-
Total Noob here
Hey folks. About 10 years ago I bought a straight razor and a strop. Tried shaving with it, got a lousy shave, put it away. I'm assuming the biggest problem was sharpness rather than technique.
Recently came across a box filled with my wife's stepfather's old junk in it, and lots of the stuff was from when he went to Barber school years ago so there was about 5 straight razors in it.
Anyway, this find got me interested in looking around shaving forums and I found out that there is lots of guys using the safety razor. So I sent for a sample of blades and tried shaving with an old Gillette and a Merkur I bought for my father years ago after getting a good lather with some Proraso. Well, I hated it. I found it very difficult to get a good shave with and I used the recommended angle and pressure. It wouldn't give me as good a shave as my trusty Gillette Sensor.
So I'd like to give the straight razor a shot again, but I've got a question.
Should I get the Solingen I bought years ago sharpened or should I buy a new blade of good quality and get that sharpened? The Solingen I bought I'm sure wasn't more than $40, but I can't be sure.
I hate to spend a lot of money if this is something I don't stick with, but I'd also hate it if the reason I don't stick with it is because the Solingen I have now isn't good quality enough to give a good shave.
-
Darn, I meant to post this in Newbies Corner. Sorry.
-
I'm sure the razor you already have is fine. Get it honed up and try it. Don't spend any money you don't want to spend. Unless ofcourse its for a good strop.... :)
-
If the razor you have looks half decent, i.e, no major rust or chips, I'd have one of the honemeisters :bow here sharpen it for you. (So long as it doesn't say Zeepkt anywhere on it :td )
As a newbie myself (dang I look forward to the day I don't have to preface everything I say with that), I've found a sharp blade is just the tip of the iceberg. There is technique to learn, such as , the angle of the blade, how to hold the blade, blade pressure,etc. but there is also the preshave ritual of lathering and presoftening the beard.
I strongly recommend Lynn Abrams DVD on str8 razor shaving. :tu I would also suggest that the time spent browsing the posts here at SRP will be time well spent.
Good luck, and keep the styptic pencil handy. Or if you're a real pessimist put 911 on speed dial. :nj
Cabo Sailor
-
I'd say go for it with your older one. Send it to one of our fantastic honemeisters here. At the worst, you'll be out a couple dollars for shipping it to them and them telling you it's not a good razor. Chances are though it just needs a good cleaning and honing, in which case you're still only out $20 or so.
For your first shave, just remember this: have patience! There's almost a 100% chance your shave won't be the greatest. Think of it like the first time you drove a car- you made it, but the ride sucked. After a little practice though, everything went fine and now you don't think anything of it.
-
Yes, send it for honing.
Having said this, even a fantastic edge doesn't just work magically. There are many other variables. Prep is crucial, and so is technique. Sometimes the skin itself needs to get adjusted, etc.
I think straights rule - but you do need to realize that getting a good straight shave may require much more than a honing by a honemeister
Good luck!
Ivo
-
Thanks for the advice guys. I think I' send for the Lynn Abrams DVD and get my razor honed.
I'm interested in straight razor shaving for probably the same reason most of you got into this: No more buying expensive cartridges. Don't have to worry about running out of expensive cartridges. Going back to an older way of doing things, etc.
But after some practice, can I expect to get better or equal shaves to what I get with a Sensor Excel? After my experience with safety razors, I'm a little pessimistic that my shaves will be just as good. Since I started using Proraso, my shaves with the Sensor are pretty perfect and irritation free. I also don't shave against the grain and my shaves have gotten a lot smoother than when I used creams and gels in a can.