I want to try shaving with a straight razor. I'm pretty sure i want a hollow ground carbon steel blade with round tip. My question is what width blade should I get? I have a mustache so shaving my lip isn't a issue. What about scales, wood or synthetic, does it matter. Since I don't know if i will like it I don't want to spend a fortune. I have a hanging strop.What do you recommend to get started?
Newbie wants to buy a razor
- Thread starter Bay Rum
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^ At this stage of the game, I personally wouldn't think too much about scales, or width, etc. They are ultimately personal preferences that you will find out about over time. For now, I would either get hold of an inexpensive, shave-ready razor (see, e.g., Larry Andro, B&B member and http://www.whippeddog.com/), or maybe look for something that appeals to you in the buy/sell. If you decide you like this str8 shaving thing, you'll soon be doing the mad dash to buy everything in sight so as to answer all your questions.
Happy hunting.
Happy hunting.
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- #3
I'm trying to avoid going crazy with the spending nlike I did with the DEs. Does the width of the blade matter? I emailed Larry. Thanks for the tip.
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Blade width is mostly a manner of personal preference. Most would recommend starting out with a 5/8, or 6/8.
I find under 5/8th a little tricky to strop when starting out. And Over 6/8th can be a little tricky to shave with starting out.
So 5/8 to 6/8 would be my recommendation as well.
So 5/8 to 6/8 would be my recommendation as well.
For $33, I did just fine with a 9/16. I probably wouldn't want to go any smaller, but other than that, I personally wouldn't let blade width be of too much concern.
I've been at this 'full time' now (not long...) for 4-5 months, and only over time have I developed a real preference for width and point type. You'll be fixed up well with Larry.
+... 3 on 5/8 or 6/8!
The scales are really not important. At this stage, you want to know if it's something you like or not, if you are ready to commit to a straight razor! I'm sure you will get a nice deal!
The scales are really not important. At this stage, you want to know if it's something you like or not, if you are ready to commit to a straight razor! I'm sure you will get a nice deal!
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- #8
Larry Andro hooked me up with a Little Joe.It has a 5/8 blade. I'll give it a shot next week. I plan to just get used to shaving the cheeks at first and little by little move to the rest of my face.
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- #9
I must be getting old a straight i bought from SliceOfLife came in the mail. I had forgotten about it. My wife said no way was i going to shave with a straight. So I immediately went upstairs to shave with it. I did my left cheek with it and stopped. Later I tried to touch up a patch on my neck but I couldn't seem to get the razor oriented properly. Slice that razor shaves really good, and I thank you for the deal. My problem is going to be my right shoulder. I have been having a problem with it and i can't rais my right arm much above level. Also I am right handed and trying to shave the right side of my face seemed awkward. Well I'll watch more videos and try to see how to maneauver the blade around my face.
This is going to be interesting. Please keep us informed!!
BTW - you will get all the angles and such figured out. It'll come.
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- #11
Do you wipe the blade down with oil after each use? What kind of oil do you recommend?
I never oil my blades, but as my collection grows to the point my rotation is 2+ months I'm going to have to start.
I wipe them dry with toilet paper and sometimes do 10-15 passes on the cloth side of my strop to make sure they're dry.
The neck near my throat is STILL hard for me. ATG passes would have to be directly in towards my adam's apple, and my arm doesn't bend that way. The best compromise I've found it to hold my elbow against my chest, stretch my neck as tight as possible and do an arcing sweep from my jugular (and mirrored spot on right side) in towards the adam's apple. I'm no expert here though. I usually just settle for a DFS on those spots, rather than taking the time getting a BBS.
I wipe them dry with toilet paper and sometimes do 10-15 passes on the cloth side of my strop to make sure they're dry.
The neck near my throat is STILL hard for me. ATG passes would have to be directly in towards my adam's apple, and my arm doesn't bend that way. The best compromise I've found it to hold my elbow against my chest, stretch my neck as tight as possible and do an arcing sweep from my jugular (and mirrored spot on right side) in towards the adam's apple. I'm no expert here though. I usually just settle for a DFS on those spots, rather than taking the time getting a BBS.
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- #13
Your razor works great .
I'm glad you like it. Good luck with straight shaving. It's a real treat.
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- #15
My wife and i watched Wolfman last night. She recalled the opening with the horribly mulitated woman holding a straight razor so when she caught me shaving with it this morning sge almost fainted. I assured her that there was no full moon out. Anyway I shaved more of my left cheek and most of my lower neck. So far so good.
The easiest way for me to learn the real estate of my face and neck is to lay the blade flat, then while moving gently it in a direction conducive to shaving, gradually increase the distance between the spine of the razor and skin. You'll hit the sweet spot pretty quickly without doing the easy thing - scraping - and it will keep you out of trouble for the most part. Just remember that your face isn't flat (I hope) and the angle changes constantly, but that's a very safe way of working it out.
Now maybe someone will tell me how to keep from constantly encroaching on my beard, as I insist on a crisp, defined edge. For 40 years I've just constantly encroached a little each day until I reached the need for a "do over". (I suspect that's the solution, but who knows with the smart guys we have posting here)
Now maybe someone will tell me how to keep from constantly encroaching on my beard, as I insist on a crisp, defined edge. For 40 years I've just constantly encroached a little each day until I reached the need for a "do over". (I suspect that's the solution, but who knows with the smart guys we have posting here)
