n00b joining the forums.

Hello


Just joined these forums...

I have been looking for alternatives to Gillette's Mach3 stuff.

I consider Gillette Mach3 to be the "Standard" of disposable razor cartridges. Anything cheaper is much worse, anything more expensive really isn't all that better.

Also, those cartridges are expensive as hell (expect to pay the equivalent of 4 dollars per cartridge in Switzerland, if you buy them in 8 packs). And very unecological.

And the shave is awful and the razor's handling is cumbersome. I can shave about once a week without getting serious skin irritation. The more often I shave, the weirder my skin feels.

So, I decided I want to get me a straight razor. I have watched a couple of youtube videos, read some articles and I found a shop in a town near mine that sells straight razors, strops, wetstones, brushes etc. and all that and the guy will also give me some basic lessons.

I like the idea of buying a razor for 150 CHF (about the same as US dollar) that will last for the rest of my life if I treat it nicely. And it also makes me bad-ass, I guess (I don't know anyone who would ever have even contemplated using a straight razor)


Basically, I just wanted to stop by and say Hello ;-)

Cheers.

shiznix,

Welcome and hello from Hastings in the UK :)

The choice of a razor (size, style etc) is a very personal thing, but at the 150 CHF level, I would have a look at a C135 steel 5/8 full hollow Thiers-Issard. These razors take and keep an excellent edge, and are good, solid workman-like razors.

The Dovo Special (aka Tortoise) in either 5/8 or 6/8 is another fine razor to consider.

Others here at SRP will be able to give further advice.

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Good to have you here. With a bit of practice, I know you won't regret switching to the straight razor. Drop a line if you ever want to chat, or if you need help with something.

Cheers

Dave

Welcome to SRP. Check out the SRP Wiki beginner's guide here for mucho info on getting started. Once you are ready to shave read my sig below and follow the old barber's advice. :gl:

Welcome aboard, and to the right way to shave! Do as much reading in the Wiki and forums here as you can. I know it's a lot of information to absorb. I wouldn't discount getting a razor in the classifieds. They are very reasonable priced. Also, they are not throw aways. Our members have reputations to protect. We also have great vendors (see the Vendor's Corner below). All are members here with reputations to protect. They are a great source of information when it comes time to make your purchase. Just make sure that the razor is shave ready. You don't want to be trying to learn how to shave and learn how to hone at the same time. Enjoy the journey!! :beer1:

Oh, I feel obligated to mention that you won't really be saving any money. You'll figure that one out quickly... :rofl2::rofl2:

I am new myself, but you won't regret switching from Mach 3. I am still learning, but so far it is going well as I learn. Get a good quality razor and strop you don't mind making mistakes on, because as stated on the Wiki, you will nick/cut the strop at first no matter how hard you try not to. Best of luck to you!:tu

Welcome to SRP!

There is a learning curve to straight razor shaving that is individual to each of us. Be patient as you develop your skills and don't give in to frustration if you feel you are not progressing as fast as others. We all learn at our own pace. Stick with it and shaving will no longer be a daily task to be completed; it will become a very rewarding way of life.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

thx for you guys' replies.


I have now bought a razor. Things are a little complicated for me when it comes to buying stuff, since I live in switzerland.
There are hardly any guys/shops who sell straight razors in my country and importing stuff from the european union is always a hassle due to this country's extreme protectionist economy politics ;-)

There is one shop though in Switzerland, www.nassrasieren.ch - der Weg zur perfekten Rasur! .I got me a straight razor from there,brand dovo, and the guy told me it was already shave ready. I am pleased with so far. As I am with this community.

Thx very much.

/EDIT: @moderator, please move to member introductions, thx.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shiznix

thx for you guys' replies.


