Thread: Newb Questions about straight and safety razor and accesories

Hi I'm a total newb to straight razor shaving and safety razor shaving.

I have my great grandfathers shaving mug its an old spice one and that got me interested, and the more I read about it the more I want to quit using the razor cartridges because I can't shave everyday with those w/o irritating my skin. I have to wait until the hair gets a certain length or else I get too much iritation. Typically I use the gillette mach turbo orange cartridges and after I use taht I have to touch up with a norelco electric razor. I touch up under on the sides of the nose, and my chin which is a butt chin and the gillette cartridges doesn't get that butt crack chin area.

Anyways I'm debating wether I should jump right into using a straight razor or start off with a safety razor and then move up after I get the hang of it. I've read some threads and I understand the basic newb mistakes such as applying to much pressure etc. Still gotta look at youtube videos tho.


Here are my questions. If you choose to answer them can u please put a 1) , 2) etc next to each answer to its easier for me to read? thanks.

1) When you travel do you bring your straight razor and accessories w/ you? strop and everything? Or do you just take a safety razor?

2) the abreviation DE is that for safety razor?

3) With razor blades for safety razors are they all the same size?

4) I've read that its worth investing in a good brush. Should i just buy a silver tip badger hair brush? Any recomendations?

5) If you don't get a good brush does the lather not apply as well? or does it cause iritation?

6) my friends father shaves with a safety razor, and he has a mechanical device that you can put the used razor into turn the crank and it sharpens the used razor against what look like a piece of a strap. any idea of the name of these devices? he said they where rare and collector items now, but did not know their names.

7) How many shaves b4 u need to resharpen ure straight razor?

8) Is it necessary to buy one of those devices/stands for the brush or can u just sit the brush on its base.

9) Is aftershave necessary? what are the pros/cons of using it

10) with a straight razor will i be able to shave the butt chin crack or is that too risky?

11) Is there anyone on the forum who sells kits regularly or do i have to wait until one comes along?

12) also u should shave after u shower correct?