Straight Razor vs. Shavette vs. Safety Razor

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and just looking to really get into shaving as an art and hobby as opposed to a choir. I'm a pretty young college guy*19* that is really looking for some advice about how to move into the world of more traditional shaving after using cheap disposable razors for years.

I have been doing some research on the topic of different types of razors and I'm sort of hoping I could get some guidance on which to go with. I would like to some day eventually use a straight razor however I don't know if that is the best place for me to start. I am a bit unsure about the stropping and honing and whatnot and therefore think it might be worth trying out a Shavette or Safety Razor like one from Classic Shaving.com before I progress into straight razors. Unfortunately right now money is a bit of an issue which makes the shavette and safety razor option seem a bit more appealing.

What do you guys think would be a good option or choice for a newbie?

By the way, here are some of the safety razors/shavette I have been considering:
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
DOVO Straight Razors

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

If you want to eventually use a straight razor, i would start with one.

You dont need to worry about honing if you buy a shave ready razor( at least not for awhile)

Maybe just get a brush and nice soap or cream for now to start?

Shave prep is an important part of shaving w/ a straight.

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Originally Posted by SolidSnake3

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and just looking to really get into shaving as an art and hobby as opposed to a choir. I'm a pretty young college guy*19* that is really looking for some advice about how to move into the world of more traditional shaving after using cheap disposable razors for years.

I have been doing some research on the topic of different types of razors and I'm sort of hoping I could get some guidance on which to go with. I would like to some day eventually use a straight razor however I don't know if that is the best place for me to start. I am a bit unsure about the stropping and honing and whatnot and therefore think it might be worth trying out a Shavette or Safety Razor like one from Classic Shaving.com before I progress into straight razors. Unfortunately right now money is a bit of an issue which makes the shavette and safety razor option seem a bit more appealing.

What do you guys think would be a good option or choice for a newbie?

By the way, here are some of the safety razors/shavette I have been considering:
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
Safety Razors & Blades
DOVO Straight Razors

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

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I just started straight razor shaving a few months ago with a disposable straight edge razor made by parker. I have no regrets, I've never had a closer, better feeling shave in my life. My razor also came with 100 blades that break into two, so I'll be set for a while. The total package cost me about $25. I bought a cheap brush and just stuck my shaving soap in an old coffee mug! If you're not sure about stropping/honing you could go the route I did. I'm already thinking about getting a real straight razor, and using the disposable as back up.

Welcome!

I think it also depends on how much time, effort, and money you want to put into the hobby. If you are primarily concerned with getting a good traditional shave, the DE is a great option. You can move to the straight when your life is a little more settled - yes, you only need one razor and can strop on a belt and hone on sandpaper, etc., but let's be real. From what I've seen here, most men want the good stuff once they've had a taste. On the other hand, if you want to jump in with both feet, and have the time and patience to do the straight thing now - go for it. :beer2:

I've never used a shavette, but I would imagine it's not the same as a traditional straight. Not saying one is better or worse, but different.

Jordan

I won't suggest which way to go, because only you know the limits of your budget, but, I will say that I'd vote for the straight razor as if you get into the other systems, in the long run, you'll end up spending more money anyway. Like one of the other fellows said, use an old coffee mug for your soap...as far as the shaving soaps go, I've found the Walgreen cakes are a very good soap...makes a rich lather that lasts longer than some of the more expensive soaps I've used...I think you can nail those for about $2.00. I think they have an okay boar bristle brush...

Pass the word to friends, girl friend(s), mom and dad about what you want for Christmas, birthdays, (strops, additional razor, better brush, etc.)

If you can't line it up now, build it up.

Good luck on the shave and in school

its not much more to get a straight and a strop
that is if its that you want
http://ruprazor.com got a cheap starter set if you need it to be new
or you can get some great deals here Main Index - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

I guess for a budget I'm looking at $60-$70 for everything together. That would include the razor/soap/brush/strop if a straight razor. Some of the razors on RupRazor look to be within my range and could be possible buys. Does anyone have any other comments or testimonials regarding this site/their razors and if they come "shave ready" where I would just need a strop?

Otherwise I'm really sort of looking at the safety razors as a way to sort of get into traditional shaving in a baby steps sort of way. The price seems not too bad and the lack of need for a strop or sharpening appeals to me right now as well.

Anyone have any comments on the safety razors I posted? Do they appear to be decent choices and is there anything in particular that I should know about them that might be a disadvantage or fault?

I know this is asking a lot, thanks already for all the help.

dont know safety razors but i think merkur is a good name

I would also recommend going for a proper straight razor if that's your goal. It's dead easy and quite enjoyable. The skill come quickly and advance quickly for most guys.

If you're still chicken ;) I'd say that the Merkur's look good in that list. It is a different shaving technique from using a straight however and you'll need to learn a whole new skill set when you do decide to go straight. I wouldn't say that a shavette is a good idea either since the grip is the same as a straight, but the action isn't.

If the cost is a factor, look to the classifieds for a decently priced, refurbished antique. There's some great old steel out there.

X

I don't know anything about the standard shavettes but I love my Feather Artist Club which is an amazing disposable blade straight. Probably too expensive for you at the moment though.

As for safety razors, the most popular new razor is the Merkur Heavy Duty which has a bit more weight than their other offerings and is a great beginner's razor that will last you a lifetime.

Merkur HD

Over at Badger & Blade which is mostly safety razor oriented, there a lot of talk of the Edwin Jagger DE87/89. I bought one the other day and I think it's a far better razor than the HD. That seems to be the consensus on B&B too. I have this version, the white handle DE87

Edwin Jagger DE87

They are also cheaper than the Merkur HD and the quality is far better. I use mine as much as my straights these days as they give a fine shave. If you look at the other Jaggers on that site you will see the black version of mine as well as the chrome version, the DE89.

