I'm thinking of trying a straight razor. I know relatively little about them, like what all I need for accessories to maintain/sharpen. Is it better to get an inexpensive one to try, or spend a few more bucks to get a good one? I'm now accustomed to DE shaving, and the angles for that. I'm a bit worried about the angle for a straight razor. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
I'm thinking of trying a straight razor
- Thread starter Ophidian
- Start date
Look on the BST here and you'll be able to find one you like for a reasonable price.
I'd suggest a 5/8 or so hollow ground, and some folks think that starting off with a round point is better to avoid nicks with a spike point.
Don't go to ebay unless you have read up and know what to look for.
You can get a pretty cheap filly strop from Ruprazor and a cheap strop is the way to go initially as it is likely that you will cut it as you learn to strop.
That's all you need for a start, you can have it sent out for honing if you flub the edge.
Eventually if you want to sharpen it yourself, you'll be looking into some stones, but that's a bit down the road in any case.
The angle idea is more intimidating than the actual practice. With a DE you can shave with the prescribed angle of the razors engineering, within a small window. But with a straight your angle is limitless and you can put it as you need it to get the job done that you like.
I was very nervous about it when I first started, but just read the tutorial at the top of the straight forum and you'll be fine.
Be prepared for some pretty crappy shaves until you get the hang of it, and getting the hang of it takes some time and effort.
Fairly quickly you can get shaves that look presentable, but you'll know your shortcomings when you rub your face.
Getting that down takes a bit of time but it is quite a lot of fun, and it is really rewarding to master this skill and get a great shave.
Good luck, and ask questions when they come up.
I'd suggest a 5/8 or so hollow ground, and some folks think that starting off with a round point is better to avoid nicks with a spike point.
Don't go to ebay unless you have read up and know what to look for.
You can get a pretty cheap filly strop from Ruprazor and a cheap strop is the way to go initially as it is likely that you will cut it as you learn to strop.
That's all you need for a start, you can have it sent out for honing if you flub the edge.
Eventually if you want to sharpen it yourself, you'll be looking into some stones, but that's a bit down the road in any case.
The angle idea is more intimidating than the actual practice. With a DE you can shave with the prescribed angle of the razors engineering, within a small window. But with a straight your angle is limitless and you can put it as you need it to get the job done that you like.
I was very nervous about it when I first started, but just read the tutorial at the top of the straight forum and you'll be fine.
Be prepared for some pretty crappy shaves until you get the hang of it, and getting the hang of it takes some time and effort.
Fairly quickly you can get shaves that look presentable, but you'll know your shortcomings when you rub your face.
Getting that down takes a bit of time but it is quite a lot of fun, and it is really rewarding to master this skill and get a great shave.
Good luck, and ask questions when they come up.
There is a separate forum for straight razors which is a good place to start. Take a good look at the "stickies" such as "Joel's interactive guide to straight shaving" and have a look at Chimensch's video.
A good place to get a cheap razor honed by a professional seems to be: http://whippeddog.com/ Do not buy a new one and do not settle for a shavette or something similar. I know they are appealing pricewise and maintenance-wise but the general consensus is that they are quite a lot more difficult to use than a real straight. Larry Andro at whippeddog can probably help you find a cheap strop also or else you could get the filly from Ruprazor.com
As for the shave itself, it is a skill that is great fun to learn but it has a pretty steep learning curve. Do not expect any miracles, the first shaves will suck big time but when you get the hang of it, it is pure delight. If you thought DE-shaving was fun, wait till you try Straight shaving.
It is also a good idea to start your own shave diary so that you can keep track of your progress and ask any questions you may have to the seasoned veterans. Good luck and keep us posted.
A good place to get a cheap razor honed by a professional seems to be: http://whippeddog.com/ Do not buy a new one and do not settle for a shavette or something similar. I know they are appealing pricewise and maintenance-wise but the general consensus is that they are quite a lot more difficult to use than a real straight. Larry Andro at whippeddog can probably help you find a cheap strop also or else you could get the filly from Ruprazor.com
As for the shave itself, it is a skill that is great fun to learn but it has a pretty steep learning curve. Do not expect any miracles, the first shaves will suck big time but when you get the hang of it, it is pure delight. If you thought DE-shaving was fun, wait till you try Straight shaving.
