Thread: Any benefit from starting with a safety razor?

Hi i searched for some information on this but couldn't find any.

I currently shave using standard cartridge razor but would like to move to using a straight razor in the future. I just wondered whether it would be useful to progress first to a safety razor (to get used to something you need to be a bit more careful with) then to a straight or is this unlikely to make any difference?

Thanks

Not really. The shave prep carries over, but technique is different.

If you know you want to use a straight later, I would just start with one.

I would say no. There are still costs associated with buying a DE razor and blades.

If anything, I would suggest a shavette (using the same disposable blades) to get used to the technique and hand positions.

The straight will still take learning over the shavette, but it is closer to it than a DE

Depends.

Are you using cream or gel from a can or making lather with soap/cream and brush?

What preparation do you do before the shave?

A lot of the technique is the same. There's still great lather, stretching the skin, using virtually no pressure and learning the direction of hair growth. You could probably score a Gillette Superspeed on eBay, clean it up and grab some blades (Derby & Feather are my faves) and be up & running for fairly cheap.

But, even though it's fairly cheap, it's still money away from the straight razor fund.

Of course, paying money for blades (Fusion, etc.) is money away from the straight razor fund too.

Hi thanks alot for the comments! I already use cream/brush before my shave as I read that this could help even using just cartridges (and I enjoy it more than a can) so I have some experience in that, it was the going from something easy and and pretty safe to a ridiculously sharp knife that i was worried about. The input is really useful though thanks!!

I went straight from a M3 razor to a straight and didn't have any issues. The best way to get into it is to buy your kit and then just throw everything else away...sink or swim.

Originally Posted by Rohly

Hi thanks alot for the comments! I already use cream/brush before my shave as I read that this could help even using just cartridges (and I enjoy it more than a can) so I have some experience in that, it was the going from something easy and and pretty safe to a ridiculously sharp knife that i was worried about. The input is really useful though thanks!!

As long as you know how to make good lather and shave prep I don't really see any advantage to a DE transition between cart and straight. Go for it!