New Member Introduction

**JokiJo** · 09-02-2009, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by IBX2000

Does anyone make a fixed handle non japanese style razor? Thanks.

Better watch some straight shaving videos on youtube.

yes, custom makers will make a non folding straight razor for a price, that doesn't have a flat bevel and allows the use of both sides and normal honing and upkeep.

Alternately you can get one of these for the same price or cheaper, and skip the stropping and honing altogether: The Feather "No-Sharpen" Straight Razor

**commiecat** · 09-02-2009, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by singlewedge

Welcome and as a guy that has shaved with both. Start off with a western/traditional straight then move to an eastern straight.

I'm still pretty green and have never used a Japanese straight, but how much more difficult could it be? When those razors were more common in Japan, did fathers teach their sons how to shave with western blades first?

I'm sure you're right and it'll be a while before I try one, if ever. I'm just wondering if it's fundamentally more difficult or if it's just unusual in comparison. Would someone new to straights, or even shaving altogether, truly have a harder time learning on a Japanese straight than a traditional one? You nick, you learn.

**IBX2000** · 09-02-2009, 08:55 PM

Thanks for all the info. Maybe just the fixed handle appeals to me more. I agree that honing and stropping regardless of type is a skill and skills must be learned and practiced. If anyone has any pics of fixed handle razors please post them if possible.

So what DO you recommend as an intro razor? Dovo, French, Solingen made?

**commiecat** · 09-02-2009, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by IBX2000

Thanks for all the info. Maybe just the fixed handle appeals to me more. I agree that honing and stropping regardless of type is a skill and skills must be learned and practiced. If anyone has any pics of fixed handle razors please post them if possible.

So what DO you recommend as an intro razor? Dovo, French, Solingen made?

Definitely one sharpened by a honemeister. As long as it's not on the "do not buy" list you should be okay. You're less likely to nick an ear lobe with a round point, but I started with a square and had no serious injuries.

**JokiJo** · 09-02-2009, 09:06 PM

Anything vintage and shave ready in the classifieds will be a great shaver.

Commie- Just so you know, back "in the day" most people did not shave themselves. They went to a barber. At least that's my theory and I'm sticking with it

The main difference, is that there is much more information regarding western straights then there are kamisori, and setting a bevel and the shaving technique I think would indeed be harder to learn then a western razor, however that isn't much as a disadvantage because I'm sure it would not take long to learn.

That said, there is much more information as to the use, upkeep, technique, honing and restoration, stropping and quality of western straights then there is to Japanese.

**SiRed8** · 09-02-2009, 09:53 PM

**IBX2000** · 09-02-2009, 10:24 PM

Thank SiRed8!

**gugi** · 09-02-2009, 10:56 PM

Welcome to SRP!

Japanese razors are quite fun and they're definitely different than western style. There is always some transferability of skills, but the grip, the angle, using one side only, make it very different.
As far as western grind with fixed handle I consider them experimental. Few people have made them, but I don't think any of them is a regular razormaker who takes orders.
The feather razors aren't cheap either, so if I were you I'd just buy a regular japanese razor which I consider superior experience. Here's mine http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...y-picture.html

If you decide to take the other route and go for a western razor there are plenty of options both new and vintage.

Thread: New Member Introduction

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Posting Permissions