Thread: A Full-Time Shaving Advocate!

Originally Posted by BobH

...Nothing that about 3 months of every day shaving with a straight razor won't sort out.

*Sigh*...if I could only do that....

What straight we're you learning with?

And what's your "go to" DE?

Originally Posted by JP5

What straight we're you learning with? And what's your "go to" DE?

Initially it was a plain vanilla Dovo 5/8 extra hollow (made shave-ready by a reputable honer) but I found it much too light and flexible for me. So I bought a Hart Steel 7/8 quarter hollow: I was more successful with that but its sheer size makes maneuvering difficult. Last year I tried again with a Gold Dollar 6/8 that was carefully QC'd and made shave-ready. I actually had the 'best' experience with the GD--less blood and a (slightly) more consistent shave...go figure.

(I recently bought a "new" Hart Steel to compare it to the "old" Hart Steel but I haven't tried it yet.)

I know I need to just buckle down and consistently practice with one razor till I get it right but finding the time has eluded me.

As for my "go to" DE, I've tried dozens but I seem to gravitate to adjustable razors: initially I loved my Merkur Progress but that got put in the drawer when the Parker Variant came out. The Variant got set aside when I tried a Rex Ambassador. For a non-adjustable DE I really like my Feather AS-D2 (but only with a Feather blade. Otherwise I usually pick up my Rockwell 6S, with base plate 2, if I'm using another blade).

My all-time favorite razor? OneBlade (v2). Yeah, yeah, I know many reading this will give me a hard time about that but, damn, it gives me a consistently great shave with less effort. I might as well be a brand ambassador for them.

Originally Posted by mantic

*Sigh*...if I could only do that....

Using a straight razor demands that type of dedication to learn to use it properly. That is also likely part of the reason DEs/SEs took over from straight razors as the razor of choice for the majority of people until they were displaced by the current multi bladed carts. With each "improved" razor design/type it took less time and determination to gain the skill level to use that particular type of razor.

Bob

Mark, it's great to see you posting here, and thanks for your current 'go to' razors list.

My all-time favorite razor? OneBlade (v2). Yeah, yeah, I know many reading this will give me a hard time about that but, damn, it gives me a consistently great shave with less effort. I might as well be a brand ambassador for them.

I, too, have a love/hate relationship with the OneBlade-I have both iterations of the stainless and I love the quality of shaves that can be attained with such ease and HATE that it's so easy and takes NO technique.

There's lots of technique involved in a DE shave, but the OneBlade eliminates all of that. And darn it, I spent a long time refining my technique!

The technique requirements of a straight-razor shave are many times greater than the DE or SE, and takes, at least in my experience, a real commitment. After several fits and starts and some unfortunate experiences with a Feather AC shavette, I buckled down, and after about 200 consecutive shaves, it now feels like 'just shaving'.

And as far as the bulldog clips as a training device, that's very clever, although I think some of the custom razor makers here might have a seizure at the thought of clamping a metal clip onto one of their creations!

I like the concept of the oneblade. The blades they use are the old feather-type.
Thicker blades. Right?

Yes, Sharptonn, they're called the Feather FHS, Feather sharpness but thicker and more rigid than the DEs or Artist Club Feathers.

Ah! So the old Valet Autostrop design Feather produced later?

Ah! So the old Valet Autostrop design Feather produced later?

Yes, exactly!

Originally Posted by MichaelPz

Yes, exactly!

Believe it or not, one of those Feathers in an old 5 dollar autostrop razor shaves awesome.
Admittedly a bit harder to wield, I suppose!
Never tried a Oneblade.
Those blades give a bit of personality to the shave.