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Thread: First straight

  1. #1
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    Default First straight

    I've been reading through the archives for a while and I've got more questions now than before. I think my favorite line is something like ask three straight razor users a question and you will get eight opinions. For my first razor I'm looking for something that will be a great shaver and last me for as long as I take care of it, but I'm not looking to break the bank and not looking for anything ornate. The only thing I've figured out is that whatever razor I decide on I'll have it honed for me by an expert to start. Although I'm reminded every morning that I "need" to shave every day, my modal frequency of shaves is one per week. My hair is moderately coarse and fairly dense. I've been using a DE for most of my shaving life and don't have problems with skin irritation. Since when I do shave I have a lot of hair to move through, should I be looking for a wedge or 1/4 hollow, and if so where is a good place to look? For an idea of price, I've already got a mug, brush, and soap so I figure to get started I'm going to have to buy a razor, a strop for daily use, and a pasted strop/hone and my budget for those items is roughly the equivalent of a mid-level Kitchen-Aid stand mixer. It sounds from reading here that in the future I'll probably end up buying more stuff, but I'm just worried about getting started for now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ryan

  2. #2
    Senior Member sensei_kyle's Avatar
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    First, welcome to the group!

    For a strop, visit Tony Miller at http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/. Everyone who has purchased one of his strops talks about it. Oustanding guy who will sell you what you need and makes one helluva product.

    For razors, you can often pickup a restored model for $30-$50. Bill Ellis (http://www.billysblades.com/) sells them, as do several members of the forum. You should peek through the user gallery, as Lynn often has razors for sale in there. If you want to go new, ClassicShaving.com sells Dovo & TI razors and Lynn provides the optional (read: required) honing service for them. You should also check out John Crowley (http://www.shavingshop.com/) -- he has some nice razors for good money.

    I recommend a 6/8 or larger for starters. You might enjoy a 7/8 or an 8/8. Just buy one of all three to know for sure

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    Loudmouth FiReSTaRT's Avatar
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    Welcome aboard Ryan. If I were you, I'd get a 7/8 and work from there. Bill should have some nice ones out there, backed by his excellent reputation. Same goes for Tony. Since you already have a brush, you save a decent amount of cash right off the bat.

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    Senior Member wvbias's Avatar
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    Welcome to the forum.

    Other options for razors can be Joe Chandler http://shop.writerferret.com/
    His email address is agentjac0069@yahoo.com

    Or Mr. Lynn Abrams the founder of this forum.
    His email address is adjustme69@yahoo.com

    These vendors as well as Bill Ellis and Tony Miller
    are great guys to deal with. You will be very
    satisfied with your purchases.


    Terry

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    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    Default Welcom b0000urns

    I'd say get one of the 5/8 or 6/8 full hollows from one of the members here. The wedges are tough to get an edge once it goes away. Also, with something to big (7/8+) or too small (4/8-) stropping and honing can be a little more challenging. I'd also say go for carbon steel. Sheffield ranks highest for most, but that doesn't mean you have to go that way. there are many outstanding Solingen razors, Eskeltunas and more.

    X

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    Loudmouth FiReSTaRT's Avatar
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    X, the reason I suggested a 7/8 is that Ryan has tough growth, so he might as well start off with the right tool for the job.

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    Super Shaver xman's Avatar
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    Well, theres a general concensus that a wider and thus heavier blade can add a sense of (and probably actual) momentum to the blade, sharp is sharp and it's the sharpness that cuts. Being that 5/8 & 6/8 are easiest to handle I still figure it's a better place to start. A lot comes down to the individual shaver as well so I guess a 7/8 could be a consideration, but I'd still stay start at the comfortable place and let him save up for a 7/8 Sheffield Silver Steel Square Point Thiers Issard ... which is where we all should be anyhow, right?

    That's a perfect example of how we all have our own opinions around here, b0000urns.

    X

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    Loudmouth FiReSTaRT's Avatar
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    I'm a big believer in the "right tool for the job" doctrine. As my growth is about medium, I even have a couple of 9/16s that I really enjoy shaving with. However, when dealing with tough stubble, you also want to avoid blade flex. Heavier grinds (which usually come on larger blades) reduce that effect.

  9. #9
    Face nicker RichZ's Avatar
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    I say start with a 5/8. A sharp enough blade will mow down most stubble. I use anything from a 3/8 to a 15/16. Depending on the day

  10. #10
    Hones & Honing randydance062449's Avatar
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    If you want to play it safe then start with a 1/4 hollow(wedge(flat grind in Dovo terms)) 5/8, 6/8 or 7/8. The other option is a half hollow 6/8 or 7/8. Those should work for your beard type for sure. Just avoid the full hollow if you want to play it safe.

    Just my two cents,
    Randolph Tuttle, a SRP Mentor for residents of Minnesota & western Wisconsin

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