Thread: Hello from NYC

Hi everyone!

I've joined the forum clearly to gather more info about straight razor shaving.

During the holidays this past year, I got myself a royal shave from the Art of Shaving and loved it. While, I was waiting for my shave, the sales woman was of course trying to get me to buy a new razor. She was trying to direct me towards their fancy Mach 3 razors, which I told her I wasn't interested in since they never get close enough. She asked what I use and I told her I use a double edge safety razor. She asked how long I had been using it, which I told her 9 years, and she suggested it was time to upgrade to an actual straight razor.

I had never really given much thought before since I just been going a long just fine, but I decided it was finally time. I think have the angle down from the safety razor and I'm not nervous about slicing my throat any longer (something my mother was concerned about when I asked for a straight razor in college, which is how I ended up the with safety - ha).

So right now, I have a disposable straight razor coming for a trail run to see if I like. I don't see the sense in getting a $100+ plus razor only to never use it again.

My big questions when it comes to a real straight razor are:

1) What sort of razor should I choose? I see that blades come in different sizes? Are some better for different face shapes than others?

2) What are the proper techniques for honing the blade?

Any info you guys have now would be great, but I'm sure I'll stumble across those answers as time goes on and I get a real razor.

Thanks guys,

Krumm

Hi and welcome!

I think a 5/8, round tip razor is good to start with. It's a nice common format.

Honing is a whole can of worms. Better to just read the honing forum, wiki, and videos to learn more about that.

Your first focus may as well be learning to strop. You will do that daily. Honing comes a little later.

Ps. I work in the city. Let me know if I can help you out with any questions.

Michael

HI, Krumm, and welcome to SRP! mj gave you good advice. Learn to strop first, then worry about honing. On to your questions!
1. "What sort of razor." Well, that is often a matter of preference for the individual user. Many here recommend that rookies start off with 5/8 or 6/8 hollow razors due to their ease of use, and I agree. I also recommend that you use a rounded, not square or spiked point razor. The Wiki section has a chapter entitled "Straight Razor Manufacturers To Avoid (or something similarly entitled). I STRONGLY urge you to go and read that because it will help you avoid making a poor purchase decision.
2. Proper honing technique. Again, focus on your stropping first. When you do get to the honing stage, there are entire forums to be found here on that very topic. If I recall correctly, the Wiki also has chapters regarding that. Also, SRP does sell a DVD featuring honemeister Lynn Abrams (SRP founder) instructing the audience on how he hones straight razors.
I do hope this helps you out.
See you in the trenches, buddy!

Thanks so much, guys.

I came across some info on intro razors under FAQ (who would've thought, right?).

I'm glad I asked about the honing -- I thought it was the same as stropping. I'll read more about that as I get there. Like I said, I just purchased a cheap disposable straight razor to try out -- I see myself grabbing a real straight in about a year if I end up liking it/being able to do it.

Michael, what places would you recommend in the city to pick up a razor? I've been looking online at Straight Razor Designs and Classic Shaving but I like the idea of seeing and holding them to get a good idea of what I would like.

I'm sure someplace has them, but I have never seen one in a store in NYC.

The Art of Shaving has razors from Thiers Issard and Dovo, though I wouldn't exactly recommend buying from there. I don't like the logo.

Keep an eye out for the next NYC/NJ meet up. That will be a great opportunity to see/hold some razors.

I'd be happy to show you some from my collection, or hook you up with a loaner anytime.

Michael

Sounds like a plan. I'll have to keep an eye out for the meet ups.

Fellow New Yorker, welcome to the forum. I'm also pretty new here and to straight razor shaving. I'll let the pros answer your questions.

Welcome.

I got my first shave from the NY Shaving Co. and paid full retail so I can understand your concerns.

I'm still pretty new but i have found that the size of the razor is less important than the sharpness of it. My first razor was a new Dovo that was not "shave ready" and until I got one back from one of the forum's honemeisters did I understand what real shave was like.

Get comfortable with the act of shaving and then learn the rest.

If you're picking up a razor, get it honed by a pro and then concern yourself with maintenance. A strop and paddle strop with cro-ox or diamond paste will keep your blade sharp for months. Don't spend a lot on your first strop. You'll just nick it up a lot until you learn not to. Get one from Whipped Dog or Ebay and not worry about messing it up.

You'll need to find the right soap or creme for your face and develop a good pre and post shave routine. I made my own melt and pour soap with a good bit of bentonnite and got a very slick shave. In my experience, a cheap stypic pencil from Duane Reade does just as good a job as a $15 block of alum. Stings a bit but it feels good after. And it closes the weepers and cuts quickly, a good thing when you're learning.

I'm in midtown daily. If you're interested, since I now have acquired just a few extra razors (bad case of RAD), we can meet and I can front you a loaner. It will be clean and sharp and if you don't like straights, you won't have much invested.

Let me know if you're interested.