Thread: Shaving with disposables

I am new to straight shaving so I wanted to start with a disposable razor so that I could focus on technique, and I wasn't sure if straight shaving would be for me. Turns out I love straight shaving. My question is about the difference between disposables and a fixed razor. I am not sure if I will have the time to sharpen and hone/strop a razor if I get one. I don't even know who or where to send it to if I were to have it professionaly sharpened and honed.

Is it wise to stick with disposables or should I work out getting a fixed straight razor? Is the shave quality much better with a fixed straight razor? Are there degrees of higher quality disposables? What is the best disposable?

thanks!

I started out the same way as you not so long ago, and I would say yes, get a proper straight ASAP (2 in fact). Please check out member auctions here where you can pick up fine vintage shavers for not too much money. They will generally come shave ready and you won't need to worry about honing for a while.

Please check out the FAQ

As for the quality of shave, i found the disposables to be a little harsher and more likely to cut you, that said if you can manage a blood free shave with a shavette you can def manage with a straight

Welcome!

Originally Posted by tekbow

I started out the same way as you not so long ago, and I would say yes, get a proper straight ASAP (2 in fact). Please check out member auctions here where you can pick up fine vintage shavers for not too much money. They will generally come shave ready and you won't need to worry about honing for a while.

Please check out the FAQ

As for the quality of shave, i found the disposables to be a little harsher and more likely to cut you, that said if you can manage a blood free shave with a shavette you can def manage with a straight

Welcome!

Thanks TEKBOW. I am interested in a vintage but ho do I know what a good vintage is, and how do I know if it is in good condition?

Buy from the member auctions here, this is a great community and i've witnessed some incredible acts of generosity on these pages that have left me stunned, so trust me when i say that if you stick with razors sold by experienced and senior members you will come away with a good quality well honed razor. I'm sure some of them will chip in soon and maybe help out with specific reccommendations. Do not buy from ebay (yet), you (and me neither) don't have the experience to know whats a good buy.

Until the senior guys chip in, here's some reading for you that should answer some questions

Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

And here's the link to our forum auction house. I've bought a couple of razors from members here and they've been top quality

Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Anything here that says shave ready will do you a treat (bearing in mind the advice given in the beginners guide on type of razor for a first timer)

The Dovo Shavette is a good disposable straight, and I started that way. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a straight razor from the forum classifieds, and that would only cost about $20.00 more than the Dovo Shavette costs new. You will probably eventually make the transition to straights, so it might make sense to skip the middle step and start with a proper straight razor. It will also be smoother and easier to learn straight shaving with.

Originally Posted by ace

The Dovo Shavette is a good disposable straight, and I started that way. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a straight razor from the forum classifieds, and that would only cost about $20.00 more than the Dovo Shavette costs new. You will probably eventually make the transition to straights, so it might make sense to skip the middle step and start with a proper straight razor. It will also be smoother and easier to learn straight shaving with.

My experience here mirrors ace. Started with the shavette. Wish I had home straight to a straight. There's a huge difference between the two. I can shave with nary a nick with either one but the shavette just isn't the same. It's not bad. Just different. If you don't think you'll have time to strop and maintain an edge then go with w shavette or a Feather AC.

If you decide to go whole hog check out the classifieds or whippeddog.com. Larry can get you in to it for under $80. Then buy a second razor from the member classifieds. Honing services can also be found there as well.

While you are thinking, read the wiki and read the beginners threads to see what experiences other people are having.

I agree, buy a vintage from one of the members or if you want new check out our vendors section. Stay away from the auction sites for now. I havenb't used a disposable but from what I've heard they are convenient and give a great shave but are very unforgiving to bad technique and can be harsh. A straight is very different.

starting with a 'real' straight is desirable IMO. If cost is the concern, pick up from the classifieds, a shave ready razor. If you find it isnt for you, likely you can sell in the classified around the same price, minus the $20 that honing will cost someone. You will still want to get a strop.

If you buy a new shavette, doubtful you'll come close to that sort of return.

Also the shavette is not as forgiving or smooth as a straight. You may be turned off to straight razor shaving when you didnt give it a full chance. I grab my shavette when I need the quickest shave since no stropping and can put off cleanup. It is not as enjoyable, and you really deserve the full experience.

Might as well jump in with both feet, do as bigspendur and dirtychrome has advised, you wont go too wrong.

I'm one of the guys who started out with a proper SR, skipping out on the shavette stage so I can't really comment on those. I have been tempted to try one out, but in the few years I've been at SRP I can't recall hearing a single member say he went from shaving with a real straight to a shavette and then wishing he started with the shavette. That's gotta tell you something.