differnce when shaving with Fromm hair shaper and actual straight razor?

For a little over a year now I have been using a fromm hair shaper as a straight razor. ( the kind that costs like 10 bucks at sallys beauty shop ) I have not used an actual straight before and was wondering if it would be as different as night and day. When I shave with my cheap setup even with a brand new blade the razor catches on the hair and does that whole pulling/yanking action. Would this still be the case with an actual straight? I have seen a decrease in the amount of ingrown hairs after a switched from the cartridge razors and I feel awesome using a (if I may) straight razor but want to know is there anything else to look for from a real straight razor.

I apologize if I didn't look hard enough to see if there are any similar posts

It can be different. Also, I am not sure if the Fromm accepts different style blades or not. I have used a "Shavette" that uses half a DE blade and different blades perform better than others. It could be technique, the blade, or the light weight. I prefer my real straights but keep the "Shavette" for travel.

One of the major differences I'm going to assume as truth is the quality of blade/edge. As I just posted in another thread, you get what you pay for. This could not be more true with Wet Shaving.

From my general understanding of hair-shapers, they are not meant to cleanly cut the hair in a perfect manner. You're talking about the end of someone's hair on their head, as opposed to the hair immediately prefaced by the skin on your face. As with many other aspects of the human body, the follicle itself can be drastically different, depending where the hair is growing. Facial hair is often seen as the thickest hair on the body, thus you need a sharper edge to cut through it.

It's been posted before, but even the edge/bevel profiles of Double-Edge blades are drastically different between manufacturers, much moreso (I would believe) from an edge that is meant to shape hair or shave with.

To sum it up, don't put all your straight shaving eggs in a disposable basket that was meant to achieve something entirely different. With the advent of the classifieds section, and so many members here willing to hone/sharpen blades, it's a minimal cost to get a straight razor that is guaranteed to shave well.

There is a proper tool for every job. I wouldn't use a screw driver as a hole punch or a chisel as a screw driver or a wrench as a can opener. They may work but it's better to use the tool for it's intended purpose.

I would rate a disposable blade shavette style about an 8 on a 1 to 10. But then I would give the DE the same at an 8. The straight razor is a 10. Disposable cartridge is perhaps a 6 or 7 depending on make....

I would not use the shavette for travel. I just will bring a straight....

I'm starting to look at the classifieds on this site. I have to say, it's an answer to prayer. I have been looking to a decent straight for a while now but it was either buy a rusted antique from ebay or win the lottery. Since I don't believe in the lottery and have never restored a razor before I thought I was out of options. I plan on getting one pretty soon.

I guess my main question was wether a shave ready straight would have such a hard time cutting my facial hair. does a straight simply glide down the skin and not snag on the hair or is that just a part of shaving that will not change no matter the tool at hand?

I have been shaving for only 2 years and the greater part was with the hair shaper. I just ask the more senior members to forgive and understand my ingorance.

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Originally Posted by Artyom

I'm starting to look at the classifieds on this site. I have to say, it's an answer to prayer. I have been looking to a decent straight for a while now but it was either buy a rusted antique from ebay or win the lottery. Since I don't believe in the lottery and have never restored a razor before I thought I was out of options. I plan on getting one pretty soon.

I guess my main question was wether a shave ready straight would have such a hard time cutting my facial hair. does a straight simply glide down the skin and not snag on the hair or is that just a part of shaving that will not change no matter the tool at hand?

I have been shaving for only 2 years and the greater part was with the hair shaper. I just ask the more senior members to forgive and understand my ingorance.

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My cartridge razor and my DE used to "snag" on the hairs. The straight kinda clicks? pops thru hair... Makes a sound like buttering toast.. but none of the pulling that you are used to in modern razors...

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Originally Posted by Artyom

I have been looking to a decent straight for a while now but it was either buy a rusted antique from ebay or win the lottery.

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I'd also check out the sight unseen deal over at Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment - I haven't ordered (yet), but they seem to be pretty well respected in the community as both nice and providing something of decent quality, and the price is right.

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Originally Posted by Xel

I'd also check out the sight unseen deal over at Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment - I haven't ordered (yet), but they seem to be pretty well respected in the community as both nice and providing something of decent quality, and the price is right.

