Thread: newb Question

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.

Originally Posted by Kithikor

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.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

If cost is your motivation, you may want to consider the initial outlay of cash needed to get started here....
Over time you'll be in the black but there is an initial expense involved.

Yes. I have been pricing things and also thinking DE razor.

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!

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.

Originally Posted by greyrider1865

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.

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.

Originally Posted by greyrider1865

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.

Bob

Originally Posted by Kithikor

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?

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,......................

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.