a real straight is a piece of cake, as the shavette is very punishing about poor technique. Definitely good "training wheels".

I'm new to this forum and have only used a Feather AC with the professional super blades and I must admit it's the best shave I've had in years. I enjoy shaving again. It's also great for shaping my beard. My wife thought I was going to a barber. Personally, I love my Feather.

Ok, someone I have common ground with.

I'm 16, so I was in the same place as you. Didn't want to spend a ton of money, was liking the idea of straight shaving, was going to get a shavette to save money...then someone sent me an old dying strop, so I decided then to buy a razor. I did, for $35, but then, decided I better get two, so I got another for $45, and a brush for $10 but alas, it didn't stop there, I needed a new strop! $65 for a Tony Miller 3" red latigo. Ok great, I'm set for life! Oh wait, I need a nice wedge to go with my eety bitty full hollows and new strop. Add the cost of a shave ready sheffeild here-> $
You'll also want some nice aftershave and cologne, I bought some ogallala bay rum products and picking up some Nivea stuff at wally world tomorrow or the next day.


Just buy the good stuff now. You'll like it (love it and enjoy it and anticipate each day for the 15 minute shave), and likely spend $200 like I did.


There is no price on fun, and especially not on the excitement and enjoyment of lathering up with some Bay Rum shave soap and scraping beard with your 50 year old straight.

Sorry for encouraging you, you'll hate me for it when your wallet is empty and your shaves still suck. but after a few days and the nicks start to heal you'll have a great time.

EDIT: it would not be fair to you if I didn't mention alum blocks. Get one. It's not optional. You'll just get angry and either cry/throw all your shaving stuff away if you don't.

Having used both, I would have to say I prefer the feel of the traditional straight, it is much more forgiving.

The shavette is a good, inexpensive way to get started. Bben is right, watch those corners, they have a tendency to dig in. I would recommend you search the classifieds, like has been suggested. You can get a good str8 for a decent price, that ships SR.

When I was using my shavette, I could not count the times I nicked and cut myself. With my traditional str8, I have used it 3 times, and only nicked myself once, and that was because I got distracted (stupid "Ah ha!" moments anyway. ;) )

If you want more details on my experiences, having used both, you can PM me.

Definitely a YMMV item. My experience with a Dovo shavette was terrible. Too lightweight, and way too likely to cut you, particularly starting out. Much better to pick up a shave ready beginner's razor for $30-40, and try it out. You can always re-sell if it doesn't suit you.

The feather disposable razors are quite good, though again more likely to cut a beginner. Also, they run $90 without blades . . . .