Getting Started

[mattz]

Ok, I have watched the videos and have been thinking about Straight Razors for some time. I would love to get a close shave for once. I have a fairly heavy beard and angular (I guess that is the best word) face. I have gone through the FAQs, old threads and found out what razors to stay away from.

I really want to do this but the price of razors and set up is a big obstruction for me. I know if I look at the cost of cartidges and the quality and all, it makes sense, but I don't want to spend a huge amount of money and find out I don't like this, or that a DE would be better.

So I guess I have 2 questions:

1-What are the advantages over DE and vice versa (hope I am not starting a war)?

2-What would be a good, cost effective straight razor set-up for the beginner?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[GDCarrington]

Welcome to the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

DEs are excellent, easily available, and they are not called safety razors for nothing.

Setup:
A good Gillette tech or good tech clone or a Super Speed can be a good start. New tech clones are available online at stores or better yet use our vendors such as NTGuys, Bullmoose, Soapbox, or WestCoast Shaving.

I use the Schick Krona primarily because it is light, clean in design and is aggressive enough without being extreme. It is also a TTO design for ease of blade removal. (Ebay will be your source for this vintage razor.)

Be sure to read up on cleaning razors (especially used ones).

Start with a good cream such as Proraso / C.O. Bigelow to begin to learn lathering techniques.

Tweezerman makes a good entry grade badger brush that is very effective.

A large round coffee mug is good for lather creation or you can learn to face lather.

A styptic pencil is also good along with Nivea balm that does not have fragrance.

I hope this helps.

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

 

[guitar2mw]

Welcome to the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

DEs are excellent, easily available, and they are not called safety razors for nothing.

Setup:
A good Gillette tech or good tech clone or a Super Speed can be a good start. New tech clones are available online at stores or better yet use our vendors such as NTGuys, Bullmoose, Soapbox, or WestCoast Shaving.

I use the Schick Krona primarily because it is light, clean in design and is aggressive enough without being extreme. It is also a TTO design for ease of blade removal. (Ebay will be your source for this vintage razor.)

Be sure to read up on cleaning razors (especially used ones).

Start with a good cream such as Proraso / C.O. Bigelow to begin to learn lathering techniques.

Tweezerman makes a good entry grade badger brush that is very effective.

A large round coffee mug is good for lather creation or you can learn to face lather.

A styptic pencil is also good along with Nivea balm that does not have fragrance.

I hope this helps.

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

+1 I've never used a straight, so I will leave that to the experts. I still use the Super Speed that I started with. If you're looking into soaps, try Van der Hagan Deluxe. You can get it at most Wal-marts for $1.50 a puck.

 

[michiganlover]

Getting started in straight razor shaving doesn't have to be expensive. Yes there are straights that cost $100's of dollars, and strops that cost $100's of dollars as well.

Most of the that cost is about aesthetics, and less about actual performance. A fancy handle made out of rare wood costs vastly more than a simple plastic one.

A fully functional leather strop can be had in the $20-$25 range. Check out these two possibilities:

Rup Razor Filly Strop for $22 shipped

Big Mama Strop from Star Shaving Supplies for $26 shipped.

As for the razor itself, excellent quality vintage shave ready straights show up on the Buy/Sell/Trade area of this site nearly daily in the $30-$60 range.

Also, you might want to take a look at Larry Andro's site, as he specializes in getting straight razor newbies setup on a budget:

http://www.whippeddog.com/

 

[Luc]

Welcome to B&B!

This page should give you an idea: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Getting_started_wetshaving

Straight vs. DE, it's more of a preference, really. I started with DEs and always wanted to use a straight razor. I eventually made the switch and exclusively use straights now.

It doesn't have to be expensive to start, look at BST first (Buy/Sell/Trade) section of the forum.

 

[DE Shaver]

Welcome to the B&B.

Firstly, I wouldn't jump into straight razors as they require more skill to use and require more ongoing maintenance to keep them sharp. I would master the art of wet shaving first, and it can be using a cartridge razor or a DE razor. Once that routine is down pat, straight razors might be what you want to try out.

Here are some quick tips:

- Always wash your face to remove dirt and oils as well as to soften your beard.
- Wet shaving lather should be thick in consistency but not thick in application.
- Use short strokes at first for better control.
- Apply minimal pressure as if you apply too much, you'll get skin irritation/razor burn.

We also have a wet shaving FAQ that may be of assistance as well. Good luck.