Thread: Is a straight razor for me?

Welcome to SRP
The answer to your question is, if we look at the stats, probably not.
But if your curiosity is there, and the desire for something different from what you've been using up till now, then it might be a resounding yes
We will do our very best to help out, should you make the jump!

I read this thread right before I went to shave. I decided to shave with a DE with my right hand, only (for the actual shaving). It was a little awkward, simply because I'm so used to using my left to stretch my skin and I did wind up with a couple of minor nicks (just because I'm not used to it); however, I was able to get a very smooth result. My recommendation, start with a DE, but go for it!

Welcome!

If you are having clogging problems, research open comb DE or SE safety razors, they clog less but can be more aggressive.

I just thought of another planning factor if you decide to start with a DE - changing out the blades. Research the different types of DE's and how the blades are changed. I would image that a Butterfly style DE might be easier/safer to change a blade with one hand, but as I've never used that style I couldn't tell you if there's a sacrifice in performance... I doubt it. Just something to consider.

I'll send him one of my 5/8s to try out. That should at least answer the question about whether or not it's right for him.

One of my neighbors lost his left arm many years ago. Most days he shaves with a twist to open DE. When he uses a straight, his hanging strop has a hook on the bottom of it that he attaches to his pants and then steps back from the wall to set the tension. It takes him about 20 minutes to do a 3 pass straight shave. So it can be done, but his first razor as a teenager was a straight.

And welcome to SRP!

Welcome to SRP
If I were in your shoes & I hated banging the razor to get rid of the clog in a razor, I would give a straight razor a try. You can get a nice one at an affordable price on Straight Razor Designs like a Ralph Aust. they are very nice & affordable. You won't know unless you give it a try. If you try hard enough & are determined to get a good shave w/o banging the razor on the sink, then try it. If you don't like it, we have a classified section on here & there would be someone who would buy it from you if it isn't for you. I always say you never know unless you try so I say give 'er a go & see how you like it. There are many of us on here that would be more than happy to help out or answer questions you might have plus there's a lot of good information on this site you can learn from. You'll never know unless you try.
Steve

Hi and welcome. I'd say for sure give it a shot. There's a lot to be gained and only 1 way to find out. Never heard of anyone who took the time and patience to learn who has not loved it

G'day and welcome to SRP
Good you found this forum and are getting advice up front
I would take major up on the offer
You could use a bench top strop that won't slip, also could try a suction cup bowl to stop it moving while you are lather building,
You say you lived without your left hand all your life so I am sure you are efficient at working out how to get around things using only 1 hand, and you would work through using a straight.
I also am a right hand only str8 shaver, like the rest of the learning curve it can all be adapted for you I believe,
Time and patience is all it takes
Hope you see a path through this in your quest to clean comfortable shaves.

The option of a butterfly/barn door opening DE would also be a good alternative to the multi blade problem we have all experienced.
Hope to hear some positive progress cheers D

I just did an experiment.

The only new DE razor I ever have bought was a Merkur HD 34C. It is the non-butterfly/barn door type. Instead it is a two piece razor. You unscrew the bottom of the handle which releases the top piece which holds the blade between the top piece and the handle.

Without ever giving any consideration to it before, because I had no need, I went ahead and changed out the blade with only one hand. Honestly, I had no difficulty at all. I believe that the OP easily, and safely, can change out the blade of a DE razor of whatever type, whether it is a 2 or 3 piece or a butterfly type of razor.

I got a Gillette Atra in high school. I used it until I tried a DE razor, which led me to straight razors. I strongly prefer straights but I NEVER try to convince others to try straights. Instead, I constantly try to encourage people (men and women) to try DE razors because they are so easy to use, work so much better, and are much cheaper. For that reason, I buy decent DE razors (whenever I can get them for less than $5) so that I can give them away to people who are willing to give them an honest try. Only then do I invite them to try a straight razor.

Back to the OP...If you can use a cartridge razor I have no doubt that you can use any type of DE razor. I think you should start with that to have an immediate improvement in your shaves. Following that you should take the offer of a trial straight razor to see if that works out for you.