Thread: Intro and questions

Hey All,

So I'm very new to the concept of straight shaving. I'm 21 from Sydney, Australia and just to get it out of the way, I call myself Sweeney because my name is Todd...No I don't have a criminal history :P

While I am very keen on the idea of getting myself a straight razor, I want to do a bit of research before making up my mind, simply because of a couple of issues independent to myself.

First of all, I am a big sufferer of 5 O'clock shadow. I currently switch back and forth between the good old Gillette Mach III and Fusion Razors. They give me somewhat of a descent shave (obviously nowhere near straight quality), but no matter how much time I put into in the morning, by afternoon, I can run my hand along my face and feel stubble returning already. I am curious if anyone else has had the same issue and how you find your experience after making the switch to straight.

The other thing is that I do get acne from time to time, not much on my face but on my neck and am wondering if a straight razor is worth getting if I have to deal with that (I'm sure there are a few tricks around it anyway) because my safe razors cut straight through them as they are.

The last thing I really want to ask is while I'm leaning towards the beauty of a cutthroat, I have noticed the brand Merkur making a heavy duty safety razor. Would it maybe be better in my case for any reason to just get that instead of a cutthroat/straight?

I do prefer the appearance and beauty of the straight, I think a safety takes away from the art of getting a good shave, but I would like to get a few thoughts on my case before committing to it all.

I hope I haven't overloaded with questions and look forward to your replies.

Todd

Hello, and welcome, Todd.

1. I get an 8 o'clock shadow with a straight, as opposed to a 5 o'clock one with a DE, and an instant one with anything else. Took me a while to get there, but it works for me.
2. That is not acne, it is contact (allergic) dermatitis. Can be anything from an allergic reaction to ingredients of your shaving products to the inferior quality of the blades. I can manage with a DE, but I do not get it at all with a straight. Funnily enough, that was the one part of straight shaving which worked for me right from the outset, and which kept my trying until I had mastered the basic skills.
3. Dovo Merkur make nice razors, but there is a new kid in town, made by a Stuttgart company called Pils. It is the only DE I would still consider buying, despite the somewhat eccentric price. I tried it, and it is worth every ¢.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Regards,
Robin

That is some premium pricing on that DE, Robin! It looks very elegant though.
I have a Merkur Futur. It's very rarely used now, but i still like it.
It may be worth visiting your doctor to determine exactly what the problem is on your neck. Straight's or DE's may help. Changing to better soaps or creams may too.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

That is some premium pricing on that DE, Robin! It looks very elegant though.

You should see the rest of their stuff, such as their travel kits (run through Google Translate if required): Rasieraccessoires für die Nassrasur - PILS GmbH. And German craftsmen are expensive. Then again, Pils produce the highest quality I've ever seen in that market niche, and they feel better like Merkurs.

Originally Posted by ben.mid

I have a Merkur Futur. It's very rarely used now, but i still like it.

Ah yes, another nice one. That one, and the Vision. But this being a forum for straight razors, let's not get over excited, shall we?

Regards,
Robin

Thanks very much for the information Robin. That is good enough to motivate me to go ahead with a proper straight razor. Having said that, I now have a couple more quick questions.

I have looked at what brands are good and which ones to avoid. Obviously I don't want to get one on the avoiding page, but what would be something in the mid to high-mid range I should look for as a starting razor?

I am also considering at least a super badger brush, but considering what you mentioned about the contact dermatitis, is there a particular soap or lather that would minimize this even further?

The rest is the same question for all the basic starting equipment. What you might recommend in terms of the Strop, Creams and so forth. I don't want to go for something majorly expensive until I become more experienced, but I don't want to get something I will regret buying either.

If I get quality, I will happily pay more, I just don't want to pay top dollar straight away.

My very last question now is if you could advise some reliable Australian websites to purchase from. I'm in Sydney where I believe there is only one store that requires a booking so I'm happy to order without trying from a reliable source until I become more picky.

Thanks again,

Todd

The reason a hundred year old razor is still around will likely be that it wasn't bad to begin with. So if you stick to the reputable, experienced sellers, you'll be fine buying from the classifieds.

If I were in your position right now, however, I'd get a kit from SRD. They sell good strops, and razors at very attractive prices.

As far as brushes are concerned, I'm the wrong person to ask. My favourites are in the lower price segment.

Soaps and creams you will simply have to try. I've hardly ever had problems, but then again, I have no allergies.

So, not much I can offer, except that you go through the beginners guide in the Wiki once more. The shopping list in it might be useful of sorts.

Regards,
Robin

Welcome to SRP Sweeny. When Robin said that it took him awhile to get there that is typical of our collective experience. So don't expect to get stellar shaves immediately. Getting through the learning curve takes longer for some than for others but once you've done it there is usually no question that the straight is the way to go.

I don't have the 5 O'clock shadow issues or the skin issues on the neck but if I'm not mistaken you would be better off with a stiffer grind than a full hollow. Something like a Le Grolet or a TI Super Gnome. Some vendors sell the Super Gnome labeled as the Super Coiffeur but it is the same razor. I can't recall off the top of my head who is from Australia but I know that we do have some members from your neck of the woods. Maybe one or more will be along and contribute to this thread with some resources closer to home for you.

Welcome to SRP. I am on the verge of 27 and I can say with a three pass shave I get a shadow the next morning. However, I usually do two passes each morning and do not get a shadow until 8:00. One pass, and at 5:00 there is definitely a shadow and the shave is not perfectly smooth, but it looks clean.
I used to get bumps that were both acne and contact dermatitis, if there is white substance in the bumps, its acne. Since using the AOS sandlewood shave soap (I am going to try SRD next) I do not get bumps and now that my touch is lighter, the razor burn is almost nothing. Good prep, and good soap makes a huge difference.
I agree with Robin that SRD does things well and I have bought products from them. Plus you get the advice of Lynn or Don who are probably the two best minds in the world on straight razors and shaving.
If you are on a budget though, I would start with a cheap shave ready razor from the classifieds and try the Rup Razor beginners strop because if you go buy a $80+ strop, you are very likely to nick it and hence waste extra money. SO I would start slow. I personally recommend the Jemico paddle strop because one side is pasted, it is small, and because its a paddle it help prevent a new person form rolling the edge. It costs about $30 +shipping here JEMICO STRAIGHT RAZOR SHARPENING STROP WITH CLAMP - NEW - eBay (item 360206700956 end time Jan-09-10 12:51:35 PST)
Then, you can move up as you go along. THere are also good badger brushes on eBay for $15 with a stand Badger Hair Shaving Brush w/ Wood Handle & Holder Stand - eBay (item 350289433713 end time Dec-12-09 18:59:45 PST) here and I use one and it works nicely. If you desire to spend $70 or more for the same thing, be my guest.
It takes a while to get experience, but once you get the hang of a straight razor, you won't have anything else. I even travel with mine now because to me its the best looking shave you can get.
Good Luck!

Thanks for the information guys. I'm going to have a good look into it this afternoon and see what I can find.

I'll let you know my final choices and how things come along as I progress from beginner to master chef

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all.

Todd

I've been shaving a month or so and have tested ~25 razors. Besides the obvious ones (Philharmonic, puma, etc) my best razors are a Morris (Solingen Steel), a No Name (Sheffield Steel) an a Geneva Cutlery Co (No Steel Stamp). None of the three cost me more than $25. If you skim to top couple pages of the Razors forum, there was a "top 5 makers" list. Probably hard to go wrong with one of the makers from there.