Thread: Avoided expense and buy a disposable?

Saving money is probably not realistic. Look at all the ADs here and you quickly come to the conclusion that saving the landfills and environment is a better rationalization. Personally, my straights give me a much better shave than my twin Merkur ever did! That's the best reason...

I have a cheap disposable bladed straight which I started with and still often use when in a rush. IME it only enforces good things, like confidence in applying the blade to your face and using a super light touch due to the ferrociousness of the edge.
The angle thing is a bit of a non-issue as the angle always varies depending on which bit of your face you are shaving and the direction of the hair growth. It's not so much learning fixed correct angles as it is learning how to find the correct angle and adjust during the stroke.

Just my thoughts on it. Feel free to shoot me down if you disagree.

I think once you get the hang of it you can get equally good shaves from both a straight and a disposable. The difference to me is a disposable is for someone who wants the straight experience without having to learn honing and stropping and general razor care. In exchange though a disposable is not a straight and the feel is very different and it is way less forgiving of bad technique.

Feather makes some disposables that are made to feel more like a straight scale wise and look more substantial.

My feeling is if you want to get on a carnival ride you buy your ticket and take the full ride. You don't stand up half way through and ask to get off.

Pabster, what does BBS mean? I'm sure it's a newb question, but if you don't ask, you don't learn.

As mentioned, the disposable blades are pretty unforgiving of bad form. I've gotten some good nicks and razor burn so far. However, I'm beginning to get the technique. So far I've managed to get a pretty good shave on the right side of my face (I'm right handed) and the left side is following close behind. Today I also managed to take steps in the right direction as far as the chin is concerned. The chin area is not as smooth as I would like, but it's an improvement from when I started.

Does anyone know of some websites which offer quality products, and a reasonable price. I'm in New York City; the land of the over priced, and disposable pic razors, so I'm having trouble finding anything locally.

BBS= Baby's Butt Smooth

I'm currently doing a whirlwind tour of shavettes. Working my way into taking the plunge into str8's thus far I've tried a Magic, a Dovo, and a Diane (all double edge blades). While eventually I've gotten to where I can get a great shave with any of the above, the DE blades seem to be REALLY squirrely and very quick to draw blood without much provovation. I found the Fromm Hair Shaper (available in any beauty or barber supply store, I got mine from Sally's) far superior to any of the DE blade shavettes. The longer blade which looks like a wide skinny single edge blade, has a bit more rigidity, is far more aggressive and is not nearly as squirrely as the DE blades. I will undoubtedly reach for the Fromm occassionally even when I transition to "real straights" probably early summer.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

BBS= Baby's Butt Smooth

I'm currently doing a whirlwind tour of shavettes. Working my way into taking the plunge into str8's thus far I've tried a Magic, a Dovo, and a Diane (all double edge blades). While eventually I've gotten to where I can get a great shave with any of the above, the DE blades seem to be REALLY squirrely and very quick to draw blood without much provovation. I found the Fromm Hair Shaper (available in any beauty or barber supply store, I got mine from Sally's) far superior to any of the DE blade shavettes. The longer blade which looks like a wide skinny single edge blade, has a bit more rigidity, is far more aggressive and is not nearly as squirrely as the DE blades. I will undoubtedly reach for the Fromm occassionally even when I transition to "real straights" probably early summer.

I'm using a Diane which came with the double edge blade, but what I found through some research is that it isn't really meant to use a traditional double edged blade. For the most stability it uses a blade which looks like a double edge split down the middle length wise.

Due to the face that I couldn't find any of those, I bought some injector replacement blades from a CVS and have had more success using those. The blades are a little more rigid, and are easier to seat. They also sit lower in the holder, so you don't get as much side to side flex while shaving.

It's actually a regular DE blade cut in half (I use my moustache scissors for this since doing it by hand kinda makes me skiddish) The From blade is like a supersized injector blade or SE blade.

Welcome to SRP!

I'm kinda surprised no one's said it yet (unless I just missed it) but go read through the Beginner's Guide in the Wiki. As in - click the link. I'll wait....

To your first question - of course there is a learning curve. A very long curve that will only steepen if you read up, think about how you're going to shave, carefully shave using the advice you pick up and have a lot of patience. Sure, you might not be nervous after 4 shaves, but I'd expect it to take some time before you start being "good." It's not about getting there - it's the journey, so have some fun along the way. Just focus on doing your best and getting comfortable shaves. Lynn's article Anticipation is a great read for a newbie, so check that out too. Of course, you might just be a natural and get it on your first shot.

Starting with a disposable is a fine idea, and beats the chance of ruining a $50 razor by dinging it on the sink. You can also wait on the strop for now since you'll just toss the blades. However, you don't want to skimp on the other products. You'll want a brush and some good shave soap. Tweezerman makes a brush for about $10-15 or get a boar bristle brush which will be about the same price. Try online to find them. The brush will vastly improve the shaving experience and even if you go back to your 18-bladed mechanical wonder, you'll still be using the brush and quality soaps. I promise. I think you can pick up Vander Haggan soap and brush kits at Walmart and they've gotten pretty good marks from other newbies. IMO, canned goop should be avoided like the plague. When the time comes, there are plenty of less expensive options for your first razor.

About closeness with a disposable vs a real straight: I've never used a disposable but I've gotten a "straight razor shave" with one from a barber. They certainly can do the job. But I think the biggest variable is going to be your technique. Don't worry about getting BBS for now, just try to take off hair and keep on skin. (Sounds easier than it is.) The skill will come with time and practice.

I hope some of this info helps and encourages you to keep learning. Have fun out there and good luck!

Is there a learning curve? Absolutely!

Are the replacable blade razors the way to go? Maybe.

It will definitely take some time to get used to shaving with any kind of straight razor, disposible or not. I almost went with a disposible when I first started, and realized it wasn't that much cheaper when you consider the blades. So, I just went for it.

The only advantage I can see to disposibles is you never have to strop or have the blade sharpened. That said, the quality of a good straight razor will last more than a lifetime, and proper stropping will keep the edge sharp for months. You will also start to see shaving as more of an artform than a chore, and like others here you may find your shave to be very relaxing and just a "nice" experience.

If I'm not mistaken, disposibles are a result of health dept. regulations and barbers not wanting to use the same razor on clients.

I bought a cheap disposable razor. From my short experience of two days of using it, buy the real thing. The blades just don't keep an edge for very long and don't cut as well as I would like them to.