Thread: Ready to begin...

I must be living in the brave new world: I’ve joined an internet forum on shaving…
Ok, well, I’ll be 42 in a couple weeks – live in nashville, tn – made my living playing the drums for 25 years – have just recently switched careers to science education.

I’ve always had a difficult time with shaving – trouble getting a good close shave – razor burn – etc… I tried a braun puslonic for about a year – it was okay, but not any better than I was doing with disposable 3-blade jobbies…

I knew a fellow drummer years back who had been shaving with a straight razor for years… lost touch with him, but the idea has always intriqued me… I am 2nd generation Greek (mom’s side) and my Pappou Gimakas (great grandpa) used to use a straight razor… that fact combined with old photos featuring his fierce gaze have always stuck in my mind…. Straight razor = take no shit from nobody.

I’ve been told several times by barbers: “you don’t want to mess with a straight razor – stick to a mach 3” …being told this absolutely guarantees that I’m going to try it…

So there it is…..

I’ve read the beginners articles – one question I still have is: while I’m becoming accustomed to the straight razor, should I purchase a safety razor to shave the rest of my face? I’ve read that a saftey razor, while not the same as a straight razor, is much better than a mach 3…

Thanks…

Johnny

Welcome to SRP Johnnie68!

I have no experience with DE's personally, but I have read countless people here say that they do give closer shaves and less irritation. But they, too, have a learning curve. Not as steep as straights, since the configuration of a DE is one that most of us are more used to, but it's still a new way of shaving.

It's recommended you not start out trying to shave your whole face in one go, so if you want to learn to shave with a DE and abandon cartridge razors altogether (and who here could blame you), sure, pick one up. It's really up to you.

At any rate, have fun and welcome to one of the friendliest forums I've ever personally seen, one newbie to another.

Johnny, welcome to the group!

If you are currently using a disposable you can continue to use it to clean up while you are learning to use a straight. However DE's do give a better shave than a disposable and can come in handy for a quick shave if you don't feel you have time for a full straight razor shave and they are handy for travel. As always though, it's your choice.

Sounds like you are on the right track reading through the beginner sections. If you have any questions please let us know and I am sure one of the members here will get back to you quickly.

Good luck on your journey, It's a whole new world out there

thanx, ladies!!

so, it sounds like what i could do is to begin by switching to a DE - using the cartridge to assist that.... then eventually do the same thing with a straight - since i'll probably want to have a DE handy for travel, etc....

Yup, that's definitely one way to go about it! Starting with a DE will help you learn a few things:

1. How to prep properly. And really, this is handy stuff to know no matter what you use to shave with, but with DE's and straights in particular it's part of the process and gives you a much better shave.

2. Pressure. You can't treat an exposed edge that way you treat a cartridge razor. We tend to press with those because they just don't shave well if you don't, but with a DE or a straight you will cut yourself if you try to do that.

So, with that stuff already down, it'll take out some of the learning curve with straights. You can just focus on angle and stropping, pretty much.

I'm actually thinking of picking up a DE. A lot of members here recommended I do so from the outset, but after having shaved a few times with a straight now I see the purpose in it much more. That and I am hell-bent on getting rid of this stupid Gillette razor!

I'll jump ship and recommend not starting with two different methods of new shaving at the same time...you're likely to have a hard time picking up just one. You're looking at a 3-6 month learning curve using a straight if you decide to use it every day....learning the DE and straight at the same time is asking for trouble. I suggest using whatever method you're most comfortable to do your clean-up.

orrr....you can start like I did, after I got my first shave finished, I got a trash bag and threw everything else away. This forced me to learn my straight or show up to work looking like trash. After a week of shaving, I was getting M3 results and now I'm getting better results than anything on the market.

Originally Posted by Johnny68

thanx, ladies!!

so, it sounds like what i could do is to begin by switching to a DE - using the cartridge to assist that.... then eventually do the same thing with a straight - since i'll probably want to have a DE handy for travel, etc....

I think you will find by switching to a DE you can pretty much trash the cartridge razors within a couple of days. Big thing with the DE's is don't use pressure, let the weight of the razor do the work. If it doesn't seem like it's cutting adjust the angles. Do not go sideways though it will slice you.

As Mistress Nomad said starting off with a DE will help you get into the habit of good beard prep. It's the most important part of wet shaving. You should be able to find a vintage one pretty cheap at antique shops, flea markets and junk shops. We have found quite a few for $5 or less. A good soak in hot soapy water and then use scrubbing bubbles and a toothbrush to clean it up. Soak it in alcohol for 10 min, slap in a blade and you are good to go.

Hey Johnny,

I approach things from a slightly different perspective. If you think you'll be shaving with a straight razor, I'd start with one. You can always fall back on a DE at some point, but it's not the same as a straight razor. Yes, it is better than a Mach 3, but so is a Trac II, Bic Sensitive, and Bic Metal IMHO. How many baby steps do you want to take?

Check out the Wiki and dive in. Know that you will have a learning curve, your patience may be tested, and that the end result (for those who persevere) are a worth every minute.

Don't focus on the destination, enjoy the journey. Welcome to SRP, Sir...

Good Luck!

Even though it's said you shouldn't do a full shave when you start out, it can be done, just make sure that you have plenty of time and no distractions. Make sure you lather up well, stretch the skin, use a light touch and you should be good to go. After a few shaves it'll start to get easier.

Either way, you'll do fine.

Originally Posted by Johnny68

thanx, ladies!!

so, it sounds like what i could do is to begin by switching to a DE - using the cartridge to assist that.... then eventually do the same thing with a straight - since i'll probably want to have a DE handy for travel, etc....

Johnny68,

+1 on that thought...In fact, I think that you'll find that you really don't want to use your multi-blade razor to shave, once you begin using a DE.

I switched to a DE before moving on the str8 razor shaving last December. While there is a learning curve for the DE, just like with a str8, it is not as lengthy. There is a whole series of videos on YouTube by Mantic59 which discusses and demonstrates the different types of DE razors and their use as well as how to create rich, creamy lather with a shave brush in either a shave bowl or mug.

Moreover, as has been stated, a DE is the next best thing to a str8 razor shave. Its closer, with less irritation to your face, and cheaper in the long-run.

Of course, all of us here at SRP hope that you will give serious consideration to taking the next step one day and using a str8 razor.

Take care...