About to take the Leap to straight razor shaving!!!

I am a Mach 3 "disposable" shaver user for over 10 years....I'm just tired of buying cartridges.....so I shave my head and my facial hair with this...so my question is...is there anyone else who has shaved their heads with a straight razor? I know that it will be something I will have to wait to do until I master the facial hair first....but any tips or guidance towards that goal?! I usually shave in the shower as well - is this ok to do with a straight razor? This site is a plethora of information!!

Welcome aboard!

First, learn to use and maintain a straight on your face before you attempt your head.

Second, look at the map under the community section and find someone to mentor you...would make your journey much smoother and offer less "nicks".

I used a mach 3 for several years, a sensor, and am stepping away from a fusion (I think that's what it is). My shave quality has never been that great, and that's why I've come to straights.

So far as shaving in the shower goes, consider the things that ultra sharp straight razor blade could cut into as it falls from your face or head. If you're willing to risk your toes or other appendages along the way, feel free to shave in the shower. Personally, if/when using a safety razor I shave in the shower for it's convenience. But when I shave with the straight I shave over the sink...in pants.

Welcome to SRP!

Welcome to SRP. I am pretty sure there are a few members here that shave thier heads with a straight. But like BigJim suggested..shaving in the shower...umm...maybe not such a good idea...lol. :dropjaw:

Yeah guess I'd never thought of it that way! No shower it is! Thanks for the info all!

I'll see if I can find a mentor....I've been scouring the forum and have about a million ebay auctions I'm watching for that "special" one.....I really want a Dovo but don't want to get one until I'm well "seasoned".....so for now I'm trying to just find a few cheap ones that I can mess around with....so far my favorite is Boker.....Wostenholm and Butcher are some other ones I've been looking at as well as some duble ducks....I'm a total sucker for collecting so I can see this being a bad habit!! I'm excited to find some I can repair and keep for some heirlooms....it's an important part in man's history that should not be forgotten.....

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Originally Posted by geekinsyde

Yeah guess I'd never thought of it that way! No shower it is! Thanks for the info all!

I'll see if I can find a mentor....I've been scouring the forum and have about a million ebay auctions I'm watching for that "special" one.....I really want a Dovo but don't want to get one until I'm well "seasoned".....so for now I'm trying to just find a few cheap ones that I can mess around with....so far my favorite is Boker.....Wostenholm and Butcher are some other ones I've been looking at as well as some duble ducks....I'm a total sucker for collecting so I can see this being a bad habit!! I'm excited to find some I can repair and keep for some heirlooms....it's an important part in man's history that should not be forgotten.....

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Not to dissuade you...okay...to dissuade you...but with no ulterior motives. Be very VERY careful buying off of e-bay. The brands you've mentioned I've been watching on e-bay and they go for a fair price, BUT you never really know what you're getting until it gets home. Some of the threads I've read here have told horror stories of guys buying what looked like a good razor and found out it needed serious work to be shave ready, or might never be shave capable. I've only been on SRP a short time, but the classifieds here have a good variety of razors from the cheap to the not-so-cheap, and I'm meaning price, not quality. Each of the vendors I've checked out on the classifieds here is a senior member here with a good reputation, and they're in it for the love of straight shaving; not to turn a buck on the bay.

I've got nothing for sale here; and don't know anyone with items for sale that I'd gain from you buying here as opposed to e-bay. Just the best advice I could give you in your search...that, and READ. There's so much to be learned here from the wiki to the threads.

Good luck!

Your timing is pretty good. There will be a Wisconsin meet-up soon and that will be a great opportunity for you to learn and to see a lot of razors and other toys. The tentative date for this is April 23.

Thanks again for the input! I SHOULD check out the meetup in WI....that would help answer some questions I may have until then....

As far as the ebay stuff...yeah I'm an ebay veteran...so I know what is listed is kind of a shot in the dark....but I've basically been looking for a good solid blade....I'm not so much looking too much at the scales as I can always throw one together....the restoration process intrigues me which is why I've been looking there....I feel once I get some practice in, then I will look into the classifieds...I've already noticed that some mixing of blades and scales that don't match on there....and I've been keeping an eye out for bad nicks on the blades.....every bid I put in ebay I'm willing to lose the money on if the deal goes bad.....so far I've been lucky! There should be some good practice blades on there....haven't won any yet....there were a few but I let them go as I didn't want to pay much for 'em.....

Shaving in the shower might not be a good idea. But, I believe in shaving without a mirror on occasion. Wait until you are shaving (in front of a mirror) comfortably. This will take some time. But, then occasionally close your eyes and shave a small and safer spot. You will be surprised at how different it feels on your skin, and how much more aware you are of what that razor is doing.

By cutting off sight, you force other senses to develop. And, when you open your eyes, you again might be surprised that your skill is better.

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Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Shaving in the shower might not be a good idea. But, I believe in shaving without a mirror on occasion. Wait until you are shaving (in front of a mirror) comfortably. This will take some time. But, then occasionally close your eyes and shave a small and safer spot. You will be surprised at how different it feels on your skin, and how much more aware you are of what that razor is doing.

By cutting off sight, you force other senses to develop. And, when you open your eyes, you again might be surprised that your skill is better.

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Ah yes...I agree totally....as I typically shave my head with the mach 3 in the shower all by touch....no mirror....and you do "hone" in your skillz when taking your time....

One time I had slipped with my mach3 and made and inch and a half gash on my head....boy I wish I knew about the alum block back then.....I had a big ol' bandaid on my nicely shaven head for days....that is how I developed patience..... :)

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Originally Posted by geekinsyde

<snip>
....I've been scouring the forum and have about a million ebay auctions I'm watching for that "special" one.....I really want a Dovo but don't want to get one until I'm well "seasoned".....
<snip>

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Geek,

Do yourself a favor and stop wasting your time on eBay. Really. I've a drawer-full of blades I acquired there, and it's going to be a while before I can make any of them shave ready and I'm too embarrassed to send them out to hone.

May I recommend the classifieds here or whippeddog.com? You'll get an honest deal and a good shaver without the guessing of eBay and the added expense of having to either trash the thing or send it out to be fixed and made good.

Just my opinion, but I think I'm right on this.

And welcome. Shaving will never be the same.

PS. Don't shave in the shower. While ***** loss fear is a good motivator, I'd be more worried about my fingers from trying to catch it, and my toes from failing to do so.