Thread: Safety Straight Razor

I'm considering venturing into the world of straight razor shaving, but before I invest in the expensive accruements of hones, strops, and the razors themselves, I'd like to practice on a more affordable disposable razor to see if I can develop the knack for it and if it will produce a good shave. That being said, what are some disposable straight razors that are inexpensive enough to begin with but not cheap enough to produce a deceptively poor shave?

I've been looking at the Magic Razor:
Charles Spilo - Spilo Magic Razor

and Persona:
Personna - Personna Pirouette Razor

Thanks all!

Hello there,

I`m not sure if you really must invest lot of money if you want only one straight razor be in rotation (unless daily shaving you need two). Straight razor professionally prepared will last many years just with proper stropping and one barber honed. If you want to do professional restoration... than yes, you might invest little more.
It really depend of your goal and approach to this art.

If you try those cheapies you will never get the feel you want. Do a search and investigate some of the other shavettes that are available. You don't have to pay a mint for a feather but there are others that will at least come closer to what a straight is but even then remember a disposable is different.

For about the same price you can find a professionally honed real straight razor in the classifieds here. Go to your local tack shop and have them cut you a 3" wide piece of harness leather for a strop. This set-up is as cheap as a phony razor and you will have something of value to show for it, and, you'll love the feel of a real straight.

Magic...?

So if I don't go the disposable route, what are some recommended options to start straight razor shaving? I'm hesitant to purchase a used razor, as I can't imagine myself believing that it could be sanitary. I just don't want to spend a lot of money to start straight razor shaving if I find out I can't do it well enough or I can't hag with the maintenance. But I just want that smooth, irritation free shave. What do you all suggest?

First, get over your aversion to old blades. They've been cleaned with alcohol, and they're safe.

Lowest-cost option is Whipped Dog -- Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

There's a "sight unseen" special deal, and a "poor man's strop kit" that will get you started very nicely.

Or, check out the "classifieds" on this site for inexpensive ($30 - $50) vintage razors.

. Charles

If you must have a new razor to start, check out the Dovo Best Quality 5/8 or 6/8. Great razor for not a lot of $. Remember to get it "shave ready" and that it will last you, literally, forever if you take care of it. And as for care, all you have to do is strop the thing, and put a little oil on it so it doesn't rust. I do have some bad news for you though, if you have the itch, you won't be satisfied until you scratch it with a real straight!

I started with a Diane 21 with a disposable super stainless steel blade and it was inexpensive and worked well. I also was hesitant about the initial cost and I got hooked on straight shaving within a few shaves.

Best of luck,

Pabster

Originally Posted by Pabster

I started with a Diane 21 with a disposable super stainless steel blade and it was inexpensive and worked well. I also was hesitant about the initial cost and I got hooked on straight shaving within a few shaves.

Best of luck,

Pabster

What was your experience with the Diane like? There's one available from a local brick and mortar shop. I'm pretty sure it's under 20 bucks. I spoke to the guy at whipped dog, but all he had was a 7/16 Geneva cutlery, and I couldn't find any information about it on google, so I'm reluctant. Plus, everything I've come across says to start with a 6/8 hollow ground. Now, granted, I'm not too sure what the difference between those fractions really means other than to say that one is larger than the other, but I don't know anything beyond that. Should I go with a 7/16 from whipped dog or just get a ten dollar one from a local beauty supply shop for barbers and start there. Now, by law, barbers have to use disposable blades, so can they really be that bad/inferior than regular straight razors? Or is it more of an aesthetic/purist issue? I'm not saying I want a disposable forever, but I'd like something cheap and reliable to get going. I take a long time to research, so I'd rather have something to start working on as I continue to research until I settle on my ideal instrument.

Thanks all!