Thread: Avoided expense and buy a disposable?

Hello all. I just signed up today, and am so excited to find so many people with some experience in the world of straight razor shaving.

I wasn't sure if straight razors were for me, or if I'd even know how to shave with one, so I purchased a razor which uses replaceable blades, much like the one my barber uses. I figured $10 was a reasonable investment to figure out if this was something I should invest more in.

I've shaved with it three or four times now, and each time I seem to be doing less damage to my face and getting a closer shave. However I'm left with two questions.

1.) Is there a natural learning curve to this? Do most people suck at first and get better with practice? The first shave didn't seem to cut hair at all, so I changed blades. The second shave seemed to cut my face plenty, but left a bit to be desired in the shave department. The third shave was much less painful, and seemed to be a bit smoother.

2.) are replaceable blade razors recommended? Would a non replaceable blade straight razor give a better shave or be easier to learn with?

Thanks in advance for any answers or advice you might have.

Being a fellow noob, I don't think that a shave with a replaceable, thin, flimsy blade could compare with a quality straight razor. They take more time to maintain, but the shave that a quality straight gives me is far superior to a five thin bladed razor.

Yes, there is a learning curve. It took me about 4 shaves to get comfortable with shaving with a straight. I think the key is that what ever razor you buy, make sure that is properly honed before shaving. There are many excellent honmeisters here that also sell staights.

I would recommend ordering Lynn's straight razor dvd. I wish that I had made that my first purchase now. It answered many questions for me.

My last little bit of advice has been given to me by many folks here.......have fun with it. It is a hobby for most of us. I sometimes forget that, and worry about miniscule things. After watching a youtube video titled, "World's fastest straight razor shave" in which a semi-drunk fellow shaves about a weeks worth of growth off in 3 minutes with two small cuts, I think we can all shave decently and have a nice time doing it.

Just my .02 worth.

Regards,

Cutter

well a real straight is probably a bit easyer to learn
personally i had 2 days growth after my first straight shave so yes its a lot to learn

for de blades theres only one i know so far that will guarantee no cuts(no shaving either it seems)shogun that was included with my shavette

in my experiense a shavette will work well at a almost flat angle
actually with the spine less then one spinewidth from the face

i suppose your using enough time to prep too
you do really need shaving soap or cream to get results

Thanks for the tips, I will certainly look into that dvd. The replaceable razor I was talking about was the straight razor I bought to learn with. It's the kind you often see in a barber shop, takes a single replaceable blade. I've seen other videos of people shaving with, and my barber does a heck of a good job, I was just wondering if it's going to make learning more difficult using a cheapo straight as opposed to a standard non replaceable straight.

I certainly aim to have fun with it. My first few shaves were not the best experience, but I like the control and the little bit of extra attention require when using an open edge blade.

Originally Posted by janivar123

well a real straight is probably a bit easyer to learn
personally i had 2 days growth after my first straight shave so yes its a lot to learn

for de blades theres only one i know so far that will guarantee no cuts(no shaving either it seems)shogun that was included with my shavette

in my experiense a shavette will work well at a almost flat angle
actually with the spine less then one spinewidth from the face

i suppose your using enough time to prep too
you do really need shaving soap or cream to get results

I'm using barnasol from a can. The first few strokes work well, but It seems that by the time I get to the other side of my face, the razor doesn't seem to move smoothly over the skin.

I don't know if it's because the cream is drying out, or if I'm applying too much pressure or the wrong angle on the blade

the first you need is a soap and a brush
it really makes a world of difference and it dont have to cost a lot
if you have to shave before you can get that try shampoo or shower soap

Great advice. I'm beginning to get the hang of it with the shavette, but I had a feeling that the technique required with that straight would be different from using a regular straight razor.

I'm working on getting a brush and soap. The tip about the shower gel is great, thanks for the suggestion.

I learned with disposable straight razors in order to test the water of straight shaving in a fiscally conservative way. When I was proficient in getting BBS results, then I bought my first fixed straight razor and strop.

Yes, there is a learning curve. My benefit of starting with disposable straights is that when I bought my first fixed straight razor, I could focus on the stropping and keeping the edge sharp and performing well, while knowing the details of what I was trying to achieve. How sharp is sharp enough?, what does a good straight shave feel like? I quickly figured out that a 4 sided pasted strop would help me keep the edge sharp and performing well.

I have spent a few hundered bucks collecting straight razors, soaps, brushes,..etc. and I am very happy with my investment. It will be about 3 years before I come out ahead financially and I already have 1.2 years in.

It was my choice to go after premium products which pushed my cost up, but that is my preference and I always have a long term outlook. The M3 was causing too many ugly issues and I was also being charged for it. All those problems went away with straight shaving, so I benefitted greatly from this decision personally (immediately) and financially (long term).

I still have my disposables and they get used when I travel or want to skip stropping. No knock on them and I know what to expect in their performance.

Good Luck and welcome to Straight Shaving and SRP!

Pabster

In my mind if you are going to do it do it right. Get a handfull of antiques in various styles and sizes, buy one shave ready. They will be quality blades. Try and be smart about the other things I bought a T. Miller strop with the practice strop too I'm only the practice strop only. Save some money and get the cheap soap, brush,and dish set from Wally World.

If it doesn't work out restore the blades & sell them, sell the strop, and throw away the cheap brush set. Make a couple of hundred dollars.

At least that's what I'm doing. But I think I'm gonna love this hobby. So as time passes I will buy a nice brush (or a few) a Scuttle etc.

When I started I bought one of the Fromm disposable things and had much of the same issues that you are having. Now to your question yes there is a learning curve it takes time and patience but its well worth the effort, Now in my opinion the disposable DO NOY compare to an actual blade