Thread: 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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.!