Thread: Straight Razors for beard shaping?

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and looking to get my first straight razor. I'm starting this thread because I want to be sure straight razor shaving is the right thing for me.

I don't shave my face clean, I always either have a full beard or mutton chops, but I always shave my neck up to my jawline and the top of my cheeks (also upper lip and chin for mutton chops) and both electric shavers and mach razors don't offer a clean straight jawline or accurate sculpting of the facial hair.

Will straight razors be able to give me the accuracy I'm looking for?



Also if I decide to start straight razor shaving I'd like one similar in style to this: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/DAMASCUS-STEE...ht_3123wt_1298

I haven't been able to find out if this is a good quality or not, but I messaged the seller and turns out its made in pakistan (which seems on this forum to mean don't ever buy it). Can anyone link me to a good quality razor that is similar in appearance?

I have never seen a razor like the one you linked take an edge ....

If you want to shave around facial hair, which is what I do and have done for 32 years I would suggest one of two types of razors... These two types have done the best job for me,, keep in mind we (those with facial hair) do many things wrong when we are shaving.. You will see what I mean by that when you start

1. A Extreme Hollow Grind Spike Point razor, preferably a bit shorter then the normal 3 inch blade length, I would target a NY, Little Valley made razor, if possible, IME these tend to take and hold wickedly sharp edge.. Some of the really good Solingen brands are also a possibility..

2. A Japanese Kamisori, if you start with this you will not have to overcome the new shaver drama twice, most people try these after they have learned a Western Style razor so everything has to be re-learned...

Either of these types will give you exact lines, and make the awkward angles we have to use much easier..

The barber that got me started with SR's back in 1981 said something that made total sense, "If you want straight lines, you need to use a straight edge"


BTW if you are in AU since the link you furnished was, you want to get in touch with Onimaru54 / Oz he is down there, and a Kamisori expert

Originally Posted by gssixgun

BTW if you are in AU since the link you furnished was, you want to get in touch with Onimaru54 / Oz he is down there, and a Kamisori expert

I'm actually in Canada. I've been searching that extreme hollow grind spike point you mentioned, but don't actually know what I'm looking for. Do you have any links to a good one, or the one you use?

Thanks for the reply by the way.

-Wes

Edit: Found this on the classifieds of this forum: http://straightrazorpalace.com/class...lery-co-&cat=3 It's in my price range. Think it's any good?

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Either of these types will give you exact lines, and make the awkward angles we have to use much easier..

The barber that got me started with SR's back in 1981 said something that made total sense, "If you want straight lines, you need to use a straight edge"

Hey Glen . Notice you don't mention the smaller westerns for beard work ie 3/8 & 4/8. Likes/dislikes ?

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Hey Glen . Notice you don't mention the smaller westerns for beard work ie 3/8 & 4/8. Likes/dislikes ?

Hi Onimaru55, could you show me some links to what you're talking about?

I've always found it much easier to trim sideburns with a straight than with a safety. Same goes for the neckline when I had a beard. It can tricky seeing exactly where the edge is on a safety razor. obviously that's not a problem with a straight.

Originally Posted by Wes

Edit: Found this on the classifieds of this forum: 13/16 Mitchell Cutlery Co. - Straight Razor Place Classifieds It's in my price range. Think it's any good?

Yes, that's pretty much exactly what Glen is talking about when he refers to spike point and what works for those clean lines.

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

I've always found it much easier to trim sideburns with a straight than with a safety. Same goes for the neckline when I had a beard. It can tricky seeing exactly where the edge is on a safety razor. obviously that's not a problem with a straight.

My train of thought is if I'm going to invest in something I'll be using for a long time I need to get the true experience. I don't want to spend money on a safety razor then have to go buy a straight razor later on. If you guys think this one would suit my needs, I'll purchase it.

Originally Posted by Wes

Hi Onimaru55, could you show me some links to what you're talking about?

Hi Wes . You can use the Google search, top right for more links but here's one.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ht-razors.html

As a fellow facial hair wearer, I can say with no hesitation that a straight razor is the best tool for keeping up a clean beard.

On an aside, I recently acquired an old barber manual from 1908 that describes a technique called beard polishing. Basically, you float the razor over the surface of the beard, cutting any flyaway whiskers-- virtually performing a large quantity of HHTs, still connected to your face. So far, I've tried it on myself and a few clients, and it works like a charm. Just thought you other beard wearers might be interested.