Does a person strop a disposable SR blade or does a person just shave with it until it dulls like a DE blade? If you do strop it, then how long can a disposable blade last. Thanks, guys.
Printable View
Does a person strop a disposable SR blade or does a person just shave with it until it dulls like a DE blade? If you do strop it, then how long can a disposable blade last. Thanks, guys.
I don't have any personal experience though I have heard of differences in quality for those blades so stropping them up might improve a factory made edge. I suggest experimenting with them; see how long one shaves well for without stropping, and then, with a new blade, see how long one shaves well that is regularly stropped. After that, maybe see if you can bring a little life back to the first blade which has dulled.
The point of the disposables is to avoid all that business but for the sake of economics and environment I would rather keep a blade going as long as possible. This is also a great way to practice stropping before one makes the investment in a straight proper.
You'd have to look at the system you have and see if there's enough blade to strop. I've been using a shavette and because of the thickness of the holder and the amount of the actual blade that sticks out it makes it pretty much impossible to strop (I had thought of trying this myself). I don't know how the other's are set up though (Feather, etc..). I don't think it would hurt to try.
Don't strop. All you will accomplish is to wear the coating off the blade.
Thanks, guys. I am going to place my two blades in long-term storage, take a step back and try the disposables.
How do you guys like the disposible systems? Compared to a real straight razor? (2 questions.)
I like my feather very easy to use and nice on those days you need to rush the routine a bit. It definately is not as smooth as a real straight and I find the shaves do not last as long, all that being said I still prefer regular straight but would definately recomend a disposable for travel or those rush days.
It's o.k. I've only gotten one "real" st8 shave before I messed it up with my sloppy stropping (still learning). I had decided to go with str8s in the middle of February and after poking around I got the shavette from amazon. I didn't find the forum untill probably the end of March. Too bad too since I could have gotten a shave ready razor off the classifieds for what I paid for the shavette but hey. I figure that after fine tuning my shaves with the disposables the transition to the real deal with be much smoother, just have to keep practicing my stropping so I don't screw up another edge.Quote:
Originally Posted by ziggy925
Why not get yourself a Rolls razor?
Never heard of it. I'll look it up, but I'm starting to lean towards an inexpensive shave ready DOVO. As some posters here have said, not much more than a good disposible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kees
Why not try a Weck? This razor has changeable (disposable) blades which are still available in all beauty supply stores. This razor was introduced in 1909 as a transitional razor that bridged the gap between straight and safety razors. The razor came with a toothed guard that provided the safety element by preventing nicks and cuts by keeping the razor at the proper angle. The guard could be removed to allow its use as a standard straight razor.
Although removable, the blade isn't intended to be casually disposed of. It can be honed and stopped as a regular razor and each blade can last for years.
Many misinformed people refer to this razor as a mustache/beard trimmer or as a hair thinner. It was designed, patented and marketed as a straight/safety razor for many years before a smaller version known as a hair shaper came along.
These razors have always been easy to come by in on-line auctions and can be had in the ten dollar and under range. But, I think, they are looked down upon by straight razor enthusiasts because they lack flash and collectibility.
Regards - Walt
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/r...ckStyleA--.jpg
I haven't seen one for ages on the bay.
I have three disposable blades types - Diane 21, Feather, and Shavette. I always use one of these when I travel or when I loan one out to a friend who wants to try straight shaving. They do come in handy and are convenient and inexpensive.
Performance wise, I get a great shave from all of them on the first three shaves. On the 4th shave, it takes a little more technique and the 5th shave can be a hit or miss. After that, the blade losses its effectiveness for shaving. I shave every 2-3 days, when I have enough to justify a shave.
I learned to shave with disposable straight blades, so I have a good sense of their usefulness and they brought me up the learning curve quickly on learning how to shave and understanding just what is meant by a "sharp" blade and how they feel on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd...etc. shaves.
When shaving everyday, the blade will easily last 6 shaves since there is less demand on the blade when shaving everyday. I still work them in on a rotation with my nice straight blade razors.
My Diane 21 is fun to shave with because the blade is only 2.25 inches long and .50 inches high which is a different to my 15/16 razor which is also an awesome shaver.
I like my fixed straights very sharp, but they are never as sharp as a fresh disposable on the first shave. Newbies, be careful with these disposables on the first shave as they will make you pay for being careless.
Can you keep these sharp and reuse them? In theory, if you had the right tools and time. If some knows how, I would like to hear from them.
Pabster
Thanks for all the answers and advice. My honing and thereby my SR shaves are lacking and I did not want to get disappointed and quit. So, I will give these disposables a try for a month or so and then try to come back to the fold.
My Feather is my go to razor for travel and when I just want to just shave and run. It's smooth and sharp, but it's also necessary to focus and keep a light touch to keep from cutting yourself, especially when the blade is new. I love the solid feel of my heavy razors, like the new Filarmonica or the Herbert Wacker, but if for punishment for my sins I was reduced to one razor for the rest of my life, I'd probabaly choose the Feather. Since it's in rotation, I can't keep track of how many shaves I get on a blade, but for me it's a lot. Like DE blades, though, it depends on how tough your beard is.