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Hi I'm interested in purchasing a new straight razor and I'm looking for recommendations. I have coarse facial hair and sensitive skin, especially on my neck. I tend to get razor burn/ingrown hairs on the neck. Also, I'm going to start off trying with a DE replacement razor, by the recommendation of a AOS barber.. is this a good idea? I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for the help!
Try the classifieds here.
You can find a good sharp blade for a decent price.
As far as the DE replaceable ... most users seem to report a harsh and unforgiving shave. The barber probably recommended this to you due to the predictable sharpness of the replacement blades.
Choosing a straight razor is more of a personal choice than anything else. Pick one that looks nice to you. Focus the concentration on beard prep and shaving technique initially.
Hope this helps.
I wouldn't call the shave off of a DE to be harsh and unforgiving. In my experience I found the shave to to be much better than that of a Mach 3. I finally got my wife to try a DE razor and she too found it to be much better than the Venus (girlie Mach 3) razors she had been using.
Like you, I used to have a tendency to get razor burn and ingrown hairs due to shaving. At least three times a year I would have to stop shaving for a couple of weeks because the irritation would worsen. People would always ask me if I was growing a beard and my constant response was "no, I'm just resting my face." Since switching to straight razors a few years ago, I have never needed to rest my face. Shaving irritation is a thing of the past for me. Once you get the hang of straight shaving, it may work out the same for you.
It's not for everyone, but if you are interested in it, it sure is worth a try!
For some beginners, they alternate between straight and DE razors. DE razors also might be more convenient for travel. The DE razor has a lower learning curve so it is more likely that you can pick up DE technique than straight razor usage. You can try one or both and you may choose to continue to use both or you may decide to stick with just one of them. Either way, it's worth a try as either one should reduce your irritation issues.
Good luck with it.
By DE replaceable, do you mean an actual DE like a Gillette, or a Shavette that uses half DE blades?
I'm in the minority, but I think starting with a Shavette is a fine idea. The shaves can be harsher because the blades are dastardly sharp, but it also teaches you angle and pressure control far better. It eliminates honing and stropping from the equation, letting you know that if you're having problems, it's probably your own fault. In other words, you can focus on actually shaving.
No, it's not going to be exactly the same as shaving with a straight. From my point of view, however, it's a good thing. Your initial cost of entry is far less, and by the time you've mastered the technique (and you will if you don't want to kill yourself with the Shavette), you know that you like the straight style and can spring for a "real" straight. At that juncture, you know how to shave, and you just have to learn stropping. As an added bonus, you've got a great travel razor that, if lost, you couldn't care less about.
You can also check with Kenrup (a member here), as well as SRD and some of our other fine vendors. They have some great starter sets. :beer1:
I'm just looking at a few SER's now and I'm just wondering, what exactly do the lengths (5/8" 11/16 etc.) given provide other than just overall look? I understand that it's probably just personal preferance, but do longer ones work better on certain types of hair/ faces? Thanks!
Please ready the sticky at the top of this page
' Newbies Read This First!'
It details how to pic a new razor, points out that they need honeing even if they are new, and that razor shape and style are mostly personla preference. Loads of great information.
And as has been said above, get one from the classifieds here. It will be shave ready, and if your not after a looker it will be a good price to. A $40 one of here will shave as well as a $100+ new one.
Good luck budy
+Buckler