I am very interested in purchasing a Japanese style straight. I have used regular straights and had decent luck with them but for some reason I cannot get the Japanese razors out of my head. They look easier but I know that is not always the case. So my question is , do they have a huge learning curve and what , if any, are the draw backs to using them? Also, are there any brands I should stay away from?
Learning curve with Japanese style straights
- Thread starter Deftim13
- Start date
I'm kind of wanting one of those as well... I've not really done a lot of searching for them... the closest thing I've seen, I think, is one made by Feather, which is really a shavette.
If you can use a western straight without any major problems, then watching JimR's vid will show you all you need to know.
I found from my first shave that all the usual BBS areas were shaved just as well, but there were also areas (like the neck hairs under my chin) that were able to be made BBS without anywhere near the work it took for a western razor.
I follow JimR's vid pretty much as he does it (the traditional way), but others report great success with using both sides of the razor (havent tried that, but be careful as its not really designed to be used in that manner).
I found from my first shave that all the usual BBS areas were shaved just as well, but there were also areas (like the neck hairs under my chin) that were able to be made BBS without anywhere near the work it took for a western razor.
I follow JimR's vid pretty much as he does it (the traditional way), but others report great success with using both sides of the razor (havent tried that, but be careful as its not really designed to be used in that manner).
Were are some good places to pick one up?
If you use the razor as intended I don't agree its easy to use. I found its like learning to use a straight all over again. Using one side and keeping that side to your face all the time requires a whole other approach to shaving. The short spike blade is also more challenging. I'm not saying it's really hard just different and takes some time.
If you were a member of SRP I'm doing a pass around of one right now.
If you were a member of SRP I'm doing a pass around of one right now.
at srp
- Thread starter
- #7
Great info. I am a member on SRP. Same user name just not as active over there.
are there any online retailers that sell them? I don't have a problem with buying used on SRP or anywhere else, I'm just looking to see what a new one might cost.
japanwoodworker had the 50mm iwasaki for just under 300.
Yeah, I saw that the other day... I'm starting to get the idea about RAD is all about now. Didn't really get it with DEs (only been doing that for a month or so), but all of the sudden I want an arsenal of straights!
I had a difficult time learning to use mine too. I think the primary reason is that I read some information that you could use both side of the razor. While you can, you have to have a fine-tuned sense of how to adjust the angle of the razor based on how it is cutting. My first adventure with the razor was a little tenuous because I was not adjusting for the different angle required on the non-concave side of the blade. I was using the razor in this manner because I shave with both hands. Then I decided to use only one hand and things worked much better. Since then, I have learned to use the razor using two hands and adjusting the razor angle depending on the side of the face being used.
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