Thread: Is a straight razor for me?

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.

@stonedrum - I had a cervical and shoulder injury that left my right arm paralyzed for over a year. Until that happened I had no idea the whole arm was just a thumb delivery system. Between button hooks and Velcro I don't recall much slowed me down. Looking back I'd say the only thing I couldn't do was throw dice with my right hand - not a big drawback. As well-adpated as you must be to flying on one wing I think you must be the perfect candidate for Arko stick (face lathering), a boar brush (slighty stiff) and any number of double-edged razors. While a straight isn't for most people I don't think operating one-handed would be the deciding factor. Need and/or motivation will be your deciding factor. Have a ball.

Originally Posted by Substance

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

As for strops, you could even use a loom strop! That way it is already tightened & you wouldn't have to worry about pulling it tight!

I think you should give it a try.
I agree with everything wrote before, but before you buy something try to borrow a straight razor and a three, a two pieces and a TTO DE razor to find out what will work better for you and go for it. Almost everybody here without exception had a long learning curve and do not be discouraged by that.
One more thing: i'm pretty sure you have more ability with your right hand than most of us.

Nice to have you here and searching for something better for you.

You all are amazing! Thank you all so much. I'll try all of the tips mentioned, and I'll try a straight and a DE and report back on what works or doesn't.

I use a large Mastro Livi loom strop. I am right handed but I don't have a collarbone in my left shoulder due to a motorcycle accident yrs ago. I have regular strops but I found that trying to pull them tight with my left arm, sometimes i would slack up a little so I bought the loom strop from SRD & it works great for me!

Hi StoneDrum!

How is going with your straight razor/DE razor trial?

Hi cariocarj01, I still haven't tried either. I'll be asking for a de for x mas ^__^

Originally Posted by cariocarj01

Hi StoneDrum!

How is going with your straight razor/DE razor trial?

I have been wondering the same.