Straights and beards?

[rth97601]

So ... I wear a beard, and thus I only shave the neck and upper cheeks. I'm using a DE, but I was thinking about trying a straight. Is a straight overkill for what is essentially a trim job? What about a shavette? (I know there aren't a lot of shavette fans here, but I went to a new barber this weekend, and she used a shavette (w/Barbasol) on the back of my neck, and it turned out pretty well).

What do you think?

Ryan

 

[leighton]

I think a straight is more precise and perfect for trim jobs. Heck, you can even get a blade that has been shortened for even better detail work.

And it'd be cheap too because it had to be chopped.

 

[chfair]

i make far fewer mistakes when trimming around my facial hair using a straight than with DE's.

seemed like every week i would make a mistake with a DE that required me to change my look a bit.

 

[PaulX608]

I wear a beard, and I find that I can get a much sharper line with a straight. I don't think it's overkill at all.

 

[rth97601]

And here I was hoping y'all would warn me off, tell me to stick with the DE, and thus save me a bit of time and money ...

Alright then ... I give. Where might I find a newbie-ready chopped/shortened straight on a grad student's budget? Seems like an awfully specific item--is this a BST/WTB sort of thing, or should I be checking out vendors?

Ryan

 

[BigRich]

So ... I wear a beard, and thus I only shave the neck and upper cheeks. I'm using a DE, but I was thinking about trying a straight. Is a straight overkill for what is essentially a trim job? What about a shavette? (I know there aren't a lot of shavette fans here, but I went to a new barber this weekend, and she used a shavette (w/Barbasol) on the back of my neck, and it turned out pretty well).

What do you think?

Ryan

Couldn't you make that same argument about just about everything we do here? I've used a straight around my beard in the past and it to be very effective. It actually helps keep all my lines straight. (no pun intended)

Is it going to be fantastically better than you DE? Probably not. But if you want to try it then what's stopping you?

 

[leighton]

And here I was hoping y'all would warn me off, tell me to stick with the DE, and thus save me a bit of time and money ...

Alright then ... I give. Where might I find a newbie-ready chopped/shortened straight on a grad student's budget? Seems like an awfully specific item--is this a BST/WTB sort of thing, or should I be checking out vendors?

Ryan

Uh...thats like asking an alcoholic in a bar whether you should order a drink or not...

Of course we're going to say yes, regardless of whether there is a different solution.

You can find a chopped up straight from someone who chops up straights. Try Fnord5 or Seraphim. I don't think I have any candidates for circumcision. Lamontsqford has a chopped Joseph Rogers, but I think he's attached to that one.

 

[sapito318]

I dont wear a beard, but I agree that a straight can give you much more precision, as you can see where the blade is at at all times whereas with the DE you kina have to guess at where the blade is lying...

On a grad students budget, getting a straight setup can get pricey, especially if you are only wanting to try it out (I assume you have never shaved with a straight?). If I may recommend starting out with a DOVO shavette w/ a Feather blade or your blade of choice. They are good shavettes and are only around $30, and you wont need a strop or honing fees to start out with. Just my opinon, YYMV.

 

[rth97601]

And with astonishing speed, everything falls into place ...

It looks like I will be stepping into the world of straights sooner than expected--I've already gotten an excellent offer on a chopped straight from Seraphim that should do the trick nicely, and fits my budget to boot.

Thanks to all for the thoughtful, useful and timely advice.

B&B does it again ...

Take Care,

Ryan

 

[sapito318]

Great, I was actually thinking about that bartman as it was "chopped".

Congrats

 

[Parataxis]

And with astonishing speed, everything falls into place ...

It looks like I will be stepping into the world of straights sooner than expected--I've already gotten an excellent offer on a chopped straight from Seraphim that should do the trick nicely, and fits my budget to boot.

Thanks to all for the thoughtful, useful and timely advice.

B&B does it again ...

Take Care,

Ryan

How do chopped straights work? (I too, am bearded, and something shorter than normal would be excellent). Are the scales redone to 'fit' the newly shortened blade? or is there just lots of extra room?

Would it be safe to assume that all chopped blades (is it just a metal saw that's taken to it?) are spike points for ease of production?