I have now bought a razor. Things are a little complicated for me when it comes to buying stuff, since I live in switzerland.
There are hardly any guys/shops who sell straight razors in my country and importing stuff from the european union is always a hassle due to this country's extreme protectionist economy politics ;-)

There is one shop though in Switzerland, www.nassrasieren.ch - der Weg zur perfekten Rasur! .I got me a straight razor from there,brand dovo, and the guy told me it was already shave ready. I am pleased with so far. As I am with this community.

Thx very much.

/EDIT: @moderator, please move to member introductions, thx.

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Dear Shiznix
Sorry I was late to this party and in welcoming you. So, allow me to properly do so:

**WELCOME TO SRP**:y

Congratulations are also in order for your recent acquisition(s). I wouldn't really worry so much about having a brick & mortar shop to buy your stuff from. Most SRP-ers end up doing so from the classified section here on SRP (highly recommended) or online....most sellers in the classified here also ship things worldwide. You are covered my friend, regardless of geographic constraints and what the policies are regarding trade, imports and exports.

Stay away from eBay for awhile until you feel comfortable knowing what you are looking for and what to look out for.

Do you have a decent brush? if not, you should seriously look into this as your next, important acquisition. There are many choices with a wide range of prices...Look into the review sections for info and ideas about this.

Most importantly; str8 shaving has a bit of a learning curve. Do not be discouraged if things don;t go as smoothly for you at the beginning...keep at it, ask questions and persevere. Trust me, the rewards far outweigh the learning curve and possible small nicks and cuts you may end up acquiring through your journey into str8 shaving :).

Just a few thoughts.

Hi

thanks for your reply.


I am not sure what brand of brush I am using. It is a badger hair brush and it was fairly expensive for a piece of wood and fur of an animal that is considered a pest here ;-)

anyway, this is my equipment. you decide if it's good or not.


http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7...g0003hi.th.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


;-)

Hi


You can see the strop on the photograph that I have taken ;-)


And yes, I know this shit is more expensive than it could be in other countries. Thing is, this is Switzerland and your american Dollar or Euro is worth only 50 cents here. everything is bloody expensive, but people also earn twice as much as in the surrounding countries.

And this shop really is the only place I know where I can get straight razors from a guy who actually knows what he's talking about. I might possibly get one in my town too, but I would not know of any competent straight razor veteran.


I have another question, about honing: I do not shave every day (more like two or three times a week) and I don't have much facial hair (in fact, only around the chin, moustache and sideburns, a few single hairs around my throat).

After how much time should I send my razor to some honing service?


thx so far.

/EDIT: BTW, the brush cost me around 60 bucks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shiznix

Hi


You can see the strop on the photograph that I have taken ;-)


And yes, I know this shit is more expensive than it could be in other countries. Thing is, this is Switzerland and your american Dollar or Euro is worth only 50 cents here. everything is bloody expensive, but people also earn twice as much as in the surrounding countries.

And this shop really is the only place I know where I can get straight razors from a guy who actually knows what he's talking about. I might possibly get one in my town too, but I would not know of any competent straight razor veteran.


I have another question, about honing: I do not shave every day (more like two or three times a week) and I don't have much facial hair (in fact, only around the chin, moustache and sideburns, a few single hairs around my throat).

After how much time should I send my razor to some honing service?


thx so far.

/EDIT: BTW, the brush cost me around 60 bucks.

---

Sorry...it was difficult to see the strop in the pict.

As for honing...once the razor starts pulling and tugging, it's time for some honing. At the beginning, it may be sooner than usual (3- weeks?), but once you start getting your technique down, it'll be every 2-3 months...this is very average, you know...YMMV

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Sorry...it was difficult to see the strop in the pict.

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Nothing to apologize for ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

As for honing...once the razor starts pulling and tugging, it's time for some honing. At the beginning, it may be sooner than usual (3- weeks?), but once you start getting your technique down, it'll be every 2-3 months...this is very average, you know...YMMV

---

Hmm... every 2-3 months... sounds rather often. Guess I will need to learn to do this by myself.

