I'm new to straight razors. Which should I buy?

I am new to straight razors and am looking to purchase one shortly. I am 24 years old and started out shaving with an electric razor as a teenager. I was not satisfied with the closeness of the shave and after a few years moved to a triple blade mach 3 razor. I was 95% satisfied with the closeness of the shave, but my neck then started looking a little rough from the mach 3. I am assuming I have sensitive skin. I am allergic to metal, but not stainless steel or gold. I wear a stainless steel ring everyday and have no problem. At first I thought the blades may be causing the slight bumps and redness, but the package says they are stainless steel, so I should theoretically be ok. I would like to start using a straight razor or straight safety razor for a closer shave and hopefully less redness. Does this move make sense? And if so, to perform this on myself should I use a straight razor or straight safety razor? My goal is a closer shave and little to no redness. Which brand of recommended razor would be the best choice and which products to go with it(shaving cream, after shave, etc. - if needed)? Also, after doing much research I come to another optional feature - disposable straight blades or non-disposable? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Hi and welcome to SRP. A lot of ground to cover there and I would suggest a look at the SRP beginner's guide here for starters. I don't know what to suggest to you as I am 61 years old and have never had shaving bumps such as you describe. I can only say that having shaved with various contraptions over the years I've settled on straight razors as the only way to go because I've never found anythiing better but YMMV. More folks will chime in with their opinions but do some reading on the forums and you'll get some goood advice. :beer1:

I am very new to straight razors myself. I am sure some of the more experienced members can help you also. All my newcomer questions were answered in the Wiki part of the website. Also, I used a disposable straight-razor blade for about a month (before purchasing a straight from the classifieds here on the website), results were good (I mean the blade was always sharp and ready to go), but I have really enjoyed learning how to strop and maintain my straight, and also the larger size helps me cover large portions of my face easier than the small, disposable blade. Good luck this website is a fantastic resource for us new guys

You will also find a few over the counter soaps and aftershaves cause alot if irritation as well. So look into some better quality soaps and such, a few good makers here that have great stuff :)

Welcome to the site

Hi,

Welcome to SRP. You'll find all the help you need to get started here.

The medical experts will know more than me about metal allergy, but when you say allergic, do you mean you've had problems with metal piercings like silver studs or earings?

Shaving may not present the same problem.

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Originally Posted by jmicahjohnson

I am new to straight razors and am looking to purchase one shortly. I am 24 years old and started out shaving with an electric razor as a teenager. I was not satisfied with the closeness of the shave and after a few years moved to a triple blade mach 3 razor. I was 95% satisfied with the closeness of the shave, but my neck then started looking a little rough from the mach 3. I am assuming I have sensitive skin. I am allergic to metal, but not stainless steel or gold. I wear a stainless steel ring everyday and have no problem. At first I thought the blades may be causing the slight bumps and redness, but the package says they are stainless steel, so I should theoretically be ok. I would like to start using a straight razor or straight safety razor for a closer shave and hopefully less redness. Does this move make sense? And if so, to perform this on myself should I use a straight razor or straight safety razor? My goal is a closer shave and little to no redness. Which brand of recommended razor would be the best choice and which products to go with it(shaving cream, after shave, etc. - if needed)? Also, after doing much research I come to another optional feature - disposable straight blades or non-disposable? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

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I think that you would do well with a Dovo was your first shaver. They are wonderful razors, as I learned how to shave on a Dovo. Dovo makes stainless steel straight razors incase you're nervous about purchasing a carbon steel (although there should not be a problem with those either, but the stainless option is there to play it safe). Stainless steel razors, however, are a bit more pricy and need more honing to get the edge sharper. However the DO hold an edge longer, and you don't need to worry about them rusting nearly as much as others due to the lack of carbon.

Check out this great set from Vintage Blades LLC:

Vintage Blades LLC::Straight Razor Sets::Complete Straight Razor Sets - Dovo Stainless Steel::Dovo Ebony Stainless Steel Straight Razor Set

It's where I bought my first set of razors from.
I'd also suggest picking up Lynn's DVD. He's the founder of SRP, and a MASTER at straight razor shaving if there ever was one.

Ask if you have any more questions! Good luck!

I'll jump ship and disagree...but that doesn't mean I'm right.

I would go straight to a real razor, not a DE, not a shavette. Get the real thing right from the start and save a bunch of money with all that experimentation...you'll have plenty of time for that later. I started directly from a M3 razor and didn't look back. Straight Razor Designs has some great package deals that include everything you need...no shopping around, no guesswork, you're just set right from the start. Get a starter model Dovo and a 3" strop. Don't worry about the strop, you'll destroy the first one, but the SRD strops are modular and you can easily take off the destroyed leather and replace it with something new and nicer.

Usually when people are allergic to metal its nickel which stainless contains. More rare are allergies to other metals. Usually the noble metals are hypoallergenic as it Titanium however the amount of time a straight would be in contact with your face should not be a problem. If it is you have an extreme allergy but if you can wear a stainless ring then maybe allergy is not your issue?

I would just buy whatever razor you like but stay away from the extremes in size for now. You have to learn so whatever you get you will learn with.

Welcome to SRP.

We had a long thread going a couple of weeks ago where I asked "why scientificaly is str8 shaving so much better?"

Along the way, somebody posted that the different angles you shave from end up shaping the end of the whisker like a pencil point. A cartridge razor, no matter what angle you choose ends up shaping the end like a blunt chisel. When that whisker goes below the skin line, you get bumps or ingrown hairs.

I tend to ascribe to this reasoning. So I believe that you will improve your condition with the str8.

As far as starting with a DE, there are definately skills to be learned that are portable to str8 shaving, like prep, stretching, post treatments. But hey, let's face it, you are here and considering str8 shaving because like the rest of us, you like a good challange and cool equipment. There are more things to tackle going straight to str8 shaving, but what the hell, if you are willing to put in the time you will get it.

Good luck and post often.

David

I agree with David and red96ta, I think if you're going to straight razor shave, get a straight razor. Dont get a DE or Feather, just go right into it..!

JMHO, but it doesnt sound like you're allergic to metal. Rather that the multi-blade razors are giving you razor burn/bumps. Straight razor shaving will definately help with this, it certainly did for me..!

Good luck and keep us posted!

I purchased a shave ready Dovo Best Quality 6/8 and a filly strop. I have been pleased with it so far and would recommend it as a newbie set up. It has worked well for me.