Thread: Should I Make the switch??

I have been DE shaver, but I am always looking at the straight. Is it truley better, should I just go for it? Money is not an issue, so iff I do make the switch...what should I buy???

Personally I started off a couple years ago with a Dovo 5/8 Tortoise razor, an Art of Shaving brush and a cheapy strop from Vintage Blades. Total startup was about $180. You can get definitely get started for less than that but I had it in my mind that I wanted to start with new equipment. I have since added (a lot) to that initial investment but managed to turn the dreaded and pain inducing chore of shaving into a very enjoyable hobby.

Welcome to SRP. Way better in my experience. I wouldn't shave with anything else anymore given the choice. I just like the shaves that much better. Go to one of the internet vendors who sponsor SRP and check out the razor/strop sets. Upgrade to the 3" wide on the strop. A 5/8 or 6/8 razor for starters. Whatever you get make sure it is shave ready. Straight Razor Designs sends them all shave ready and gives a certificate for a second honing free. Read the beginner's guide found in the link in my sig line below.

they have strop with a pressed wool felt on one side, or should i get the cotton cross weave....they have a devo black macarta with the 3" strop for 200.00

Welcome SRP.
OF COURSE SWITCH .
you need to have patience with straight. Takes time to learn . As soon as you learn it you will never go back again.

Welcome to SRP, squill

Well, you've answered your own question really. If you're interested, you really ought to give it a go, provided your initial expectations aren't ridiculously high. Shaving with an open razor is something which really can only be learnt by setting to and finding out what works for you. Anyone who gets away without a few cuts, setbacks and disappointing shaves in the first few weeks is some kind of prodigy ... frankly this ought to be obvious.

Now then, how to go about it. Here's how I did it: I found a couple of razors in a junk shop, honed them myself on a bizarre collection of stones, finished on a bench strop treated with jewellers' rouge followed by a leather belt and, finding myself in front of a mirror with lather on my face, took a deep breath and shaved myself. Quite well as it happened, talk about beginner's luck. Net cost: £8. I really, really recommend that you take a more considered approach, but the point is that money is not the deciding factor, certainly not as far as razors are concerned.

Here's a more sensible and I venture to hope uncontroversial way to start. Firstly, you need to acquire some knowledge, and the FAQ is at your disposal. You'll learn the rest by experience. Next, you'll need a decent shaving medium and a brush: presumably you have these already. I'm a soap and badger man usually, but there are plenty of good creams and boar hair brushes: you need slick protective lather in reasonable quantities. To maintain the razor, a strop is essential and will be used every single time you shave; ideally it will have two surfaces such as canvas and latigo leather, one rough and one smooth. Chances are that you'll damage your first one, so plan on upgrading later. I won't bother with honing here as it's a huge topic and shouldn't be necessary just yet. Aftershave treatments are a matter of personal preference, but it's worth mentioning a stypic pencil to staunch the inevitable bloodflow ... sorry couldn't resist. It's a miniature alum block which will attend to nicks and "weepers", and you may well have one already.

Which brings us to the dangerous bit, the razor. "Dangerous" because these things can cost you a fortune if the bug bites. NFlames mentions the Dovo 1516 ersatz tortoiseshell razor, and I can cheerfully endorse that suggestion because I use one regularly and it's a good workhorse. It has most of the desirable qualities for a starter razor: not ruinously expensive; decent steel; round point; a sensible compromise width of 5/8; good ergonomics; hones nicely. These are the things to look for in a first razor, and there are new equivalents available from Thiers Issard, Böker and Revisor, and probably others, all this before you look to the numberless varieties of vintage razors. I'd save the square and Spanish points for later, along with the very narrow and very wide patterns. Whatever you buy, ensure that it is supplied shave ready, which means honed by an expert. That way you know what a good edge should do.

Hmm, that turned out longer than I'd expected. Hope it helps.

Thanks for all this....just orderd a razor and strop from straight razor designs...had a price reduction on a devo black macarta inox 5/8 with strop reduced fro 216---to 165. what do you think?

Originally Posted by squill

they have strop with a pressed wool felt on one side, or should i get the cotton cross weave....they have a devo black macarta with the 3" strop for 200.00

A straight razor gives you the closest shaves you can get. It will take you a while to master it, so be patient. Dovo 5/8 is a fine first choice. It's a great razor, and a good size. As far as strops go, I use wool felt for diamond spray, (a honing medium) For everyday stropping, I'd go with the cotton cross weave.

I have two blades. A Dovo Best Quality for my backup and a Dovo Special for my main blade both are 5/8 which is a good middle of the road width. A decent Jemco Russian leather strop with a linen side and a Col. Conk brand long wood handled pure badger brush. Also a Col. Conk boar brush for backup or travel. I love my Dovo Special,great beginner . I get good dependable shaves out of it. Have a great shave m8te and welcome to SRP !

Buy a new Dovo Best Quality razor 5/8 or 6/8 and a filly strop. If you nick your strop (you will), then it isn't the end of the world because they only cost about $20.