Originally Posted by
Durhampiper
Another option you might consider, if you want to try this out without investing a lot of money first, is to do what I did: I went to Sally Beauty Supply and bought a Magic Shaver and the packet of Wilkinson double edge blades for it for about $15 bucks (you cut the blades in half and insert one half into the holder, so it shaves like a straight). I wanted to find out whether I could learn how to shave this way without tearing my face up without also having to learn how to strop. After 2 weeks, I knew I was ready to really take the plunge. One thing to watch out for if you go this route is that the blades are really unforgiving. You're going to cut yourself regardless, but IME it's more likely with one of these things than with a real straight. But it was a good low-cost way to test it out before shelling out triple-digit dollars.