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So I have been looking around the forum for a while now and have not seen this topic come up (if it has I apologize for the repet thread). I was wondering if there is benefit to moving from my current razor (a crapy Gillette M3) to a Safety Razor (both to save money and get a better shave) before moving to the Straight Razor?
What do you Gents think?
Also...
What was your process in to the art of Straight Razor Shaving?
I went with a straight before going with a DE (I'm getting an Edwin Jagger next week) and I will say that you will get a more comfortable and closer shave than you will with a cartridge. When I was honing my straight, it took me a while because I'm still learning, so I had to use a cartridge...now that my straight is back in working order, the difference is night and day.
I shaved for about 8 years with a DE before i went to the straight.
If You eventually want to go to a straight, i don't really see why you should go DE first.
My DE is now only used for the vacations in a tent...
Gr.
Dieter.
I went from cartridge to straight, then started playing with safety razors a year later. You might learn a few things starting with a safety razor, such as prep, lathering, and learning your grain patterns, but you certainly don't have to go to the safety razor first. I think either way has a learning curve, and you have to learn the same fundamentals regardless of the path you decide to take.
from one Nubie to another, rightly or wrongly I did exactly what you are contemplating.
I had purchased a kit which contained not only the straight razor products but a Merkur Progress Safety Razor and a Gillette travel razor with lots of blades.
I too used a Gillette 5 wet shaving and decided to learn with the safety razor first, after all it is called a "safety" razor!
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. :rofl2:
The DE took a few shaves practice before mastering WTG, CTG and ATG but feels great to master this step in the process.
it also gave me time to glean from the posts of this great site in preparation for the next stage in development.
I can only say a DE has worked well for me.
I'm not sure there is any benefit going to a DE and then on to a straight, why not just go directly for a straight?
If you do want to try a DE, I can vouch for the fact a good safety razor with the right blades will trash your Mach 3. I have recently been given my father's early 1950's Gillette Rocket and, with Feather blades that I bought just to try it, the shave was unbelievable - smooth and very close. I only wish I could get as good a result with my straight with so little effort.
I actually learned to shave with this very razor back in the '70's, I now can't understand why I used cartridge razors for over 30 years!
Good luck with whatever you go with.
Peter
The only advantage I can see is it gets you grounded in wet shaving meaning lather production and using good soaps and shave prep and all that.
I used a DE first and there is no skill set you need in DE shaving you can take over to straight shaving they are so different. Maybe using little pressure with the razor, that's about it.
I have never had a decent shave from a DE, granted I have never shaved with a DE.
Both paths will have their respective advantages and disadvantages, each will have a learning curve.
The decision of which road to follow is purely up to you.
Which ever path you choose we are all here to help in any way we can.
I strongly echo what thebigspender said, as I too went the DE to straight route. I now shave with both, but could've saved a ton of money if I had went to the straights and never touched the DEs. My advice is this: get an inexpensive Dovo or Boker that is professionally honed. Before it gets dull, buy another. Now you can send off the first to be sharpened. When you are new, you will dull the razor much faster than an experienced user. This is due to poorly refined technique both in shaving and stropping. Don't waste your money on a big dollar razor....the bottom of the line Boker or Dovo will shave just as well as their top dollar stuff. Happy shaves.
Here's my two cents: I've started shaving using carts, but the cost and quality of my shaves was piss poor. I, like some, chose to go the SE safety razor route rather than jumping straight into straights. The safety razor that I choose is a Parker SR2 Straight Razor Style Barber Razor:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dim5Bck
Attachment 133868
I can safely say that I love this razor; it gives me the motions/technique of a straight, but I don't have to worry about stropping/honing...plus the blades are dirt cheap (I got a 100 pack of Sharks for about 7.50 USD on Amazon.com, and I can get a good weeks worth of shaves per blade if I shave every day with it)
~Advantages of using a SE/DE Safety: Less ingrown hairs, less time spent prepping for a shave (may be a minus to some), blades are always wicked sharp, and a closer shave than carts by a longshot
~Disadvantages over straight: Blades are less forgiving and you may be prone to cuts if you slip or use a bad angle. Still a cost involved: Buying DE/SE blades (still cheaper than carts though IMHO)
I may still go the straight route just because they look awesome and I want something more vintage than a SE Barber Razor, but I'm good for now.
Hope this was what the doctor ordered and good luck and smooth shaving,
Natz
I was in your position just a short 2 months ago. I went directly to a Str8. Just didn't see any reason to spend time and money on an interim stop. At this point with a couple of Str8 shaves behind me I can tell you I made the right decision. :beer2::beer2::beer2:
I did it and I think its a good idea.
I started wet shaving about 8 years ago by switching from Mach3 to a DE safety razor. My DE was a new $30 Merkur Classic and gave me great shaves. I later gave it to my brother to introduce him to wet shaving, and a coworker gave me a 1963 Gillette Adjustable DE.
Late last year I started shaving with the Parker SR2 shavette as an intro to the straight razor. I only used it for one month before I switched to a regular straight razor. That shavette cut me up too much.
I now shave with my straight razor and use my DE to touch up around my chin and lip area. I need to shave ATG to get a smooth shave, and that area still gives me problems with a straight razor. I also use my DE once in a while if I need a quick shave before heading out.
Thank you all for your advice. I think I am going to go straight to the straight razor (figuring I can get the razor and all the equipment for a price that pleases the wife :rofl2:).
Here is another one for those still reading, who has tried Shavettes before going to straights? or who uses other razor types when they travel?
See my previous post :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dim5Bck
Alright so I know I was planning on going right to the Straight, but I ran out of my blades for my current razor and did not want to buy any more junk to tare up my face. So instead I decided to get my self a Merkur 33C safety razor, some good soap, a decent brush, and some blades to start. This will allow me to practice prepping my face and lathering with a brush. after I get some more money I will be ether buying a used straight from the classifieds or getting a Dovo Best with a strap to get learning on. This way also allows me to build up more money to invest so I can get a better brush and strap! I am really excited to get going with the DE and start saving money for a beautiful Straight!!
Any way you get here you still made it.
Welcome to it and enjoy!
Remember we have your back....:tu
Congratulations! This was going to be my rec. Though there's no reason you can't jump right into straight shaving if you're determined - I did! - the stropping, razor maintenance, and general mechanical unfamiliarity can be a little bit intimidating to start. It seems like it would be a gentler introduction to get well-versed in face & lather prep using a DE, so you can realize the benefits of wet shaving, before taking up straights - which can have a steeper learning curve than safeties.
Welcome!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dim5Bck
