Thread: Weigh In

After over a decade of trying every type of safety razor, cream, gel, oil, lotion, etc. I'm still unhappy with my shave. So I'm looking toward the straight razor for help.

I can get a passable shave with my current razor, for about four days, then I get serious problems with ingrown hairs on my neck. Replacing the cartridge every 3-4 days will keep these at bay, but that gets expensive quickly.

I'm hoping that a straight razor will allow me to have that fresh blade shave every day, a closer shave, less neck problems, and less bleeding from the wallet in the long run. (Certainly going to need to hone up on my honing skills)

So now, on that same tight budget most everyone is on these days I'm searching out a set up that will give me a good taste of straight razor shaving.

I've read through the faq, the beginners guide, and probably know just enough now to get myself into trouble, but hopefully SRP will be a good place to check my thinking before I bleed out on the floor (j/k).

Thanks,
Jim

Welcome to SRP. You will find that a Str8 gives a closer shave and in my case, eliminated the ingrown hairs and other problems. You will also find their is a learning curve and it takes some time.

Good Luck!!

I'd second starting out with a DE, a brush and soap. That should give you a good taste of wet-shaving, and get you use to having to keep the pressure extremely light and the angle right. Then you can always move to straight razors and you'll have everything except a strop.

I'm never had "problem skin" but I started with a DE and still noticed improvement...after I learned to keep the pressure at ZERO. Cartridge and electric razors have us trained to push the blade against the face.

Thanks for the welcome and the input guys.

A DE is an option I'll give some thought to. It might be a good stepping stone toward the straight. Though it doesn't appeal to me to have the continual outswap of blades or the same (or possibly more expensive) outlay of cash.

Personally, I prefer the notion of having a tool, or set of tools that will do the job and last. And I have to say that my reading and research over the past several weeks has only made me want to try the straight more.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by BigJim

Though it doesn't appeal to me to have the continual outswap of blades or the same (or possibly more expensive) outlay of cash.

I started with a straight for the same reason but have also been using a DE razor as well for the past 6 months due to traveling for work since I don't check bags it is difficult for me to get through an airport with a straight .

I found that with DE blades the variety of blades and prices are quite reasonable. I picked up 100 blades for about 10 bucks off ebay which is just .10 cents a blade. Now I can go almost a full month on a single blade so for me it is a economical alternative also with 100 blades it will take me years to go through them all at the current rate I use them.

When going with straights you may want to consider getting 2. This way you have one that you can learn with until the time comes it needs to be re-honed and then switch to the other one while you either send out the first or attempt to hone it yourself. Check out the classifieds here and for a first blade Whipped Dog is a good place to get one as they are not the prettiest but it will get you going and you can always make your second razor a nicer looking one if you want.

Welcome to the club Big Jim.

I would second everything that has been said about Whipped Dog for a very economical but very functional razor. I bought another razor first and then found Whipped Dog and wish I would have found them first. I'd also recommend looking through the classifieds here for an inexpensive "shave ready" blade, that way you'll get a blade that is ready to go and should last a couple shaves before you even have to strop it. I also second the idea of having two razors, it will help you in the long run. As for strops, you may find a good strop in the classified too or you may check Straight Razor Designs or Classic Shaving (both advertise here) for a good strop. A good brush and good soap (or cream if you prefer) is all else you need. My first shaving mug was a coffee mug that I decided to use until I found what I wanted and it worked well. Soaps are something you'll have to try and find something that you like the scent/lather capability/feel of so don't be surprised if you try a couple or three before you settle on something. A great soap in my opinion is Mitchells Wool Fat and a puck can be found at many online stores and should last you a long time (months) depending on how often you shave.

Good luck and welcome.
Eric

welcome to srp.

what makes the edge of a straight razor last much longer than the alternatives is the stropping between the shaves. then there is a touch-up on a hone for when the stropping is not enough and a tiny bit of metal needs to be removed to create a brand new edge.

so... what is important is that you have a good quality tools to start with and learn to use them well.

of course, as long as the steel along the edge is good and the razor is not abused (atrocious hone wear, or heavy restoration after damage) the cosmetic looks of a razor don't matter to the function and you can save some money going with a not so good looking razor.
but, keep in mind that restoration can get expensive, so if eventually you'd want something pretty it's almost always better to get the finished product that you'd like from the start.

so at the end of the day it depends what your priorities are.

Welcome BigJim. I am also relatively new to straights. I would say if you are looking to save money Whipped dog is a good place to start. The razors aren't necessarily pretty, but they are functional and will let you learn what you do and don't like in different razors before you spend a bunch of money on a new one. If you decide that you like straights, you can always get a fancy one later when you know what you want. I would say based on what experience I have picked up, use your money mostly on a good quality strop. Watch lots of stropping videos online. Read the wiki. Good stropping technique on a good strop will get you a good shave. If I could do it over I would have gotten a slightly nicer strop. (On the other hand you'll probably nick the thing a bunch of times - I have... So don't go crazy and buy English Bridle or anything either...) Also, a 3'' wide strop should be a bit easier for you to learn with than a little, thin one, although the thinner one's are typically cheaper. Most important thing is enjoy your new hobby and read lots on SRP!

Thanks for all the input.

Originally Posted by Troggie

I found that with DE blades the variety of blades and prices are quite reasonable. I picked up 100 blades for about 10 bucks off ebay which is just .10 cents a blade. Now I can go almost a full month on a single blade so for me it is a economical alternative also with 100 blades it will take me years to go through them all at the current rate I use them.

When going with straights you may want to consider getting 2. ...

I highly doubt I could get so much life out of a DE blade. My facial hair is like a wire brush, I've literally wiped my face and come back with whiskers stuck in my hand like splinters, or bristles from a wire wheel. Still, if I found them as cheap as you've mentioned they would be more cost effective.

That aside, I had an interesting development this evening. I mentioned to my dad that I was looking at trying out straight razors, having exhausted "modern" alternatives. Now I've got two, maybe three razors headed my way that were his grandfather's and his great grandfather's. No idea what brands they are, or how good of shape they may really be in. One reads solingen, and has a nice shiny blade, another has a shiny blade, and the third has a blackened blade (I'm assuming oxidized over the years). The original owners of these razors passed away in the 30's and early 50's respectively and I'm incredibly anxious to see these razors, but it will take a day or eight for him to get around to dropping them in the mail, plus a few to get to me.

So, in the mean time I think I'll cruise the classifieds or whipped dog (thanks for the tip fellas) for a third/fourth blade that I can believe will come actually shave ready, so that I can use it as a standard to judge these others by.

Still have to find a strop I like/that's in budget, and a couple good hones, but I'm pretty happy with the way things have developed so far!

Thanks again for the welcome and input fellas.

yeah you're probably looking into a month before you have any of those razors back to you in shaving condition, so it's not a bad idea to pick something else and start the learning curve.
forget the hones, get a good strop.