Thread: Reeling from bad experience, looking for advice

Hey all,
I'm (very) new to straight shaving. I've been interested for a long time and after coming across this deal: Vintage Straight Razor | Straight Razor | The 80% OFF Boned Camel Deal | VintageStraightRazor.com , I figured I couldn't really go wrong. Anyways, the package arrived and yesterday morning I tried my first straight razor shave. It was TERRIBLE. My face is covered in burn, and the shave wasn't close in the slightest. While I do attribute this to my rookie shaver status, and and fully committed to practicing and improving my technique, I've also been researching both the razor I used and the dealer I bought it from. By the end of the shave, my razor doesn't feel much sharper than my pocket knife (which for the record, is kept as sharp as possible, but I'd never think to shave with it). On this very forum, I came across this review: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ons-razor.html
Now I'm brand spanking new to this community and practice, but I've done a fair amount of research and it doesn't seem like the razor i purchased is either sharpened traditionally or of a high enough quality to last longer than a few shaves. So I wanted to ask for opinions. What's a decent, yet fairly inexpensive razor a beginner like myself could look for, and where's a good place to look?

Sorry to read about your bad razor and shave

Keep checking the classifieds in here, there are usually starter/cheaper razors on there

I'm a newbie as well, but started off with a Parker shavette, you know, the kind with replaceable blades, and only about $20 with a pack of blades...not really like shaving with a straight, but gives you an idea of the technique, and at least you are guaranteed a sharp blade. I liked it so much, I got a real straight razor, and from researching it seemed best to go with a name brand, so I went with a Dovo, from Straight Razor Designs. They come shave ready, honed by Lynn (founder of this forum) and are good to go. My first tries resulted in nicks, etc, but at least when my technique was right, it shaved real purty..now 3 weeks later, it is the best thing since sliced bread (sort of a pun). I would advise getting a used razor in the classifieds on this site, or at least go with a reputable vendor and a respected brand..

That razor is well.. I would not worry about ever shaving with it.

For alternatives.

Check out this: Main Index - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
and this: Vendors Corner

Not to vendor bash but I've not heard one good thing about that particular vendor. I think it's safe to say you purchased a fine letter opener. It's unfortunate that people are getting duped into buying these things cause all they are doing is turning people away from SR shaving by selling them something that isn't fit for shaving. I'd check their return policy and see about getting your money back. Then as the previous poster said check the classifieds here. I'm sure you'll find a razor for near what you paid that is truly shave ready.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience but trust me once you get a proper straight in your hands you're in for some good times. Sure the first few won't be perfect but I'm sure they will be far better than what you put yourself through trying to shave with that.

Seriously, here in the classifieds is the way to go. Glad to hear that you weren't scared away and are bouncing back with questions and willing to stick with it. Sounds like all the above is good advice to me: send it out for a pro-honing, read until our eyes bleed in the mean time. There's so much good info on here, you won't believe it.

I'm a newb too and had a rough start. Now I'm actually making progress. It's SO much fun once the "worm starts to turn".

LOL about the "boned camel" joke. Roughkype is too funny!

Let me know if I can answer any newb questions for ya. I'm not qualified beyond that...

John

Tomahawk,

Here are links to the wiki articles to which Joed referred:

Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Please don't let this rocky start discourage you about shaving with a straight razor. Once you get a shave-ready razor from a reputable vendor, you'll be on your way to smooth shaves. Good luck!

Yeah , someone's getting boned , but I don't think it's the camel . For all you noobs out there ; do your research BEFORE you buy the razor .

My advice and comments:

I bought my first razor off eBay. I was lucky, it was super sharp and truly shave ready. The others I bought from here or traded for ones here. If I were to turn back the clock; I'd ONLY buy from here, because these guys are the experts, generally, and also ( I find) a very nice bunch of people.

Now I'm a bit further into the whole endeavour, I can buy with confidence from elsewhere, but clearly there are some 'iffy' sellers out there (I'm referring to no-one in particular). If I were you, I'd buy a razor from here...I think you'll find it a pleasurable experience..

Fellas, I wanna thank you for all your advice. I can't wait to try again with a real razor, and start getting better at this. In the meantime, I plan to take all your advice and continue to read and research what I can. I look forward to someday being able to contribute here myself!