New Guy tired of wasting money on disposable blades.

Hey everyone. I found this site searching for more info on the grind on a beginner straight blade. I really dislike shaving, and am hoping it can get better for me. I tried growing a beard but it doesn't come in very nicely so I have decided to start shaving more often, which leads to bumps and other irritation. So I am hoping it will be better. I haven't gotten anything yet, it being quite an investment right off the bat, I'd rather not get a shavette at least.

I don't know where else to go with this but I have been looking reading up on it before I "make the leap" I might have to search around and see if I can find a place local that sells stuff.

I currently live in Topeka Kansas


Thanks.

There are lots of grinds available, but I would consider your typical beginner blade to be a hollow grind with a round point to avoid slicing yourself. Look around the site here, there is tons of great information! Just make sure (you will see this over and over!) that the razor you buy to give straight razor shaving a go is truly shave ready. Avoid eBay, instead go for the classifieds on this site or a shop that sells razors that are shave ready such as straight razor designs. Don't forget that you will need a strop too:)

Happy hunting!!

Thanks for the quick reply, that is what I was talking about looking for a local shop and avoiding ebay. I've been looking but I haven't found a good place for supplies besides the razor, like soap/cream or even a mug, or brush... It's been interesting, I really don't want to just get a cheap brush and soap and not like it because of some reason not related to user error... I hope I'm not over thinking this but I'm just searching out as much information on it before I go diving right in which is strange for me. I'm usually quite impulsive.

You can also try double edge first, very inexpensive, $30 for a good Merkur razor and you can buy a sample pack of blades for $10. I moved from cartridge to DE to straight and it was a natural progression.

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Originally Posted by miller1952

You can also try double edge first, very inexpensive, $30 for a good Merkur razor and you can buy a sample pack of blades for $10. I moved from cartridge to DE to straight and it was a natural progression.

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Welcome!!

+1 on this, lots of us did it this way. Unlike straights on Ebay, a DE on Ebay should be a much safer bet. For new straights, Straight Razor Designs has great starter packages and they are shave ready. For used SR's, the classifieds are a great choice with a a big range of prices.

Curtai, I would also recommend the starter kits that Stright Razor Designs offer. Everything you need, and very nice quality too. Whatever you choose, remember 'shave ready' is a must.

Welcome, first off I agree with the other posters, a good shave ready razor is worthwhile, it reduces the potential issues by one :).
I would also say that with regards to soap and brushes good and expensive don't necessarily go hand in hand. I was sent a puck of VDH soap which was perfectly good, and I use semogue and omega boar brushes both of which are around the $15 mark.
I suggest that you get yourself a brush and soap to practice lathering with (you can use them with your cartridge razor) whilst you spend some time deciding on a razor and strop. You don't need a mug, any old container will do. I find that anything that is about 4-5" wide and 2" deep is fine.
I use a large (wide but not over deep) coffee mug most of the time. If you want a scuttle you can make one from 2 bowls, they both need to be about the same diameter at the rim, one deep (like a noodle bowl and one shallow like a soup bowl) put hot water in the deep one and then sit the other one on the top.
Before buying lots of stuff work out what you like.

Also if your buying local, buyer beware, there isn't many stores you can walk into that really know and use straight razors. They claim to know how to hone , but really all they do is sell. Buy from those who use them and hone them , so if you just looking to buy something that doesn't cost a lot try our classifieds, or go to any of the real shave stores on line, because that's about it, and plus your store will be as close as your mailbox, just some advise yours to use or not, Tc

Hi and welcome aboard. Starting out with lots of research is the best way to start. Have a good read for a week and you will have a pretty good idea of what you need and how best to approach this for your needs. I will echo Ed's comments of cheap quality items. I use a plastic take away bowl most of the time for making lather as it has a textured internal surface. There a a few good soaps like palmolive shave sticks and arko that work well and can be had for a few dollars. Some of my best razors are also some of the cheaper ones.

