Thread: Taking the plunge

Hello, everybody! I am also new to straight razor shaving. A couple weeks ago, I purchased a basic Personna Magic shavette along with a pack of derby "half blades" for it. I figure that while I would like to learn straight razor shaving, this is a cheaper way in case I do not like the experience. Well, I have to say that I do and am doing pretty well in learning. I think that with some more practice, I'll be ready to move up to a true straight. It is really not that hard. But just like learing to drive a manual transmission, it takes time to get your technique perfected.

Like others, I have been fed up with the increasing costs and decreasing quality of cartridge razors. I thought of going the DE route and I probably would have been happy. But I wanted to learn what, for the most part, is a lost art.

So after lurking here for a few weeks and getting a good idea for a good soap and brush combo, i ordered a puck with the bowl of Mitchell's Wool Fat soap along with an Omega Pro boar brush. I must say that it is worlds apart from that aerosol junk I have used in years past!

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be drawing upon everybody's knowledge as I continue to learn and eventually master the straight razor.

Welcome. If you have any questions, ask away!

Welcome to SRP!
I'm glad to hear that you read up on what to buy.
Just wait and see how much you spend when this becomes an obsession - you'll start thinking those cartridges were cheap.
Feel free to ask us any questions that you may have, we are here to enable...um, help you.

Hi and welcome aboard. Any questions feel free to ask

Hi Donald & welcome aboard. Yep, the cartridges are absurd & you will find that using a straight is not only a lost art for many, it is the go to for guys like us on here & if we are in a hurry, many of us have a DE for standby which is also good & there are many DE blade preferences out there so you have now seen the light & know that the cartridge razor is just for a fast shave & they also burn, some get rashes & so on but with a straight correctly honed & stropped, you can't go wrong. Like the others have said, ask away & you will be guided in the right direction. A good place to start is in the Library if you haven't seen it yet. The beginners Guide is the best place to start, then move on from there. You will be amazed!
Great to have you here.
Good luck my friend.

Hello amd welcome to SRP!! Pretty amazing how terrifying the costs of modern shaving gear are.when you finally get a chance to compare Traditional Shaving, huh?!

You are definitely in the right place now! Regarding Straight Razor expense... Make sure to keep an eye open and shop a bit locally as you may be surprised what you find. Straight Razors in decent, recoverable shape can often be found for under $20... Another $20-ish when you send it out to be honed by someone in the Member Services here and you are rolling. Stropping can initially be accomplished on a number of cheap/alternative materials... Denim, Newspaper, Seat Belt Webbing, Balsa, etc. So, just to get started, you may not be looking at as steep a climb as you initially imagined.

Also, I believe all Members can post in the WTB area but I am not 100% certain as it may have to do with Post Count as well... But, a WTB Ad simply stating what you are after could yield surprising results... Helping other people new to Wet Shaving is a way to renew your own energy/excitement and is very, very common!

Donaldjr1969--You may want to add your location to your profile and see if anyone nearby steps forward to help you out with some advice and hands-on guidance.

Welcome, good luck and enjoy.

The money I've happily spent so far would have supplied my grandsons with cartridges for life, but now I'll be passing on my razors and brushes, something far more meaningful.

Thanks, everybody.

I was first exposed to straight razors via on a completely unrelated forum in the off topic section. A member talked about dumping cartridges for a DE. I perused the website he listed and began to think...why not? Well, a couple years later, here I am!

I have considered a basic Parker DE for getting those tricky areas such as immediately under my nose as well as the chin bone itself. But for the latter, I am getting better there. I find that even if my strokes are about 3/8" on the chin "bend," I do better. But every time I have finished my shave, I am so impressed with my results!! But as mentioned in another thread, if I do not have at least 30 minutes in the morning to devote to a SR shave, I'll just go to the cartridges. No sense rushing things and slicing myself good.

Prashton, you mentioned shopping a bit locally. Well, SR Designs/Imperial Shaving is about 45 minutes away from me. My soap and brush came from them and when I go to get my true SR when I upgrade from my shavette, I will be making the purchase in person.

Originally Posted by donaldjr1969

Prashton, you mentioned shopping a bit locally. Well, SR Designs/Imperial Shaving is about 45 minutes away from me. My soap and brush came from them and when I go to get my true SR when I upgrade from my shavette, I will be making the purchase in person.

If I lived that close, I'd be making that drive way too often, a little jealous.