noob question

[ph33nyx]

I've recently been considering moving from de to str8. I don't have one yet, but wanted to get some advice before I dove in.
Would using a str8 on weekends to start be a good idea? I have a lot more time to devote to angles and pressure on my free days as I do during the week.
Also, which str8? I've read that the bay is not so great on picking one up and that it's much better to get one from a place....like here.

 

[blackfoot]

If the weekend is when you can devote the time, then the weekend is the time to do it. Honestly, I think what helped me the most was I had promised to use one set up only for an entire month. Week one and I was ready to quit. I was good and cut up. In week two, I got my first bloodless shave. After a month and a half, I had gotten quite comfortable with it.

 

[Ookla The Mok]

Move at whatever pace you feel comfortable with. If it's just weekends, that's a fine start. I would recommend making sure you do the whole shave with the straight when you do use it. I have heard of some folks just doing a portion of their face with the straight and finishing up by some other method. Well, the end goal is to shave your whole face, I say practice it. If you are looking at just doing it on weekends, you can likely afford a few sub-par shaves while learning.

As far as equipment goes, the only thing that matters is a sharp edge. The rest depends on your budget. If you have the means, THIS would be my first choice. A really nice restored vintage blade at a reasonable price. I can attest to Glen's edges, they are amongst the best out there. Then you just need a strop. A little on the cheaper side is Ken's GD/Filly combo. This will get you shaving at a VERY reasonable price. It's the "go to" new guy setup as it's inexpensive and includes a expert honed blade and a nice strop.

Either direction you go, you will either keep the items you purchase for the next 40 years or dislike straights and have something to sell to recoup some of the initial investment.

 

[ph33nyx]

Thanks for the advise. I just picked up the one here
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=114583
So hopefully it will suit my needs.

 

[blackfoot]

That seems like a good deal to me.

 

[jadam318]

That looks like a pretty good starter set up. Be sure that the blade is sharpened by someone who knows what they are doing. This will help you set a baseline for knowing how sharp a blade should be.

 

[mdunn]

its not something you want to rush.

if weekday mornings dont work, you could try shaving at night

 

[ph33nyx]

if weekday mornings dont work, you could try shaving at night

i guess if the str8 leaves one smoother for a longer period of time that could work.