Thread: Hello all, interested in a straight razor shave

I was referred here by a thread at hammockforums.

I've never really liked shaving much. I have used various cartridge razors that Gillette sent me free in the mail and a few different electrics. I've just never really been happy with the results.

The first razor Gillette sent was a two-bladed deal which wasn't too bad for shave quality if not for the irritation. The next one they sent was a 3 bladed monster that I couldn't get into that notch under my nose and now the blades are so close together that my whiskers get stuck between them and make the shave take longer (it's hard to get them out of there) and increase irritation (the odd one I can't get out really scratches).

That encouraged me to try electrics for awhile. I've been through a few Norelcos, the latest one doesn't irritate my face (I think the self-cleaning base helps a lot with this) but the shave quality is not very good. Even immediately after the shave, I feel the whiskers. Trying to finish with a disposable or cartridge blade just causes too much irritation.

That thread on hammockforums got me thinking that this has got to be a better way. First off, it sounds like the method pays more attention to pre- and post- shave skin care which seems like it would boost the comfort level. And then just using a reusable blade where a high degree of sharpness can be consistently maintained seems like it would work well.

I decided I'd get some straight razor shaves from a barber before deciding completely whether to drop some coin on a good kit. My local barber does it, so when I got my last haircut, I had him give me a shave, too. I was impressed with the overall results regarding the comfort during the shave and the closeness. There was a bit of irritation at the jawline, though, and after reading here for a few hours last night, I wonder how much his pre-shave prep and the shaving method he used had to do with it.

His pre-shave prep involved some warmed foam from a dispenser that looked like it came from the 50's, so I don't know specifically what product it was. He lathered me up and then put a warm, wet towel on my face. Then after that, he re-applied the foam and proceeded to shave. I have a fairly sharp jawline and I know the grain of my whiskers changes below there, which makes me wonder if that was a factor in the irritation.

Still, it felt much better than a cartridge blade, and he wasn't even using the same sort of straight razor I see posted about here a lot. His had replaceable blades.

At any rate, I will continue to have him give me a shave when I go in for a haircut, since I don't have the budget for a good shave kit right now (in a long, drawn-out process of moving halfway across the country and trying to sell my current home and save for a down payment on a new home) and I will take the opportunity to get a shave elsewhere if I find somewhere else that offers the service to compare the differences in methods and/or equipment.

It seems I can at least practice stropping technique and maybe get some soap and practice lathering.

Welcome to SRP.

Take advantage of the time you have to learn about straight shaving and explore all our resources. keep an eye out on the classifieds for a razor that is quality but maybe not so pretty except for the price.

I plan to. I took a gander at ebay last night to see what's over there. I noticed some stuff that I recognize from some discussions here and the prices didn't look too bad. I noticed a LOT of antiques, a number of which looked like they'd have been completely useless for actually shaving and a good number just seemed to me of questionable quality. Would a $10 straight be worth much, even if I sent it off to someone for professional restoring and honing?

There's a ton of antique shops locally and I've considered visiting them on Saturday to see if any had any straights sitting around. I've noticed that some of them don't seem to try to get a true value on some items if they're not high demand items.

One thing I noticed was some talk of having a different razor for every day. If you strop before every shave, anyway, I can't see this reducing the time spent prepping...is the reduced wear on the razor significant? Or is this like any other gear whoring where it's just that the individual is passionate about the gear?

I mean, after all, I own two bicycles, a canoe, three pairs of still wearable hiking boots, half a dozen backpacks, two hammocks, three tents, etc, etc. I am no stranger to gear whoring. Just trying to get a handle on whether having razors for every day is for a functional reason or something else. :-)

You might want to check out whippeddog.com. I'm a newbie who started with a straight last month. I decided to go with Larry's sight unseen deal along with his poor man's strop kit. For $55, he'll set you up with a good razor that is shave ready, a basic strop (nothing fancy), and a balsa strop. I believe it's a good deal and a great way to start.

