str8 razor users. what do you recommend for a beginner?

[hotrodheat]

I thought since I used DE razors for quite some time(6 months) I want to try out a straight razor. any recommendations?. and do you know a trust worthy vendor who sells a quality shave ready straight razor?.


I once tried an all plastic disposable straight(shark). and had a nice line cut. the problem it has no weight.


this time I am thinking of a real one. and what do you think of those that use a half DE razor blade ?

 

[jrp316]

Go to whippeddog.com. Larry will fix you right up with a good razor and strop kit.

The shavettes (aka disposable blade straights) are ok, but I like a real straight shave much better.

 

[Soldierdan]

Go to whippeddog.com. Larry will fix you right up with a good razor and strop kit.

The shavettes (aka disposable blade straights) are ok, but I like a real straight shave much better.

+1

Get the sight-unseen deal and a poor-man's strop kit, and you'll get a shave-ready straight and a strop that you won't be too distraught if you nick it up. Plus you also get a balsa strop. Its a great starter kit for a very reasonable price.

 

[Nosduj]

or if you dont like surprises, check out the B/S/T boards, look for a 5/8 or 6/8 with a round point.

 

[Slash McCoy]

+1 whipped dog or BST

 

[hotrodheat]

Go to whippeddog.com. Larry will fix you right up with a good razor and strop kit.

The shavettes (aka disposable blade straights) are ok, but I like a real straight shave much better.

ok. a stupid question. the unseen razor will totally be random right?. or can I give him some specifications?

 

[jrp316]

It's random as far as the brand/model. The sight unseen deal is geared toward the beginner and to that end, the razors are of the hollow ground variety (usually 1/2 to full). You can email him and see if he has something in particular that you're looking for though; that may alter the price a little bit, but it's doable.

 

[Luc]

A real straight razor is more forgiving than a shavette (the one with half a DE blade). I would suggest looking at either the vendors or hobbyists on the forum, you will find a cheap shave ready straight there. Don't forget to get a cheap strop too (cheap is the keyword here as you will nick the strop at first so it would be a shame to buy an expensive one). Lastly, if you can't find what you need there, there's always the BST where some are selling straight razors there. The one that you buy doesn't matter much as long as it's shave ready.

Have a look at the interactive guide, it might help you: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Interactive_Guide_to_Straight_Razor_Shaving

 

[Slash McCoy]

Sure, you can tell Larry what you are looking for, and he will make an effort to pick one out for you that is as close as he can get to your dream razor, but really, for your first straight, just about any sharp straight will do. You don't have any real preferences yet, since you have not tried a variety of razors yet. That's the beauty of the "sight unseen" thing. No reason to post individual pics and descriptions of the razors, since they are targeted at newbies. This enables Larry to devote more time to razors, less time to website, reduce his man-hours per sale, and keep his prices rock-bottom low. Just get a dog. In fact, get two. That way you have a rotation, and you can try to learn to hone the first one that gets dull, while you shave with the other one, or send one out for honing while you keep the other to shave with. Now very likely your whipped dog won't be pretty. He doesn't spend much time doing any cosmetic improvements. He just cleans them up a bit, hones them, and sends them out. Some of those razors are well over 100 years old, so you can expect them to be a little used-looking. As far as I'm concerned, that just gives them class. Of course if you have a spare one you can always try to do a full restore yourself, on one. We are talking mostly classic American, English, and German brands, respected makers of good razors, and many of them are well worth restoring. I have seen a lot of pics of whipped dog razors posted on this board and sometimes I nod, or shrug, but sometimes I am smitten by envy and jealousy when I see some of those fine old razors he sells so cheap. It's like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. But whatever you get, it will be well worth the price.

 

[hotrodheat]

Sure, you can tell Larry what you are looking for, and he will make an effort to pick one out for you that is as close as he can get to your dream razor, but really, for your first straight, just about any sharp straight will do. You don't have any real preferences yet, since you have not tried a variety of razors yet. That's the beauty of the "sight unseen" thing. No reason to post individual pics and descriptions of the razors, since they are targeted at newbies. This enables Larry to devote more time to razors, less time to website, reduce his man-hours per sale, and keep his prices rock-bottom low. Just get a dog. In fact, get two. That way you have a rotation, and you can try to learn to hone the first one that gets dull, while you shave with the other one, or send one out for honing while you keep the other to shave with. Now very likely your whipped dog won't be pretty. He doesn't spend much time doing any cosmetic improvements. He just cleans them up a bit, hones them, and sends them out. Some of those razors are well over 100 years old, so you can expect them to be a little used-looking. As far as I'm concerned, that just gives them class. Of course if you have a spare one you can always try to do a full restore yourself, on one. We are talking mostly classic American, English, and German brands, respected makers of good razors, and many of them are well worth restoring. I have seen a lot of pics of whipped dog razors posted on this board and sometimes I nod, or shrug, but sometimes I am smitten by envy and jealousy when I see some of those fine old razors he sells so cheap. It's like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. But whatever you get, it will be well worth the price.

