Thread: Is a straight razor right for me?

I've been using a Merkur Futur DE razor, sometimes I use Feather blades, sometime Astra blades. I almost always shave in the shower where the water is hot, and I use a silicone based shaving cream with dimethicone. I have fairly coarse facial hair and fairly sensitive skin. The silicone based really helped the most when switching to a DE and not have any tugging or pulling.

I'm quite interested in using a straight razor for getting an even closer shave, and a potentially even less possible irritation. I've noticed most of the straight razors have a wood handle. Do any of you shave in the shower with one? Do any of you use a silicone based shaving cream with one?

I'm trying to figure out if one of these is right for me.

My initial response is one of caution. The shower is a great place for things to be dropped. Dropping a razor can and probably will ruin it,... or chop off a toe

The other feeling i get, is that it would become a hassle to strop outside of the shower. A lot of people strop in the middle of their shave if they find the razor pulling.

Originally Posted by Stozzberry

or chop off a toe

That would be bad of course but it could get even worse I think.

I'd never shave in the shower with my straight razor.
I'd get my sweet vest all wet

All kidding aside, not a great idea IMHO
Dropping a razor with wet hands my lead to serious injury
Mike

If you are looking or a closer shave then getting a nice straight razor is the way to go! I really had my doubts at first being one of those sensitive skin guys as well. In fact, I was trying all sorts of different shaving techniques and ideas to try and not just get an adequate shave but to keep the horrid irritation, bump etc. away. When I started with a straight I used only the sensitive skin soaps and creams and after about a week of shaving my face adapted to the straight and I had ZERO of the issues I had experienced for years. I even got daring and ventured out to trying normal creams and soaps (not ones made specifically for sensitive skin) and those have worked great for me with no issues as well..I was sold on it from then on out!

Originally Posted by Stozzberry

.... Dropping a razor can and probably will ruin it,... or chop off a toe

But if You're lucky, it catches halfway downwards.


In addition to the said, You surely will need a mirror and do need a good amount of space for the elbows.

You can get plastic scales, but for shaving in the shower, I would also go for stainless steel blade. Traditionally the blades are made of carbon steel that I would not expose to too much water.

Additionally, shaving with a straight razor, at least for me, takes much longer than a quick shave with a DE or cartridge razor. And somehow... yes somehow it needs to be celebrated. Shaving with a straight razor is "quality time". There is truely nothing practical about it.

No, I don't think using a straight in the shower is a good idea... no, not at all.

Most straights do not have wood scales. Most have plastic or celluloid. Shaving in the shower with a straight is a bad idea. Water is an enemy to the blade and sometimes the scales and it makes things slippery. It's all a bad combination. You would probably be better off with a proper soap with lather made with a proper brush.

As far as "is straight shaving for you" only you can answer that.

if you are willing to endure the learning curve and don't expect fast and easy then it is for you, otherwise no.

Originally Posted by captaind172

Do any of you shave in the shower with one? Do any of you use a silicone based shaving cream with one?

No and no!

It's a real safety issue. Don't even think about it.

If I'd shave in the shower, I'd probably end up with a facial landscape comprised of red rivers and little forests of hair that are only partially removed. And that's with a cartridge.

So no, I wouldn't even consider it. I too have sensitive skin that's easily irritated and coarse facial hair. All the more reason to give it all the attention it deserves.

Originally Posted by Stozzberry

A lot of people strop in the middle of their shave if they find the razor pulling.

The need to strop mid shave often indicates that the razor needs to be honed, or at least touched up. Your razor should survive the entire shave. If it can't then it isn't keen.