It is also a good idea to start your own shave diary so that you can keep track of your progress and ask any questions you may have to the seasoned veterans. Good luck and keep us posted.
Hi Ophidian !
I have a few straight razors that I am currently waiting to get back from honing. Once I do I'll be using them a lot more.
You can get a functional, shave ready straight on here without spending fortunes. It mightn't be the prettiest but it'll be a good worker and give you a feel for things. Make sure it is shave ready though. Lots of new straights claim to be but aren't. Or check out the website whippeddog for some cheap, but very usuable straights.
I also have a dovo shavette that I love. It's the stainless steel one. If you use a shavette then you don't need strops of hones or anything.
There's def a learning curve between using a DE and a straight but it's doable. If you plan on using it also on your legs you might have so be a bit ambidexterous to get everywhere! I found it came easy enough to me with my shavette but maybe I'm speaking too soon and the straights will show me who's boss!
I'm sure lots more knowledgeable guys will be along shortly anyway to help!
I have a few straight razors that I am currently waiting to get back from honing. Once I do I'll be using them a lot more.
You can get a functional, shave ready straight on here without spending fortunes. It mightn't be the prettiest but it'll be a good worker and give you a feel for things. Make sure it is shave ready though. Lots of new straights claim to be but aren't. Or check out the website whippeddog for some cheap, but very usuable straights.
I also have a dovo shavette that I love. It's the stainless steel one. If you use a shavette then you don't need strops of hones or anything.
There's def a learning curve between using a DE and a straight but it's doable. If you plan on using it also on your legs you might have so be a bit ambidexterous to get everywhere! I found it came easy enough to me with my shavette but maybe I'm speaking too soon and the straights will show me who's boss!
I'm sure lots more knowledgeable guys will be along shortly anyway to help!
This page should help you: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Straight_Razor_FAQs
I second whippeddog.com as a good place to get a strop and razor. From what I've been told and from my own experience, even though his razors are cheap, they aren't bad shavers. They just look a little banged up. You can ask him to make them pretty again for $20, but honestly who cares about looks for your first razor? Start with that much and later on you can think about adding pastes and a hone.
For angle, aim at 30 degrees or less. Start out with less because it won't hurt. If you start with a larger angle things can get painful.
If you're used to a DE you're already accustomed to many of the techniques that are further tested with straight razors. I think you'll do fine. I spent very little time with DEs and so my first shaves were brutal. Around the 9th shave though things turned around so you have nothing to fear.
One suggestion is to do one portion of your face with a straight per shave in order to gradually learn. Use your DE to finish the rest. Don't do what I did and try to do the whole face with a straight right off the bat.
I have teamed with Nerdman here, who refurbishes razors for $25 when purchased from WhippedDog.com.
As for strops, I can highly recommend the Filly strop from RupRazor.com. I sell a strop with balsa wood, and so is packaged somewhat differently. My strop works well, but - just like my razors - isn't the best looking. The RupRazor Filly strop doesn't cost much, and is much more nicely crafted.
Here's the link to the RupRazor Filly strop...
http://ruprazor.com/store/index.php...category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=32
As for strops, I can highly recommend the Filly strop from RupRazor.com. I sell a strop with balsa wood, and so is packaged somewhat differently. My strop works well, but - just like my razors - isn't the best looking. The RupRazor Filly strop doesn't cost much, and is much more nicely crafted.
Here's the link to the RupRazor Filly strop...
http://ruprazor.com/store/index.php...category_id=9&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=32
One more vote to contact Larry
Whats there to think about? 
You've got a ton of good advice here...the only real question left is what are you going to do with it?
You've got a ton of good advice here...the only real question left is what are you going to do with it?
If it was me, I'd stop yakkin' and start hackin'. Get the kit and commence the shaving revolution!
whats there to think about?
You've got a ton of good advice here...the only real question left is what are you going to do with it?
+ 1
