Straight with sparse beard?

[Axel_]

Hi!

I've been shaving with a DE for a while now, and thinking about taking the final step to the straight shaving. The thing is that I've heard some people say straight razor is not the best alternative if you got sparse beard, and cause I'm 18 years old my beard is really sparse in some areas, close to nil in some areas but really thick and densely in some areas, most on the chin area. Should I wait until i get a little older, or should I give it a try already? If you guys think I should go ahead, is a real straight or a shavette the best option (cause of the sharper blade, maybe it's more like a DE shave?)?

Best regards
Axel

 

[richmondesi]

Being from indigenous peoples of the americas, I am familiar with the type of beard you are describing

I don't have any problem at all using a straight razor. In fact, as I've improved my technique, it has easily become my favorite way to shave. I hardly ever use any other implement for shaving. If you're so inclined, I'd encourage you to try it. However, be advised that it takes patience to master.

Cheets

 

[Hughies_online]

Yes. Try it if you want to. Better to do it now when your beard is soften than when your beard turns all wiry and tough after about 40

 

[Luc]

+1 try one.

BST can set you up for cheap with a strop. You don't need a looker but a shave ready razor...

 

[mdunn]

do it

ive never ever heard anyone say its not good for people with a sparse beard

 

[leighton]

I have yet to come across a reason for a straight being bad for anybody.

Do it! Come to the light. Just keep walking towards it...

 

[McShaverson]

I'm 18 with a sparse beard and I have no problems shaving with a straight. You just don't need all three passes Give it a shot.

 

[Axel_]

Thanks for all good answers!

The thing was that a guy on a Swedish shaving forum told me that sparse beard and a straight wasn't a good idea. I've never heard of it before but thought that buying a straight, strop and all that is needed just to find out that it's not working to me wasn't a great idea. One thing that make everything more complicated is that I'm not living in the states (as you probably have figured out already), so there's not so many cheap straight/strops etc options around here, so if I am going to start shave with a straight there's nothing in between, it's all or nothing at all...

But you guys convinced me, I'm got to have a straight! But do you have any recommendations for a "first straight", is buying an old straight in a antique store something to recommend?

And finally, is it possible to learn the straight shaving techniques with a shavette (like the dovo shavette), or is that just a cheap "maybe good enough for traveling razor"? Cause I have to say that spending that much time just to get a straight ready to shave every time is nothing I'm so attracted of...

Sorry for the wall of text, and thanks again for the good answers later in the thread

Best Regards
Axel

 

[Klarion]

I'm an asian guy, and have a pretty sparse beard.

That said, I've been using a straight every day, or nearly so, to try to achieve that Android Bottom Smooth shave. I could probably skip to every other day, but where's the fun in that?

 

[richmondesi]

My advice is to buy new or a vintage that has been honed by someone with a good reputation. There are a lot of Europeans on the boards that may be able to help you get a good idea of how to get into this without breaking your pocketbook... PM me if you want me to give you some names of guys that may be good people to contact.

Cheers,

 

[NoFair]

Hei og hopp søta bror

Sparse beard should only make it easier. The coarser and stiffer beard is harder to shave imho.

I'd try to get a shave ready vintage one on this board. Lots of nice people who are willing to ship to Europe.

I've gotten 2 of my straights from here and use both regularly.

Ruprazor ships strops to Europe if you need one.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

Sverre

 

[McShaverson]

Thanks for all good answers!

...Cause I have to say that spending that much time just to get a straight ready to shave every time is nothing I'm so attracted of...

If you're referring to stropping I find that (for me) it takes a whole two minutes , and I'm not even fast You just have to work your way up to speed. Slow and steady at first, fast and precise later

Kevin

 

[Axel_]

Okay, after reading your answers I think buying a new straight would be the best option, but before testing straight shaving I am not that interested in buyng a lot of "expensive" stuff So I think go for a cheaper second hand straight at first will be good enough, and if I'm pleased by the feeling of straight shaving I will buy a new knife, strop etc later.

So I think I leave it there from now, and searching for a second hand straight in good shape, and try it out for a while. Then I will come back when it's time to buy a brand new razor for advices.

So thanks everyone for the great response and taking time to answer my questions, I really appreciate it!

Kind regards
Axel