Thread: To straight, or not to straight

Hi guys,

So, I've been having a lot of fun with my DE, and I'm looking forward to another exciting 50s Gillette making its way to me from Tennessee.

Now, I am looking to the long term and thinking I will want to try a straight razor eventually (its only a matter of time!...)

Now, being a chap of modest means I'm looking to do it at a reasonable cost. I already have a brush and some nice Kent soap, but it's the blade, strop and stone I'm concerned about. I don't want to get something that I'll regret later on. I considered a shavette, but they don't look very nice or friendly to the face.

The question is, I guess, what's the minimum I should expect for my initial outlay, and what would you recommend as starter kit?

Thanks folks!

Limosos

This is a great question. I think most DE users should not go directly to the SR hobby without serious consideration of the investment. It is not hundreds for most of us. Try thousands of USD. Be careful.

If you want the experience of a SR shave comparable to your DE, then I would suggest the new Feather Artist series with disposable blades. The Shavette is OK, but just not at the same quality level as the Feather. No honing, no stropping, just a perfect shave. This is a ~120 USD investment into the SR experience without all the fuss.

If you really want to go all the way with the SR retro, honing, stropping, and maintaining then I suggest a purchase from a vendor that knows how to deliver a shave ready SR. You really should just strop for awhile and send it back to have it re-honed 2-4 times a year. Learning how to shave with a SR and trying to achieve a shave ready edge introduces too many variables leading to disappointment. You will go back to your DE and the SR will feel like a step backwards.

Lastly, time is an issue. Most experienced shavers cannot beat the speed and convenience of a DE. We use our SR for intangible, even impractical reasons. It is a wonderful challenge which when properly executed turns the mundane shave into something special that I never feel from using my DE.

Good luck on your choice.

I DE'd for 2.5 years..woke up one morning..realized I was bored with them..now far into straights..never looked back

Originally Posted by Limosos

Hi guys,

So, I've been having a lot of fun with my DE, and
....snip...
Now, I am looking to the long term and thinking I will want to try a straight razor eventually (its only a matter of time!...)

Now, being a chap of modest means I'm looking to do it at a reasonable cost.
.....snip....

Razor... watch the classified section above.
I often see good well honed steel for nice prices.
If you watch for a month or two you will have a
feel for the price range.

Strop, get a good one. A strop touches your razor
each and every day you shave. It need not be
an expensive strop but a strop is important. If
you have a leather shop where you can inspect
and select a 2 1/2" to 3" bit of leather you can save
a buck. You want smooth, with no barbed wire cuts
or deep fat creased leather, dress lightly with a tiny bit
of Neatsfoot oil.

Honing.. start with a well honed razor (shave ready)
and then send it out for a refresh when it dulls (weeks,
months later) . After that second honing consider your
own hones and rocks.

While pondering the question of steel expand your
reach and look for shave soaps and creams. If you
limit yourself to refill pucks of soap you can stretch
the old budget because the special bowels while nice
are as expensive sometimes more than the better shave soaps.
After you settle on a specific shave soap hunt for
the fancy bowl.

Get quality but not crazy expensive kit and you will be happy.

Enjoy the journey...

Originally Posted by Gammaray

This is a great question. I think most DE users should not go directly to the SR hobby without serious consideration of the investment. It is not hundreds for most of us. Try thousands of USD. Be careful.

If you want the experience of a SR shave comparable to your DE, then I would suggest the new Feather Artist series with disposable blades. The Shavette is OK, but just not at the same quality level as the Feather. No honing, no stropping, just a perfect shave. This is a ~120 USD investment into the SR experience without all the fuss.

If you really want to go all the way with the SR retro, honing, stropping, and maintaining then I suggest a purchase from a vendor that knows how to deliver a shave ready SR. You really should just strop for awhile and send it back to have it re-honed 2-4 times a year. Learning how to shave with a SR and trying to achieve a shave ready edge introduces too many variables leading to disappointment. You will go back to your DE and the SR will feel like a step backwards.

Lastly, time is an issue. Most experienced shavers cannot beat the speed and convenience of a DE. We use our SR for intangible, even impractical reasons. It is a wonderful challenge which when properly executed turns the mundane shave into something special that I never feel from using my DE.

Good luck on your choice.

Very true esp cost as this gets addicting FAST!!!!! In time with patience and practice, shaves with a SR actually are better then a DE(usually). I would say the DE is more consistant then a SR. When you factor in that most of us have more then one. (I can go almost 6 months before I go back to the beginning of my rotation.) Diferent SR have different "personalities".
Then throw in the different soaps/creams. Lets not forget ASB and EDP/EDC!!!
High cost.
LOL I actually was a SR user before DE.

Good luck to ya

Paul

My own journey to the straight razor has been a bit muddled. I began wetshaving with a rotation of SE razors (Gem Micromatic Open Comb, several 1912s and a Lather Catcher.) Caving in to curiosity, I picked up a couple DE Gillettes, then after a brief period of Basic Training with various shavettes, made the inevitiable jump to traditional straight razors.

For the past couple years, the bulk of my shaves have been with traditional straight razors. True, they are a bit less predictable than either DE or SE safety razors but they're just a whole lot of fun. DE and SE safety razors are still active in my rotation but probably only account for 20-30% of my shaves. There's certainly nothing wrong with the shave quailty of either but the traditional straight razor shave just seems alot more luxurious and a bit cooler. Rather like a long hot bath vs. a quick 5 minute shower. Keep your options open, in the end, the method that best suits you will take the lead.

Limosos,

In my experience once you get the urge to try a straight razor it won't go away until you do. Years ago I had the desire to have a barber shave to start, and I put it off for quite awhile (years) until I finally went. By that time I had discovered SRP but was not yet a member, and I realized that many men were straight shaving on their own and not just relying on barbers. I was bit by the bug and wouldn't rest until I had the gear to do it on my own. The rest is history

If you are happy with DE's and aren't in a hurry you could always use the time to save up for a kit. I know there are some good deals this side of the pond, but I don't know the market in England. Perhaps a UK/European member could point you in the direction of the deals. Good luck and have fun.

Actually feather makes some disposable types that are really gorgeous and shave very well too.

But if you want a true straight I would get something from the classifieds here and a decent strop for starters. You can get a good finishing hone like a Norton 8K for not that much money.

Originally Posted by Limosos

Hi guys,

Now, being a chap of modest means I'm looking to do it at a reasonable cost. I already have a brush and some nice Kent soap, but it's the blade, strop and stone I'm concerned about. I don't want to get something that I'll regret later on. I considered a shavette, but they don't look very nice or friendly to the face.

The question is, I guess, what's the minimum I should expect for my initial outlay, and what would you recommend as starter kit?
.. . .
Limosos

Try Larry at Whipped Dog:

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

He'll sell you a properly-honed razor and "Poor Man's Strop Kit" (which includes a pasted strop and leather strop) for a reasonable price.

You shouldn't need a stone for many months. When you do (_if_ you do), you can buy a barber hone (always vintage), or a Norton 4K/8K (new).

Charles

PS -- the "Classifieds" on this site often have razors in the $40-$60 range.