Thread: Just ordered my first straight razor and have some questions

I've hated shaving ever since I started doing it, and I hate paying for cartridge razors that clog up or dull halfway through a shave and nick me like it's their job. The electric razor I tried left my face feeling like it was run over by a lawnmower and now sits in a box somewhere where it can't hurt anybody else. When my last razor cartridge was used up I didn't want to ever buy another one, so I haven't shaved for a month. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of beards so I had to do something. I decided to try out a straight razor and found this place.

I ended up ordering the Gold Dollar Razor and Filly Strop kit from RupRazor because I saw them recommended a few times. After I ordered it, I realized I missed the Sticky thread about the GD's and probably should have gone with something else. I'm still optimistic though, quite a few people here said they haven't had much trouble with them, and they've got a 3 month sharpness guarantee. I was mostly just looking for something cheap but serviceable to see if this is for me before I invest in some better gear, so I'm hoping this'll do.

It should be arriving real soon, and I've got a few questions I need answers to before I can start. As mentioned above, I've got a pretty good beard going right now, should I shave that off with cartridge razor first and then start learning with the straight razor on stubble the next day or does it not matter how long the hair is when you're learning? I've got an old vintage shaving mug and badger brush sitting on a shelf in the bathroom as decoration, would this stuff be usable or should I invest in something new? Lastly, what sort of soap or cream should I be looking at to start with? Does the canned stuff work for straight razors too, if not what's the difference?

Thanks everybody for the help I've already gotten from the site, and hopefully for the answers to my questions.

welcome to srp

while we no longer recomend the gold dollar
Some of the issues with the GD is eliminated by the guy you got it from

when you trade up its not wort selling it but it is still something that will do the job

if you decide to upgrade you can use the GD to learn honing if you want to go in that direction. You can also return it since you have not used it because you do not have it in your hands yet, and get something more expensive.

stubble can be a good thing for the first shaves (you see the results)
then finish with the cartridge if your not happy with your looks

you sould look for shave soap biggest differense from canned goo is probably water
and you will find you need it

the shaving mug should be fine as well as that badger hair brush as long as its not falling apart on you....do yourself a favor and throw away the caned goo and get a good shaving cream or soap.... it really come down to what you like. me i like creams over soaps. the dfference is quality. the can goo will work but i think that is way way to thick. some creams that you can get for pretty cheap are taylor of bond street and DR Harris. if you take a look at the soap and cream review section you can look and see what you think you may like best. just remember skin stretching light pressure and short strokes. think beard reduction, your not going to just cut all clean off in one pass
welcome and good luck

Personally, I would use a trimmer to get it down to a manageable level either at home or professionally done. It will be hard enough to do your first shave on stubble.

As far as the brush and mug goes, i suppose the way to out if it will work would be to test it.

I suppose that you could use regular cream from a can, but what fun would that be? Some people think that there are ingredients in them that dries out your face and that they are inferior products in general. There are a lot of widely available products which are excellent. They cost more money up front, but on a per shave basis they aren't any more expensive. Kiss My Face shaving cream is widely available in stores and I, personally, like it.

Originally Posted by janivar123

welcome to srp

while we no longer recomend the gold dollar
Some of the issues with the GD is eliminated by the guy you got it from

when you trade up its not wort selling it but it is still something that will do the job

+1
As one of the biggest proponents against GD's I have never ever said they won't shave...
Kenrup is well respected for putting good edges on razors too, so you should be fine...
Take your time, read the beginner tips about the first shave (Lynn has some really good ones), and yes get a brush and a good shave soap, as we do call it wet shaving for a reason, that extra water does make a huge difference in the shave....

Enjoy

Thanks for the advice so far everybody. I've read all the beginner Stickies, and I'll go over them again before I try to shave for the first time. I think I'll shave today with my old razor to get rid of the beard, and by the time the straight razor arrives I'll have some stubble to start practicing on.

I'll test out the brush and mug I've got, they seem to be in okay condition so I'm optimistic. Do they sell any good shaving creams or soaps at supermarkets, or do most of you order yours online?

The Body Shop has a decent shaving cream

other than that i shop online

Originally Posted by Starker

I'll test out the brush and mug I've got, they seem to be in okay condition so I'm optimistic. Do they sell any good shaving creams or soaps at supermarkets, or do most of you order yours online?

Walmart has a Brush, Soap, and Small Bowl set by Vanderhagen that honestly makes a great travel kit for later, and a decent starter kit for now that runs $8.97
Nothing great but also more than functional...
Kiss My Face can be found at most markets that have an organic section and it ROCKS...

But yes mostly online...