So I've Been Thinking...

[Boba Fett]

Now that I am back to shaving the whole face, what with beard season gone for now, I am going through my second blade sampler with my Gillette Adjustable and Blue Tip. I couldn't help but think tonight that a blade sampler wouldn't be truly complete unless I tried a straight.

It's a big jump for me, I think. A straight razor seems very intimidating, and it requires a little more upkeep than your typical DE. But I still think it is worth a try.

So I am asking everyone in this board to help me decide. What are some pros? Some cons? Anyone willing to part with one to help me get started? Any honemeisters I should get in touch with? Any vendors who seem to carry more straight razor oriented products?

I have looked through some reviews and done a little shopping, but want a little more personal input from you guys. Anything helps, so fire away.

 

[michiganlover]

Keep watch on the B/S/T. There have been quite a few really nice straights for sale there recently.

In general most new straight shavers start out with a 5/8 razor with a round point (as it prevents you from jabbing the corner of the blade into an earlobe for example).

All you need, is a shave ready straight, and a strop.

Note, that the 5/8 measurement is a measurement of the size of the blade (distance from the spine, to the cutting edge, measured in inches), thus a 4/8 is slightly smaller than a 5/8, and a 6/8 slightly larger. A larger blade is hard to get into tight areas (such as the upper lip), but does have more room to store up lather (requiring less rinsing). An 8/8 is a full one inch in size, and quite the mammoth blade.

Rickboone is selling some very nice starter strops for an excellent price, and there is always the Filly strop from RupRazor. Don't spend lots of money on your first strop, as you will surely nick it.

If you don't want to invest tons of money in this adventure, since you don't know if it is for you yet, Larry Andro of http://www.whippeddog.com can hook you up with a shave ready straight razor for about $33.

If you add in one of the strops mentioned above, you can get started for about $50.

 

[mattbikes1]

Pros:
-Fun to use, there is a certain allure to using a straight
-Easier than you think, you know about blade angle and no pressure, the same apply to straights
-Investment, sure, you might dull your blade and have to get it re-honed, but as long as you take care of it...
-Learning a new approach to shaving

Cons:
-You are a newbie all over again, back to mediocre shaves for a bit
-A little bit more dangerous than a DE, just handle with care and respect-you will still get some cuts
-More ADs to worry about
-More variables to learn (proper stropping, skin stretching, blade angle, blade pressure, razor grips/holds, honing)

Vintage Blades LLC has some real good starter kits and Lynn Abrams will have honed your razor for you. I have heard great things about Whipped Dog (very economical). B/S/T of course, I just don't have the patience, luck, paypal account, or money for that (spent enough on my set-up).

Hope you give it a shot. I think you will find it is challenging and quite enjoyable. Keep in mind I am a total straight newbie, but I for one believe the hype. If you are seriously considering the purchase, start shaving with both hands to build your ambidextrous skills, unless of course you already have. It will come in handy with the straight razor shave. Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[Ender Wiggins]

I got a starter razor and strop from LarryAndro for about $50 and have been very happy with it. He also sends some very helpful information on razor maintenance and is more than willing to answer any questions you have about straight shaving.

Be sure to check out Joel's interactive guide to straight razor shaving and pay close attention to how he grips the razor and angles it while shaving.

 

[simon1]

I'll second Vintage Blades LLC, but you'll probably get something good for cheaper of off the member sales area on one of the boards.

If I'm wanting to talk about DE stuff I come here; it's a more DE oriented board. If I'm wanting to mess with straights I go to the straight razor place board; it's a more straight razor oriented board. http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/

They are both great boards with experts and tons of good advise, just focused on different shaving styles.

You may also want to watch several, and I say several, videos of someone shaving with a straight. This is a good one, but observe many different videos and use what works best for you. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7466711741780429878#

Just make sure you get a shave ready razor when you get one.

Hope that helps a bit.

Edit: Just looked at the whippeddog site, looks like he has some good stuff.

 

[Pumpkin]

It's a big jump for me, I think. A straight razor seems very intimidating, and it requires a little more upkeep than your typical DE. But I still think it is worth a try

I'm still a newbie to straights, but I find they're not as scary as I had always thought...yes, they're (damn) sharp and you do need to be careful.

As long as you start with a "shave ready" razor and watch your technique stropping, the maintenance isn't too bad. Practice stropping with a butter knife, or other blunt edge. To get used to turning the razor on it's spine, just hold the razor in mid air.

Your lather technique is exactly the same

Be prepared to have a few patches you miss...better that than scars!

Watch all the videos and read Joel's guide (several times)

 

[JPM]

If you're thinking about it, you're going to do it. Take the plunge!

 

[Russtopher]

I second the suggestion of going to whippeddog for a straight. LarryAndro makes it economically feasable to to be curious about straight razor shaving even if you don't end up liking it. He also stands behind what he sells 110%. Even if you don't buy from him, he's happy to give advice and guidance. I've bought a lot of things from a lot of places, and nobody has ever been as concerned with my satisfaction as Larry.

As for being interested in a straight razor... give it a try if you're curious. I'm still learning the ropes of it and I don't find it all that hard. The only time I've cut myself so far was when my finger slipped on the blade, otherwise it's been smooth sailing. Learning to strop the blade is important, but I found it equally easy.

 

[kg4ghn]

Lots of good advice here. Shaving with a straight is loads of fun.

One thing that I had to learn the hard way was to not put the straight on your face and then make a stroke. The blade should be moving before it touches skin.

 

[kg4ghn]

Oh, and +1 for Larry Andro. Real cool helpful guy there and a great way to get started if you are not sure if it is for you or if you don't have the cash to buy the shiny kit straight away.

100 POSTS!!!! WOOOOO HOOO!!!!

 

[Boba Fett]

Thanks everyone. I've found some good prices and options online at some of the shops you suggested. I'm still up in the air, but I think I am coming down closer to the straight side

A few more videos to watch, a few more shops to browse. This hobby is just too much fun!

 

[WilliamIam]

Cons:
-More ADs to worry about

Not to single you out, but I actually find I have LESS of an AD with the straight. Once you have a razor, a strop, and a hone, you're pretty much set with durable items for a good long time. The only thing I've bought since I got the straight and strop is a coticule (well worth it! I honed my razor in 30 minutes) and soap/AS.

I think the straight is the path of those who know their blade is the best. You don't have any question of if it's derby's or feathers, or anything - unless you start sending your straight to various honemeisters to compare the hones!

I'm really glad actually, to no longer wonder what magical DE blade is out there waiting for me to buy it, and a hundred of its brothers. (so far, I've only really liked Feathers. Everything else is I've tried was bit fickle. And less durable.)

Happy shaves! Welcome to the cut-throat! And I advise trying a 2-handed shave and skipping a one-handed approach entirely.

 

[Luc]

+1 on more AD...

I never used to rotate my DEs. I was usually using one or two but until the blade was done and I never had more than 2 at the same time. I got the Bull Mastiff handle with a Gillette NEW and all the other DEs were done.

I then started with straights. I use a different straight every day. I now have 18 shave ready straights... I have a few others not ready laying on the table but I will have them sharpened and fixed!

I would say that I was a bit nervous with them too but post-shave #1, I was more confident. It's more dangerous yes, you need to pay attention yes, but the challenge is quite something and the cool factor is on 11!