Thread: Need advice on what to look for

Every time I am asked what type of straight razor I am looking for, I feel like an uneducated individual because I am so new to the straight world. I believe all the razors I have are 5/8th's hollow ground or extra hollow ground. My friend suggested maybe trying a larger like a 6/8th's. I am also looking to get a nice razor that will be the pride of the lot. I have a low budget at this time, but I am thinking around $50. What are good characteristics to look for or to even know what may work for you? I am a tough bearded person. My hairs are like steel wool. I think I am rough on edges. I am so looking for some great knowledge. I know I will probably get lots of feedback that it all depends, and such, but I would like to know more then to just stab in the dark. I am told that an H. Boker or Wade and Butcher would be great additions to what I do have.

How competent/confident are you, shaving with "all the razors" you currently have? Admittedly, I'm a bug about postponing additional acquisitions until someone is wielding what he's got, and doing it well. "Steel-wool beard hairs"? How's your pre-shave beard preparation? and, do you strop the edge of the razor with which you're going to shave? enough? properly? Finally, regarding your friend's suggestion to move up to a 6/8" blade: why not continue with the 5/8" size, but try a stiffer grind -- say, a 1/4-hollow, or a near-wedge? There are lots of near-wedges in a wide range of sizes, made in Sheffield (England), which won't require any immediate restoration (but will require honing). Near-wedges are often the solution for thickly-growing and/or wiry beards. Think about it.

Smooth shaving!

[QUOTE=JBHoren;1248527]How competent/confident are you, shaving with "all the razors" you currently have? Admittedly, I'm a bug about postponing additional acquisitions until someone is wielding what he's got, and doing it well. "Steel-wool beard hairs"? How's your pre-shave beard preparation? and, do you strop the edge of the razor with which you're going to shave? enough? properly? Finally, regarding your friend's suggestion to move up to a 6/8" blade: why not continue with the 5/8" size, but try a stiffer grind -- say, a 1/4-hollow, or a near-wedge? There are lots of near-wedges in a wide range of sizes, made in Sheffield (England), which won't require any immediate restoration (but will require honing). Near-wedges are often the solution for thickly-growing and/or wiry beards. Think about it.

I take a hot shower then use a pre-shave oil, then build up a nice lather. I have been a wet shaver with a safety razor for about two years. I do strop before shaving and have stepped up my strop and skills stropping. I now have a Tony Miller and loving it. As for wedges, I want to be able to keep edges on my razors. What I mean, is that supposedly much harder to get the edge correct on wedges. Thanks, for the input.

Originally Posted by Gonzo4str8rzrs

I take a hot shower then use a pre-shave oil, then build up a nice lather. I have been a wet shaver with a safety razor for about two years. I do strop before shaving and have stepped up my strop and skills stropping. I now have a Tony Miller and loving it. As for wedges, I want to be able to keep edges on my razors. What I mean, is that supposedly much harder to get the edge correct on wedges. Thanks, for the input.

Regarding your beard prep: Try massaging-in the first lathering, then covering your face with a hot washcloth for a minute; then re-lather and shave. I found it makes a great difference in the ease and final quality of my shaves. Also, don't try to get a BBS shave in a single pass; make at least two passes, preferably three.

As for any difficulty in getting a good edge on a wedge, the first step is sending it out to a solid pro-honer (and SRP-approved honer is good). Then, learn what you can/should do to maintain the edge (hint: a few passes of the blade on a strip of hard-wool felt -- or, an old leather strop, if you've got one -- impregnated with Chromium Dioxide, Cr02, will help keep the edge "fresh" for a long time).

JBHoren Thanks for the words of wisdom. I will try and see what happens.

[QUOTE=Gonzo4str8rzrs;1248533]

Originally Posted by JBHoren

As for wedges, I want to be able to keep edges on my razors. What I mean, is that supposedly much harder to get the edge correct on wedges. Thanks, for the input.

Stiff hollow grinds would be easier to hone up & there would be plenty of makes that would suit a tough beard. Bengalls, Morley Clovers, most of the New York made razors. Gencos / Genevas. Plenty more I'm sure.

I wrongly assumed my first straight was a 5/8 full hollow. It's actually a 7/8 full hollow. When I went on ebay and picked up a 5/8 razor I immediately felt like the thing was a toy. It was far too small, Didn't let me pick up my lather as well. And felt restrictive because I had to shorten my strokes.

I'm still very much a learner, But I do know that for me a larger depth blade is certainly more fitting to the way I want to shave.

Now a few months into using straights my goals have changed. I now know what sort of blade feels better, I like a deeper blade, And I know that there are a lot of grind types that I need to test. However I think since I have a razor that I am happy with I now need to learn to hone. This is not so I can maintain the blade I'm using. It is so I can test new grind types picking up cheap deals on ebay. If you can't hone, then you can't pick up the cheap deals and test things out.

My plan for Christmas is to be given a good 7/8 razor and have it professionally honed. I know that the blade will suit me as the cheap one I have does. And alongside that I will have most of the stones I need to hone Purchased and I can start picking up the super cheap ugly razors, Put an edge on them and test the grinds.

[QUOTE=Gonzo4str8rzrs;1248533]

Originally Posted by JBHoren

How competent/confident are you, shaving with "all the razors" you currently have? Admittedly, I'm a bug about postponing additional acquisitions until someone is wielding what he's got, and doing it well. "Steel-wool beard hairs"? How's your pre-shave beard preparation? and, do you strop the edge of the razor with which you're going to shave? enough? properly? Finally, regarding your friend's suggestion to move up to a 6/8" blade: why not continue with the 5/8" size, but try a stiffer grind -- say, a 1/4-hollow, or a near-wedge? There are lots of near-wedges in a wide range of sizes, made in Sheffield (England), which won't require any immediate restoration (but will require honing). Near-wedges are often the solution for thickly-growing and/or wiry beards. Think about it.

I take a hot shower then use a pre-shave oil, then build up a nice lather. I have been a wet shaver with a safety razor for about two years. I do strop before shaving and have stepped up my strop and skills stropping. I now have a Tony Miller and loving it. As for wedges, I want to be able to keep edges on my razors. What I mean, is that supposedly much harder to get the edge correct on wedges. Thanks, for the input.

Very few "wedges" are a true wedge shape. Most have some hollow. Unless it's a very old and very worn wedge, you won't have nay more difficulty keeping an edge on it than any other razor. If they're old and worn, the bevel get wide and requires either tape on the spine or a lot of patience because you have to remove a lot of metal.

I prefer the big "wedges", 7/8 or larger. Personal preference. I like the stiffness of the blades as opposed to the full hollows.

It's all a matter of personal preference.

I shaved yesterday with my Wade and Butcher FBU wedge. It's a massive, chunky blade that wipes away a three day beard as if it never belonged there in the first place. It would be a remarkable find to see one available on the budget you have. But if you can find a wedge, I highly recommend them for a tough beard. They seem to cut with more authority than a full hollow. Some love them, some hate them. If you can find a good one, I'd give it a try.

I've found that I also prefer stiffer grinds, no matter the size 4/8-7/8. It goes further in that I have used both old and modern quarter hollow to near wedge grinds and all are much easier to shave with. As a result the shaves are much closer as well. My two cent.