Thread: Fairly new to straights

I've been using a straight for about 3-4 months now and have only one real problem with them. There are two spots on my neck where it is impossible to angle the blade so I can give it the last few strokes against the grain. My beard grows in every direction know to mankind. I have no problem getting those areas with my DE, but the straight throws me for a loop. Does anyone know if any makers market a shorter razor, maybe 2" long? I think this may be the answer.

There are a few smaller razors like the DD Dwarf but if your looking for a really short razor get yourself a Japanese Tosuke Razor. You'll have to learn how to use it but its really short.

I can say "in know how you feel".
Whiskers under my jaw grow from left to right and the whiskers between my neck and jaw grow in circles (...go figure...).

When i am in the mood to get this BBS i use a "shorty" blade, 5/8th 2 1/2 long that easily gets in those places.
It was 3" but was chipped while polishing so i shortened it.

I am sure someone has a sortie they may want to part with... B/S/T?

BTW You have tried to bend your head back and turn from one side and the other get at them... it take practice because it may be difficult to see what you are doing in the mirror.

Originally Posted by smythe

I can say "in know how you feel".
Whiskers under my jaw grow from left to right and the whiskers between my neck and jaw grow in circles (...go figure...).

BTW You have tried to bend your head back and turn from one side and the other get at them... it take practice because it may be difficult to see what you are doing in the mirror.

My real problem ares is the left and right bottom of my neck. I have to shave from just below my left ear straight across my throat towards my adams apple (I said my beard grows in every direction known to man). I can't get the razor angled properly without the blade wanting to "cut my throat" at some point, either just below the jaw line or around the collar bone. Due to some osteoarthritis, I simply can't bend my neck enought to overcome the blade length.

I think the solution might be to get another 3" razor and shorten it myself. This will really put my skills on the Tormek (such as they are) to a test.

There are some very good instructions and tips to cut a blade shorter...

Try this most recent thread... Post #4 by Bruno.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=20984

Using the Dremel cutting wheel and drum sander.

And remember... goggles and dust mask.

Originally Posted by smythe

There are some very good instructions and tips to cut a blade shorter...

Try this most recent thread... Post #4 by Bruno.

Using the Dremel cutting wheel and drum sander.

And remember... goggles and dust mask.

Some good info there, but I'd have to buy a dremel, or borrow one from a friend. I already have the Tormek, so I'll drag that out when I get another blade I want to shorten. Thanks to Bruno for the info on grinding down a blade

This is interesting for me:

I, too, wondered about a shorter str8 razor - for the same reasons stated above. I do have a DD Dwarf and it does serve me well, as do most of the Ducks. I bought a Filarmonica on Ebay not to long ago. What was interesting about the communication during the bidding process is that the seller made a strange statement: "the leaf has been cut, but everything else is normal" - I emailed him/her(?) and asked what they meant by that. Well, I never got an answer. In the mean time, I won the auction for a mere $56.00(for a Filarmonica?). When I got the package (from Spain), I was shocked to see the blade had been cut (yes, the leaf). It was 2-1/4" long(not 2-1/2"). Sorry I don't have a picture. It's an 8/8 blade x 2-1/4", kind of strange looking. The pictures on the auction were very deceiving; a picture of the blade only revealed from tip to heel with no other parts to indicate a reference point. Anyway, after cleaning the blade up, underneath the stains and patina, was a brand new altered blade. Whoever cut this blade did a great job. It looks very professional. A great, and very unusual shaver.

I have thought of posting this, although in the past I had trouble posting pictures. Maybe I'll try again some time.

..and if I can post pictures, maybe then I can actually post something in SOTD (that's a joke!)

Steve