Thread: Hello from Alabama

I just graduated from a university in Alabama and want to invest in a good straight razor with my graduation money. I absolutely hate the razors that are on the market now because I always get unbearable razor burn. I usually have to maintain a perpetual five o'clock shadow. I have inherited my grandfathers Hungarian beard and need something sharp enough to overcome it's thickness. Multiple blade razors leave me bleeding and with an unsatisfactory shave. Could a good straight razor be the answer to my problem? I'm concerned that it will be very time consuming and expensive maintaing the edge on a straight razor. I know the learning curve is steep, but would a newbie be able to learn to hone and strop a blade without having to send it off every time for a god edge. I have an entire summer to learn the trade before I begin law school at ole miss. Any feedback would be much appreciated, and anyone interested in selling some quality beginner gear has a customer in me.

Thanks

Originally Posted by ryleez

(a) Could a good straight razor be the answer to my problem?
(b) I'm concerned that it will be very time consuming and expensive maintaing the edge on a straight razor. I know the learning curve is steep, but would a newbie be able to learn to hone and strop a blade without having to send it off every time for a god edge. (c) I have an entire summer to learn the trade before I begin law school at ole miss. Any feedback would be much appreciated, and anyone interested in selling some quality beginner gear has a customer in me.

Thanks

a) It _could_ be. You'll only know for sure after you try it for a while.

b) If a razor _starts_ with a good edge, you just strop it (anywhere from 20 - 50 laps) after every shave, on a leather strop ($20 and up). That will keep it sharp for quite a few shaves. That's not time-consuming, and not expensive. After the leather strop doesn't bring the edge back, you can use either a barber hone (about $20) or a pasted strop ($varies) to refresh it. Eventually, it will probably need re-honing (about $20). That takes skill, and some expensive gear, and time. But it's only needed a few times per year, at most. You _can_ learn to hone yourself, if you want to.

c) A summer should be more than enough time, if you shave every day. You'll either like straight razor shaving, or not. Don't expect instant results; many people have bad experiences while they're learning.

The Beginner Wiki, on this website, has a lot of information. Read it before buying anything.

One source for reliable vintage razors is the "Classifieds" on this website. Another is Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales. If you want to buy a new razor ($80 and up), try the "Vendor's Corner" on this website.

Avoid eBay.

Another thing you might consider is "double-edge" shaving with a safety razor and disposable blade (abbreviated "DE" here). It has a shorter learning curve than straight-razor shaving, and it's cheaper to get started. It gives a shave comparable to a straight razor (IMHO).

That's my standard introduction -- have fun, and welcome to the website . . .

Charles