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Hi,
I'm new to everything here, but I really want to learn more. Anybody in the area know where a good place is to look at a variety of razors, I do better looking in person. I look forward to learning more as I spend more time here, just one question, whats the best razor to start out on?
Hello from Walla Walla WA!!!
Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!!
One of the first things you will find about this art of shaving with a straight razor is that all of it is based on ‘Personal Preferences’!!!!
You ask what’s the best razor to use or start with, well a 1000 members may respond and you may get 1000 different opinion based on their ‘personal preferences’’!!
Personally, I’ve found that I ‘prefer’ the larger (taller) blades and I ‘prefer’ round points but I do often shave with square points and some smaller blades!!
While this isn’t the answer to your question, I do hope it will help you understand that you will find out for yourself, what’s best for you!
Greetings from a couple hours south - and welcome.
Getting a feel for razors is really only done by shaving w/ them. Being afflicted w/ the typical masculine vulnerabilities, I'm drawn to things sharp, shiny, functional, etc. I like quality, so I equate dollars spent w/ quality and satisfaction. This has been an area where satisfaction and dollars don't seem to travel in close formation. I have magnificent shavers (you're welcome to try if you find yourself a bit south) that cost $15 and $560. The miserable part of finding what you like is that you have to shave w/ them. Some of that will be in the quality of the edge, the rest will be in ergonomics - feel in the hand, how easy is it to articulate the blade the way you like it, etc.
I've been big on guys getting together & trying each other's gear. If a guy is queezy about letting a noob try his costly strop - you'll understand in a month or so.
Generalities about a first blade - just my opinion. Coarseness of beard, sensitivity of skin, and size of hand seem to have some preferences on what's easiest to learn with. Exceptions abound, so don't be surprised if opinions vary. The sensitive skin seems less irritated by the heavier grinds. The heavy bearded guys often find the heavy grinds to be easier to *learn* with (not that they're more effective). The guy that takes a size XL glove often finds it easier to hold and articulate a shank that's a bit beefier than the dainty 5/8 blade.
It doesn't really pay to spend alot on a first blade, knowing your tastes will develop and likely change. There must by guys closer, but if you make it this way - let me know. You can experience alot in a few hours.
'Hope you enjoy your path & let us know if we can help.
BTW, there's likely going to be a Spring meet-up next month in Yakimna. At those meet-ups, you can learn more in a day than 6 mo. of reading and practice by yourself. It would speed up the learning curve considerably.
Welcome from Gig Harbor! :) This site is helpful beyond words. You will be glad you joined.
Welcome and also a heads up
http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...et-yakima.html
I promise you will learn a ton if you can attend, we have quite an active PNW membership :)
The only place i know of where i can go buy a razor in person is excaliber in the tacoma mall, don't know that its such a great option, any word on locations near tacoma to shop?
There is a place downtown Seattle off of 4th can't remember the name, they are a bit "Pricey" but you do get to hold all the stuff..
The razors are NOT shave ready unless they have been hand honed after the factory honing which that store does not do the last time I talked to them
Belleview Square has an Art of Shaving...
Bellevue is so far away from me and a pain to get to... anywhere else?
Far from me too but I don't know of anywhere else around to be honest. I've had to start with an inexpensive starter to learn and as I got more into it I realized that online shopping is really the way to go - especially once you find reputable dealers. I can give you more info on what worked for me if you want to PM me.