I only need one razor, I only need one razor!

Hello,

I hope to find the information here to get me started shaving with a straight razor, without falling deep into the world of straight razor and spending money I do not have buying more gear than I need! Perhaps a naive plan, at least from what I have seen of the other members here and their collections, but it is my plan. We'll see how I do.

I often let my beard grow out for a week or two, and I am not sure how well a straight razor will take off that much growth... any ideas from other heavy-bearded members?

Thank you all for the information posted here. I think I will have fun finding my first (and only!) razor here.

José

[QUOTE=johnramos3030;737534I often let my beard grow out for a week or two, and I am not sure how well a straight razor will take off that much growth... any ideas from other heavy-bearded members? [/QUOTE]

A straight will usually take off quite a lot of beard with little or no trouble. winter of 09/10 I grew my bear out like Grizzly Adams, and when spring came I shaved it all off with a Frederick Reynolds wedge. IMO, heavy grinds are better for that kind of work.

A straight razor is probably the best tool for removing a heavy beard growth. I also will let my beard grow for a week or two. It is easily removed by a straight razor with some "meat" to it.

Welcome to SRP,:)

+ 1 to the above,and get a 7/8 wedge,Geo Westenholm,greaves,hawcroft,a good old Sheffield will get r done !!!

Im here to say that ownign one razor can be done i have only had one razor for over a year now, it might help that im only 15 and once i get a job at my grnadfathers store this summer, i might own more but for now im still a one razor person.

Despite owning boxes of razors that can be counted in the multiple hundreds, I went about 9 months this past year shaving with a single razor. YOU ONLY NEED ONE RAZOR, ONE BRUSH, ONE STROP, ONE HONE, and ONE SOAP. That is all you need.

Only one razor? Where is the fun in that? You "need" as many as possible :D

I totally agree, you need only one per day ......... oh wait, you meant...:gaah::D

Though it is possible to get along with only one razor, I think it is much more practical/convenient to have two.

If you don't plan on doing your own honing, it will involve being without your razor for a week or two every few months. If you do plan on doing your own honing, having a second sharp blade for comparison could prove helpful.

I understand not wanting to acquire tons of razors or just having one, it is where I started out too. I got a second one for the above reasons. Food for thought.

As long as you have a barber hone, which requires only a few strokes for a touch up, you can get by just fine with a single razor.

Sure! You only NEED one razor.

So far as beard growth, I can't speak to the capabilities of a straight on that yet. But the simple physics of it make me think that a straight will take care of business quicker and easier than the alternatives. I grow out my beard each winter. I do a lot of work outside in the winter and having a beard just makes sense. Shaving it off in the spring involves getting out clippers, trimming it down, then shaving--dealing with clogging cartridge(s) every half swipe as I've got thick and wiry whiskers, and then for me, dealing with the irritation of my skin when it's gotten used to not shaving for a while. From the vid's I've watched and the simple principle that a single blade won't clog, can be stropped if needed midway, etc. I'm looking forward to "the cleanse" next spring (no beard this winter--and I miss it).

First off the straight is great for taking off a heavy beard, if it quite long I suggest using an electric clipper to take it down to 1/4" or so so its easier to see what your doing. As far as one razor is concerned, you kind of have two choices. If you have one razor you need honing equipment, if you buy two you and keep one sharp & send one out for honing as needed & use the other, and just keep staggering them. Cost is perhaps the same if you dont want or need fancy or new razors to start. To decent starter razors or simple restorations will work fine and can often be had for slightly more than say a 5/8 Duvo (a common starter kit razor).

Bottom line welcome the the site and be sure and take advantage of the wealth of information here.