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I have been doing a LOT of reading both on SRP and BadgerandBlade. I have so much info, my brain hurts. ;-)
I am REALLY thinking about switching to a straight only for cost reasons. My cartridge cost seems to be going up and I do not change my blade like I should because they are expensive. So once I learn how to shave with a straight, are you saying I can get a closer better shave than with a cartridge? Also, are you going against the grain or with it when you shave?
Thank you in advance.
To answer your question, yes you can get a better and closer shave with a SR. If cost is your motivation, you may want to consider the initial outlay of cash needed to get started here. You'll obviously need a razor preferably two. You'll need a strop, a brush, and a decent soap/cream. You can get a very good performing soap (Arko) for $3 or $4 and a boar brush for what you probably spend on your cartridges. But the strop and razors will be more. Over time you'll be in the black but there is an initial expense involved. You might also consider a double edge safety razor as an option since blades can be a few cents a piece - no strop or expensive razor needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kithikor
Yes. I have been pricing things and also thinking DE razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by OCDshaver
Stropping concerns me since I cannot put an edge on a knife to save my life.
Thank you for you input and for doing so, so quick!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kithikor
Welcome to SRP Kithikor.
It is amazing the amount of info that is available on the two sites especially this SRP site.
To answer your first question re "closer shave", from my own experience I find it hard to get a closer shave with a straight than a cartridge. I am able to get as close but no closer.
That being said I will add that I get a "better" shave with a straight. An example is that I've had no ingrown hairs like I used to get all the time with the cartridge.
Once you learn to shave with a straight? ....... that's a question in itself........this ritual is a learning process for most of us that I look way down the road to perhaps mastering.
I shave with the grain, then across the grain and in some cases when I'm looking for a really close shave, against the grain. I'm sure you've seen this,...WTG, XTG, ATG.
And if you are thinking of switching to a straight for only cost reasons,......................:rofl2:
Personally, I would not consider a straight based on saving money as per previous posts. You will have to learn how to hone which means also buying several hones on top of everything else or send you razor out for pro honing when needed and that will be fairly frequently when you are just stating out.
Personally I can come close to a shave I get with a DE safety razor with a straight, I would not say closer. That is doing a 3 pass shave, WTG, XTG and ATG. I would consider a DE first to see if that will do the trick for you and then progress to a straight if you want to.
Bob
I'm going to have to second BobH here. I've shaved with a straight now every day for 10 1/2 months...I jumped into honing right away as I already had a 1k 4k and 8k for sharpening my plane blades so I only had to buy a finisher; however, I ended up buying several finishers and almost all the Naniwa SS and Shapton glass back stones, several more razors than I need and several more strops. I bought a DE four months ago and tried it with a feather blade and a Gillette blade twice to check it out. If cost is your primary concern then a straight will only save you money in the very long run if you're very disciplined about your purchasing habits. I'd try a DE first which will save you money for sure and give you a much better shave once you learn the correct pressure then use a straight if you want a more challenging experience.
If you switch to save money and don't get sucked into the acquisition part of this and make it a hobby you can buy the basics for a very reasonable cost. Although the initial investment is there over time it becomes cheaper and cheaper compared to the continued use of a cartridge.
Yes you will get a closer and better shave with a straight over the way you are shaving now.
The only issue is you being willing to be patient and learn the skills needed which can take many months to master.
I switched initially to Double Edged or DE due to the lack of quality and sensitivity issues I was having with electric and cartridge razors. I can't speak as of yet to Straights but, you will notice a huge difference not only in the closeness of your shave but, also to the condition of your skin if you will follow the prep and procedures of wetshaving. You can get started with pretty much any budget and then work your way up to better brushes, soaps, etc.
I will second the fact that switching is a commitment. It can and will take a while for you to master this and to figure out what works the best for you in all aspects of your ritual. Once you make that commitment don't give up, there are plenty members around who will help and encourage you through the hard times.
Welcome and enjoy!
I'll put it this way, you will get a closer shave than a cartridge razor with either a straight (with lots of practice) or a DE razor (after 4 or 5 shaves.) But yes, both will give you a closer shave. If cost is a big factor, I would go with a DE razor for sure. I bought a bulk pack of Feather blades last year for the same prices of one pack of cartridge razors and haven't even finished half of them. Plus you'll need to factor in the price of a strop and occasionally honing the razor. Don't get me wrong though, I do love my straight and actually prefer using it over my DE when i've grown a longer beard.
Welcome. I'm a newbi to the forum and have been straight shaving for almost two years. My motivation in switching from cartridges to a straight was purely cost containment. I was spending about 25usd per month for cartridges, which worked out to 250usd per year in costs. For less than 200 dollars, I was able to purchase a quality basic set that included the razor, strop, soap, and a mug. It will take 6 months or so to learn to shave properly with a straight, but the reward is worth the time and effort. I myself do a three pass shave: WTG, ATG, and XTG. I really enjoy the feel of my face after the shave and I believe you will also.
Do you shave everyday and have only one razor? If so have you ever had to hone it or send it out to be honed? What I am getting at here is that there is no mention of the cost of those maintenance tasks. There should be some consideration of that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by greyrider1865
Bob
You raise some good points. I shave every other day and currently own 4 straights which I rotate. Also, at some point, the razor will need to be honed. I learned to hone my own razors so that I don't need to send them out to be done. I use a Norton 4/8k water stone which will set you back about 75 dollars. In my own experience, I found that the initial outlay to start was the highest. And while I buy good quality razors, I don't spend 400 dollars a piece on them.
See, there are quite a few variables involved in trying to sort out the economics of the thing. For sure if you can stick to owning 2 razors, only buy 1 decent strop, only buy 1 shave brush, can get by on one hone and be willing to learn to hone it won't take long to come ahead on the deal. OTH with a DE you have a much lower initial investment and if you decide it is not for you much less of a loss. Not arguing for or against one or the other, only saying look at all the options and consider "all" the costs with either.Quote:
Originally Posted by greyrider1865
Bob
What you say is certainly very true. It may be more prudent to begin with a lower cost DE and decide whether or not to progress to a straight razor. As you pointed out, should you decided that this method of shaving isn't for you, then you shan't have invested a lot of money.
First thing that comes to Mind for you is a DE a boar brush and a puck a glycerin soap of ur choice. Total investment is approx $50-75 blades can be bought for 20c to 75c each. That should elevate your cost, and improve ur shave
For the most part, I've been using a $60 Dovo, $60 strop, and a $10 barber hone for the last decade. You can save money in the looooong run, if you really try. But, the learning curve is steep. I really don't recommend you try and switch. Nor do I recommend that you try to "become" a straight shaver. I think it is best to slowly morph into one over time. Some key progress points for me were: getting past every hone, razor, strop addiction, buying a new whatever to get a sharper edge, learning how to hone, learning to never drop or tip on the faucet, a good edge, learning to strop, learning to build good lathers, planning ahead to have adequate time to shave, and learning to anticipate a dulling razor and intervene appropriately.
These are all tasks that take time. Now straight shaving is mundane. I use a straight now because it's the easiest, quickest, and safest shave. I go WTG and it's closer than any DE can pull off. I can't use a cartridge or DE anymore, the shave is too inferior. Doing all that with a single razor has been part luck, part skill, and part patience through gathering the best razor, strop, and hone. The only balance point is patience. If you can be patient you can learn to get things set up right you can use very minimal stuff.
The second you start thinking that another blade, hone, or strop will improve your shave faster than skill, your wrong and doomed at the same moment.