I sent to Larry an order request. I told him is 13/16 or 6/8 razor width. full hollow, with anything that hasn't a spiked tip. I don't care which brand it is.

also. I don't know how to hone a razor. there are cheap 10$ razors on amazon and ebay. I found some less than 10$ strops. and I don't know which whetstone should I buy. I also heard that you must make the stone flat.

I am thinking of experimenting with cheap 10$ razors for honing. but I don't know what whetstone should I buy

 

[Hawkeye5]

Almost all the $10 razors are unhoneable, you will learn nothing about honing. You would be better served purchasing something like a Spike that can actually be honed off ebay.

 

[Slash McCoy]

I sent to Larry an order request. I told him is 13/16 or 6/8 razor width. full hollow, with anything that hasn't a spiked tip. I don't care which brand it is.

also. I don't know how to hone a razor. there are cheap 10$ razors on amazon and ebay. I found some less than 10$ strops. and I don't know which whetstone should I buy. I also heard that you must make the stone flat.

I am thinking of experimenting with cheap 10$ razors for honing. but I don't know what whetstone should I buy

Honing is a lot of fun and will save you a lot of money. Well, if you don't go crazy buying rocks and stuff. But I MOST STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you get comfortable with shaving first, before trying to learn to hone! I know that sounds backwards, because you need a sharp razor first, before you can shave, but trust me on this... it is better to learn to shave first, and handle a few different shave ready razors, before trying to make a razor shave-ready yourself. Also, you don't want any uncertainty about your razor's sharpness while you are learning to shave.

Yes, you can find cheap razors on ebay. (Forget about amazon) NOT new razors, though... vintage. There are a lot of razors for $20 or less that if you know what you are looking at, how to pick the razors, can be great project razors. New? I can heartily recommend a Giesen & Forsthoff, at $60 or so, from www.starshaving.com and that should hone up fairly easily. NOT the $10 new razors on Amazon. Nor ebay. A Gold Dollar makes a good project razor, at under $5 including shipping, but it is definitely, most definitely, NOT for the beginner. Stick with a good vintage blade from the bay, or better yet, from the BST forum here. Or of course another whipped dog! Maybe Larry would sell one cheaper if he doesn't have to hone it! But really, just shave with one, and it will get dull in time. Then you can practice simply retouching this previously sharp blade, and that process is much easier to learn than taking a razor from rough to shave ready. Once you are good at maintenance honing and retouching, then get some midrange honing equipment and a bevel setter, and some coarse repair stones.

And my money is NOT on any stone at all, but on lapping film, which gives excellent results, is dirt cheap, and is quick and easy to learn. Most newbies get a shaveable edge their first attempt and scary scary sharp edges very early on. See this thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576-Lapping-film-try-it?highlight=lapping+film+try+it and save every page for later reference and reading. Film will amaze you. The only stones you need are a bevel setter, (optional cause film can do that) and some coarse edge repair hones like the cheap diamond hones from Harbor Freight. (Also optional, since you can use wet/dry sandpaper on the same lapping plate you use for film)

Anyway, get your shave thing on first. Then let us help you get going with the honing.

 

[hotrodheat]

Honing is a lot of fun and will save you a lot of money. Well, if you don't go crazy buying rocks and stuff. But I MOST STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you get comfortable with shaving first, before trying to learn to hone! I know that sounds backwards, because you need a sharp razor first, before you can shave, but trust me on this... it is better to learn to shave first, and handle a few different shave ready razors, before trying to make a razor shave-ready yourself. Also, you don't want any uncertainty about your razor's sharpness while you are learning to shave.

Yes, you can find cheap razors on ebay. (Forget about amazon) NOT new razors, though... vintage. There are a lot of razors for $20 or less that if you know what you are looking at, how to pick the razors, can be great project razors. New? I can heartily recommend a Giesen & Forsthoff, at $60 or so, from www.starshaving.com and that should hone up fairly easily. NOT the $10 new razors on Amazon. Nor ebay. A Gold Dollar makes a good project razor, at under $5 including shipping, but it is definitely, most definitely, NOT for the beginner. Stick with a good vintage blade from the bay, or better yet, from the BST forum here. Or of course another whipped dog! Maybe Larry would sell one cheaper if he doesn't have to hone it! But really, just shave with one, and it will get dull in time. Then you can practice simply retouching this previously sharp blade, and that process is much easier to learn than taking a razor from rough to shave ready. Once you are good at maintenance honing and retouching, then get some midrange honing equipment and a bevel setter, and some coarse repair stones.