Welcome to SRP Nate(?).
I didn't imagine there would be a forum dedicated to hammocks - well there you go (and why not he says)
Apparently, barbers are not allowed to use real straights 'cause of 'health regulations' - hence the shavette.
Real straights, especially when wielded by your own hand, are a different experience entirely.
Glad to have you on board.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Originally Posted by Adama

You might want to check out whippeddog.com. I'm a newbie who started with a straight last month. I decided to go with Larry's sight unseen deal along with his poor man's strop kit. For $55, he'll set you up with a good razor that is shave ready, a basic strop (nothing fancy), and a balsa strop. I believe it's a good deal and a great way to start.

+1.

Alternative -- get a "shave-ready" razor from the Classifieds on this site. The vendors are reliable.

Alternative -- get a Dovo "Best Quality" razor (new) from Straight Razor Designs (or one of the other vendors active on this website). Make sure the razor has been hand-sharpened (the SRD blades qualify).

Unless you want to get deeply into "razor sharpening" as a hobby, avoid eBay cheapies, and avoid antique shops.

charles

PS -- I agree with a previous post -- a double-edge razor might be all that you need for a comfortable shave. Most Merkur's would be OK, and just about any antique-store Gillette will work. Use a good blade -- Astra or Feather for me, easy to get by mail. There's a much shorter learning curve for a DE razor, than for a straight razor.

Hi Nate, and first of all, Welcome! It sounds like you've settled on the right track, focusing for now on a new kind of lather. All the advice to start with a blade that's a known quantity--i.e., shave-ready from a reliable source--is the only good advice. You'll want a strop at the same time you try your first straight--stropping is key to daily edge prep and care.

Like you, I ended up starting with the lather and my old cartridge system, then shifted to straights gradually, shaving sideburns and cheeks with the straight and handling the trickier areas with the cartridge, until I got comfortable using the straight everywhere.

The main benefit (besides the cool factor and the excellent meditation) of the straight was that I no longer suffered ingrown hairs, nor did I shave with something that could harbor bacteria, old sebum, soap scum, or other yuckness between shaves.

Plus, of course, there's all that cool gear! (says the man with three belly boats, a tent, a bivy sack, a tiny camper, a metal lathe...)

Well, there certainly isn't any NEED for more than one razor. It sure is nice to have though!

Partially because you still have something to shave with when (and if) you need to send a blade out
to get sharpened.

It's also nice to just have some variety when you shave. Every razor feels a little bit different, and it's
an exciting part of the journey to get to experience the feel of many different blades.

I know a few people that only shave with one razor, and they make out just fine.

As for buying a first razor, personally I would avoid E-Bay. You will probably be much happier, and have
a great deal less anxiety about purchasing a razor from a reputable member of SRP who knows what he's
talking about.

I bought a razor from an online dealer when I started out. I didn't know it at the time, but the edge was sub-par.
It gave me more headaches that it was worth, and thrust me into honing allot earlier than I was probably ready for.


Anyways,
Just my .02

Enjoy the ride, it's probably going to be a long one.

That explains the different razor my barber used. Ah, having a spare for when you need to send one off for sharpening. That makes sense.

As for hammock forums, absolutely. In large part, it's about camping, backpacking, and traveling with hammocks but a good number of members also sleep in hammock nightly in their homes.

Welcome..

The single best advice I can give is to start with latherin.
A decent brush some shave soaps and creams...
If you learn to build a good lather and prepare your face well
you can get a much improved shave from a plastic handled tossable.
A lot of folk stop there very satisfied.

Depending on budget and room in the house consider
a DE razor for the next step. Modern double edge razor blades
run from scratchy to oh golly sharp with smooth and wonderful
in the middle.

For an open blade razor (straight) give the classified a look from time to time.
Some fine old steel shows up at very fair prices. If you can
live with battered scales on good old steel you can find a bargain from
time to time.

Remember to get a good strop... See the wiki for beginners.
Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki