New to straightrazor and got a question

I went to a local barber supply shop that has been around for years and years and purchased a disposable "Shaving Factory" straight razor.Cheap, with a pack of disposable blades. I also purchased a kit containing a brush, cake soap and bowl.

My approach is to use cheap mediocre equipment to get started and learn technique first, because it is very tempting to spend 300-500 on a nice blade just to damage it or realize straight razor shaving is not for me.

My question is, is this the right approach? I go to a local barber shop that still gives straight razor shaves and they use these disposables so I figure it is okay until I am ready to invest in some good equipment.

Thanks for any guidance

Welcome to SRP.

If you are unsure as to whether you'll like shaving with a straight, then this is absolutely the right approach.

Try the disposable blades for a bit and if you like the shave, the prep, and the time it takes to perform the shave.....then get some solid equipment.

Maxi

I started with the same approach for the same reasons. The learning curve is steep here, but if you go slowly and patiently you will get it.

To an extent I agree with you. The only caveat is if you buy really cheap stuff the initial experience you get might be clouded by the low quality and you might get a bad impression of straight shaving, one to turn you off to it.

Hi
I'm a total beginner at straight blades, so I'd like to start with buying this set Z-Set Rasiermesser DOVO fr Einsteiger The Different Scent:. I should be an equilibrated starter combination, if I didn't get it wrong because it's in German (I chose this particular page because I live in Europe). If someone knows German better than I and Google translate do, please tell me if: the blade is really shave ready, a strop is included (I can see it in the picture, but I didn't find it in the text). What else should I buy, apart from what's in that package? I was thinking about a soap: Mhle - Rasierseife Aloe Vera Nachfllpack, 65 Gramm The Different Scent:

I'm a bit overwelmed with the quantity of information, and I feel I'm blocked even before starting. aramirez626, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread.
Thank you for your help.

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Originally Posted by alecs1

Hi
I'm a total beginner at straight blades, so I'd like to start with buying this set Z-Set Rasiermesser DOVO fr Einsteiger The Different Scent:. I should be an equilibrated starter combination, if I didn't get it wrong because it's in German (I chose this particular page because I live in Europe). If someone knows German better than I and Google translate do, please tell me if: the blade is really shave ready, a strop is included (I can see it in the picture, but I didn't find it in the text). What else should I buy, apart from what's in that package? I was thinking about a soap: Mhle - Rasierseife Aloe Vera Nachfllpack, 65 Gramm The Different Scent:

I'm a bit overwelmed with the quantity of information, and I feel I'm blocked even before starting. aramirez626, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread.
Thank you for your help.

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Try this

Shaving Starter Kits

If you're in europe this guy is in the uk. I ordered one of these (traditional set) yesterday and it arrived this morning, i also believe the owner is a member here. Great service and extremely helpful. The razor is shave ready also

I did the same as the OP and bought cheap stuff to get the hang of it and see whether i'd like it. I did and this kit was the next step, believe me i could not be happier with it

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Originally Posted by tekbow

Try this

Shaving Starter Kits

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Thank you. That's what I'll buy, at least because I understand what I'm buying :).

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Originally Posted by alecs1

Thank you. That's what I'll buy, at least because I understand what I'm buying :).

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No problem whatsoever. If it helps, I've had 2 shaves using this kit now and the difference having good quality stuff makes is astounding. Great value for money. Little tip though. I found the soap too big for the shaving bowl (too tall) so i cut it in half so i had 2 thinner discs. one got kept in the soap tin and the other in the bowl. now the lather doesn't run down the side of the soap where i can't get at it or get whipped out of the bowl altogether

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Originally Posted by tekbow

No problem whatsoever. If it helps, I've had 2 shaves using this kit now and the difference having good quality stuff makes is astounding. Great value for money. Little tip though. I found the soap too big for the shaving bowl (too tall) so i cut it in half so i had 2 thinner discs. one got kept in the soap tin and the other in the bowl. now the lather doesn't run down the side of the soap where i can't get at it or get whipped out of the bowl altogether

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try melting the soap in a microwave it works like a charm

Good idea actually, never thought of it. Melt it to fit the bowl so theres is no gap for it to slide down?

Only problem is that my shaving bowl is metal and i like my microwaves firmly in the non exploding category.. ;)

But i'm sure a ceramic bowl or some such would sort the problem, wanted to have another bowl for some different soap anyway

i'm a big fan of the cheese grater.. i grate all my soaps.. just grate and press into your container.. after a couple latherings it'll look like it was made for the bowl.

