Disposeable Blades:

I bought a straight razor taking 3" disposeable blades. I read on the forum where disposeables are considered "shave ready" but also where a razor is not truly shave ready if only sharpened by the manufacturer. It does okay but will not get a close shave unless i make several against the grain passes and get plenty of razor burn. Am I just doing something wrong or will I get better out of a professionally honed razor?

You'll be needing to practice your technique. The 'shavette' style of razor takes disposable razor blades that need no honing, and should be well and truly 'shave ready', so to speak. I know a few members here like these things, but I for one, prefer a 'proper' cutthroat razor that you can either hone, or have honed to a shave ready edge, with the only waste being the soap, and the water to wash it away.


Mick

If you are getting razor burn with a feather, you are likely experiencing problems with your technique (unless the blade is dull). Those blades are scary sharp. Work on your angles and pressures. These are the biggest keys to minimizing razor burn. There are a few other things that do impact this as well. Face prep, and lather quality, are also important. :gl:

We'll likely be having a gathering in Ashville, NC. Live near there?

I live in Arden, about 20 minutes south of Asheville. Is there a time and location yet? If so I'll be there I could definitely use some help.

usually three or four shaves out of one of those blades. Also depends on the blades used. Does it take the double edge blades that you have to snap in two?

I'm planning on buying a bunch of different brands to try out. Merkur super were decent, I have fairly tough growth. I used the pharmacy store ones for a few shaves, not the best, but I was maybe 10 shave in.

I have some straights, but I just haven't sent them out to be honed yet. I also want to figure out what blades are good. I'm going to get my girlfriend a DE and want her to have good blades.

I heard technique is a little harder to learn with these, which is why I'm sticking with the shavette for a little longer. Hopefully I'll have better technique when I switch over.

I use the dovo that takes the double blade you snap apart. The trouble is you either have the angle too high or the fat section that holds the blade will touch your face and you wont be doing anything. It's a bit of a balancing act. Just got my first real razor in the mail though so we shall see....