DE shaver looking to take the plunge...

[chrismarinos]

These threads probably get created all the time, so I apologize for any annoyance.

I started shaving with a DE about a year ago, and now I'm looking to expand my shaving arsenal with a straight razor. I read through the shave wiki and watched several youtube videos to get comfortable with the basics of handling a straight, but now that it is time to purchase a straight, I'm a bit confused.

First, I stopped by my local brick and mortar shop, but their razors aren't shave ready. Next I looked over the b/s/t forum. I found this thread, but I quickly realized that I have no idea if any of those razors are good for a first time straight razor shaver. Finally, I searched some other threads and saw some recommendations for WhippedDog which looks reasonable as well.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or extra information on what I should be looking for in my first straight. I'm fine just buying something at random to dive in head first, but if I can make my straight razor learning curve a little less painful (literally), I'm all ears for any tips.

Thanks in advance!

-Chris

 

[johnmrson]

Either Whippeddog or the classifieds section are probably the best places to look for a shave ready straight.

 

[GreekGuy]

Chris,

There are so many variables on straight razors. Size, grind, point, steel, jimps, tang, etc etc. A lot of this boils down to personal preference, like any razor

My suggestion would be to start with the sight unseen deal at Whippeddog. You'll be getting a shave ready razor, and you can decide if you like the feel or not, as its definitely different than a DE. If you want to get deeper, the rabbit hole never ends. There are countless brands and styles to choose from. I think at this point, you should just get a shave ready razor. There are deals on the BST, but the whippeddog kit takes the thought and guesswork out of it. Once you've decide whether you like it or not, then you can invest in a given style of razor. There are so many out there you can practically pick any variable you want in a razor and it exists. If it doesn't, someone can make it for you

Good luck. And enjoy the journey, its part of the fun

 

[Kentos]

Heck of a good time for your first post! Welcome to the straight forums!

 

[marcel]

Welcome!
As a relative noob on straight shaving, I can also recommend a "sight unseen deal" from Whipped Dog.
Very good value and it keeps you focused on the stuff that matters: a good edge and the means to maintain it for a while.

 

[hig789]

I'm looking to expand my shaving arsenal with a straight razor.

Yeah right....you can't buy just one. I would buy a whipped dog sight unseen deal for now. You will be wanting more.

 

[ladykate]

These threads probably get created all the time, so I apologize for any annoyance.

I started shaving with a DE about a year ago, and now I'm looking to expand my shaving arsenal with a straight razor. I read through the shave wiki and watched several youtube videos to get comfortable with the basics of handling a straight, but now that it is time to purchase a straight, I'm a bit confused.

First, I stopped by my local brick and mortar shop, but their razors aren't shave ready. Next I looked over the b/s/t forum. I found this thread, but I quickly realized that I have no idea if any of those razors are good for a first time straight razor shaver. Finally, I searched some other threads and saw some recommendations for WhippedDog which looks reasonable as well.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has any recommendations or extra information on what I should be looking for in my first straight. I'm fine just buying something at random to dive in head first, but if I can make my straight razor learning curve a little less painful (literally), I'm all ears for any tips.

Thanks in advance!

-Chris

Whippeddog first. Buy other razors once you get the whippeddog kit to maintain them. Simple - everything is in one sock - and many have done it before so you know you have a solution that works.

Straights take a while to get used to them. But you will probably, but maybe slowly, get to liking them more than DE. My wife managed to open a bathroom sink drawer and I whacked myself with the Feather AC. Decided to be very careful today and use a red tip DE and new 7 O'clock Yellow. Did a three pass. I'm sitting here typing this and wondering why I just didn't do a light three pass with a regular straight. Shave was OK but no zen and I'm much more adept at getting a BBS with the straight so my face is not as butt smooth as it usually is. Driving me nuts.

 

[echotron]

Since previous posts cover str8 purchases and you wanted tips, I figured as a fellow str8 newbie I'd let you know 2 things I've found out:

1) A thinner lather works better for me when using my str8 vs my de/se razors. (Now I didn't say thin, just thinner.)

2) Also, get a Chromium Oxide sharpening board ... use it once in a while - you use same stroke as your leather strop. Really makes a difference.

Of course, there are the standard tips, which i won't mention as they are so numerous and listed in so many places.

Good Luck!

 

[Seraphim]

In my opinion, there is no such thing as a "beginner" razor.

By whatever razor appeals most to you, and go for it.

 

[srmd22]

Whipped Dog-- can't go wrong.

You can also just buy whatever you like, new or b/s/t and get it honed, by Larry at WD or whoever. Plus you need a strop. Might be more money, but you get a razor you think is cool looking or whatever. I did both actually, but the new one I got ended up being shave ready, so I didn't need to send it for honing. I started with the whipped dog set-up though, has everything you need for cheap.

 

[chrismarinos]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm heading over to Whipped Dog now to start the adventure.

 

[Doc226]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm heading over to Whipped Dog now to start the adventure.

Excellent-another one bites the dust

 

[Floor]

Welcome to the forum. As stated above, whippeddog is a good recommendation. I had several razors from him and they are all great shavers.

Good luck with your journey !

 

[RobAtSGH]

BTW - if you prefer to start with a blade that has more weight and less spring to it, Larry had a stash of half-hollows that he was honoring requests for. I got a Union Cutlery "Spike" 1/2-hollow 5/8 from him, and the weightier blade really helped me get a feel for letting the razor doing the cutting before I moved on to wider, more hollow-ground blades. The first shave I had with a full-hollow, I found I was using too much pressure, so I went back and practiced with the heavier blade again to get a feel for the right "touch".

 

[Colinallcarz]

Here's yet another recommendation for Larry at Whippeddog. He took care of me a couple of weeks ago.