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I can vouch for Larry at Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment having bought the sight unseen offer
And a few months later bought another razor from Larry

You will certainly get a shave ready razor and the basic gear to keep a nice sharp edge for a while
Take some time to read as much as you can about wet shaving and straight razor shaving
Heaps of info and some great videos too


Have a great day

Rick

Larry is an awesome guy that has done loads for the wet shaving community. A local noob member bought one from him and it worked great to get him started with a straight till he bought one from the classifieds.!

Could always go for a Parker or Dovo Shavette style. Basically its the fromm hairshaper, except it is meant for shaving. I just got mine today so can hardly speak to its longevity, but gave a quick shave with it today after work and was very impressed. There are definitely some things to keep in mind. It will be harsher/less comfortable likely than a straight razor, you still have to deal with disposable blades, and the build qualities are minimal at best (people prefer the Parker overwhelmingly, and picking this thing up you can feel it reaks of cheap). Of course there are perks too, you can get the setup for $20, you can always pop a new blade in for that sharp edge (no stropping or dulling to worry about).

Definitely the majority prefer the true straight blade, but if you are enjoying the hairshaper EXCEPT for that tug, why reinvent the wheel? A shavette will replicate it with less tug and pull.

I am a noobie too, but from my research and now having the parker though I would offer that option. I will definitely be picking up a true straight blade and sort of see the shavette and straight as two separate razors for separate needs. Not interchangeable.

I've been str8 shaving for about 3 months.

I started with a Dovo shavette using a DE blade snapped in half.
Then just before christmas I ordered from Larry at whipped dog.

Gotta say it's an amazing shave with the sight unseen deal. I have shaved only with this and I'm achieving DFS every day.

Vova,

I would go as far to say that I enjoy the fromm. I enjoy the nostalagic feel of shaving with a str8 and so far that is the only one that I have. I'm the type of guy that loves to do things the old traditional way and it is part of my goals to get the WHOLE package, Razor, quality brush, strop, and all the stones need to hone a razor. being 20 and out of work just doesn't let me be the happy shopper the I want to be.

I am looking at your account name and can't help but wonder, are you russian. If you are then dobro pozhalivat. It's nice seeing a fellow russian enjoying the same things that I do.

Artyom, you had more success than I with a Fromm. 'Used it once to see if str8s were for me. After cleaning up the blood, I was convinced that with a suitable tool, I could learn it. You have MANY benefits from using a Fromm so long. You have a feel for your beard & how to stretch and stroke, you feel how light a touch must be used. Others don't have any tactile experience there.

You don't have to spend a wad to get and excellent (not just good) shaver. If you can forego the eye candy, you'd be amazed. It sounds like you're about to have alot of fun & great shaves.

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Originally Posted by Artyom

Vova,

I would go as far to say that I enjoy the fromm. I enjoy the nostalagic feel of shaving with a str8 and so far that is the only one that I have. I'm the type of guy that loves to do things the old traditional way and it is part of my goals to get the WHOLE package, Razor, quality brush, strop, and all the stones need to hone a razor. being 20 and out of work just doesn't let me be the happy shopper the I want to be.

I am looking at your account name and can't help but wonder, are you russian. If you are then dobro pozhalivat. It's nice seeing a fellow russian enjoying the same things that I do.

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I agree with you on that, I just do not have time in the day for that right now, not to fully enjoy it. But I am not necessarily looking for a better shave than my cartridge on a daily basis, more like a cooler more satisfying way to get the same-shave, with the ability to get a better quality shave when I want to put the time (IE a three-pass shave, which would kill my skin on a 5-blade cartridge).

So far my parker shavette style is doing just fine. Definitely still want the real blade option, maybe I will put that on my birthday list :D.

Ah and Спасибо. Yes my grandfather was russian, my russian is quite incredibly poor unfortunately. I have been a couple times and moved last year to moscow briefly but the poor paying job was not worth the great time I was having so I returned stateside. I would love to make it over again long-term, moscow was great, but also really loved kyiv when I was in ukraine a couple years ago.