Thread: Dont want to strop, just want to buy replaceable blades. Where to get shave ready?

Originally Posted by mikej411

what does a 'DE' blade mean? and how do you break a blade in half i dont get it?

@Mickr

Are those Shark blades from amazon you linked to DE and breakable?

Double Edge.

You fold it from edge to edge. I've never done it, but have seen it on youtube... Some come in a wax paper wrap that you can hold them with.

Hi Mike,

In a pinch you can also use two pairs of pliers to hold the double-edge blade while bending it one way then another until it fatigues and breaks.

Cheers,
Jeff

i use a feather artist club razor and love it.. it offers a close and comfortable shave.. i never have to hone or strop.. from what i understand.. i'm missing out.. but i am somewhat lazy and enjoy the convenience.

i have spoken with people who have used both the artist club and normal straights and they have said that the artist club offers an equal to or better shave than standard straight razors..

the initial costs are high.. i purchased the dx model for $200 and a pack of 20 blades run $12..

prices seem to have recently gone up.. with the dx running $270 and the less expensive rg running $150

you can easily get a normal straight for a fraction of that cost.. you will need to purchase a strop and have it honed though.. so i guess it all evens out..

as for the shavette.. can't really say it ever had my interest.

The shark blades are SE, single edge, you just open them up and put it in and your good to go. DE is double edge prefer to use the SE blades myself but double edge can typically be found in drug stores or walmart in a pinch then you have to split them yourself the way the last two post explained. Did this once when on vacation, forget to bring replacement blades had to buy them there, didn't have much trouble with breaking them.

Okay..I haven't used a shavette(probably won't ever) And I'm not saying this to be mean....Simple rule that can be applied to alot of things in life though......A copy or facsimilie simply will not give you the experience of the real deal. It might come close,but...it's just not it. That being said,good luck on whatever you choose.I might suggest this...if you have a friend who has a straight that is shave ready and is willing to set down with you and help you out.Disinfect the blade and give the real deal a try. It really will be the true test. As was said earlier in this thread,there is a huge support group waiting to help you out...truly. And as we all say here "Welcome to SRP".And as our founder would always say.." Have Fun ".........P.S. when it comes to straight shaving,the first few times will be a learning curve,but once you get the hang of it,...it just gets better and better...Cheers ! Just kiddin bout the Guac heh.

ummm ok so i got the parker srw in the mail today and it is impossible to get the damn blades in. it doesnt unclip or anything. it has a clamp that supposedly loosens the razor so you can put the blades in but it barely loosens, so i have to shove the blade in by pushing the sharp top of the blade in with a book or something.

please tell me there is an easier way to put the blades in

Yes there is an easier way. If you purchased the same parker srw razor that I linked you to earlier you will have white scaled parker with a stainless steel holder. Your going to open the razor till the scales and holder are in line. Then hold the razor in your left hand in front of you 90 degrees to your chest with where the blade goes facing towards your left. You should see the parker symbol and stainless steel written on the clip vertically when you look down. Now open the clip next take your right thumb work the nail into the gap in the back of the holder and push slightly up and to the left till the top part is slightly popped of the pin. Next leave your thumb in place and with the rest of your right fingers hold the razor. Now take the left hand from holding the razor to the point of the holder.Use your index finger and pull the top half up and to the left to separate the two halves of the holder.

Once open put your blade in close it back up put clip back and your ready to shave. You could probably put a small amount of oil in between the two halves to make it easier to open the next time but it does get easier after opening it a couple times on its own and I like to change the blades right after I finish shaving as I think it makes it easier to get the two halves apart.

cool i got it thanks

I've been using the Parker SRW for about 3 months after trying a Monsieur Charles shavette on and off for a couple of years. I really didn't like the Charles, as the metal on the holder extended back past the blade for an inch or so, at the same level as the blade edge, so that the holder would wipe off any lather without cutting any hair (so it was hard to tell where I had been). That and the blades seemed to dull really quickly (like, after one shave).

The Parker seems to stay sharp a bit longer (making two passes per shave, I can get two shaves out of a blade...three seems to be one too many), but to reiterate what has already been said on this thread--nicks are inevitable for me with the Parker, unless I'm using a blade that has already been used once, and I'm really, really careful. I've found that I can make one pass now with a sharp blade and not nick myself more than once, but the second pass always seems to be worse. It takes loads of concentration, however.

When I first started with the Parker, I nicked myself a LOT, and still ended up with a poor shave. It was hard not to get discouraged, but I'm so glad I didn't give up. It's totally worth it, but it takes lots of patience and practice.

I graduated today, as I just received a Townsend Special 11/16 full hollow square point from the classifieds here at SRP, and a strop off of Amazon. I used it for the first time this morning, and the difference is amazing. It takes a bit to get the stropping technique down, but I got a shave that's as least as close as the shavette, with only one very minor nick (if I can even call it that). I made three passes, which was impossible with the Parker (I've tried three with the shavette, but my skin gets so irritated on the third pass that I had to quit). Anyway, if you get discouraged, get back on here so we can all talk you back into it.

Hello, mikeJ411:

The pleasure of wet shaving with the straight razor is the complete ritual. For me, anyway. The ritual encompasses several artistic disciplines that require skill. Subsequently the individual technique develops from mastering those skills.

The disciplines are: making lather, stropping, honing and shaving. Each requires distinct skill, each an art form that gives the shaver a sense of satisfaction. Each also calls for patience and discipline.

If you prefer to shave only with the straight razor with replaceable blades, that is your choice. You will miss out on some of the other rituals of wet shaving with the straight razor, but I do not fault you for that. After all, those other rituals may not be as important to you are they are to me. That's all right. Is my way better than yours? Of course not. It is better for me. Your choice, whatever it may be, is better for you. So you go with your preference.

You have been offered several good choices for straight razors with replaceable blades. Some have included the Feather. I have a Feather Artist Club and like it. I take it on trips as a back up to my regular straight razors. My back up stash also includes a double edge travel razor.

The Feather is sharp. Some regard it as unforgiving. I don't, because I shave with care, whether with a regular straight razor, the Feather or my double edge. Were I to recommend a straight razor with replaceable blades for you, my choice would be the Feather. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Regards,
Obie