Thread: Need specific advice for first blade

Hey!

I would like to start shaving using a straight blade, as I've grown tired of disposable cartridge razors - the cheap ones are good on longer stubble but fail to provide a smooth shave, whereas the expensive multi-blade ones only perform well on very short stubble, but they're expensive in the long run.

I've never shaved using a straight blade before, so I need your advice. I read up a bit on the subject, but nothing can replace expert advice.

I have read the "A shopping list for beginners" thread, yet I'm still posting this in case you notice anything here that isn't covered in those posts.

Which specific blade should I go with?
What do I need to buy to get me through 3-6 months of using the blade? I'd rather not invest in unnecessary things that I won't need within these 3-6 months, while I learn the art, and only then get whatever else might be needed once I have a better understanding.

Should I get a stainless steel blade or a carbon blade? I don't want to have to replace this blade with a new one within a few months or a year, and I learn quickly, so I'd rather not get something for beginners and become quickly dissatisfied with it.
The guide says I should get a cheap first blade, so which material?

What type of hollow grind do I want?

I don't want to buy rubbish, but I also don't want to pay for an expensive handle when a cheaper one will do just as well.

My budget, hmm. Let's just say I don't want to waste money on unneccesary things, such as the handle, or aspects of the blade that are marketed as being better without any scientific proof, but I am happy to pay what's needed for a quality blade.

I will ask these question elsewhere as well, as I don't want to rely on one reply only. The general consensus will lead me in the right direction.

Regards
Morgan

Welcome to SRP Morgan.
Having made a lot of mistakes when starting out I feel a little bit qualified to make some suggestions for you.
If I had my time over again I would have found this website first and then started with a shave ready razor from the classifieds here instead of mucking around and wasting money on EBay.
The guys are very well qualified to advise you on a good starter blade and, IMHO, you will get a good start from them.
As far as types of steel goes, I have both carbon and stainless steel blades and both work well for me.
Some will say that a full hollow grind is more difficult to master in the beginning, however it will help improve your technique (I know mine does).
Others will tell you to go with a heavier grind which is more forgiving when learning.
There are valid arguments for both philosophies so, ultimately it is your choice.
My advise would be that, if you are a little impatient and want to get good results quickly (like me) go for a 1/2 hollow, however, if you are willing to put up with a bit of frustration in the early days to achieve a better result, go for a full hollow.
I'll get off my soapbox now....hehehe
You don't say where you are, however, I'm sure there is an SRP member fairly close by who may lend you a couple of different grinds to try and give you some 'hands on' experience with stropping etc.
There are plenty of suggestions here for inexpensive, quality strops so I won't go there (mainly 'cause I have no experience with them).
Team that up with a good soap (MFS perhaps) and a good quality brush (I have just started using a Frank's Finest badger and find it quite good).
That should set you up for the next few months to 'test the waters' so to speak.
Then RAD and HAD set in and you're hooked.
Most of all, work on your stropping and shaving technique first, then let nature take it's course from there.
I hope this helps
More importantly, hang on and enjoy the ride and let us know how you go.

Cheap brush, soap and pre shave and be had at the local drug store for about $40. I made my own paddle strop with a large piece of bridle leather and a 3' x 3.5" x .75" piece of oak $20. As far a a razor I would get a vintage razor from the classifieds.
Post up what neck of the world your in. There are many here willing to give you some face time, and help you get started.
Welcome to SRP.

Welcome, I would suggest doing what Shooter 74743 suggests. Good luck

Welcome, I am new here also, I just finished my 4th shave since joining these forums. I was fortunate enough to meet a member on this forum that lives fairly close who gave me some great advice as well as showed me his razor collection and was nice enough to actually give me a starter razor and a good strop as well as sample soaps. Later that day he sold me a dove Bismarck from his collection which was professionally honed, I felt really lucky because I had your same reasoning, I did not want to start with something that I wouldn't use later and this razor will surely last me a lifetime. I was on a budget so I used a coffee mug, cheap brush from walgreens and the sample soap given to me, I am very satisfied with the decisions that I have made so far and with the advice of the good people here every shave is getting better, I hope you find what you are looking for and maybe you will be as lucky as I was.

Should I get a stainless steel blade or a carbon blade? I don't want to have to replace this blade with a new one within a few months or a year, and I learn quickly, so I'd rather not get something for beginners and become quickly dissatisfied with it.

There's no such thing as a "beginner's straight razor". There are more-expensive and less-expensive, "modern" and "vintage" blades in various grinds. But the only thing your beard cares about is:

. . . Is the edge _really sharp_ ?

Any decent razor (see the Wiki lists of "known-good brands" and 'brands to avoid') can be brought to a good edge. Your beard doesn't care if the razor is tarnished, or what the handle is made of, or even (much) about what the grind is.

The least-expensive option is to get a vintage razor and new strop from the Classifieds on this website, or:

Categories

The previous references to the Dovo "starter set" would also give you a good start.

Don't get hung up over "which material? which grind?" -- it doesn't matter a lot, for your first razor. My only warning:

. . . Round points are easier for beginners to work with, than "square" or "spike" points.

The only things you _really need_ to maintain a razor's edge indefinitely is a leather strop (used before each shave), and a barber hone (a small, fine-grained hone). Larry (at Whipped Dog) has a "Poor Man's Strop Kit" which includes a leather strop and a "pasted strop". It won't keep a blade sharp indefinitely, but it'll work for many months.

It's impossible to specify a "best razor". If you wander through antique shops, and see what people _actually used_, most of the razors are 5/8 - 6/8" wide, 1/4 - 3/4 hollow, carbon-steel blades. The Dovo fits right into that range.

Charles

Shooter74743 hit the nail on the head. Everything in that set is top quality and should last you a very long time. Plus the customer service is outstanding.

MorganH,

+++1 on Shooter74743s suggestions; the Dovo Best is an excellent work-horse of a razor and shaves well above it's price point

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

If you're on a budget, you might want to take a look at this website: Whipped Dog

Larry Andreassen is a super guy whose main focus is helping newbies get started. As you'll see, he offers good vintage razors for reasonable prices. The photos on his website are taken before he cleans the razors up; any razor you buy from him will be shave ready when it comes to you. It won't be shiny and restored, but it will be cleaned up, honed, shave tested and sanitized. He also has a "Sight Unseen" deal that gets you a 5/8 half or full hollow razor and a strop kit for about $50. I bought a 5/8 full hollow etched Geneva from him back last fall and it's a great shaver. He's also honed several of my other razors and puts a great edge on. Quick turn-around time, too.

Larry's a first-class guy, for sure!

I bought a Dovo 5/8 Best Quality as my first razor. Nothing special about it, but it's still in high-priority in my rotation. I love how it shaves. Personally, I found no difference between shaving with a wedge versus full-hollow as a beginner. In fact, I'd almost prefer a full-hollow for a newbie, as they're easier to maintain once the edge dulls slightly. There's more feedback from the blade relating to how you're doing with your technique - both shaving and stropping. Necessities for a new: Razor, Strop, Soap, Brush. These will give you the 3 months you're looking for. Chances are, you've got another SRP member close-by (usually within driving distance, for most) that you can meet for a walk-through or possibly send off to touch-up that blade.