Thread: Choice for my second straight?

I started my straight shave adventure in Nov 2010 after a ton of research. It is hard to pick a first razor without the experience of using one, but I was blessed with a quality Case Red Point. It came shave ready from RazorTalkin and I have been vey pleased with it. I read and followed the advice in the beginners forum, started slow with small areas and progressed to my whole face. I'm now going into my 6th month with a few nicks here and there, but no major bleeders I have maintained the blade with a vintage Barber's stone and a quality Dovo Russian leather strop.

Now that I've qualified my experience, I'm wondering if there are better shaves to be had! I generally use a two pass shave each day with good results. I still have what I consider to some remaining stubble (very very little). This could be because I'm not stretching the face enough. I'm more inclined to think my starter blade could be just that.

What would be your recommendations for a second straight in the $100 range and would it be a better shave? I have often wondered if it's the material in the blade or just the hone (or a combination). I like the look of the Double Ducks and think I'll probably stay with a vintage (because I love my Case!). I appreciate the forums input and await feedback.

I've probably just joined a vast number of SRP members "looking for the next best shave"
T-nerd

IMHO, you can never go wrong with a Dubl Duck. I have a couple of them and they are both in my daily rotation.

I picked up this Theirs Issard Eagle as my second razor. I love this thing.

i havent been at this too long, but id stay vintage

something sheffield 7-8/8 if i were you

For your price go vintage. Look for a not so popular brand for maximum value. Even better look for an American Brand like Genco or Torrey or Shumate for instance. There are many.

Yo did well on your first razor being a Case. The little stubble you have left may be due to technique or the quality of your edge. Stretching the skin helps get a closer shave but I have a small area that gets closer if I relax the skin. Try shaving the stubble from different directions (WTG, AGT, XTG). After you exhaust your changes in technique you may want to consider sending your razor to Lynn or another person with honing experience. You may notice that different people obtain different results honing your razors as you may differer from them.

Case is a good brand razor so don't consider it just a beginner or starter razor and you don't need to upgrade it to get a better shave. You may want/like to purchase other razors to experience the way different males, sizes, steels and grinds effect the feel of the shave. I have found this to be an interesting part of the straight razor experience. Lots of good vintage razors out there for reasonable prices it you stay away form the popular brands. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Terminerd

[FONT=Tahoma]I started my straight shave adventure in Nov 2010
....snip....I'm wondering if there are better shaves to be had! I generally use a two pass shave each day with good results.
....snip....
What would be your recommendations for a second straight in the $100 range and would it be a better shave? ....

In the $100 and under price range visit the
SRP classified (look at the top of the page here).

I see some fine steel for some very good prices
now and then so shop.... Look for ones by good
honers or marked "shave ready".

Your razor is a good one. Once you have a second
razor, hone and strop skills come to play. Tune up
the duller of your two and if it is better after two shave
tests tune up the second...
By alternating and only touching up the dullest one,
one at a time you will make progress.

++1 on the previous advice...Go vintage if you are looking for a good quality straight razor that is a good shaver.

PM me if you would like recommendations for a vintage vendor, other than the SRP Classifieds (Great choice!), who offers quality vintage razors, a number of which are under $100 bucks.

you should be able to find a dubl duck for under $100 on ebay easy.

Originally Posted by BuddyRockefella

you should be able to find a dubl duck for under $100 on ebay easy.

Well do look... the last handful of DDs I saw only stayed under $100 for a day or so.
But I do not look all the time so more than half could have passed me by.