Thread: Introducing myself

So why a straight razor rather than a double edge?

Are you asking everyone in general?

Originally Posted by jbcohen

So why a straight razor rather than a double edge?

No the question is to jehan.

Originally Posted by jbcohen

So why a straight razor rather than a double edge?

I presume his point was that if you are worried only about the cost of cartridges and the impact on landfills, then a DE would have been sufficient to solve those problems, with much less of an up-front outlay of money.

Also, while some can shave the head with a str8, many find a DE is a lot easier. Depends somewhat on the shape of your head.

If he goes through $10 worth of cartridges a week, in less than 3 months he'll have the str8 paid for. But he'll have to either spend money on honing, or buy hones and learn. Then of course a strop or two, another razor or two, and probably better soaps and creams, and a nice brush. If he avoids extreme *ADs, it could still be a financial win over the rest of his life.

But really, it's not about that, is it? It's about enjoying a really great shave that depends on your own abilities and skills that is so rewarding.

Originally Posted by fritz

I presume his point was that if you are worried only about the cost of cartridges and the impact on landfills, then a DE would have been sufficient to solve those problems, with much less of an up-front outlay of money.

Also, while some can shave the head with a str8, many find a DE is a lot easier. Depends somewhat on the shape of your head.

If he goes through $10 worth of cartridges a week, in less than 3 months he'll have the str8 paid for. But he'll have to either spend money on honing, or buy hones and learn. Then of course a strop or two, another razor or two, and probably better soaps and creams, and a nice brush. If he avoids extreme *ADs, it could still be a financial win over the rest of his life.

But really, it's not about that, is it? It's about enjoying a really great shave that depends on your own abilities and skills that is so rewarding.

this


also, thanks for all the tips/advice/welcomes. i ordered a $20 strop (filly) from that link in the strop forum, and will try to find a barbershop that has straight razors with disposable blades, so i can practice! (I feel weird about going in to a barbershop, bald head and everything...)

Welcome! Now that you have your strop and razor you'll need to get a brush and some soap/cream to actually make it wetshaving.

Brush:

A good starter brush is the tweezeman badger brush



Also the omega boar brush has been recommended here alot




These can be found at amazon.com for around $10-15

Creams:

The most common cream is C.O. Bigelow (relabled proraso)



It can be found at any Bath and Body for $5-10 depending on size

Soaps:

The most common soaps are Williams and VDH





These can be found at Wallgreens, CVS, grocery stores, and pharmacies for a couple bucks each.

There is also VDH kit ( ^ shown above) that comes w/ soap brush and bowl. I have heard you can find it at walmart or amazon.com the only thing unknown to me is the quality of the brush. I am sure someone here has used it and will chime in if it is woth your while.

Also if you are looking for an aftershave witch hazel does a nice job of preventing/relieving razor burn/irritation



http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...itch-hazel.jpg

Dickensons can be found at target and is only a couple bucks but you may want to smell it first as it has a mild odor. This does fade quickly and is completly gone as soon as it dries but I thought I should caution you.

Theyrs comes scented or w/ menthol but has a price of about $8 and up you can find it at GNC and vitamin stores.

I recommend doing a search for mantic59 on youtube.com and watch his videos. He uses a double edge (DE) blade to shave but the lathering process is the same and it helps to see it done visualy.

Other than that read the wiki peruse the forum watch some straight shaving videos and try an absorb all the info you can.

Let us know how the shave goes

Welcome, Jehan!

I'm another who shaves his head, although for the first month I stuck to using my Mach III on my head and just used my straight razor on my face. In some ways shaving your head is easier, as there is no chin, or nose etc in the way. Of course the main problem is the back of your head as you can't see what you're doing and working out the blade angle can lead to cuts.

Welcome to SRP... You will learn a lot here!

Originally Posted by commiecat

You're in for a big surprise.

What he said.

X

Originally Posted by jehan60188

this


also, thanks for all the tips/advice/welcomes. i ordered a $20 strop (filly) from that link in the strop forum, and will try to find a barbershop that has straight razors with disposable blades, so i can practice! (I feel weird about going in to a barbershop, bald head and everything...)

??? Having someone else shave you with a disposable-blade str8 isn't going to help you learn to shave with a real str8. Even if you bought one, they aren't quite the same as shaving with a real str8. And you won't learn anything about stropping and otherwise maintaining an edge with them either. I suspect that you can find a low-priced no-frills vintage razor on the SRP classifieds that would serve this purpose better, and then become your backup/travel razor.

For instance, here's a link to Dovo Shavette from a good supplier, and you'll pay about $45 with shipping.