It you do go for a safety razor to start, I wouldn't recommend the Merkur blades! They are a bit rough and quite expensive. Get onto ebay for some Derbys or Israeli Personnas. Not sure if anyone here supplies DE blades. There may well be. There are suppliers on B&B. Probably to get a sampler set of several different makes of blade from someone here or on B&B as they are a very personal thing. What works well for my combination of razor and blade might be horrible for you!

Good luck with your new hobby!

Gareth

If you want to learn to shave with a straight razor - buy a straight razor, not a disposable razor of any kind. Going via the disposable route only costs you more money, if you are not going to use the disposable too in the long run. E.g. while travelling.

Here is a good link:
Buying a beginner's set on a budget - Straight Razor Place Wiki

It depends on your initial, intermediate, and long term goal.

My initial goal was to get started to see if I would enjoy straight shaving. Thus, my disposables, badger brush and Col. Conk soap added up to $85. Once I was hooked, I started spending bigger $$ on the fixed razors and accessories

Good Luck,

Pabster

Alright so after some serious thought and number crunching I am pretty sure I'm going to go with these things:
Amazon.com: Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Jar: USA VITAMINS
Amazon.com: Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care
The English Shaving Company - Edwin Jagger shaving accessories, shaving creams and aftershaves

The only thing I'm not sure where to get or find is a sampler razor blade pack. I want to try out a few different types to see what fits my face and beard.

What do you guys think of these choices?

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Originally Posted by SolidSnake3

The only thing I'm not sure where to get or find is a sampler razor blade pack. I want to try out a few different types to see what fits my face and beard.

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Here you go:
Sample Packs : West Coast Shaving, Double Edge Blade Sampler Packs

Thanks a bunch for that quick reply, I will be getting probably the economy or mid range sampler for sure.

Also, how do my selections look for razor/cream/brush? Any other recommendations or suggestions? Possible alterations to my ideas?

Thanks again everyone for all the help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SolidSnake3

Thanks a bunch for that quick reply, I will be getting probably the economy or mid range sampler for sure.

Also, how do my selections look for razor/cream/brush? Any other recommendations or suggestions? Possible alterations to my ideas?

Thanks again everyone for all the help.

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Have you considered making your own shaving soap to save money? I just mixed some yesterday, and the total cost was only $10 for eight pucks. Normally it would have been about $15 but I had some of the more common ingredients already. I'll find out tonight if my soap recipe was any good:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SolidSnake3

Thanks a bunch for that quick reply, I will be getting probably the economy or mid range sampler for sure.

Also, how do my selections look for razor/cream/brush? Any other recommendations or suggestions? Possible alterations to my ideas?

Thanks again everyone for all the help.

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As far as the brush goes, i have the tweeezerman and love it! It really is an amazing value for what it does, good choice you will be happy!

Although not to get you mixed up, but Vintage blades has safety razors sets for i think 83 bucks, and includes everything you need check it out! Also Jim(the owner) is very personable and will help you out with selections and questions about anything shaving related .Vintage Blades LLC*::*Safety Razor Sets*::*Merkur "Classic" (33C) Set

Alright well I purchased all my items last night, I went with:

Edwin Jagger Razor
The English Shaving Company - Edwin Jagger shaving accessories, shaving creams and aftershaves

Choice Sampler pack*really want to try the Astra Blades*
DE Blade Sampler Pack, Choice [RB-SAM-004] - $10.00 : West Coast Shaving, Double Edge Blade Sampler Packs

Tweezerman's Brush
Amazon.com: Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Cream
Amazon.com: Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Jar: USA VITAMINS

What do you guys think? Only thing I guess I'm missing is a brush stand or something like that but I figure the brush will be ok without it for a while especially since it isn't a super high quality/expensive brush.

I can't wait to get all my stuff and give that first shave a go!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SolidSnake3

Alright well I purchased all my items last night, I went with:

Edwin Jagger Razor
The English Shaving Company - Edwin Jagger shaving accessories, shaving creams and aftershaves

Choice Sampler pack*really want to try the Astra Blades*
DE Blade Sampler Pack, Choice [RB-SAM-004] - $10.00 : West Coast Shaving, Double Edge Blade Sampler Packs

Tweezerman's Brush
Amazon.com: Tweezerman Men's Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care

Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Cream
Amazon.com: Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream Jar: USA VITAMINS

What do you guys think? Only thing I guess I'm missing is a brush stand or something like that but I figure the brush will be ok without it for a while especially since it isn't a super high quality/expensive brush.

I can't wait to get all my stuff and give that first shave a go!

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I just looked at the razor you bought, it seems pretty good, I've been thinking about getting one myself, for the days I can't use a straight. As for the blades, I guess trying them is the only way to find out how good they are. Let us know how you like them, maybe I'll pick up a few to try out on my straight.

I think you're set for some incredible shaves for at least 8 months.

With a DE do not use any pressure and focus a little on the angle the blade goes for the skin/whisker. Also, relather a bit before your second pass. The key is to become smarter than the average guy who runs 5 blades consecutively over his face all at once.

I've never used an E/J razor, but I would dry my hand before shaving with it. The handle looks slick.

The EJ razor is an excellent choice as I said in an earlier post. You won't be disappointed with it. I'd recommend it over the regular Merkur HD every time.

The handle does look slippery but my "ivory" version isn't. Probably the best made new razor you can get.

Gareth