Thread: Aloha from da Big Island

Hi,
I'm Aloysious, and I haven't seen my face without hair, since my beard was brown and blond. It's mostly gray now.
I quit shaving because I couldn't wrap my brain around the price of razor blades, and just used a beard trimmer.
I recently heard about Harry's on the radio, and purchased a debit card so that I could buy a Harry's razor; but they don't take debit cards. By then I had my heart set on feeling my skin, and began searching for good cheap razors, found DE's, began searching for them, tried joining other forums for advice... but couldn't join them on my phone, and found myself here.
My dad had a beard and never taught me to shave; so, this is all new to me. I've only used disposable razors and razors with disposable heads; and, I thought they provided the closest shave.
I tried my Grandpa's old saftey razor once about 35 years ago, and shredded my face.
The reviews I found while searching for a razor, made me consider DE's or straight razors.
Any advice?

Welcome to the forum!

I started with DE's back in the early 80's for a couple of years, just used what my Father had, then of course hit the Mach 50,000 blades, and like you, got fed up with the price of them and the absolutely crappy canned goo that went with that setup.

I saw this video one day, then found this place, and just went right into straight shaving, haven't looked back and it's a great community here, and it's a blast getting into the history and the nuances of learning a lost art.

Two years later, this video still makes me laugh, and it turns out he is/was a member here!

It's called the Manliest Shave, and the first time I saw it, I though he was going to shave with the huge knife hanging on his wall...check it out:

Welcome to SRP! From the mainland...

First piece of advice is to read the Beginner's Section in the Library. It will answer a lot of questions. Watch some of the shave videos as well.
Second piece of advice is to ask us questions.

In my opinion, the DE is easier to learn than a straight, but the straight is more enjoyable to shave with. Which ever you go with, don't expect a perfect shave the first time. It takes quite a number of shaves to usually get a smooth, close, razor burn free, and nick free shave. But the shave gets better every time.

I'd start with a straight razor because I think everyone pretty much agrees that once you learn how to shave with a straight, you wish you would have never wasted the time on any other shaving technique.

First of all, Aloha Brudah! I'm really jealous of your location. My Brother used to live in Hawi. He worked at the Marriott in Waikoloa Village. Visited him many times and really want to move there some day. I need my Kalua pork omelet fix from the Hawaiian Style Cafe in Kamuela.

I would suggest watching both straight razor and double edge razor shaving videos on youtube and trying to figure out which is for you. I started DE shaving about a year and a half ago and just moved to straights about a month ago. Once you get the hang of it, it is really rewarding. You can get amazingly close shaves with no irritation or blood. I think the keys to both are in the prep (softening the beard, whipping up lather, etc), blade angle, and pressure (or lack thereof). The biggest mistake I think most guys make moving from cartridge razors to either DE or SR razors is applying the same pressure they would with a cartridge razor. Huge potential for blood there! And as Phrank alluded to, absolutely stay away from that crap in a can. Use a quality shave soap.

Good luck Brah, and I look forward to seeing what you decide and how it comes along for you.

Mike

My wife and I would be willing to come help you for a month. I am willing to provide one on one instruction for all aspects of straight shaving. I'll bring razors, soaps, brushes, strops, and a whole lot of hones.
Come to think of it, this may take two months!!!

Welcome to the forum. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. A safety razor is easier to learn and does not require any skill to maintain. Either approach, safety or straight, is entirely do-able but it is a matter of how much effort you are willing to put into it.

Welcome to the forum. If you are looking at learning how to shave well, you are in the right place. There is lot of information here. There is also a lot of very knowledgeable and friendly people. No matter where you want to start, DE or straight, instruction and support is here.

Aloha bro!
Very helpful people here.
Ask questions and get some good answers!

Hi and welcome. As said start by doing a bit of reading and you will soon get an idea of what is involved in either de or straight shaving. Both can provide excellent shaves far better than a cartridge but must say I prefer a straight. Good luck with what ever you choose and any questions feel free to ask

Mahalo nui loa for the warm welcome. I spent most of yesterday taking Phrank and Cris's advice, reading in the library, and watching videos...
I read "First Shave" and was about to by that old Boker straight that's in classified, when I realized Lynn said, Start on one cheek with the straight, and finish with a regular razor; so, I need another razor before I get the straight, or I'll look real funny for at least a week.
Thanks again for all of the advice. You guys saved me a bunch of time, and blood. I'm really glad I joined this site!

Originally Posted by aloysious

Mahalo nui loa for the warm welcome. I spent most of yesterday taking Phrank and Cris's advice, reading in the library, and watching videos...
I read "First Shave" and was about to by that old Boker straight that's in classified, when I realized Lynn said, Start on one cheek with the straight, and finish with a regular razor; so, I need another razor before I get the straight, or I'll look real funny for at least a week.
Thanks again for all of the advice. You guys saved me a bunch of time, and blood. I'm really glad I joined this site!

P.S. I'm shopping for a DE first.