Salutations B&B straight razor enthusiasts. I thought I would pop in and say thanks to all the regular posters here for all the great info I have been accumulating. I am about to take the plunge into straight razor shaving. I actually purchased the strop before the razor ( a Tony Miller "vanilla" strop) based on all the praise of his products in these great forums. I felt compelled to pull the trigger on it as its listed limited availability on his website and his stuff seems VERY popular, especially with the upcoming holidays. For my first razor I am intent on purchasing a Hart Steel since a couple of the gents who are involved with them are from my beloved home state of Michigan!-again, thanks to these forum reviews, I am confident in it being a terrific razor. I plan on a rounded edge and getting the 7/8 size~ anyone here see any drawbacks for a beginner getting the larger size? Also any opinions as to if I will be saying " darn should've gotten the square edge!" a few months from now. I look forward to joining all of you down here in the straight razor forums as I continue the journey.
Hello! I came from ^up there! the DE forum)
- Thread starter Digginmich
- Start date
I have a few square edges but I find them less comfortable than the rounded ones. They only make sense to me if you need precision cuts around a goatee a mustache or some rouflaquettes.
the round point is a lot more forgiving when getting some difficult to get hair under the chin.
I started with round and would still make the same choice if provided the choice.
the round point is a lot more forgiving when getting some difficult to get hair under the chin.
I started with round and would still make the same choice if provided the choice.
Welcome! Most would recommend a rounded point for a starting razor because of the decreased likelihood of gouging parts of your face you're not familiar with yet. That said, if you like the look of a square point you could always mute it (drag the very tip over glass to dull it), which can always be fixed later when you have some experience under your belt.
Personally, I don't think blade width matters for learning to shave with a straight. Smaller blades can seem more nimble, but I started out with a 5/8 and a 6/8 at the same time and immediately gravitated towards the 6/8. Now they're all I own with one exception.
Personally, I don't think blade width matters for learning to shave with a straight. Smaller blades can seem more nimble, but I started out with a 5/8 and a 6/8 at the same time and immediately gravitated towards the 6/8. Now they're all I own with one exception.
I think you should pick up what you think you will enjoy learning with and using. You might consider something a little different as a second razor for when your Hart needs to be honed (assuming your not going to try to pick up honing now too). Some of the members make some great gold dollar modifications that would allow you to try something very different from your Hart at a very reasonable price. In any case, good luck with your new gear.
Whatever shape looks best to you. The very tip of the razor can ways be dulled or very slightly rounded to give the same easy use as a roundpoint.
welcome and pick out what u want/like. it is simple as that.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
whatever style of razor you get for your first one, you will soon be buying a different one to see if you like that one better. So it doesn't matter what you get for your first razor. You will develop your preferences after trying a whole bunch of razors and they may change as the years and the shaves go by. So get whichever one you like. Eeny meenie minie mo.
Welcome to the straight side.
A rounded point will be ideal for the first or expect the lady to bite.
A rounded point will be ideal for the first or expect the lady to bite.
I came from up there too! I started with a straight in July.
Get a gold dollar from Buca. When you consider you're going to pay $18-25 for honing, he's practically selling them for free. He puts a nice edge on them too. You'll use it when you start learning to hone too.
You're going to want more than one razor in no time, I'd just start small and build. If you are anything like me, your first edges aren't going to last long. If you send it out to be honed, you're going to want a second razor.
On the other hand, the Hearts are beautiful, and if can still fit a few more razors into your budget, go for it!
Good luck!
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Harts are nice razors for sure, i've had a few and all of them came with bevel issues from the artisan. Once corrected, these razors shave as good as any other top razor on the market.
If your first few shaves don't get increasingly better, perhaps send it out for honing to any of the respected members here.
If your first few shaves don't get increasingly better, perhaps send it out for honing to any of the respected members here.
This is true. And frustrating. Just when I think I know what I like, I hone another razor and get a better shave...
The square point Harts look way better than the round ones IMHO. Also, I like the satin finish better. The only downfall is the scales. I don't like them at all reason why I made myself new ones.
I don't like the pivot pin they use but had no issues with the second set of cocobolo scales I had with mine.
