Thread: 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.