Hey there. My name is Brandon. I am going to be getting into the world of straight razors, primarily to shape my beard (shave my neck and cheeks). Does anyone else out there just use a SR for shaping?
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Hey there. My name is Brandon. I am going to be getting into the world of straight razors, primarily to shape my beard (shave my neck and cheeks). Does anyone else out there just use a SR for shaping?
Quite a few members maintain a goatee, Van Dyke and fuller beards. I maintain a Van Dyke. Some shavers prefer a 5/8 or 6/8 razor for this purpose. Others prefer a 4/8 and a few, a 3/8. In actuality, a decent DE razor can do the job just as easily with less of an outlay and upkeep. A decent DE can range from $30 to $80 and a 100 package of blades for about $15. That is after trying sampler packs to see what blade works for you. There is a section on the forum for DE and SE shavers, exploring all the aspects of that area.
There are two SRP members in Minnesota that are available for help.
- HNSB (Brainerd, St. Cloud, etc...)
- randydance062449 (Minneapolis / St. Paul)
PM the one closest to you and see what he can help you with.
Although I will never understand people who use straights to maintain facial hair, they are definitely here! For me, once I realized how good the shave is, NO hair is safe!!
Ok... so I do "understand" it - for others. But I couldn't do it. I had a goatee for years - but now I can't even go 24 hours without being clean shaven. And even when I shaved with disposables while in the military I would often go a day or two without shaving over the weekends or on leave. No more. All stubble is gone by 4PM daily, and I love it! I rub my face all day and it's like it's mocking me/challenging me. I look forward to cutting it all off every day.
Is really the only place to buy a nice SR online?
I started with SRD, because it's truly shave ready. With that said, SRD is a little more expensive because it's new razors - I've also bought a few razors through @cudarunner who hones them before sending, and they've been great. There's others on here and other sites that also do shave ready. Most important for a beginner is REALLY having shave ready because (like when I started) you really don't know what "good" is until you've tried "good". So either SRD or somebody on here who can help you find a good one and send it to you honed.
In my opinion, I've been happier and get better shaves from the Friodurs that Cuda found me than the Austs I bought from SRD. The SRD razors are great - don't get me wrong - but if you get a "better" razor that is honed well, you might be happier.
I've found the same. Cuda found me a $100 Friodur that shaves as good as my $270 Aust from SRD. You might want to contact him. Another idea I hear is whipped dog. I hear they sell some great beginner sets. Keep in mind, it's not just the razor. You'll need a strop and soap/cream at least to start. The biggest reason to start with SHAVE READY is so that you can learn to strop. I was destroying my razors in like a week until I learned to strop, but by having shave ready to begin with, I knew what it was supposed to feel like and knew I was doing something wrong. Razorfeld (also on this site) emailed me for months helping me with my technique.
One more thought... I'm now a big fan of the roo strop that SRD sells. I found that because it's so supple and "forgiving", it really helped me learn. You might consider looking for a shave ready from somebody here, and then getting the roo strop from SRD. Cuda is pretty good at finding straights - he's found me 3 so far.
I believe I have a strop and a "kit" that includes a badger brush, a bowl, soap and a stand for everything picked out. I am sending Cuda a PM right now. Do you believe it would be worth it to buy a dovo shavette first, or just dive right in. I always try and buy the best thing first, instead of wasting money on one, and upgrading later.
Shavettes are tough - and I say that as somebody who owned a Parker shavette as a beginner razor (before I bought a straight) and still owns a Feather shavette that I use for travel. Those things are merciless. There's really 2 lines of thought - shavettes will cut you worse, but they're DEFINITELY shave ready and will teach you technique (and I would go with a Feather system over anything). If you can shave with a shavette, you can shave with a straight. Straights are a little more forgiving, but you will need to learn to strop. In retrospect, I would have gone with a straight first and saved myself the scars. I still love my Feather shavette, but even after getting to the point where I can do a 5 minute straight shave, that shavette still intimidates me.
There is always this
http://www.amazon.com/Shaving-Straig...ight+razor+kit
It LOOKS perfect for beginners, but I am weary. It is a cheap golden dollar SR, which I haven't heard good things about. Any thoughts on that kit?
Yea, I wouldn't mess with that. GDs from what I've read they are really hit and miss. Some work great, others not. It's a coin flip. Better to spend $100 on a razor that you know is good. You don't want to get a bad razor and think that's as good as it gets. PM cuda and I'm pretty sure he'll be able to find you something good for about that same price. And you'll know it's a good razor. He's also great for sending things back for honing. I mail all mine to him. Trust me - you will mess up stropping in the beginning and you will need to have it rehoned. But talk to the mentors on here (I mentioned razorfeld) and they'll talk you through the process of stropping. Takes a few misses, but once you get it you're good. I've only been straight shaving for maybe 7 months, and I've gone from a week to now many months on my current with no need for honing.
I have checked out the classifieds on here, there are definitely some good looking SR's there. I am also currently talking to Cudarunner, and he is working on getting me started as well.
Is there a place to check prices, or a way to make sure I am not getting ripped off when buying a razor? I know a very cheap razor isn't going to be as good as a mid priced razor, in most cases, but I see a lot of vintage SR's on eBay for 30-60 dollars, promising to be honed by the seller (most have 100 percent feedback) and if you are dissatisfied with the honing send it back for free and they will redo it. But what's the catch there?
First of all Cudarunner is a good guy to deal with. He's very helpful & he might find you something. Also there are guys from the forum here selling on eBay. If they have 100% feedback & are williing take it back for re-honing, chances are they are a good seller. If you see something on eBay that you like, send me a pm with the item number & i will help you out as much as I can. I have (3662) 100% positive feedback & have been on there since 2002.
Steve
You may want to look on whippeddog.com as well. not pretty but they are guaranteed. Larry has a great reputation.
Hi and welcome. You will find everyone here very helpful. If you have any questions or querys about products just ask and we will make you you are pointed in the right direction.
@engine46 helped me find a nice razor on eBay, and is having it shipped to him first to make sure it is shave ready for me. You can't find a nicer community. Also @cudarunner was more than helpful too, and I appreciate it.
I know cuda has some good razors ready. So... you have options. Isn't this a great community??
I think it's the best straight razor forum in the world thanks to Lynn for founding it! I did try to talk him into buying two from Cudarunner but he was on a budget. I found him a mint Red Imperial, a very nice razor that is supposed to be shave ready & a great one for a beginner. Once it arrives with another I won from the same seller, I will check it & make sure it is shave ready. After a lot of communicating, I feel he will work out just fine here.
Yeah, wish I had hopped on here before I bought a RSO (razor shaped object AKA paper opener). Welcome, tell us how you went Brandon.