Thread: Had a couple questions before I got started.

Hey everyone, I'm new to the whole straight razor process, and I'm really just wondering a couple things before I make a decent investment. I've already read the beginners section on here, so I have a pretty good idea of what I'm interested in, but am still left with a couple questions that you guys can hopefully answer.

1. Does using a properly prepared straight razor (a decent one, such as a mid-priced Dovo) really give a closer shave than, say, my current gillete fusion with its 5 blade system? I've tried to find a definite answer to that question, but it really seems to vary from person to person, so maybe it's not a question that can be answered properly without testing it out. Regardless, I'm curious to opinions because that's really my main reason for wanting to use a straight razor.

2. If I were to purchase a mid-priced Dovo, from a site like amazon, would I necessarily need to send it out to be professionally honed? Since it seems like most people purchase both a hone and strop, I wasn't sure whether I was to do all of the work myself, or have somebody else do it for me. In which case, would it even be necessary for me to purchase a hone since it seems like I can send it out when necessary?

I appreciate all the help in the matter, and hopefully soon I can join you guys in the league of people who love their straight razors.

More experienced folks will reply. I think one of the most important things to remember here is that there aren't many right and wrong answers. Everything shared, including what I'm writing, is based on experience and what works best for that person, as well as what each of us has experienced. So here are my humble answers.

1. Sort of (ha). The new cartridge razors actually pull the hair out a bit then the following razors slice the hair. This is on of the biggest causes of ingrown hair because once the hair is cut, it can slide back under the skin. I was actually going to write about an experiment I just tried, but it relates here. I actually used a fusion once this past week. I wanted to see what difference there might be now that I have more or less perfected my wet shaving technique. Using the same prep and high quality products (pre shave, cream/soap and aftershave) I wanted to re evaluate what the difference was. And in the end, my skin was baby butt smooth, no irritation, ingrown hairs, etc. What surprised me was that it ended up taking me twice as long (almost 40 minutes!) to get the same result (smoothness) with the Fusion as it does with my straight. Of course when I started it was the opposite, but this go round I kept going at my face with the fusion until all signs of stubble were gone, which my straight does in three passes. Then I didn't shave the next day. I was surprised at how much more day two stubble there was after using the Fusion than with the straight. One more thing - the Fusions are pricey! You can buy one straight razor (of course I now have 10) and one strop. And that's all you need other than a soap or cream and aftershave. Can be a huge savings in the long run (if you let it).

2. Just save yourself time and a head ache and buy a strop and razor from someplace who sells them "shave ready". I bought my first from Straight Razor Designs. It was very much shave ready, and the price for a strop and razor set, or full wet shaving set, can't be beat for what you get. I did try a Dovo with a factory edge, and it was VERY different. It shaved, but was NOT a good, comfortable shave. There are other options too * any vendor associated with this site, or the classifieds here will get you what you need.

The biggest thing for me with straights is that I view shaving as an art form now. It gives me time to myself, and with all the different products, I just fell in love.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck with your decision. You have come to the right place...the advice and conversations here are priceless!

Welcome to SRP and the adventure.

We tend to say "YMMV" (your milage may very) But shaving with a Straight razor is one of those things that what you get out of it is a function of what you are willing to put in to it.

It does take some time and effort to master.
There will be blood, hopefully not much.

It does, for many of us, turn what was once chore in to a passion/hobby/obsession/art form.
Unlike a Gang you are free to come and go as you please.
The amount of help and support found here is nothing short of amazing.

And to try to answer your question (YMMV):

1. Properly prepared and with enough practice and patience you will get a shave so close and comfortable that you will be left giddy. It will change the rest of your day and leave you looking forward to doing it again. There are many ways to quantify the results - but for me a 24 hour old Straight razor stubble is shorter than a 12 hour old M3 shave.

2. Scope out the site for articles on learning to shave with a Straight Razor. Shave Ready is the base line for starting the process. That comes with a razor from either a recommended vendor or this sites classifieds (I've had great luck with both) Anything you get from Amazon (and 99.9% of what is on ebay) is not going to be Shave Ready. You don't need a hone to start. Most seem to start with a 5/8 or 6/8 round point razor (or two), a basic strop (you are going to nick it) shave soap, brush, some astringent (witch hazel will do) and a styptic pencil. I have baskets of "stuff" but I still use the WalMart VDH Boar brush as my travel brush and it continues to work well. When it doubt, keep it simple. There is so much to master that the it pays to follow the KISS rule every chance you get.

There are many ways to get to shaving Nirvana...the best one is for you is the one you discover.

Enjoy the journey...

Hey Gelzz,
The guys are telling you right about it. Using a str8 well takes skill that must be learned. My rushed shaves w/ a str8 are better than anything I could do w/ a cartridge.

