Thread: Help for a potential straight shaver!

I tend to agree with thebigspendur. Nothing is comparable to a straight razor shave in terms of closeness.

The next best thing to a straight razor shave is a DE razor shave, but it's not the same.

Of course straight razor shaving requires more attention to technique and will usually take a bit longer to achieve that same degree of closeness--especially if you are new to the craft.

But believe me, its well worth it.

I think a properly honed straight is far smoother of a shave than DE or cartridge. Yes a close shave is nice, but I think the smoothness is a large part of the enjoyment. Heck you did say you want BBS, not BBC. Give it a try.

Yes, I think I'm going to have to take the plunge...any suggestions on a beginner blade and strop? I know there's a beginner's guide here on SRP, which recommends getting a 6/8" because it's the middle of the road but there seems to be more 5/8" blades..and it also recommends getting a half hollow? I was thinking probably the dovo best in 5/8"? Or should I look for a used vintage straight? And I definitely want a 3" strop because I don't want to have to do the X pattern when stropping...

You won't be able to ''jump in'' and get a BBS shave when you're just starting. However, after some time on the razor it should be no problem, I shave XTG & ATG on my upper lip with ease. Once you find the correct angles of a straight, the ''fools pass'' becomes non-existent.

I started with the dove best from SRD it is a wonderful razor. I also wanted to give you my thoughts on the BBS shave. It took about 3 months before I was brave enough to try a ATG pass, my neck and around my mouth are real sensitive so I only do three passes on my checks. I do WTG and ATG on my neck/mouth and XTG,XTG and ATG on my checks and I get consistent BBS shaves. Hope this helps, happy learning

So what's the difference between the 5/8 and 6/8? Obviously the 6/8 is slightly bigger but how does that affect the shave?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

You can't compare a DE blade with a straight. The DE blade is machine made, very thin and has coatings. It's apples and oranges. Also it is housed within a safety housing so your angles and approaches are limited compared to a straight. I think I can be bold in saying no DE will ever outshave a straight or even equal it. If someone says it does their straight technique needs work.

+1 I just got a DE not too long ago and the shave i get from that is no where near as comfortable and or as close as my straights. Like everyone said everything comes with practice. Good luck with your shaves.

I've shaved with everything from a 4/8 to a 10/8 and, while they may feel different, there was not much difference in shaving with them. I'd start with 6/8, but that is really a non-issue.

As for closeness and comfort, I used to get wonderful shaves with a Pro Glide cartridge and still do. I have a Merkur 34C that I can get wonderful shaves with as well. Last week, for the heck of it, I used my Pro Glide and got a perfect shave in one minute and 37 seconds. I can get a great shave with the DE in under 3 minutes.

To be honest, I'm 115 shaves in on straights, and I can still get a closer and smoother shave with a DE or Cartridge. But I don't shave for smoothness or closeness. I shave for fun.

I started a little while ago and I shave face and head with a straight.. the size IMHO really depends on feel, and how easy you want to get to the nooks to start with... a smaller one is good for lip area (at least I have found).... I have three all for different areas.. I have an 8/8 wedge for my head... 6/8 full hollow for my cheeks and neck.. and an old vintage extra hollow that I honed down to get under my nose, under my lip, and small areas.. But really it's what you are comfy with.. 5/8 seems to be a good starter size.. I have read on here where some guys can shave perfectly under the lip with what would be the Razor comparison to a meat cleaver... so the more you refine your shaving skills the better you can rely on one razor to get all the areas.. Good luck on your adventure.... oh and Coome to the darksiiide..

Yes, what the other guys have said is good advice.
Size of the blade doesn't matter much. You can get good shaves with any size, the thing is, you will not know what size you prefer before you have tried some different ones.
That's why many recommend the 6/8 half hollow as a middle ground of what is out there.
I myself started out with a extra hollow 5/8.
After trying out more razors, I found that my preference was the slightly bgger blades.
But, I used that very 5/8 today, and it is still a very fine shaver.
Tomorrow could very well be a 10/8 wedge That works equally fine for me.
Shaving under the nose with such a big blade is no more difficult than with a 4/8, you just need to get used to it.
Pick one middle ground razor, you will soon be buying more, that is the ime to experiment:
Good luck!