Thread: Thinking about getting a straight razor & a few intro questions

Hey all,
This is a great forum and I look forward to participating in it! It's great to see people getting the most out of small things (like shaving), which is why I'm intrigued.

I'm 18 and I've been wet shaving ~2 months now (canned cream and a disposable razor) and really enjoy it over my electric razor but, looking through the threads here, it seems like there's more to this. Just reading through the other threads and seeing $200+ razors means there is at least something enjoyable about this.

First of all, I can't quite grow a beard yet, but plan to. Is a straight razor a good choice for tidying beards or not so much?

Second, what mistake results in cutting a strop?
[edit:This thread answered my question]

If I do go the straight razor route I'll probably start with Whipped Dog's "sight unseen" razor-only deal because it's hard to beat and I'm a poor college student. Anyone have experience with that?

I'd like to pair that with a synthetic brush from "The Body Shoppe" (which was suggested on a synthetic brush thread) and a converted seatbelt strop. That way, if it turns out I'm horribly un-ambidextrous and slice my cheek open every day I can move on without much loss. There is plenty around on soaps, creams and aftershaves, so I'll figure that out later unless there is a go-to newbie combo.

Thanks in advance!
~Nick

I don't know anything about this seller but the following phrases make me nervous.
"You see, it takes me a lot of time to photograph and list straight razors. If you buy blind - no pictures and no description of the razor, you will save me work. And, I will give you a few dollars off the purchase price."
I don't know about you but I like to know what I'm buying before I pay any amount no matter how small & $55 isn't a small amount. In this day and age how hard is it to take some pics and post em.
Also this doesn't seem right to me either.
"add $11 for a second strop."
I would think this isn't quality equipment.

This is just my take on things. Hopefully some of the "elders" here can give you some good advice. Maybe they will tell me I'm full of it.

Good luck,
D

Larry at Whipped Dog is a good guy. I've never purchased a straight from him, but have purchased a number of his other items. I've never heard anything bad about him and he's always been a straight shooter with me. As always, "buyer beware," but I've never had any problems with him.

Thanks for the quick reply! I certainly wouldn't consider purchasing in such conditions if it weren't for a number of good reviews around this forum (see this one for instance). I'd just go for the razor, which is only $25, shipping included.

If straight shaving is something I enjoy, I'd want to make my own resin or wood scales, so I don't care much what the handle looks like.

Any other input though? If someone has had negative experience with Whipped Dog, please let me know!

Edit: Thanks for the reply, ShavingSrgn. I hope that's the case

Whipped Dog has been reccomended on this and other str8 razor shaving forums. You might also check the classifieds on this and other forums and buy a great vintage razor ( with pictures) and maybe a whole newbie kit.

Larry answered all my questions pretty quickly and honestly. They actually are good deals if you think about it. These are razors that have been sanitized and honed and sold. He doesn't do full resotres; otherwise the price would be double or more. He doesn't use expensive fancy leathers with stainless handles, and attatchments and other stuff on his strops; otherwise they would cost as much as everywhere else. Think of him like a wetshaving wholeseller of sorts. So, in all acutality by not putting all the work, time, and materials into his stuff it saves him money; which saves you money. Also, I have heard a puts a wicked edge on a blade.

Originally Posted by ShavingSrgn

Larry at Whipped Dog is a good guy. I've never purchased a straight from him, but have purchased a number of his other items. I've never heard anything bad about him and he's always been a straight shooter with me. As always, "buyer beware," but I've never had any problems with him.

See, I told you I might be full of it!
Thanks for clearing this up guys

Respectfully,
D

If you are using canned cream and a disposable, I would suggest you find out more about DE shaving. The prep is largely the same as for a straight shave and you'll learn about multiple passes and changes in technique for WTG, XTG or AGT. It is important to learn how to make a good lather that is slick and has some cushioning. I wouldn't use a straight with anything that comes out of a can. Just my opinion. As always, YMMV.

Dfafs, I appreciate your wariness. I don't want to throw $25 away and erring on the side of caution is better than suggesting a sketchy site, so thanks!

Matloffm, do you suggest DE razors as a step before straight shaving or an alternative? I plan on using a proper cream with the straight. I don't really have the money to buy two shaving sets, so I'd prefer learning with the straight razor (and perhaps cutting myself a few times because of weak lather, I'm sure that will teach me soon enough) over buying two sets. Not to suggest that disposables and de techniques are similar, but I've used all three directions with my current razor.

The prep advice on this forum is very good and I recommend you use it to learn what will work for you. You do not have to DE shave first, but it is a great way to learn. For example, as I recall when I shaved with cartridges, I used some pressure to get a close shave. I had to unlearn this when I began DE shaving. It's hard to understand how little pressure (some would call it no pressure at all) you need until you actually use a blade razor. I felt it gave me a leg up when I began exploring straights. DE shaving is not expensive (unless you develop one or more acquisition disorders) . You'll learn that blades vary greatly and that what works for others may not work for you. Same with DE razors and straights. All this experience is applicable to shaving with straights. All I am suggesting is that shaving with a cart or disposable is in no way the same thing as shaving with a blade, be it in a DE or a straight. You have to physically (develop muscle memory) learn how to do it.

Also, you will need a brush, a soap and/or cream, a lathering bowl (unless you face or hand lather), etc. to straight shave. The DE razor and blade are the only difference. DE blades are cheap especially compared to carts and a good starter razor can be had for around $30. I would be surprised if many of the straight shavers on this forum did not also have a DE they use now and again.