A little over a few months ago I was a electric razor user, my journey for the perfect shave led me to BB and the wonderful world of wet shaving and now after using a DE razor for a little less than a month I am thinking about taking the next step and trying a straight razor. I have been reading as much as I can here but still have a few questions. Right now I am planning to use the straight occasionally when I have some extra time to dedicate to it and use my DE for the other times, is it necessary to strop in between shaves, let's say the razor sits on a shelf for two weeks or so, even though I am not using it do I still need to strop occasionally to keep it shave ready or will it just maintain it's edge? If it does maintain it's edge do I even need to strop or can I just get the razor honed once a month if I am just using it occasionally? How many times can the razor be used before stropping or honing is needed (it sounds like you need to strop every use and hone every few months)? Now on to the razor, since I plan on sticking with this I decided to go new instead of with a whipped dog special, would a Dovo Best Quality 5/8" be a good razor to start with and grow into to? I was thinking about purchasing the razor from straightrazordesigns.com since they professionally hone the razor and offer a certificate for a free second honing, what is everyone's experience with this company? Lastly besides a cheap strop is there anything else I will need to get started (I already have cream, a bowl, etc, from my DE setup)? Thanks in advance for helping.
Electric to DE to Straight?
- Thread starter marano
- Start date
Howdy,
I just made the jump to straight razors from a DE a couple weeks ago, so I can really only be of limited help--but I'll try anyway
1). Is it necessary to strop between shaves?
Yes. From what I understand, stropping realigns the microscopic teeth that make up the cutting edge of the razor. The question of when you strop seems to be a matter of personal preference. Some do it immediately before a shave only, others immediately after only, and other still before and after. I can't say how sitting for two weeks is going to affect the edge, since my straight hasn't had a day of rest since I got it.
2.) Regarding stropping versus getting it honed once a month if it does retain its edge:
I'd say that if you're using it only a couple times a month, or even only weekends, just strop it. As long as you're not rolling the edge when you strop, you could probably go at least a few months (maybe longer, I'm not sure) of weekend straight shaving before you need to have the razor honed.
3.) Regarding the Dovo vs Whipped Dog.
My brother uses a Dovo Best Quality and he's really happy with it. I see lots of members here who have them who seem very happy with their razors--I'm sure you will be too. I got a Dovo Black Star as my first, and I love it. Honestly thought, I kinda wish I'd gone for the Whipped Dog special as my first razor (I actually ordered one of Larry's sight unseen razors as my second straight). As I'm getting more and more into SR shaving I'm realizing that there's a learning curve not only to the shave, but to the care of the razor. I'm pretty sure I rolled the edge on my Black Star because of poor stropping technique--I think I just figured out how to do it properly today, after two weeks. I'm hoping that with enough stropping, I can cure it. Otherwise, I'm going to need to send it out to be honed. I'm certainly going to take SRD up on the free hone, but I'd like to be able to maintain my own edges--there's something about shaving with an edge that I maintain myself that I really like. But I certainly don't want to screw up my Black Star when I invariably fail at my first few attempts at honing. That's actually why I order a second straight from Larry--a cheap shaver that I can learn the do's and don'ts on.
4.) Regarding SRD:
I've only had my one dealing with them, and it was OK overall. I got everything I ordered and it was well packaged. There were a couple things that bothered me about my purchase from them though: (1) They said there would be a delay in shipping and didn't provide an estimate as to when it would ship, nor did they notify when it had shipped. I had to email them, and their response was "It should be there any day now." Not as professional as I'm used to--but my experience here seems to be outside the norm. (2) The initial honing seems to have been a little rushed. I purchased the Black Star because I liked the blackened spine, shoulder, and tang. When I opened my razor to bask in its newness, I saw that the some of the blackened parts on the shoulders had been worn off during honing. Not a big enough deal to make a fuss over it, but it still kinda sucked.
5.) Need anything else?
I don't think you do. I just used the stuff from my DE setup. Depending on the humidity where you live, you might want to look into an oil to protect your blade, or some way other way of keeping moisture away from the blade when you're storing it.
Hope this has helped a bit. Best of luck to you sir!