And my money is NOT on any stone at all, but on lapping film, which gives excellent results, is dirt cheap, and is quick and easy to learn. Most newbies get a shaveable edge their first attempt and scary scary sharp edges very early on. See this thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576-Lapping-film-try-it?highlight=lapping+film+try+it and save every page for later reference and reading. Film will amaze you. The only stones you need are a bevel setter, (optional cause film can do that) and some coarse edge repair hones like the cheap diamond hones from Harbor Freight. (Also optional, since you can use wet/dry sandpaper on the same lapping plate you use for film)

Anyway, get your shave thing on first. Then let us help you get going with the honing.

very informative. thank you very much. talked to Larry. and he recommended to let him do the work by buying a sight unseen razor. since I am a beginner anyways. I am going with his advice.

I think the best thing is to hop in. and see how does it compares to DE shaving. after being satisfies. I will buy a stone for honing.

the reason I want to go for a straight that some people said that it is the best for your skin. and with proper honing and stropping. one should last a lifetime.

some even claim they have less nicks than a de. also less razor burns and irritation.

and who doesn't want to show off holding a cutthroat and shave with it to other guys that don't even know how to hold it .

 

[jrp316]

As for a honing stone, if you're looking to hone a razor start to finish, you're looking at multiple stones. Different grits and such. For simple maintenance of an edge, something like a high grit (8k/10k+) stone, barber's hone or 1 micron lapping film is good. (By the way, check out lapping film for a low cost entry to honing, like Slash said.) You're doing right by letting Larry hone your first razor. When you learn to hone on your own, you'll have a known good shave ready edge for a reference point.

A straight razor, with good care and maintenance, can last multiple lifetimes. Look at the current stock of vintage straights out in the wild now. The youngest of these are approaching their 90s and many are well over 110 years old by now. They are well qualified for antique status and many are still able to perform their intended functions. How many things in that age bracket can you say that about?

When you mention that you use a straight razor to people, you'll get a variety of looks and questions. It's hard to explain, but once you see and hear them, you'll get a kick out of it. I find that the shave quality out of my straights beats my DEs and anything else I've used to this point.

 

[hotrodheat]

As for a honing stone, if you're looking to hone a razor start to finish, you're looking at multiple stones. Different grits and such. For simple maintenance of an edge, something like a high grit (8k/10k+) stone, barber's hone or 1 micron lapping film is good. (By the way, check out lapping film for a low cost entry to honing, like Slash said.) You're doing right by letting Larry hone your first razor. When you learn to hone on your own, you'll have a known good shave ready edge for a reference point.

A straight razor, with good care and maintenance, can last multiple lifetimes. Look at the current stock of vintage straights out in the wild now. The youngest of these are approaching their 90s and many are well over 110 years old by now. They are well qualified for antique status and many are still able to perform their intended functions. How many things in that age bracket can you say that about?

When you mention that you use a straight razor to people, you'll get a variety of looks and questions. It's hard to explain, but once you see and hear them, you'll get a kick out of it. I find that the shave quality out of my straights beats my DEs and anything else I've used to this point.

that cleared some questions about which stone should I use. but brings a new question. when using a 12k stone. should I apply pressure?

I tried my disposable plastic straight(that is what written on it). and it was terrible. how on earth you use a very flexible straight that weight less than 20 grams?. I bet this is why they suck.

 

[Treynman]

Whippeddog.com Is what I would recommend. I got a Sight Unseen super wedge for $28 plus shipping. Had some cosmetic wear, and the blade edge had been worn down so much from honing over the years, but regardless gave a nice shave.

If you have the $, you can buy new from ShaveNation or similar sites if you want something brand new. I would not recommend spending lots of money until you know you want to continue straight shaving, however I'm sure you could find someone to trade/sell whatever you get if you end up not liking it.

 

[Slash McCoy]

that cleared some questions about which stone should I use. but brings a new question. when using a 12k stone. should I apply pressure?

I tried my disposable plastic straight(that is what written on it). and it was terrible. how on earth you use a very flexible straight that weight less than 20 grams?. I bet this is why they suck.

Pressure? About the weight of one finger. Less if you can still control the blade with less pressure.

You will find a real straight much easier to handle, much more stable, much more controllable and comfortable in the hand.