I tried straight razor shaving, but quit

I'm sorry, I just couldn't get the hang of it. I couldn't even shave my sideburns. I had trouble seeing what I was doing in the mirror. my arm and whatnot kept getting in the way of seeing the blade on the skin.

Anyway, I went back to my Gillette Sensor 2-blade razor for a little while. Then I decided to try a one blade bic disposable razors. They seemed work, after few shaves. I've found that really gives me a close shave is using the bic razor and going with the grain, then across the grain, then against the grain. After that I use my old Remington foil razor get the blade razor doesn't seem to be able to get. I have a few stubborn spots on my upper lip. What do you think?

You can always try a DE if a straight razor isn't for you. Perhaps you can treat yourself to straight shave by a professional sometime so you can experience a BBS shave from a straight razor.

Sorry to hear the straight razor wasn't for you.

Pabster

DE shaving is alot cheaper to get into as well. If you like your single blade Bics, the DE should be a godsend to you.

yeah, I've been thinking about DE. Right now, money is very tight. So I even afford to go DE shopping. Maybe after I find a job.

If you are really sure you are going to give up on the str8, maybe you could post your equipment in the classifieds. Then go to a DE

Also, I am sorry to hear you are out of work. Prayers are with you on finding a new job.

David

Dude, I picked up a 1954 Super Speed Silver Tip for $2 at an antique store. The blades for those things aren't high either. It was in real good shape in fact, I didn't even realize that it was that old until just recently. I just bought it because it was cheap. IMO, there is a learning curve to shaving with a DE too but not anything like a straight.

I stuck with the straight though and I've pretty much got it. I only get a few spots that aren't BBS when I do all the passes. I generally just do a single with the grain pass and every now and then I'll go for more. I just take it slow and easy. If I don't get it real smooth I don't try to hard. I just try to think about how I can get it next time.

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Also, I am sorry to hear you are out of work. Prayers are with you on finding a new job.

David

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thankyou :)

Personally...I have all 3/...DE/SE/str8 razors...

2yrs with DE/SE handles n blades and as of last week got my 1st atr8 razor and am working on it well...

To each person is what works for them..as in...no 2 faces r the same..DE/SE blades work for me for slight touchups as a full shave gives me razorburn or isn't as close as my str8 razor...my SE is comparably close to my str8 razor..BUT no razor burn even after a day of hair growth with my str8..whereas my DE/SE blades would give me mouth blood spots and my under chin has never been smooth before my str8 razor..again..good luck in your search and hopefully you wont worry with hair that sorta looks like mine..coarse n sensitive skin

pcdad

warbler,

+1 on the DE.

Best wishes for the future; I hope things get better for you very quickly.

Best regards

Russ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Warbler

I'm sorry, I just couldn't get the hang of it. I couldn't even shave my sideburns. I had trouble seeing what I was doing in the mirror. my arm and whatnot kept getting in the way of seeing the blade on the skin.

Anyway, I went back to my Gillette Sensor 2-blade razor for a little while. Then I decided to try a one blade bic disposable razors. They seemed work, after few shaves. I've found that really gives me a close shave is using the bic razor and going with the grain, then across the grain, then against the grain. After that I use my old Remington foil razor get the blade razor doesn't seem to be able to get. I have a few stubborn spots on my upper lip. What do you think?

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I think that it matters what you think.

The BiC yellow handle tossables are much better than lots of
folk give them credit. For less than five bucks you have a bag of
shavers for traveling and those days when honing or stropping
are not up to snuff. More than anything they rinse clean better
than other tossables.

The right DE with the right blade can be a better shaver than a BiC but
DE shaving is full of issues. Matching the blade the handle and
the face is almost a mater of luck.

Since you have a full kit of shave gear I think you might find that
shave prep, and lathering experimentation is in order. If you have
difficult places consider shaving them at the beginning of the shave
when the edge is fresh. Shave prep for the BiC a DE or a str8
is effectively the same so focus on the prep as a wet shaver.

Last summer I experimented with lathering and skin prep and used
BiC yellow handle tossables as a constant. I learned a lot about
my face and beard in the process. My str8 shaving improved
as a result too.

And yes, at some point there is a reason that Santa Clause has whiskers.
Perhaps it is the blowing snow, perhaps the lack of warm water,
perhaps he is too busy or perhaps his whiskers are just too heavy
and growing a beard is the right answer. :)

Sorry to hear straights are not for you, and I do agree on the DE. But the real thing to take away from the straight razor experience is face prep, skin stretching and light pressure..!

I hope things pick up for you soon with the job hunt as well.

Good luck and stay in touch! :)

IMHO the most important difference between modern and traditional shaving is the use of a brush and either cream or soap.

The BIC sensitive disposables are cheap and great BTW but DE is better so would be a good purchase when affordable.

Best wishes finding a job!

Nic

Try watching any of the excellent technique DVDs out there or finding someone nearby who's willing to coach you. You just have to learn how to move with the razor and how to hold your arms and hands. It's like learning to hit a ball. You can do this and when you do, you'll get great shaves and look back on your learning curve.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jeltz

IMHO the most important difference between modern and traditional shaving is the use of a brush and either cream or soap.

The BIC sensitive disposables are cheap and great BTW but DE is better so would be a good purchase when affordable.

Best wishes finding a job!

Nic

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+1 on the above.

If you stumble on a DE shaver give me a PM and I can send a small selection
of DE blades to try. I had my first shave in N. Jersey... The cheap ones
at Walmart are not too shabby.

I've had bouts of doubt myself.. though just makes me try harder.. as far as seeing, some is by feel. I'm blind in my left eye. The way i learned a lot was by practicing the strokes with the back of the blade ie not the edge. then got up the nerve to go to the edge. A lot of my face is not seen, but i'm getting pretty good at it. The thing that helped most was getting pro sharpened blades. some of my early "shave ready" were really not..

maybe you can try again??

by the way to place your stuff in classifieds, you must have 100 posts. (I've got a few to sale too, but cannot yet)

ex

Sorry to hear your experience was not a positive one, but straight razor shaving is definitely not for everyone. I would suggest scoping out your local flea markets and antique dealers. I recently purchased a 1957 Gillette TTO for one of my sons for only $5. We cleaned it up really good, I got him a few packs of feather blades and he is off to the races for under $20. That should last him awhile because he is only 15 and only needs to shave a couple of times a week.

I am very sorry to hear about your employment situation and do hope that something comes up for you in the very near future. In the mean time your situation will be in my family's thoughts and prayers.

Semper Fi,

Gregg

Warbler,

PM me. I have an old Gillette DE and quite a number of packs Derby blades and others I will send you. I will pick up the shipping as well.

David

So many people willing to hep a newbie in need, let me look around the local antique store this summer when my smmer job kicks in and i will try to find a de for you, Call it karma i was given a strop forfree from mrcell63 so i feel it is my dutie to pass on the genorsoity at some point in time so it will be an early xmas gift from me if i can find a decent de around here.

You could always try a replaceable blade straight razor. I got a Parker SR1 razor for $12.95 and the blades are anywhere from $1.99 to $5.99 for 10 blades. I got all of my equipment from Shop for Men's Shaving and Skincare Products - Geo F. Trumper Taylor of Old Bond Street Merkur Razors Proraso Savile Row Speick Tabac Musgo Real QED Soaps. Give it a try I get just as good a shave as a traditional straight razor. :)

I'd send you a DE if I still had one to send. Sent out my last one a few weeks ago. Aside from the 2 I keep. Best of luck on the job search, I myself have been looking like crazy.