Newbie Around Here Looking For A Better Shave!!!

I'm trying to get into the world of straight razor shaving and ran across what you guys refer to as DE shaving. This is a new concept to me but I think it sounds like a good place to start. I have a decently thick beard and have to shave daily for the military. My face is constantly torn up from either a fusion or an electric razor. DE seems like a safer place to start than a straight razor but I would like to hear pros and cons of both. I'm looking at ordering a Dovo all in one straight kit to include, strop, brush, stand, soap, and mug but after further research I'm considering adding a DE. Any thoughts and comparisons are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys

I'm military as well, I haven't ever used a DE but I shave every single day with a straight. I can honestly say that after the first week with a straight I stopped getting any face irritation. Now it's been over a year and I haven't touched anything but a straight in that time. Well worth the investment!

That seems to be the general concerns us around here. Seems like a steep learning curve on straights and thought a DE would be a good place to start

I'm new to DE's, but have been using a straight for almost 2 years.
I was given a vintage Gillette DE by ZeroCool & I have used it about 20 times, I love it.
Face preparation is the key for me, whether using a straight or DE. Before, during all my years of shaving, I never gave a hoot about preshave prep , or what canned cream I used. Shaving was a pain in the a** daily chore that had to be done, prior to SRP & straight razor shaving. Now I look forward to shaving & the choices that I have now.

If I were you, I would start with DE shaving, using this forum to learn how to make the experience a great one. As far as what razor to use or get, I am one who likes taking old products, vintage razors and putting them back on the line. I find the hunt & sometimes a little restoration on them to be a fun experience. Also, great finds, at great prices, are on dusty shelves everywhere.

Someday I will buy a new DE, I'm sure, but now I'm on the hunt for vintage shaving items. I have new brushes, but my everyday brush is a vintage Talor of Old Bond Street badger that I paid $7.00 in a dusty old antique store. I spent 30 minutes cleaning her.

Enjoy the journey.

If I get a DE kit it looks like I will have everything I need minus a razor and strop? is this a correct assumption? And it's a lot cheaper to get into DE razors. I like this idea. Seems to be less likely of a nasty mishap with a cut? Someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

What exactly is your idea of a DE kit? I think any "Kit" that has been presented to you, should include a razor. If is a "Kit" for a straight, it should include a strop as well.

Again, I have never bought in a kit package, my items were bought individually.

'Kit' meaning comes with DE razor, brush, mug, soap, stand, and extra razors. Basically could receive package, open and be ready to shave. Then whe I wanted to give straight razor a shot would just need razor and strop.

Sounds like a plan.
Just take an hour or so to research the prices on the items individually & compare to the price of the kit.

You are probably like I was, before SRP; the same disposable razor, with the same cream, day after day, year after year. There are so many choices now in this shaving journey, that you make sure you take your time, pick the items you like or want to try, this makes for the best first step/leap into wet shaving.

Thanks for the help! I'll placing an order today. As far as straights go, would a Dovo disposable be a good idea just to give straight razor a shot? Then I don't have to worry about stropping?

If you are going to go with a disposable straight, the Feather SS is a far better choice. You'll find the Dovo Shavette is a rude introduction to straight razor shaving while the Feather, although more expensive, will do a better job for you and more closely mimic what a real straight can for you.

Stropping is not a worry, it's actually a pleasure.

I don't do disposable straights Hawk.

When I'm swimming, I enjoy a cool deep pool; not a warm shallow one.

Just my thoughts. :shrug:

Thanks! How long do the disposables last? Are they true shave ready? And do I not have to worry about stropping? Can I use them to practice?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hirlau

When I'm swimming, I enjoy a cool deep pool; not a warm shallow one.

Just my thoughts. :shrug:

---

Makes sense. I was trying to keep cost down. I'll maybe wait for whipped dog to be back in service.

I don't know why you should wait for a company, if you want to start wet shaving. WAL Mart has all the items you need to start, other than the vintage DE. Take an afternoon or day to hit a few antique/thrift stores for your De or even Ebay. I saw,last night, several beautiful condition Gillette DE razors for $25 to $29 on a simple search. I sold items I had of value, to get me started in honing. I'm glad I sacrificed things I was not using, to make my daily routine better.

Make the jump, Hawk.
The Train of Life, waits on no one.

Made my order with straight razor designs. They are in Ohio and not too far from me, just don't want to drive 2+ hours in this weather. Should be here by Friday though and I can give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the help and I'm sure ill be back with more questions.

I would be careful on getting a straight razor as to what the regulations on your current unit/branch. I have heard the navy is a bit strict on their personal using straight razors. I am not sure if its just on ships or in general though. I know army side there is just about no issues with using them but it would still be something to look into before you spend the money to find out that a over zelous commander puts the nix on it. DE wise though I have never heard of any issues. Just my 2 cents and experience with this issue

I'm military as well and just got into the straight razor shaving. I bought from SRD as well and couldn't be happier with my purchase. I went with a dovo 1/2 hollow kit. True, there is a learning curve with a straight...but it'll come. I've been shaving with the straight in the evenings to get the technique and good shaves down, then shaving regular in the morning to go on duty. In just a weeks time of this routine, the shaves with the straight are getting good enough to go to work in, but the time it takes to get them is still quite a bit.

My first shave (of course being nervous) took about an hour. After a weeks practice now though, I'm down to about 30 min for a full shave...and I'm sure a week from now ill have it down to 20 or so. Either way, there is a time commitment and not something that can be relied on from day one, but in the long run, it'll be worth it.

Good luck with your new razor.

I recently started shaving with a straight and it's awesome. Recently I was given my grandfather old DE safety razor and after a little clean up it still works like a charm. I don't think you can go wrong with either, and you'll enjoy the shave much more! Enjoy.