Thread: Am I to young to start using Straight Razors?

Sounds good ill go and find some more information on lathers then... that would also be in beginners section?

Nope. It would be under Forums: Pre-Shave Preparation. Although you could ask questions in the beginner forum as well, if you have them. Check out the Wiki as well, it has some lather-related tips.

I think you will find this useful: Category:Lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

You are getting closer shaves because you are doing things wrong, at least partially. If you get irritations, chances are you are applying too much pressure. The trick is to use zero pressure but still get close shaves

I don't get much irritation, but I think what I do get isn't so much a result of too much pressure as it is too many strokes. As my hand grows more adept, I expect to achieve the same or superior results with fewer passes.

If the straight razor is a no-go, there's always double-edge razors, which are still a vast improvement to cartridges. Many people here has one in their stables for a quick shave.

AFAIC, if you need to shave, you need a razor and that razor might as well be a straight..! They're WAAAY better than the Mach XVII (or whatever they're up to now) and if you're interested in them, all the better. I only wish I'd started when I was your age!

Go for it!

I just wanted to say good luck to you. About 100 years ago young men, like you, were all using straights to shave.

I wish I had started with a straight instead of a DE at your age!

Another option would be a shavette style or if you have a Sally's around you they are called Hair Shapers there. It is a straight razor style handle that uses razor blades for the cutting edges. Just check out which ones they carry replacement blades for as well as I have found some will carry the original handle with a blade but not the replacements.

Fromm - Fromm Hair Shaper Razor #107

that is what I started with and it worked great for me while I was still searching for a proper straight that I liked.

Since your father seems to be Ok with the shave quality of a safety razor, as others have said, there is still a lot you can learn with one.

1. Beard and skin prep
2. Direction of beard growth and what angles need to be used to shave them.
3. Skin stretching
4. Lather production
5. Treatment and respect for your tools
6. Post shave skin treatment
7. Respect for your shaving area (i.e. keeping things clean, neat and tidy)

I think this would be a great breeding ground to show your father you are serious about what you are doing and maybe within a short time he would change his mind on the straight razor. Or maybe let you get a DOVO Shavette with disposable blades. Low investment and maybe a good bridge. You won't learn to strop, but hey, it's still a pretty good compromise.

Good luck and I echo Stubear's sentiment, I wish I had started at your age as well.

David

Edit: Oh yes, one more thing - respect your father's wishes. He is responsible for you - not us.

Originally Posted by Alembic

Oh yes, one more thing - respect your father's wishes. He is responsible for you - not us.

Words of wisdom right there.