The more I read, the more certain I should be using the straight blade

My dad always used an electric or some sort of disposable, so I did to. I'm tired of the razor burn and only getting a good shave though, so I think it is about time for a change.

I've been doing some research, and my biggest question is how to pick out the right razor. I'm something of a cook and outdoorsman, so knife maintenance and sharpening is nothing new. I'll admit to having used a VERY well sharpened knife once on the trail to shave when things were getting out of hand.

The hardest thing seems to be picking out the right razor, since as far as I can tell from what I've read it is very personal. If anyone has a recommendation on a good old fashioned steel blade, with good balance and a bit on the heavier side (the way I like my knives) I would greatly appreciate the advice.

Looking forward to my first real shave,
Jim

It won't really be personal until you have tried a few and experimented to see what you like. Bigger and heavier is not always better for razors, but have fun trying them all, or at least a few.

If I had to do it all over again, right from the beginning.....here's what I'd do:

-I'd look for a round point razor (a little easier to use at the beginning b/c there is no "point")
- something that is a full hollow ground
- a model that is 5/8 or 6/8 in width
- a shave ready version of whatever it is you purchase....not "factory shave ready"....I mean "really shave ready"
- I bought one before I found this place, so I blew too much cash: Check the Classifieds section before anything else, our vendors are reputable.

hmmmm....get some good soap. Proraso is a good start, easy to lather, plenty of moisture and glide.

and....get a good strop right off the bat. That piece of equipment will be worth its weight in gold. You will nick it, certainly. It adds character. But....if you are concerned about it, SRD's website has the option to purchase replaceable leathers for literally the same price as a cheap "starter strop" would have cost you. Might as well get a good one right away.

Once you get the itch to try a straight razor that itch will NOT go away, trust me. You might as well just buy a kit and get it over with.... :)

Of course, I was only half joking. I'm not sure that a first razor purchase is something "very personal", but if the AD's (acquisiton disorders) really kick in you'll end up with several different kinds of razors anyway. In that case Maxi offers some good advice, buy zsomething middle of the road so you can branch out later

Welcome to SRP!

Welcome to Straight Razor Place and I'm sure these guys can steer you in the right direction !

A lot of guys, myself included, start out with a Dovo Best Quality 5/8"; the SRD website often has specials and sales, and you are guaranteed to get a shave-ready razor that is still one of my favorite shavers. But yes, there are often some great deals on our own classifieds. Sometimes really unbelievable low prices on some great razors guys just need to get rid of-those tend to go fast!

Tell us what you end up with, and welcome to SRP and "the dark side" of shaving.

I agree with Maxi on 5/8 - 6/8, round point. I don't have a strong preference for grind, though a really light full-hollow blade is very elegant.

If you want a new razor, the SRD Dovo "Best Quality" is a medium-weight blade (about 1/2 hollow, I think), and offers excellent value. Very good stuff in the Classifieds, here.

You might also want to get a double-edge (DE) safety razor and some blades. Beginning straight-razor users (I include myself) often find that some areas of the face are hard to shave. A DE razor handles everything. There are many old Gillette razors tucked away in antique shops and flea markets for low prices. Inexpensive new brands are Lord (Egyptian) and Weishi (Chinese), both available on eBay.

Welcome to the wet-shaving world.

Charles

Hey Jim,

When I started straight shaving, I was fortunate enough to have a range of blades at my disposal, I used 5/8 and 6/8 equally. I guess if I had to recomend one to myself back in time, then 5/8, I guess I am in the Normal area (in most areas at least), but a giant of a man would want to go toward the 6/8. As mentioned, get a good quality allrounder, then up-grade latter.
Sam

If you want to try first, buy a good cheap razor (shave ready) on the places that the other guys have already mentioned.( Classifieds, wipped dog ,ect ect)
Avoid Ebay, if you do not know what to buy, you often bought junk.... save your money for the real stuff.
Once you have figured yes this is what I want. Then buy a more expensive razor and the rest of the gear.
You'll see, it remains not to one razor, but there are more and more that you want to buy. ;)

If you want to save money. avoid the Classifieds sector and the other stores that sell this wonderful razors.(Once you start looking you buy)

Now we only talking about the razor addiction.
There is also a shaving brush and soap, afthershave addiction. hahaha ;);)... enyoy and try, you will see you like it. I read somewhere " Once straight razor shave, and do not want to go back to the "modern gear". And they are right.

Welcome to SRP. Don't take this the wrong way but honing a knife is different than honing a razor. They are similar only in the use of a hone to obtain a sharp edge. The techniques are quite different. For your first razor I would suggest any vintage razor properly honed and made in the US, Sheffield England, Solingen Germany or Sweden. A new razor from SRD (Straight Razor Designs) is the other option. There is no question about SRD's razors being shave ready and that is what you want for your first straight. Round point, square point or what ever, you need a properly honed razor to develop a good shave technique with a straight razor. Straight shaving has a steep learning curve and the sharpness of your razor should not be a concern while learning. There are a lot of levels of shave ready and SRD is tried and true here many times over.