Thread: Is it for me? Opinions needed

My name is Cody and i'm 19 years old. I've become really interested in straight razor shaving for a few reasons. One, I'm nostalgic and I like older things and the way things used to be before I was born... got a 78 El Camino in the drive way with an American Pitbull terrier in the house I hope to own some day... Kind of made this a "new member intro" as well.

Anyway. I was wondering if straight razor shaving could be for me.. I would like to save money over the years and I've heard straight razor's save money over cartridge/desposable shaving. I also get razor burn (not too bad but definitely noticeable when shaving with cartridge/dispose especially on my neck)

The only problems i'm having is one, finding the right kind of gear to start with (I know there are threads for this) but I also like to sport a chinstrap with two prongs that lead up towards a mustache that I shave off. Would I be able to achieve this look with a straight razor?

Im open to all tips and opinions on beginners razors strops etc (I would like to make an investment and then be able to learn to hone the blade myself eventually etc)

Thanks Everybody
-Cody

I say go for it. Straight razor design will have what you need.. Welcome to SRP...

I agree with Katan, you're only going to know for sure if you give a go, like was said srd had good beginners sets as does whipped dog and there are some other vendors out that to get set up nice. Welcome to SRP let us know how it goes, and be sure to ask any questions you have

Welcome to SRP!

Yeah... I think you'd fit right in with the rest of us here in the straight/safety shaving world.

A couple of things:

Straightrazordesigns has been suggested, and it's a good suggestion. Not only will they have everything you need to get started, you can be assured that your first razor will arrive truly shave-ready. This is *really* important! I have not dealt with them but I understand they offer *excellent* service and give good advice. So I'd say give them a call, explain you're looking to start out, and talk over your options with them. There are other vendors out there who will also ship a shave-ready blade too. Where are you located?

You mentioned learning to hone eventually - that is exactly the right approach to take! For the first little while, let a pro take care of honing the blade while you focus on your face prep and technique. Then as you get comfortable with that, you'll be ideally placed to start learning to hone.

As for saving money, that is entirely possible and a reason why many of us started down this road. But beware the assorted Acquisition Disorders. It's amazing how quickly one razor can turn into a dozen... However in theory at least it will in the long run be MUCH cheaper to buy and use one straight razor, one strop, one set of hones (eventually), etc., than to keep shelling out for cartridges. Not only that, you'll get a much better shave than you can get with a cartridge (again, eventually) while at the same time introducing a relaxing yet badass ritual to your day.

And in terms of trimming facial hair, no instrument has been devised by the human mind that will do a better job than a straight! It has the great advantage of allowing you to see exactly what is about to be cut. There are plenty of members here with beards, goatees, and moustaches (as well as those who like me sport Mos during Movember). As with all aspects of handling a straight it will take some practice before you're entirely comfortable trimming, but when it all comes together there's nothing better.

Good luck!

Hello Cody,

Welcome to SRP! I've found in my years of shaving a razor with a square point razor does well for shaping facial hair.
As for a starting razor I'd sugest a 'dovo' they're relativly inexpensive for a brand new one. This will allow you to know if you wish to continue with straight razor shaving.

For your first razor scales I'd go with a plastic or simmiliar material. As with straight razors other than manufacturer and material the blade is made from the scales add to the cost.

Choose your blade width..... I'm not to sure on how 'thick' your beard is or your personal preference. It is said larger men perfer larger razors and those with thicker beards want thicker blades. The stock standard is 5/8. The blade
width generally means the 'thinner' the blade the easier it is to move around the face and larger blades can hold more soap which results in less wipes on a towl (aka sweet vest).

Personnally I've only ever had one strop. It's lasted that long (7 yrs+). Just a few thing to remember about stropping,
Take it nice and slow to start (speed is not nessasary), strop in a 'x' pattern and draw the blade with the edge pointing away from you.

That's great to hear that your wanting to learn to hone in the future. Its a good plan.

Good luck with your shaves!

Cody,

I can relate to how you feel. I am 20 years old. My favorite car is a '71 El Camino SS, although I am a broke college student and can by no means afford such a collectible.
I just recently started straight razor shaving and I love it.

Here are some tips from me, a 20 year old newbie:
A straight razor will help keep the lines of your chinstrap very straight(a chinstrap is the only facial hair style I keep). To start off cheap and help learn, try looking in the classifieds for a shave ready vintage razor. This will help save money instead buying a new razor(what I did at first and it broke me). Be sure that you don't spend too much on your first strop. YOU WILL NICK IT!! Go to a Walmart or CVS or something and pick up the $10 premium shave kit. Comes with a cheap brush, cheap soap, and bowl. If you can learn to make a respectable lather out of this, which I finally did, you can make a king-quality lather out of anything. Also check whippeddog.com for some affordable beginner's shaving gear. Hope some of this helps.

And if I didn't mention it before, straight razor shaving is amazingly manly and Zen.

Cody, you are right where you need to be. Welcome to SRP. Check the classifieds for good deals and whatever you need that you cant find there can be had at SRD.

Welcome to SRP!

I started shaving a few years ago (in my 20's) but wish I'd started at your age. I wasted years and money on cartridges and every goo and cream I could find trying to get a smooth comfortable shave. Straights have been the best thing so far, though DE's do a surprisingly good job as well.

So far I have five hones, 12 razors, six brushes, and three strops and I've only spent about one year's worth of cartridge shaving on all of that...and except perhaps for the brushes, all of those items will last me...in fact (don't tell my wife this) I could sell several of them and still be set for life.

I usually keep a VanDyke, and grow a chinstrap beard in the winter. This winter I decided to try a full beard, but I still trim around the edges with my straights. (The beard is coming off Sunday when I can take my sweet relaxing time with it and I'm stupidly excited.) Otherwise, I can shave my face (minus chin and lip) in about 10min each morning (including lathering, stropping, etc). Longer than a cartridge shave, but much easier on my face and wallet!

+1 to the gear acquisition advice given above.

+1 to the APBT

So is it for you??? Only you can decide.

Peace,
Jim

P.S.>>>I usually drive my Avatar daily, but I'm starting an engine rebuild on it tomorrow.

Sounds like this is the place you need to be mate. Yours also sounds like the story most of us here have or can relate too in some way.


Mick

I'd say you're at a great place and time to try it. For pretty much the same reasons as you, I bought a new Dovo and strop and got very excited about learning to use them. I was right about your age (actually, right about the time your Chevy was built!). But in 1978, there was no internet. The guys at the cutlery shop where I bought it said it was supposed to be shave ready out of the box. They couldn't tell me how to strop it properly. I had seen Bugs Bunny strop a razor in a cartoon. That was all I had to go by. But you are here. Listen to what folks around here say. If they say "Beginners should do it this way" Do it that way. Try to avoid the typical young guy "I can skip those steps because I'm younger and have more talent" thing. (I'm NOT making fun or you, we were ALL there once......) You don't have to waste 30 years wishing you could do it (like I did). I say go for it. Good luck, have fun, and keep us filled in on what's going on!