Scott
I just made the jump to straight razors from a DE a couple weeks ago, so I can really only be of limited help--but I'll try anyway
1). Is it necessary to strop between shaves?
Yes. From what I understand, stropping realigns the microscopic teeth that make up the cutting edge of the razor. The question of when you strop seems to be a matter of personal preference. Some do it immediately before a shave only, others immediately after only, and other still before and after. I can't say how sitting for two weeks is going to affect the edge, since my straight hasn't had a day of rest since I got it.
2.) Regarding stropping versus getting it honed once a month if it does retain its edge:
I'd say that if you're using it only a couple times a month, or even only weekends, just strop it. As long as you're not rolling the edge when you strop, you could probably go at least a few months (maybe longer, I'm not sure) of weekend straight shaving before you need to have the razor honed.
3.) Regarding the Dovo vs Whipped Dog.
My brother uses a Dovo Best Quality and he's really happy with it. I see lots of members here who have them who seem very happy with their razors--I'm sure you will be too. I got a Dovo Black Star as my first, and I love it. Honestly thought, I kinda wish I'd gone for the Whipped Dog special as my first razor (I actually ordered one of Larry's sight unseen razors as my second straight). As I'm getting more and more into SR shaving I'm realizing that there's a learning curve not only to the shave, but to the care of the razor. I'm pretty sure I rolled the edge on my Black Star because of poor stropping technique--I think I just figured out how to do it properly today, after two weeks. I'm hoping that with enough stropping, I can cure it. Otherwise, I'm going to need to send it out to be honed. I'm certainly going to take SRD up on the free hone, but I'd like to be able to maintain my own edges--there's something about shaving with an edge that I maintain myself that I really like. But I certainly don't want to screw up my Black Star when I invariably fail at my first few attempts at honing. That's actually why I order a second straight from Larry--a cheap shaver that I can learn the do's and don'ts on.
4.) Regarding SRD:
I've only had my one dealing with them, and it was OK overall. I got everything I ordered and it was well packaged. There were a couple things that bothered me about my purchase from them though: (1) They said there would be a delay in shipping and didn't provide an estimate as to when it would ship, nor did they notify when it had shipped. I had to email them, and their response was "It should be there any day now." Not as professional as I'm used to--but my experience here seems to be outside the norm. (2) The initial honing seems to have been a little rushed. I purchased the Black Star because I liked the blackened spine, shoulder, and tang. When I opened my razor to bask in its newness, I saw that the some of the blackened parts on the shoulders had been worn off during honing. Not a big enough deal to make a fuss over it, but it still kinda sucked.
5.) Need anything else?
I don't think you do. I just used the stuff from my DE setup. Depending on the humidity where you live, you might want to look into an oil to protect your blade, or some way other way of keeping moisture away from the blade when you're storing it.
Hope this has helped a bit. Best of luck to you sir!
Scott
Scott, excellent responses-I'll add my own
1). Is it necessary to strop between shaves?
Yes it is, I usually strop the night before my morning shaves, I also strop 10-15 quick times after the shave to dry the edge.
2.) Regarding stropping versus getting it honed once a month if it does retain its edge:
You can ahve the razor sit for several months and strop it before use and be just fine. I have used a razor for 90 shaves with just stropping-no honing, pastes, sprays.
3.) Regarding the Dovo vs Whipped Dog.
Preference. With the Dovo you will get a nicer razor but more money. Whipped Dog is a fantastic deal-you will get a strop, balsa and a old (might be "ugly") shave ready razor. There are many sizes, grinds and you will not know what you like until you use it.
4.) Regarding SRD:
I have received several razors from members that had their razors honed from them and I have been far from impressed. I have never gotten a razor straight from SRD so it is possible the members messed up the edge before sending it to me.
5.) Need anything else?
Stick to it, don't expect good shaves for about 30-40 shaves, and things to really click until 100 or so.
Have fun
1). Is it necessary to strop between shaves?
Yes it is, I usually strop the night before my morning shaves, I also strop 10-15 quick times after the shave to dry the edge.