How big is the risk of permantly damaging the razor? I mean... if you're being really patient and watch a lot of youtube tutorial videos and read lots of stuff prior to trying the first time, and treat the razor like you would treat your own baby child?

Is it like
"you're most probably going to f*ck your razor no matter how much attention you pay"
or is it like
"if you really pay a lot of attention and be careful all the time, it's unlikely you're going to brick your razor"
?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shiznix

Nothing to apologize for ;-)



Hmm... every 2-3 months... sounds rather often. Guess I will need to learn to do this by myself.

How big is the risk of permantly damaging the razor? I mean... if you're being really patient and watch a lot of youtube tutorial videos and read lots of stuff prior to trying the first time, and treat the razor like you would treat your own baby child?

Is it like
"you're most probably going to f*ck your razor no matter how much attention you pay"
or is it like
"if you really pay a lot of attention and be careful all the time, it's unlikely you're going to brick your razor"
?

---

Remember, as you get better at this, honing will be less and less often. We tend to "ruin" the edge as we start out (bad technique, etc...). Also, 2-3 months is very much average (some go 6 months without honing), but daily stropping (with good technique) is important for maintaining a good edge...This is what I have learned from Wiki and other senior members here.

If you are going to learn honing, then this is what I suggest:

1. get yourself a couple of "practice" razors (eBay or classified, other)...something you don;t care about that much

2. Learn on it...not your every day shavers

3. Get some good hones...there are a lot of choices and with each comes different techniques. It is rather fun. I, personally have Naniwas (1k, 5k, 8k and 12k). I also have a Yellow coticule, which is a natural stone. There are many others, each with different characteristics...Study the Wiki and some threads by master honers (Lynn, JimmyHAD, and others...to many good ones on SRP)...Shoot them a PM and ask questions

Dear Shiznix,

It looks like a pretty good setup to me. You are on your way now. Just go slow and do a little bit each day and learn as you go. I've been at it for 2 weeks tomorrow and yesterday did my first full face shave with the str8. It took me an hour. I find that if I do each part of my face multiple times. Like 2 pass with the grain and 2 passes across the grain and maybe one pass against the grain relathering between each pass. I also take short little strokes, but see what works best for you. I shaved today in 35 minutes with great results. I can't believe what a great shave I get. After 12 hours my face still feels as smooth or smoother than right after I'm done with a Mach 3. Incredible. Best of luck to you!:)

Welcome!

I'm pretty new myself (2 months in) and have no regrets what so ever. Shaving is now a pleasure instead of a chore, and I get a closer, longer lasting shave than I ever thought possible.

Shiznix, just wanted to say welcome....you have found a really great place here at SRP. The folks here are great!! And there are no stupid questions here, cuz everyone has to start somewhere....I know I did and if there were any stupid questions, I'm sure I would have come up with em. I am new at this too, I messed up and bought some really cheap stuff, before I found SRP, and have learned better since. You will enjoy your str8, and you will enjoy SRP. Just have fun with it, and it will be something you will look forward to, instead of a chore. Just alot of research, and searching and you will find what you are looking for, because if its not on here at SRP, its probably not anywhere. Well, anyway's, welcome and enjoy......

Kent

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dward

Oh, I feel obligated to mention that you won't really be saving any money. You'll figure that one out quickly... :rofl2::rofl2:

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Of course you are including all the soaps and creams and just the "collector addiction" once you pick up a straight?

Once you include the hones, soaps and creams, a couple quality straights, brushs, strops, I guess I have in about 400 bucks now. That would buy a lot of mach 3's I suppose. But still I am much more eco-friendly!!

Bare minimum: Gold dollar shave ready 25 bucks, brush and soap 7 bucks, filly strop 20 bucks, ebay barber hone for touch ups, perhaps 40 bucks?

Then I would be saving money, but not feeling so elegant when I shave. Also there is something about paying for a quality german made straight that gives you more incentive to keep going when the going gets tough!:borg: