Hello from Canonsburg PA

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm thinking of purchasing a straight razor. I've enjoyed reading various posts here on SRP, and trying to learn what I can from everyone's experience. Hopefully someday I can be a resource for others as well.

I have multiple questions, and in some ways, I don't know where to begin. I'm unaware of any shops near me (Pittsburgh region) that sell razors and supplies, so I'll likely purchase online, as I'm sure many of you have as well. But this seems to be a purchase that I'd like to inspect and feel in my hand before I buy. Does that resonate with many of you?

If I were to buy a SR locally, I'd likely have to go to an antique shop (of which there are many near me), but I'd hesitate due to my lack of knowledge about manufacturers, condition of the blade and scales etc. Perhaps some of you had similar concerns when you purchased your first SR.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello, and I look forward to learning more. I hope to be shaving with a SR soon.

Welcome to SRP relli1130, there are two immediate options for a first razor purchase. Straight Razor Designs offers a number of razors at from reasonable and up prices. SRP Classifieds can garner you a shave ready razor for under $100 from one of SRP members. In both cases they can be bought with little risk to you. Antique stores and eBay are for the initiated that know what to look for in a razor and is a waste of time and money at this point in your journey. A decent staring brush and soap can be bought under the Van Der Hagen brand at a reasonable price at most drug stores and the like. A medium priced strop, also from SRD is a wise investment since you probably will destroy it learning to strop. You need to first learn to build a good lather, learn to strop correctly, map your beard growth pattern and achieve decent shaves. This is a slow journey that should command your full attention. After close to a year you will want to consider basic blade maintenance on a 12k artificial stone and eventually learning to hone your own.

The Library and videos are good remote teachers. Check the Local Help list for anyone near you and seek out a Senior Member or Mentor for one on one sessions. Greater and faster learning that way.

And above all, ask questions since you can draw on most of the membership to provide an arc of answers.

Straight Razor Designs is located in Medina, OH. If you don't mind the drive you could examine razors in person. It looks like it is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from Pittsburgh to Medina.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. The Ralf Aust is the right price and ratings seem very good. Should serve as a good option for my first razor.

Hi and welcome. Plenty of good advice already I would add though that buying from an antique store you will need to send the razor for cleaning and honing as well so often it isn't that much extra for new. The razor and strop or package deals are often great value for quality items just buy from a reputable vendor. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

One other question...I have a neatly trimmed beard. I shave my neck up to my jawline, bottom lip, upper cheeks, and upper part of my mustache. Would the Rulf Aust 5/8" or similar type razor give me the manuverability I need? Or would I be better served with a smaller, 4/8" razor? I realize this is all probably personal preference, but I thought I would get some input...

Thanks!

I have several razors in the 4/8 and 3/8 sizes and have used them (rarely) for meticulous trimming around my goatee and mustache when a special situation calls for it. The rest of the time I use what ever size the razor is (5/8's to 7/8's) with no discernable differences in results. I'd say your 5/8 should handle the task adequately if handled delicately.

The Ralf Aust is a great beginners razor among other users. It is such a nice razor that even non beginners buy it. It would be a very good razor for your needs. I love a round tip razor but I also have one with a barbers notch, square tip, Spanish tip & French tip & ones like that come in handy for getting tight areas but a round tip will do the job for now. You can also finish off with a DE but you will eventually want a second straight for a spare for two reasons. One is for when you send one out to be honed & the other is just in case you drop one or accidentally bump it into the faucet or anything that could chip a blade, you still have a spare. It happens to the best of us plus it's always good to have at least two. Once you get used to a round tip, you can try one of the others. For your first one though, you want to get "acquainted" with a straight razor & have the least amount of weepers as possible. Like Razorfeld, I too have a goatee & mustache & I have my ones for special situations but you won't be disappointed with the 5/8" Ralf Aust round tip. Just my opinion.

When I started I had a short beard and shaved the upper cheeks, neck areas. Never found a round point a problem its just knowing where the cutting edge is. I actually find square points harder due to being unable to flatten some hollows in my neck and needing to use the toe to scoop in them its easy to nick myself.