Do plenty of reading and you can make some informed choices on the best starting point for you and even products that you might find best. Beard prepping and mapping also play big roles and are other things to consider for achieving the best results. Good luck and any questions or problems just ask we are always willing to help new guy's get started right.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Welcome, first off I agree with the other posters, a good shave ready razor is worthwhile, it reduces the potential issues by one :).
I would also say that with regards to soap and brushes good and expensive don't necessarily go hand in hand. I was sent a puck of VDH soap which was perfectly good, and I use semogue and omega boar brushes both of which are around the $15 mark.
I suggest that you get yourself a brush and soap to practice lathering with (you can use them with your cartridge razor) whilst you spend some time deciding on a razor and strop. You don't need a mug, any old container will do. I find that anything that is about 4-5" wide and 2" deep is fine.
I use a large (wide but not over deep) coffee mug most of the time. If you want a scuttle you can make one from 2 bowls, they both need to be about the same diameter at the rim, one deep (like a noodle bowl and one shallow like a soup bowl) put hot water in the deep one and then sit the other one on the top.
Before buying lots of stuff work out what you like.

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Now that is really good advice. Most shave soaps and shave creams I have tried will do the job if you know how to make lather regardless of price. A properly made good lather will improve any shave no matter the type of razor used. One of my favourite shave brushes is an inexpensive Omega 10066 boar brush. The only thing with boar brushes is that they a break in period of about 2 weeks of every day use to really soften the tips. After that I find them very nice on the face.

Get a good basic, you don't need fancy, shave ready straight razor and learn how to use it. Same goes for the soap/cream and brush. Once you are getting good shaves from that basic combination try different things.

Bob

You have been given wise advice. Let me refine it some. As BobH said lather is one of the very important aspects of a decent shave, with any razor. Accordingly, you may want to start with one of the SRD kits, which is essentially what I did, one piece at a time (thereby missing the discounts), but I'd also look for a quality (not expensive) brush, which could be an Omega or a Semogue boar or a badger from a reputable manufacturer like those two. Then I would still buy a quality, but inexpensive DE razor and blade sampler pack as a back-up, and as a learning tool. Unless you are THE exception, you won't be getting an ideal shave over your whole face with a SR for a while, and a DE still lets you have SHARP, inexpensively...and gives you a way to know how you're doing with lather.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Now that is really good advice. Most shave soaps and shave creams I have tried will do the job if you know how to make lather regardless of price. A properly made good lather will improve any shave no matter the type of razor used. One of my favourite shave brushes is an inexpensive Omega 10066 boar brush. The only thing with boar brushes is that they a break in period of about 2 weeks of every day use to really soften the tips. After that I find them very nice on the face.

Get a good basic, you don't need fancy, shave ready straight razor and learn how to use it. Same goes for the soap/cream and brush. Once you are getting good shaves from that basic combination try different things.

Bob

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I have the omega 10098 and it really is very good, the only downside was the wet animal smell for the first 10 or so shaves. Once the smell had washed out it was fine.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

I have the omega 10098 and it really is very good, the only downside was the wet animal smell for the first 10 or so shaves. Once the smell had washed out it was fine.

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I am blessed with bad olfactory senses so I never noticed that and I am also that guy who wears too much EDT because of it.

Bob

Welcome, and hopefully you'll no longer dislike shaving. Shaving with a straight is a pleasurable experience.

We saved you I hope. No more cartridge razors, that's what is causing your skin problems. Yes try a good quality DE and then move up to a straight. The classifieds on here are a good place. Also you can try Bobs razors.com. He sells vintage razors that he reconditions and he hones a mean blade I must say.

Best of luck.Thank god we found you.

I bought my last cartridge pack in 2006! It's a great feeling to be free of that loathsome bondage.

A white vinegar soak and shampoo with hair shampoo will cut the break in time and remove the smell of a boar brush quickly.

About an oz. of white vinegar in a cup of hot water and a 15 min soak, then shampoo in your hand rinse and repeat if needed. Once dry you will notice the brush will bloom nicely.