2.) Regarding stropping versus getting it honed once a month if it does retain its edge:
You can ahve the razor sit for several months and strop it before use and be just fine. I have used a razor for 90 shaves with just stropping-no honing, pastes, sprays.
3.) Regarding the Dovo vs Whipped Dog.
Preference. With the Dovo you will get a nicer razor but more money. Whipped Dog is a fantastic deal-you will get a strop, balsa and a old (might be "ugly") shave ready razor. There are many sizes, grinds and you will not know what you like until you use it.
4.) Regarding SRD:
I have received several razors from members that had their razors honed from them and I have been far from impressed. I have never gotten a razor straight from SRD so it is possible the members messed up the edge before sending it to me.
5.) Need anything else?
Stick to it, don't expect good shaves for about 30-40 shaves, and things to really click until 100 or so.
Have fun
scotte, that's not rushed, if i understand correctly. Thats a fundamental discourse on honing. To be or or not be (in regards to tape application). some honers wont use tape (without request, maybe not even then) some always do. It's an aesthetics vs geometry argument.
Thanks for your reply Jon! I certainly didn't mean rushed in the sense that it was sloppily honed, but rather meant to imply that I expected that more care would be taken to preserve the black finish (if its possible to do without tape). I'm definitely glad that Lynn didn't use tape, because it'd probably create problems with double bevels for me when I start honing my razors myself. Maybe its just not possible to hone razor without taking off the finish on the shoulders without tape, but it seems doable in my head. In any case, it shaves and that's really what matters in the end. I'll have to wait until I start honing the Black Star myself to decide if I'll be buying more SRs from SRD.
Thanks again for your reply Jon!
Best regards,
Scott
- Thread starter
- #6
Was in the Art of Shaving today and was able to browse their straight razor offerings (also took a look at a Merkur Futur and some Lemon shaving cream while I was there). Now that I've actually held one I am a little more hesitant to pull the trigger on a straight. Should I work on my DE technique a bit more and maybe try a Futur or R41 for a more aggressive shave or should I just jump right in and order the Dovo Straight?
jump in. it's completely different muscle memory. but using straights has me with a Fatip now as my only DE back up. the SS got PIf'd away as too mild, and the other one (Classic Shaving 23C knock off?) gone too.
- Thread starter
- #8
Took your advice and jumped right in. Ordered a Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8 Straight Razor with a strop from SRD.
Enjoy the journey!
My tale of woe started out with an electric razor, then a multiblade (disposable and cartridge), then back and forth between the two for about 40 years.
At Age 54 I got a DE razor, and the first one was defective (the blade sat crooked on the bar). I contacted a vendor and bought the one he uses and it was smooth sailing all the way.
I wanted to get into straights because I was always fascinated with them in pictures, movies, etc. I got a poor barber shave just to see what it was like. I ordered a new straight razor which, in the opinion of one of our senior members and mentors here, was poorly honed. This person offered to hone it for me to get me on the right track and then after that it was a matter of practice and watching videos.
To make a long story short, I made a decision after my early straight razor experiences that if I wanted to pursue straight razor shaving, I would have to learn to maintain my blade on my own. Now nearly three years later, I'm getting the best shaves of my life and the guesswork is eliminated because I do everything myself. No more variables to contend with.
So far I have gone from Cartridges to an Electric and am now learning to shave with a DE. Moving to a straight is my plan, at least part of the time. I'll be watching this discussion!
I have been shaving with an electric for years, and years, and using those disposable dual blade razors for clean up.
A couple of years ago my father-in-law passed, the only possesions of his that my wife was interested in was his Burma Shave mug, and his Eveready brush. She confided that when she was a child she loved to peak in the bathroom and watch him shave.
Anyways, she put his mug and brush on prominate display in our spare bathroom. Everytime I went in the spare bathroom I would see them. After a while I got to thinking... You know, if he could shave like that, why can't I?...
The rest is history, I found this forum, started reading up. Started with a Parker "replace a blade," had a couple of shots of Jim Beam, and proceded to cut my ears off (not really, but i was scared), After practicing with only the left side of my face I got bolder and did the right side, then finally my whole face (whole face is not quite true, I have a shaped beard and a stash) anyway, I moved from the replace'o blade to a traditional, and my poor electric is pouting in the corner of my bathroom ever since...
