Buy two razors?

So I'm brand new, just finished my third shave. I'm not really doing too well, averaging about 3-5 knicks per shave, and my stropping needs practice. Anway, I was wondering if it would be worth it to buy a second razor. The biggest con is the amount of money the razors cost, and it might be better to learn one razor before moving onto another. I imagine the pros would be having one available while the other is getting honed, different blade would be a nice variation/purpose.

I was just wondering some of your thoughts on if I should buy a second razor now, or wait and really learn my first one along with proper technique.

Of course you'll buy another... and another... and another...

You don't think that you're gonna escape this addiction that easy do ya?

Your technique ultimately will make the difference. I have plenty of razors but don't find much difference among them. If I were in your position, I'd consider the Feather SS folding razor with replaceable Feather blades. You'll never need to send it out, the shaves will be as good as a razor can provide, and you'll have a great standard for sharpness. It will also improve your techique.

Having at least two is very common. But, don't buy razors faster than your pocket book can enjoy them. Like every other toy in life it's really the wanting and not the acquiring that is fun . . . and even then it's really the play that is fun, not even the wanting or the acquiring.

But, as you can afford them . . . that can be fun.

Until then stop moving the razor sideways on your face or using timid motions. Hold the razor securely but keep you finger pliant so the razor has the opportunity to stall against facial obstacles. What works for me is to hold the razor lightly, but make fluid purposeful motions with my arm. I tend to make strokes so lightly that my objective is to only use enough pressure to shave the whiskers, not touch the skin.

If the razor isn't honed and stropped perfectly it's almost impossible to get the right stroke down. The razor won't function correctly and you'll be using too much pressure. Also, consider just getting some help in that arena.

Only two razors? I believe you have come to the wrong place, mistaking us for someone else.

I'm not going to suggest you do what I did, but here's what I did. I spend a lot of time watching videos and reading, then I went to Ebay with a solid idea of what to look for, and bought a series of $10 razors, more than I need, but for less than you probably spent on one.

Then I started honing them. I'm a violin maker, and have a lot of sharpening experience, so that part went fine. I started shaving, and reading the forums, working out my problems. I've been at this two months now, and finally the last two days have gotten what I'd call perfect shaves without cutting myself.


My point here is what I did not do. I didn't spend a lot of money on a new razor. I felt that before I did that, I'd want to understand them a bit, and get a feel for what I liked, and that this would better come from buying good but cheap older ones for a lot less.

Now, I've got too many razors, but didn't spend much money, I know how to sharpen confidently without wrecking anything, and so I started thinking about getting a "terminal" tool, spending more money, which I did last week. The point being that before I spent that money I had some experience and ideas about what was what. I now know that If it'd spent the $180 I wanted to two months ago, I'd have bought the wrong thing. I also have about five $10 razors that are functionally equal to the expensive one I got, not as glamorous, but just as good as tools, that I intend to use for travel.

So, take your time. Bask in cheap old razors for a while--they are mostly of excellent quality if you don't buy stupidly. And if you're going to buy stupidly, wouldn't you rather it was by spending $20 rather than $200?

There's really no rush.

By the way, my initial few weeks were nothing to write home about. I cut myself in larger ways regularly and in smaller ways daily. My wife was quietly asking me to stop, but I didn't. I spend about a month looking a bit of a mess. But that part is over now. This, too, shall pass, if you stick with it. You just need to discover all the ways you can cut yourself, and not do that any more. :-)

You also need to fill out your profile so we know who you are and where you are. If I knew you lived near me, I'd offer some help--like you could drop by my shop and sharpen something-- but I don't know that.

I'm new on here too, I learned enough by reading here, and watching videos to get through my first shave without any bloodshed. My second shave made a little weeper though. That was poor positioning of the edge, it happens.

3-5 nicks may be an indication of not enough sharpness, needing more pressure to shave, or technique - the edge is just getting you instead of the hairs.

For sharpness:Try a hanging hair test on your edge. Is the razor tugging or ripping hairs out during the shave? Did you buy new? Only certain places that outright TELL you they sharpen them to "shave ready" really do that. New is just the factory edge and is barely close enough to shave but not ideal, and not shave-ready.

Technique: I was amazed at how much tugging up and pulling down of the skin helps, it can be done on almost every area. Videos helped me a lot with that. Making faces, moving your jaw and lips around and tugging and pulling all make the blade swipe more easily and smoothly - avoiding nicks, also allowing you to use less pressure because you are going against a tighter, flatter area.

Buying another new razor won't give you these answers. I recommend not buying a second new one at this point. The're are so many other fun things to spend $$ on!

Once you are on your way shaving more comfortably, then pick up another, or a good used one.

It's not that I'm questioning EVER buying another razor, I'm questioning if I should but another razor this EARLY just for convenience.

The original post wasn't meant to be assumed that a newer, better, more expensive razor would stop cutting my face. I know that is all on me, which I plan on taking my time with. My question was more along the lines of should I get a second razor so I can change them out when they are getting honed, or should I just practice with one rather than spending the money. I'm in the military, stationed in S. Korea so shipping the razor back and forth to the States can take anywhere from a month to two months. I was just weighing the pros and cons as thinking points.

understood. In that case then a second certainly makes more sense. I still would opt for a good used one of known/proven quality - like from the BST forum, from a member here who has used it and can vouch for its working condition.

You didn't describe the razor you have now or how you acquired it so it's hard to tell if you're starting out with a razor that "probably" has a sharp edge or is in need of honing or even just being touched up. Whipped Dog can send you a low cost razor that is shave ready and you could have a razor that you can compare your current one to.

As an alternative, there are few universals in life and shaving is one of them. Rather than shipping the razor back and forth, try finding a local barber who could be of help. You may be able to find one that could both touch up your razor and give you pointers on your technique.

Thank you for your service.

Two razors....ABSOLUTELY!! I started with 1 new razor. Then within a few days I bought another new razor, just to have one for when I needed to get the other honed. Then within a week, I had a inexpensive vintage on the way to practice stropping without ruining my new blades. Then within another week a nice vintage was on the way. Then about 2 months in, the honing bug hit, and some stones and 5 more inexpensive vintage razors to practice on were on the way. As I type this, I have 4 more vintage razors on the way to my mailbox.

Two razors....ABSOLUTELY!! It's the bare minimum you NEED. LOL :)

Years ago I told my wife I "needed" two razors, the extra to have when the other is out for honing or repair. Now, I have a modest collection of razors and SWMBO just rolls her eyes with each new acquisition. I think she may be onto my ruse. Good luck and keep us posted.

I like having multiple razors for different reasons. I use a Dovo 5/8 most days, but I also have a vintage Gillette DE safety razor (1961 fatboy) as well. That is my go to when I've hit the snooze alarm a few too many times. Sometimes it's nice to change up just for some variety.

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Originally Posted by mykulpasskwa

It's not that I'm questioning EVER buying another razor, I'm questioning if I should but another razor this EARLY just for convenience.

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I was in this very same predicament the other day and this is how I see it. If you really enjoy shaving with a straight razor than jump right into another one. I love shaving right now and am constantly looking for number two. If you can afford another one than do it.. However be prepared for number three lol.. And four... And 5.... Etc.

At this stage of the game the clear advantage of having a second razor is that if you end up sending out your first razor for honing you'll have a backup.

Another advantage is that additional razors reduce wear and tear on each blade; the more you switch the longer your edges will last :)