Thread: To straight razor or not to?

So I'm a 30 year old man, who hates shaving. I have tried Mach 3 / Mach 3 turbo razors in the distant past, and am currently using a Braun Activator electric shaver. The shaving quality is pretty good (for an electric razor), but we all know that electric shavers suck. Currently I am only shaving once or twice a week (at best) because the shaver hurts my face.

I'm coming here because I am ready to try something new in my life, I also seem to enjoy a lot of the classic and more natural ways of day to day living, and figure this would flow right with my lifestyle.

Where should I start? Is this a wise idea? What are your thoughts?

Thanks all!

Welcome !
I was a 50 year old that hated shaving, now I love it.
Start with the "Library" section above, take your time & Enjoy the Ride.

I think this is a very wise choice for you, mostly because we all asked ourselves the same thing, ended up here and are now in it for the long haul . The best place to start would be checking out the wiki/library, searching through the thousands of threads and asking as many questions as you want. The best part of the SRP community is that we believe in giving back to beginners the same knowledge that was imparted to us when we didn't know any better.

Take care and have fun.

The "library" has all sorts of good info. I've only been using a Straight for about 4 months but I can tell you how I "prepared" for using a Straight. I started with my old DE razors, so i could "unlearn" what i had learned using those 3-5 blade razors.

I started shaving using DE razors but knew nothing about shave prep so i hated it, tore up my face. After years of that i switched to 3 blade razors and while the shaves were more comfortable i developed the bad habit of pressing down really hard while shaving. So when I was thinking about getting a straight I knew I needed a real light touch. I dug up my old DE and cranked it up to 9. That will teach you how to get a light touch real fast! So after a lot of cuts and razor rash I started to develop a light touch again. When I could shave with a DE without tearing up my face i then bought my first straight. Then the cuts returned... so much for my "light touch". So after a lot of cuts and razor rash, again, I can now shave without tearing up my face. I now love shaving, I never thought i would but I sort of look forward to it now.

Similar story for me as well... Early 40's, hated shaving even the one time a week I was doing it. Started out by just switching to brush/soap to decrrase the trash I was creating and found it really fun. Watched some videos and stumbled onto this site and lurked for awhile then gave it a try and have had a blast! Now I look forward to shaving 3 times a week and use it as a 'Chill' routine before bed. I have been collecting some scuttles, mugs, brushes and random gear and recently starting to do light restoration.

This is a Hobby that makes a previously dull task a blast and gives avenues to go as deep or wide as you could possibly want.

Definitely do it... You won't regret it and the feeling you get from your first successfuk shave (.. even with some errors..) is similar to the first time you stuck the landing after jumping out of a swing when you were a kid!

Distinguish between DE ("double-edge" = old-fashioned "safety razors") and straight-razor shaving.

IMHO, _anyone_ can use a DE razor without much effort. They give good shaves, without irritation (for most of us), at reasonable cost. You can get a new razor, some blades, a brush, and some soap from whippeddog.com for about $40. That's all you need. [If you scrounge antique stores and eBay, you _might_ be able to do better, but you're a beginner, and wouldn't know what you were buying.]

Within a few weeks, you'll know if it works for you, or not. Don't be shy about asking questions here. There are some common problems, and ways to get around them.

Shaving with a straight razor demands more skill, and has a longer learning curve -- there are more things that can interfere with a good shave. It's more expensive, and has become a hobby (obsession?) with many of us. Some people say it gives a better shave; I'm not sure, myself.

Either way beats an electric razor, if your skin is reasonably smooth.

Have fun --

. Charles

I would have to agree with everything else that has been said. I hated shaving. My wife and kids gave me my first 'straight razor shaving set' for Fathers Day from 'Straight Razor Design' There is a bit of a learning curve, you'll actually have to learn how to shave correctly, something we have lost in our modern fast paced world. Straight razor shaving allows you slow down and relax, turn shaving from something that was a chore into something that is pleasurable. And you will have bad shaves as you're learning, but it's an art that has to be mastered, so don't get discouraged.

I really agree with everything Charles said in his post, #6. Stick your toe in with a DE to see if you like that first. Get good with a DE and then decide on trying a straight. It is never too late to learn, I started straight shaving at 59.

Bob

I'm 44 and I have just begun using a straight a few weeks ago. It's fun.

3 years ago I was using an electric and I switched to a DE. It was also fun.

I also recommend getting started with the DE first. You learn alot more about how to shave with a DE, the soaps/creams, and post-shave treatments. I'm glad I started out that way because I actually enjoy both. I know that using a straight well is going to take a very long time but that doesn't bother me since I know I can pull out the DE if I need a super close shave.

danifunker, it is certainly a good idea to start straight razor shaving. I have not regretted my decision to do so ever.

It is pure fun and opened a whole new perspective for me. Don't hesitate, just go for it.

The voyage to a fine shave is learn by trying and worthwile.