Take it slow, and you will not be disapointed..
Regards,
Bil
A couple of years ago my father-in-law passed, the only possesions of his that my wife was interested in was his Burma Shave mug, and his Eveready brush. She confided that when she was a child she loved to peak in the bathroom and watch him shave.
Anyways, she put his mug and brush on prominate display in our spare bathroom. Everytime I went in the spare bathroom I would see them. After a while I got to thinking... You know, if he could shave like that, why can't I?...
The rest is history, I found this forum, started reading up. Started with a Parker "replace a blade," had a couple of shots of Jim Beam, and proceded to cut my ears off (not really, but i was scared), After practicing with only the left side of my face I got bolder and did the right side, then finally my whole face (whole face is not quite true, I have a shaped beard and a stash) anyway, I moved from the replace'o blade to a traditional, and my poor electric is pouting in the corner of my bathroom ever since...
Take it slow, and you will not be disapointed..
Regards,
Bil
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #13
My straight should be here later in the week, definitely excited to give it a try. I'm planning to watch a bunch of videos beforehand and just do a WTG shave to start (then again this was my plan for DE shaving and I wound up XTG and ATG too).
Great thread 
I started with cartridge razors, then various electric razors (I think I tried "all" of the main brands in the last 10+ years, settling on the Panasonic wet shavers), and then on Aug of last year I tried a DE as my last recourse against in-grown hairs. Learning to use the DE of course meant also learning about good preparation, lathering, variations between blades, razors, etc., but I always wanted to try a str8 razor. I just did not want to start with the honing and stropping, so after a few months reading here I came across the Feather AC, and that is what I started shaving with last Friday (I have a folding black SS) - and I am hooked. I am glad I started with the DE, since the prep/lathering was already there, but there is still a good learning curve on:
- how to properly handle (and change the grip/angle) as one maneuvers a str8 around the face, plus
- the importance of no/zero pressure. Even more important than with DE's.
So far I like that the SS is "shave ready" in that I just load a blade and go. I can concentrate on technique, angles, grip, etc. without having to worry about proper grind angles, honing, stropping, etc., plus the head's built-in round edge ("guard") on the SS makes it a little bit easier to transition from a DE, unlike going directly to a str8 that has no guard/lip of any kind. Now, it is possible/likely that once I learn to use the SS I will try a traditional straight, but I need to continue taking baby steps with the SS before I even consider that.
I started with cartridge razors, then various electric razors (I think I tried "all" of the main brands in the last 10+ years, settling on the Panasonic wet shavers), and then on Aug of last year I tried a DE as my last recourse against in-grown hairs. Learning to use the DE of course meant also learning about good preparation, lathering, variations between blades, razors, etc., but I always wanted to try a str8 razor. I just did not want to start with the honing and stropping, so after a few months reading here I came across the Feather AC, and that is what I started shaving with last Friday (I have a folding black SS) - and I am hooked. I am glad I started with the DE, since the prep/lathering was already there, but there is still a good learning curve on:
- how to properly handle (and change the grip/angle) as one maneuvers a str8 around the face, plus
- the importance of no/zero pressure. Even more important than with DE's.
So far I like that the SS is "shave ready" in that I just load a blade and go. I can concentrate on technique, angles, grip, etc. without having to worry about proper grind angles, honing, stropping, etc., plus the head's built-in round edge ("guard") on the SS makes it a little bit easier to transition from a DE, unlike going directly to a str8 that has no guard/lip of any kind. Now, it is possible/likely that once I learn to use the SS I will try a traditional straight, but I need to continue taking baby steps with the SS before I even consider that.
- Thread starter
- #15
While I did consider the Feather AC I decided to jump right in and go with a traditional straight. Although if the maintenance proves too much I may give the Feather a shot.
Me thinks you will be happy, regardless of choice, best thing I ever did...I could not beleive that I would actually look fwd to shaving every day.
- Thread starter
- #17
Still waiting for the new razor, looks like my first shave with it will have to wait until the weekend.
