Thread: Older but Newbe to straight razor shaving

Greetings!

I am 62 years old and kept a beard for most of my adult life mainly because I disliked shaving. Usually used a Bic disposable about twice a week to trim up a little.

About a month ago, after much contemplation, I got into shaving with a DE razor and got into it the right way. I purchased a Edwin Jagger DE razor and a sample kit of blades along with Omega shave cream and pre-shave and post-shave products. It turned a hate for shaving into a hobby! Wanting to experiment further I purchased an 20 dollar Shavette type razor and blades. I immediately bought a styptic pencil which I use every time I use the aforementioned razor!

I will likely use the DE as my regular razor but want to become competent with straight razor.

Jim

Welcome!!
I started the same way for the same reasons at 50 and have been at it for 5 years now.
A shavette can be more deadly than a real straight, if you get that down, the real thing will be a breeze

Good choice for a DE, I have the EJ Barley and love it. The shavette I can't comment on I've never owned one. I usually switch between DE's and a straight razors depends on the amount of time I have. Check the SRP's Library out for information on using a straight and of course the forums, lots of people here willing to help. Welcome to SRP!

I have not gotten through an entire shave with the shavette as yet but have made it through the second pass with the lather only mildly pink. Thanks for the encouragement!

Jim

Welcome jgthomas11 from Qld, Australia.
I am now 63 and when I was 60 I also purchased an EJ89 razor which is a fantastic DE razor. After reading articles on this site I also purchased a Dovo shavette to dabble in the world of straight shaving. I have been using it for about 18 months now with the green sleeve and Personna longer SE blades which makes it more like a traditional straight. The half DE blades cut my face too much as I found them too short. It really only took a couple of months before I was able to confidently shave my whole face without nicking it.
I then had to have a real straight as they all looked so gorgeous and shiny. I started out with a DOVO best Quality and quickly also bought a Bengall, both of which I had professionally honed.
Strangely enough it took quite a while to get used to them however the shavette came in VERY handy to touch up. If I feel that the straights are not shaving well I still revert back to the shavette and occasionally the DE as well
I suffer from RAD and today have a few nice straight razors but still keep looking for that really nice one that will be the "last" purchase.
Go for it mate, never too late!
Sunbird

I have been very happy with the results from the DE. I must already have "Acquisition Disease" because I already have a Muker 180 and more shaving soaps and creams than I will use in a year. Not to mention the shavette. I can see I will have to figure out how to get a proper SR without my wife using it on me!

Jim

Take her antique shopping, if you both buy something (you, razor), not much can be said!

Originally Posted by jgthomas11

I have been very happy with the results from the DE. I must already have "Acquisition Disease" because I already have a Muker 180 and more shaving soaps and creams than I will use in a year. Not to mention the shavette. I can see I will have to figure out how to get a proper SR without my wife using it on me!

Jim

Welcome to the forum from another late bloomer. Shaved all my life because I had to with various razors and never thought about it, just a daily chore. So three years into retirement at 59 I buy my first straight at the Sally Ann on a whim. That transformed the daily chore into a daily ritual that I look forward to and enjoy despite the occasional nicks and cuts. It also made a huge improvement to my DE shaving too. I see like me that you are well on the way to various acquisition disease associated with the sport too. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the straight as much as I do. You are never too old and you have company.

Bob

Thanks for the welcome! The EJ razor is, indeed a thing of beauty! I love the chrome plating.

I used the shavette again this morning and probably nicked myself as much as I ever had an switched to the DE after the second pass... When the lather takes on that pinkish hue it is time to switch. I am determined to get this right and will keep hacking away at my face until I do get it. I think I need to use the DE and not pick up the shavette for a couple of days.

Haven't figured out what I will get for a real straight razor when I get better at this...


Jim

I didn't take that extra expense into consideration when I started this hobby.