I'd been asking my wife for a straight razor and been doing some research and managed to talk her in to getting me the Dovo Shavette for Christmas after showing her a review that likened it to a straight razor on training wheels. I've only used the Dovo blades, Personna blades, and just now am trying the Wilkinson Sword blades. It's amazing the difference it makes.
I picked up a nice big 7/8th's wedge a month or so ago after using the Shavette exclusively since Christmas. The piece of advice I can give you for purchasing a "real" straight razor is to try and find something similar to the size of the blade holder you are currently using. I'm still not too confident with the huge wedge. I've gotten used to the weight, shape, and size of the Shavette and thus been thrown off greatly with the razor and find myself regularly slicing up my neck or upper lip. I've also had to learn a lot about stropping. Never bothered with that till I got the wedge and it is CRITICAL when you get a straight razor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tekbow

Good idea actually, never thought of it. Melt it to fit the bowl so theres is no gap for it to slide down?

Only problem is that my shaving bowl is metal and i like my microwaves firmly in the non exploding category.. ;)

But i'm sure a ceramic bowl or some such would sort the problem, wanted to have another bowl for some different soap anyway

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or you can melt it in microwave safe measuring cup with a spout and pour it in your metal bowl.... and it doesn't take long to melt i do it in 10-15 second intervals

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Originally Posted by bharner

I'd been asking my wife for a straight razor and been doing some research and managed to talk her in to getting me the Dovo Shavette for Christmas after showing her a review that likened it to a straight razor on training wheels. I've only used the Dovo blades, Personna blades, and just now am trying the Wilkinson Sword blades. It's amazing the difference it makes.
I picked up a nice big 7/8th's wedge a month or so ago after using the Shavette exclusively since Christmas. The piece of advice I can give you for purchasing a "real" straight razor is to try and find something similar to the size of the blade holder you are currently using. I'm still not too confident with the huge wedge. I've gotten used to the weight, shape, and size of the Shavette and thus been thrown off greatly with the razor and find myself regularly slicing up my neck or upper lip. I've also had to learn a lot about stropping. Never bothered with that till I got the wedge and it is CRITICAL when you get a straight razor.

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I love my Shavette I have tried many blades and found the Dovo blades to be my fav..

Well.. i went with the microwave thing, at the present time i have a mush in the bottom of the cup, it's gone soft and lumpy but not melting much more.. have turned up the heat a bit so hopefully will get there. But seeing as i'm doing it i thought i'd experiment a little. When i bought my cheap brush from the local chain chemist i got a little free thing of shave cream in it. so that's gone in the cup to mix in with the soap. if i can get it all liquid and poured into a the bowl which is sitting in cold water right now, I'm going to move it to the fridge.

If anyone's interested i can keep you posted :rofl2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tekbow

Well.. i went with the microwave thing, at the present time i have a mush in the bottom of the cup, it's gone soft and lumpy but not melting much more.. have turned up the heat a bit so hopefully will get there. But seeing as i'm doing it i thought i'd experiment a little. When i bought my cheap brush from the local chain chemist i got a little free thing of shave cream in it. so that's gone in the cup to mix in with the soap. if i can get it all liquid and poured into a the bowl which is sitting in cold water right now, I'm going to move it to the fridge.

If anyone's interested i can keep you posted :rofl2:

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did it work for ya????..... I had no probs at all with the soap melting i used col. conks amber glycerine soap and it acted just like butter fast smooth melt and fast firm like maybe an hour and i could use it.... but i have since switched to creams, i love the creams now

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Originally Posted by coldcut

did it work for ya????..... I had no probs at all with the soap melting i used col. conks amber glycerine soap and it acted just like butter fast smooth melt and fast firm like maybe an hour and i could use it.... but i have since switched to creams, i love the creams now

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Yeah er.. kinda. I'm using Osma labs soap, but it didn't really melt so much as go really really soft and explode sporadically? after a while heating it i was just drying it out so i stopped scooped it out and squidged it into a cold bowl (with the shaving cream mixed in) then threw that in the freezer for 20 mins. It seemed to harden up ok was shaped to the bottom of the bowl. but i don't think this soap is liking the mircowave..

Think the next task is the lather now. I've adopted the "brush in hot water and hot water in the bowl while i have a shower" method of starting out. then i empty the bowl and squeeze the brush out gently, the start dripping in water a little at a time as i whisk and get a nice "whipped cream with peaks" style lather. now i experimented and i think i got the hang of putting water in up to the point of no return, but when i put it on, by the time i've done one side, the lather on the other side has dried out. am looking at all the tips on the forum i can find. guess i need more practice