Thread: Absolute Beginner Advice Needed!

nope, it's not low quality, take these since you like them.
i owned that razor twice actually
it's about the only dovo which i like the gold wash on and i always liked the feel of the ebony.

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

Hey there! I'm a total newbie as well, but I thought I'd just throw in my hypothetical knowledge from reading lots of very well-informed people here.

I haven't heard a single bad thing about DOVO, so that sounds like a good way to go. And of course, SRD has a great reputation. Can't go wrong.

There's a list of razor brands that SRP considers good brands here:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki

And the not-so-good ones here:
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

One recommendation, though. If you're going to spend money on a good strop, practice your stropping before hand so that you don't ding it up as much.

I've read of people using butterknives and such things, since most people hold the straight completely open while stropping, as though it were one long piece.

I'm practicing with a butterknife on a pair of jeans, just to get the feel of it and to practice turning the razor without any mishaps.

Originally Posted by salazch

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

Never having used one I can't really say but there's an article on the Shavette in the Wiki that may be useful.

I'd recommend an inexpensive strop to learn with. Most people tend to nick their strop a few times before they get the technique right. Stropping and shaving take some practice. Nicks to both strop and face usually occur in the early days. Come to think of it, I'd like to upgrade to a more handsome face.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

I'd recommend an inexpensive strop to learn with. Most people tend to nick their strop a few times before they get the technique right. Stropping and shaving take some practice. Nicks to both strop and face usually occur in the early days. Come to think of it, I'd like to upgrade to a more handsome face.

+1 on this advice... I'm on my third strop for this reason...

-Chief

Hey guys, I can't thank you all enough for your info. It has helped me a ton and it's great to see so many helpful people on this forum! I have decided to keep everything except with a 3" strop and better soap. Thanks so much!

Greg

Originally Posted by salazch

I'm starting with stra8 razors that have disposable blades just to get my angles and skills down. Once I get it down and am comfortable, and once I can afford to get a good Dovo and all the essential sharpening gear, I will upgrade.
If anybody has used stra8's w/disposable blades and then moved to a normal razor, can you tell me if i'm missing out on anything?

You will be missing most of the experience.

I have and use a blade holder that uses half of a DE blade. I use it those days when I don't have time for decent prep. It feels much harsher and is much easier to nick myself with, while at the same time being sharper and more forgiving of incorrect angles.

A real straight is far more comfortable when sharp but requires more precision, yet is more forgiving as far as cutting you.

Wow so it really feels that different huh?

Very much so.

The technique is similar, but its like the difference between a Vespa and a Harley.