If a guy wants to try a straight . . .

[Parallax]

. . . where should he begin?

Recently handled a straight at a Flea Market, just for a moment, and ran it along my face. The feeling was sweet! Could see how careful one would have to be, but at the same time how satisfying it could be to shave that way, with so much control and gentleness. But I have no knowledge of straight razors -- which to buy -- or how to sharpen or care for them.

So far, in less than two months of DE shaving, I've come to identify myself as an aggressive razor and blade man. If I wanted to try a straight (without making a major investment), what would you suggest?

 

[O.G.]

Look into the Straight razor sub forum. Your question will be answered in the shave clininc.

 

[Price]

The answer I always give to this question is to start with a "Sight Unseen" deal at whippeddog.com. A shave-ready straight, and all the necessary accessories to keep it that way, just to let you know if straight shaving is really for you. If you really get bit by the bug, you'll know, and then you can trade up whenever you like.

O.G. is right also. You can find all the care and feeding information you need in the straight razor forum, and if you don't find it...just ask. There is quite a bit of knowledge just hanging out there.

 

[AABCDS]

I started with a Feather RG last month. I'm still in the learning phase.

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

The answer I always give to this question is to start with a "Sight Unseen" deal at whippeddog.com. A shave-ready straight, and all the necessary accessories to keep it that way, just to let you know if straight shaving is really for you. If you really get bit by the bug, you'll know, and then you can trade up whenever you like.

Price is right on the money. Whippeddog Sight Unseen deal is the best way to get into straight razors. I bought myself one when I started, and then passed it along to a friend so he could get into straight razors.
I would be careful with running straight razors at flea markets across the face (just a heads up).

 

[Parallax]

It's so easy to get information overload, particularly when trying to figure out the "straight" scene. With DEs, one can wade in step by step, but there's so much more to selecting, learning to use and care for straights.

What's Whippeddog Sight Unseen?

 

[Pebcak]

What's Whippeddog Sight Unseen?

http://whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal

 

[Parallax]

http://whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal

I'm getting information overload again. There must be a huge difference in quality from razor to razor. Then one has to learn to hone and strop and buy all the necessary equipment. Getting so much stuff, sight unseen, just to find out if one wants to try shaving this way, seems a bit much.

 

[Pebcak]

I'm getting information overload again. There must be a huge difference in quality from razor to razor. Then one has to learn to hone and strop and buy all the necessary equipment. Getting so much stuff, sight unseen, just to find out if one wants to try shaving this way, seems a bit much.

It's only $55 Parallax. If you do go with straights you'll be hard pressed to find something that inexpensive. Heck we willingly pay much more for a hunk of leather . I think the only cheaper way would be if you were lucky enough to win a straight razor PIF.

Yes the quality may vary from sight unseen to sight unseen but all of them will be shave ready and it comes with the poor mans stop kit. It's perfect for someone starting out with straights and doesn't want to drop serious cash in case it's not for them.

 

[Parallax]

It's only $55 Parallax. If you do go with straights you'll be hard pressed to find something that inexpensive. Heck we willingly pay much more for a hunk of leather . I think the only cheaper way would be if you were lucky enough to win a straight razor PIF.

Yes the quality may vary from sight unseen to sight unseen but all of them will be shave ready and it comes with the poor mans stop kit. It's perfect for someone starting out with straights and doesn't want to drop serious cash in case it's not for them.

I hear you and this is something I'd go for if I got to the point of knowing I'd like to try straights. At this point, I have an impression based on a single moment in time, holding a straight to my cheek and running it gently across. Not quite enough to get me over the hump of resistance. Perhaps I'll invest in a barbershop shave with a straight to get a better sense of what it's about. Ideally, I'd love for someone to instruct me on the "how to's" of straights (and let me try one) but I'm the only guy I know IRL who's into traditional shaving.

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

The other thing is that if you buy the Sight Unseen, and realise it is not for you, you can easily sell it on the BST and get most of your money back. Barbershop shaves are not indicative of a straight razor shave. 99% of the time people on here say that there experience was not exactly stellar.
By the way Larry (whippeddog) provides an instruction sheet with the package. It really is not hard to get the hang of, it just takes time. Also there are a lot of fantastic youtube videos demonstrating how to straight shave.

 

[global_dev]

I hear you and this is something I'd go for if I got to the point of knowing I'd like to try straights. At this point, I have an impression based on a single moment in time, holding a straight to my cheek and running it gently across. Not quite enough to get me over the hump of resistance. Perhaps I'll invest in a barbershop shave with a straight to get a better sense of what it's about. Ideally, I'd love for someone to instruct me on the "how to's" of straights (and let me try one) but I'm the only guy I know IRL who's into traditional shaving.

don't do the barbershop shave. i am guessing you haven't seen the multitudes of disappointment threads for every 1 it was good thread...

the price "breakdown" is close to this

a straight ready to go is probably no less than $35, i don't think you'll find anywhere that has them as cheap as in the whippeddog sight unseen
strop ~$25-30
balsa and powder likely $10

it's a great deal and yes, it's a cash outlay, but getting into straights has a larger initial investment than DEs by far..

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Cheap way would be to get a Dovo shavette

 

[BrookR1]

Another option would be to purchase a $20 Parker SR1 shavette. That way you don't have to worry about stropping or honing. I've heard the experience a little different than using a straight, but the technique is basically the same. The shavette can be pretty unforgiving since the blade can sometimes be much sharper than a straight's blade. However, it will give you a close shave.

 

[Parallax]

Ok, what's a shavette?

 

[jamesspo]

Parallax, I'd encourage the Whipped Dog deal as well. It's very important starting out with straights that you have one that is honed well, otherwise you're not likely to have a good experience. The sharpness of the straight is everything, so it's important to start with a known quantity. A shavette may be another option, but that will be different than a real straight as it uses a DE-like blade, and is very sharp, and less forgiving than a real straight.

 

[Parallax]

My understanding is that it is similar to a straight razor but uses 1/2 of a standard DE blade. You break the blade in half, put it in the clamp holder on the shavette and clasp it closed, and you have something sorta similar to a straight. The link for the SR1 I just ordered is at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PQZEHQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00, and I like you, wanted to try it before I invested too much cash. The Dovo get's some love around here too, but I just wanted a low cost to see if the experience is something I enjoy. I love my DE's, so this was more of a exploration into other areas for me.

Thanks; this is helpful. Perhaps a way to get started. But how does one break a blade in half? Sounds dangerous.

 

[Price]

I have no experience with the shavette, but nearly everyone I've heard who has actually tried it recommends NOT getting it. YMMV of course - you may love it - but it certainly does not approximate the straight razor experience. I understand it to be more similar to DE shaving, only with an awkward grip on the razor. If you're dead set on trying to get a similar experience to a straight, without actually using a straight, the best tool I would recommend would be the Feather, although, the Sight Unseen is about half the cost of that.

 

[noahpictures]

Thanks; this is helpful. Perhaps a way to get started. But how does one break a blade in half? Sounds dangerous.

You can buy half DE blades or you can cut your own favorite DE blade in half while it's still in the wrapper. I've done it with no problems. YMMV and avoid if accident prone

I found shavettes very helpful (now I use straights). It'll take at least 15 shaves to get comfortable. If you like the experience then you'll move on to traditional straight razors which usually take longer to learn.

 

[duokun]

I'll just chime in that another option for a disposable blade straight would be looking on eBay for a vintage Weck Sextoblade. They use hair shaper blades and give quite a nice shave.

I highly recommend Larry at whipped dog. Although my razor came from a PIF, my strop came from him. I also have a brush from him and each time I was amazed at how much info came along with each product.