Thread: IM NEW AND NEARVOUSE

Originally Posted by chargernewshaver

HEY ZIGGY thanks for that info im new to this too what is a DE. I think your talking about a safety razor with one blade but just to make sure im asking you. . You got it! A DE or "Double Edge" takes the old school two sided razor blade.i am also wondering since there is a lot of debate about shave ready razors and i do not know how to strop or hone. could i buy a razor and have it shipped to one of the more experienced shavers and have him gaurantee of sharpness. ive read two stories of people buying shave ready SR. and choping there face up and quiting. i dont want that to be me.

There are a bunch of things that can go wrong to end up in a "chopped up face."

The best thing you can do right now is develop a strong routine of pre-shave prep. Practice making lather until you get the whipped cream look that you see in the videos, make sure you get your beard soft (hot towels, set up your shave so you can go to it RIGHT out of the shower etc...)

Having a shave ready blade takes the honing question off of the table, but you can still give yourself razor burn and cuts and nicks.

Take everything in stages and you will be better off. I practiced stropping (slowly and deliberately) with a butter knife to get the feel for flipping the blade and moving across the strop correctly. I also made a ton of lather until I got it right. If you treat every step as critical, stropping, beard-prep, skin stretching, lathering, not using any pressure, etc...It will take longer at first, but you will learn that it is more forgiving and get better results in the long run.

Good Luck!

-Rob

I haven't read all the posts. Since your in the Military, (I was for 8 years) I'll ask you this, Are you in the barracks, off base, or in base housing. Since your active duty, lugging around soaps, brushes, straight razor, strops, and hones could be a drag.(are straight razors allowed on base) check first. You could get by with just a razor and a strop and possibly a barber hone. but, It could be considered a weapon. We had a guy taken out for having multiple knives in his locker. If you have to fit everything in a seabag, it could be a problem and shipping razors around the world to be sharpened could have you waiting and waiting. If you live off base, no problem.....What's your situation?

Originally Posted by chargernewshaver

HEY ZIGGY thanks for that info im new to this too what is a DE. I think your talking about a safety razor with one blade but just to make sure im asking you. . i am also wondering since there is a lot of debate about shave ready razors and i do not know how to strop or hone. could i buy a razor and have it shipped to one of the more experienced shavers and have him gaurantee of sharpness. ive read two stories of people buying shave ready SR. and choping there face up and quiting. i dont want that to be me.

As has already been posted, a DE is a double edge razor. You would just replace the blades in the razor, but you would get most of the advantages of a straight razor shave and the pleasure of a wet shave, without the stropping and worrying about the fragile nature of the edge of a straight.

Getting back to straight razors: A shave ready razor has been honed and often test shaved. Razors that come from the factory are sharp, but not shave ready. Most of the people here would not sell you a razor and claim it was shave ready when it was not. If you want new, I can verify that places like StraightRazorDesigns will sell you a shave ready razor at a decent price, and even give you a certificate for a free honing.

The only reason I bring up the DE is because I've never been in the military, and wonder if a SR lends itself to military life. Based on what I see in the movies and TV, if you are late for roll call, or show up for duty with some cuts on your face, the entire unit would be doing pushups, and might come after you with your own straight razor. LOL

well I am off base and they probally would get on your case if you had a straight blade cause in basic they only allow you to have a safety razors.
but i am married and live off base. but lugging around all the strops and hones is no problem for me i do sharpen my own field knifes which i know is completely different than SR. more precision. and i have talked with my chain of command and they dont mind.

MACH 3

You have to keep in mind that you are learning a completely new skill and the learning curve will vary. I started 2.5 yrs ago with just my cheeks and side burns for a couple of weeks before attempting the entire face and then waited a couple more weeks to try atg. Just give it time and you will be rewarded.

Rich

“Always do right. This will gratify some people & astonish the rest” – Mark Twain

Yes you can get a better, closer, smoother shave with a straight razor than a mach3 cartidge razor. It will take a little time, there is a learning curve. Read the wiki for beginers, and basic equipment, that you will need. Pre-shave prep. Making a good lather. Post shave, ect. Make sure you purchase a shave ready straight razor. The start up price might seem substantial at first but the cost will pay for itself over time. You are going to need a strop. Shave cream or soap. No canned goop either. Good luck and welcome to the brothhood.

When I served (2001 - 2005), I didn't have time in the morning before duty to do a proper straight shave. I would spend your weekends practicing and straight shaving, but you might have some issues with getting a close enough shave to pass inspection on workdays for at least your first few shaves.

Beyond that, I can only echo what others far wiser than myself have said previously in these posts.

Good luck and happy shaving.