Who's Face is it Anyway?

Hello,

I have just started doing research into Straight Razors and my search has led me here.

A little about myself:

I'm 22 years old with a beautiful girlfriend I hope to marry on day, and our 4 month old son. We live in Pennsylvania near Allentown and I am beleaguered by a plethora of problems involving my face.

Now this doesn't mean I'm missing half of my face or anything (some of you more imaginative types no doubt jumped right to a radical image), but my skin is incccrreedddibly sensitive. Most after shaves leave welts and itching, the Gillette Fusion razor that was sent to me by the company on my 18th birthday leaves me feeling raw, and I get, maybe, two shaves out of my razor blades and at 18 bucks per four pack, it's getting old, fast. I recently, yesterday actually, visited the King of Prussia Mall and found an "Art of Shaving" store where my curiosity was piqued. Long story short, I came out with the idea that Straight Razors may be the solution to my issues.

What I got from the visit was this:

• One blade from the straight razor vs the 3-4 blades from a Gillette razor may alleviate my skin problems because there are less layers of skin being removed.
• Straight Razors, when taken care of, a single blade can, and likely will, last many years, with some periodic points in which I ship it out to a professional to be "honed".
• For days when I need to shave quickly, I should have a Safety Razor as a back up.

This left me where I am now, this is the only shop around, and I certainly don't know where to begin with finding a reliable set to begin with. Hell, it's not like there are name brands to compare, not ones that I know anything about.

I need a couple of things from you pros here:

I need to know:

1. What I need.
2. Specific Recommendations for a beginner on a tight budget.
3. Finally, is the Art of Shaving one of those novelty stores that sells garbage? Or is it actually a supplier I can trust? (Please note, I'm inclined to believe it's a novelty store since they sell a bunch of Gillette Razors with fancshy-schmancy handles, but the same blades that cause me no end of trouble)

Thanks in Advance!

Tons of info on this site for beginners, just dig deeper my friend and all that you ever need to know about Straight Razor Shaving within these hallowed halls. Good luck and hopefully...... welcome to shaving like a man.

I don't know too much about AoS stores, but they appear similar to a chain we have here in Australia, Shaver Shop, that sell mainly electric shavers and know very little about what is involved with using a cut-throat, but are only too hapy to sell you one anyway. I could be wrong about AoS.
What you need (minimum):
A razor
A strop
Shave cream/soap
Shave brush.

A cheap second hand razor and a basic strop can be had from whippeddog.com as a sight unseen deal, and may be the best place for a bloke on a tight budget to go to. If you can afford new, then the best prices seem to be had at SRD.com. Both places sell you a razor that is ready to go. SRD has a range of prices and gear to choose from.
It's a learning curve to use a cut-throat, but to avoid irritation you don't need to use pressure against your face when you shave with a razor and you don't want to go over the same spot too much. Regardless of pressure, for me two passes are enough on my neck and no more than three on my face. That's more than enough to get a damn fine shave (DFS) or BBS shave.


Mick

AOS is a Gillette company.

'Hoping we can get some guys w/ really sensitive skin to weigh in here. Obie? PortlandJosh?

The sensitive skin led Obie on a mission to find soaps/creams that performed well w/ sensitive skin. (Obie, you posted that at one point. Pls. correct me if this is wrong) So the right soap/cream, good beard prep, and *absence of pressure* on the razor while shaving will be quite important. It the stroke requires pressure, find another way to stretch and stroke. Your skin will thank you.

Enjoy the learning. Keep asking the questions. Quality of help & quality of attitudes are very good here.

I think Art of shaving is owned by Gillette? May explain the fancy multi-bladed razors.
I agree with Mick, check out straight razor designs. They have everything you need if your looking to get new stuff.
And the straight razor will be shave ready, most do not come that way.
I think starting out I would go with a 5/8 or 6/8 round point straight razor with either carbon or stainless steel. stainless will be easier to keep nice. A 2.5" or 3" strop and a 22mm to 24mm Best badger
I'm just a little south of Lancaster, PA if you need any help, PM me
Almost forgot you could check out the classifieds here too, just make sure in the ad it says shave ready (I think most will)

I would suggest reading the beginner guide to straight razor shaving. And purchasing Lynn Abrams guide to straight razor DVD. You can also view YouTube videos. Geofatboy has some good ones. I think Lynn has some too.

I would also suggest 2 razors. One that is your main (if you wish it aesthetically pleasing go for it) and a backup for when you need your main shipped out for honing. Well taken care of your grand children could use them.

While my skin is sensitive it doesn't sound as sensitive as yours. I switched to straight razors almost a year ago and most of my post-shave sensitivity has gone away. Definitely take a look at the Classified section on this forum and purchase your first from here. I purchased my first razor from here and after the initial rookie mistakes, the difference was night and day. I started with creams that were designed for sensitive skin, but the more I learned about prep, I found that I could use virtually any soap or cream as long as I prepped well.

One thing to add, I shave my head three times a week and am not brave enough to try a straight razor on my lumpy melon. What I have found is an economical solution to replacement cartridges via dollarshave club.com. (Sorry to the moderator and members if I'm not supposed to mention this site). They offer 5 generic cartridges to fit most handles for very little money delivered to you, or if you'd like every other month.

Good luck!

just my 2 cents...aos stores are great but pricey. anything that you can buy there you can buy online at a third of the price. Try straight razor designs for all of your shaving needs!