On buying a hone when you're starting - I recommend against it. I can say that 'cause I ignored this counsel when it was given to me. I regret it. It held me back in learning the shaving skills. I suffered through 6 mo. of marginal edges. Including an extra honing w/ purchase is a very worthy deal. You may find it helpful to have a 2nd blade (doesn't have to be expensive or even pretty - just sound and shave ready) so you can keep shaving while the other razor is out for honing. There are also quite a few of us that hone for free - just to get more and more practice. Just pick up the shipping (about $3.50 in the states)

If you get a chance, hook up w/ other members for some face to face tutorials. Maybe get a chance to try some other gear w/out having to buy it first. You can learn more at the area meet-ups than 6 mo. of practice, reading, vids.

Once you get some skill down w/ the shave, you'll get the help here also to learn how to maintain an edge, restoration - if you want.

'Hope you have a blast learning.

I strongly suggest the classifieds. I bought my razor, a dovo Pearlex, from a site called classic edge based in Canada. The service was great and it came shave ready and with a second honing when I need it, but I think I honestly picked something too fancy for my first razor. You will probably drop your razor atleast once. I know I did but luckily no damage was done to myself or the blade but I freaked out and my adrenaline pumped for a while thinking I just ruined my almost 200 dollar razor. If you get one from the classifieds you can save some money on a great blade that will most likely come shave ready, and you can buy two for the price of a brand new razor. It most likely wont be super pretty with gold wash and etching but thats going to wear away anyway. Pretty much everyone says don't buy a hone first. Learn to shave first so that way when you hone and get a crap shave you know that it is your honing and not your shaving technique that you need to fix. The strop will probably be your most important purchase. Buy a good strop (not from amazon). You will nick it but thats learning. A lot of people will suggest a 3 inch strop so you don't have to learn the x-stroke. I bought a 2 inch strop and it works fine for me and the x-stroke is not hard to learn but you will increase your chances of nicks. I suggest buy a strop from SRD as they also have replacement leather and fabrics so you dont have to buy a whole new strop and also you can upgrade to a better (more expensive) material with out paying an arm and a leg. I will say one thing that no one else will though. I suggest you buy a cheap 10 dollar pakistani razor (not to shave with and not as your only razor). You can practice stropping with it and not worry about nicking your strop or damaging the edge because it will not be even pocket knife sharp. I also used it to practice my technique for shaving with out having to worry about cutting myself (of course it wont cut any hairs either). Later when you are ready to hone you can practice with the pakistani razor and not worry about ruining a good razor even if it is cheap. I will say though that you will most likely not ever get a shaving edge on a pakistani but if you manage to, well then you know your ready to hone a real razor haha.

Gelzz, Welcome.
I have been straight shaving for a little over two years now and YES, my shaves are closer than any 3, 4 or 5 blade Gillette I can purchase at Walgreens. It took me about a year to find this level of shave. With one pass I can match most of these and with two passes I can get closer. When I take the time to do three passes my shaves are extremely close. I am still learning and still do cut myself but it is getting more and more rare. My best shaves come from a $29 find at a local antique shop which would not cut paper when I first got it. I have never sent a razor out to be sharpened but I did invest in learning how to sharpen them. It does take time and a willingness to experiment and learn. Good luck...
Sgt Scott

Welcome, and I agree with the previous posts. As a fairly new user myself, I can say this-

Once you get good at using a straight, you can basically get as close as you want. To me a big difference is if I tried to get that close with a cartridge (which maybe after enough passes I could do it - maybe), there would be irritaion till the cows come home.

Yes it does take longer at the beginning, but like others have said that's part of the experience.

I would also suggest the classifieds - there are some very good deals to find there. Right now there are several on there for under $75 that come shave ready. Or SRD has Dovo and Ralf Aust for around $80 I think.

As far as honing, yes I like taking care of the razor myself, but that could be another source of frustratino for a beginner. That being said, you find yourself sending out more at the beginning due to poor stropping technique, etc (like me). So nice to grab a couple razors

So I'm going to try to address everyone in this post. First of all, thanks so much for all the help getting started, I really appreciate it and now I've got a pretty good idea of what I want/need.

Based on the replies:
I basically am looking to purchase a razor and a strop, the razor ideally being from the classifieds or straight razor designs, it sounds. Based on stories I'm going to screw up the stropping process for a while, so ideally I should get a cheap one to practice with, and one to use on regular occasion. Assuming I use the classifieds or straight razor designs, I imagine the razor will be honed already for use. If not, get it done professionally, just so I know how the razor should feel when done properly.

It'll take me a while to get the hang of it, but it'll be worth it in the end so stick with it.

But the important thing is that everyone really seems to enjoy the whole process, and I can definitely tell from the enthusiasm that this is a worthwhile investment, and it will definitely make a difference in my whole shaving outlook. Thanks so much for all the help; I really appreciate the time you guys took to reply and you certainly helped me make my decision.

You got it!

I do want to add, as far as stropping goes, you may not ruin it. I have two great strops, and one of them is the first I bough, still as good as new. Watch the videos. And practice with something that isn't sharp to get the technique down and you will be fine. Its really just a matter of practice.

SRD does sell replacement pieces for their strops, and that is much cheaper than buying a whole second strop.

The razors from there do come honed and ready to go. In the classifieds, the seller will indicate if it is shave ready or not. Most are. Like with buying from anywhere, take a peek at the feedback.

Enjoy!!!!