Hello gents, I am new to straight razor shaving and when I say new, I mean like I just bought a used Krogg from another member on here within the last hour or so (pic attached). I started DE shaving a few weeks ago and it's going wonderfully. I too, have been fascinated at the idea of shaving with a straight razor, so I pulled the trigger. A couple other questions for everyone:
1. Anyone have an opinion on the Poor Man's Strop deal on Whipped Dog? I'm not wealthy enough, much less knowledgeable on how to use them, for an expensive set of stones.
2. I have never touched a razor to a strop, will I do more harm than good? I'm assuming this answer is yes in the short term... That being the case, how do I know when it's time to use the green or red pasted pieces of wood? Is this like "almost honing"? Is it normal for a 3 month "real" honing? Do you need to do the red/green stuff in the meantime and how often?
3. Can I get some honest opinions on this razor? I only paid $15 for it and there is some hone wear on the toe (I didn't notice in the pic) and figure if all this doesn't work out I'm not out too much money. Would the Sight Unseen deal on Whipped Dog be a good investment if I can manage not to cut my whole face off?
Thanks in advance for your valuable insights!!!
1. Anyone have an opinion on the Poor Man's Strop deal on Whipped Dog? I'm not wealthy enough, much less knowledgeable on how to use them, for an expensive set of stones.
2. I have never touched a razor to a strop, will I do more harm than good? I'm assuming this answer is yes in the short term... That being the case, how do I know when it's time to use the green or red pasted pieces of wood? Is this like "almost honing"? Is it normal for a 3 month "real" honing? Do you need to do the red/green stuff in the meantime and how often?
3. Can I get some honest opinions on this razor? I only paid $15 for it and there is some hone wear on the toe (I didn't notice in the pic) and figure if all this doesn't work out I'm not out too much money. Would the Sight Unseen deal on Whipped Dog be a good investment if I can manage not to cut my whole face off?
Thanks in advance for your valuable insights!!!
Good advices here. Just this from my POV: don't attempt to shave your whole face at your first few times. Begin with your cheeks and, if you master them, only then move to other parts of your face your chin and the jawline being at the very end. Begin with WTG strokes and then move to XTG and ATG with some practice. It has a learning curve and you may not attain alone level of expertise bevore 100 shave or so. That being said shave a much with your straight as possible and you ill master it much sooner in time. I'd prefer a daily shave which is incomplete (parts of your face, WTG, touch up with your DE if necessary) than an attempt do completely do the job once a week.
I think most people who go to a shavette as a step to going to a traditional straight would be surprised to know that doing it that way is probably more difficult than just going directly to a traditional straight.
If it's being done out of personal preference then that's fine. A shavette is sharper than a traditional straight and therefore IMO easier to cut yourself.
I already know how to shave with a traditional straight and just got a shavette today just out of curiosity. I had no trouble shaving with it but it is a bit easy to nick yourself with it due to its sharpness.
If honing is the main issue you can just get a WhippedDog sight unseen razor for $25 and it will already be honed. You can buy a cut down finishing hone from WD for just $15. That and a strop should keep you from having to do any honing beyond that for several years.
You can also get cut down Norton 4/8k stones from WD cheaply. People who are spending a lot of money on hones are doing so because it's a hobby and they just want to (rather than need to). If you are restoring a lot of razors then it's a bit easier to have bigger hones but if you only have one or two straights then you really aren't going to be honing all that often.
If it's being done out of personal preference then that's fine. A shavette is sharper than a traditional straight and therefore IMO easier to cut yourself.
I already know how to shave with a traditional straight and just got a shavette today just out of curiosity. I had no trouble shaving with it but it is a bit easy to nick yourself with it due to its sharpness.
If honing is the main issue you can just get a WhippedDog sight unseen razor for $25 and it will already be honed. You can buy a cut down finishing hone from WD for just $15. That and a strop should keep you from having to do any honing beyond that for several years.
You can also get cut down Norton 4/8k stones from WD cheaply. People who are spending a lot of money on hones are doing so because it's a hobby and they just want to (rather than need to). If you are restoring a lot of razors then it's a bit easier to have bigger hones but if you only have one or two straights then you really aren't going to be honing all that often.
Last edited:
Similar threads
