I've wanted to try one, but I have some worrisome family members who thing I will slit my throat. I realize they are an open blade, but I assume it's just a matter of being careful like using a knife?
Trying a straight razor.
- Thread starter ZackP
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My first try was injury free. Watch some Gide here: http://www.youtube.com/results?sear....3837.1j1j10j2j1.15.0...0.0...1ac.Kuzf_mBhzzk
I've been using a straight for about a week now so I'm still pretty new. Imo yes, you can seriously hurt yourself but the chances of it actually happening are pretty slim. You would have to actually try to hurt yourself. As long as you use no pressure you will only get a few slight nicks but I think that's what happens to all beginners. In other words, I think your more likely to injure your strop than yourself......something I almost did today lol. Hope you try it out. It is an amazing experience, well worth effort it takes imo.
You won't slit your throat but you may nick yourself a few times while figuring it all out. I seem to be 'in touch' with the straight a lot more than with a DE - I can tell if I'm pushing the limits or if I'm about ready to draw blood. Which may be why many say they nick themselves less with a straight than they did with a DE.
My worst cut was with an M3, second worst was with a DE. I've nicked myself with the straight but most are weepers that are gone by the time the last pass is done. I can usually go three or four shaves without any nicks or weepers. If I would stick with one razor, I would probably not have any weepers. However, I flit around with Kamis, Feathers, narrow straights, big wedges, etc. Each shave is a thrill ride. ;-}
Just read up on getting started, go slowly, and don't try to get a smooth shave the first few times. Indeed, the best advice I saw was to do your first shave after you've already cleaned most of your beard with your DE (or cart). It is a learned skill that most seem to be able to do... but many can't do it well right away.
I drew more blood my first week with a DE (Merkur 38C and Derby blades) than I have in over 7 months of straight shaving.
But that first stroke of the first shave, my hand was shaking so much I thought I was going to cut my ear off!
Start slowly.
WTG, "strong side" cheek only using your dominant hand.
Finish with the DE
During that first week, move on to complete the side of your face, again, WTG only, and you WILL have to do a 2nd pass with the DE.
Next week, do the same on the "weak side" using your non-dominant hand.
Once you get into all of the XTG and ATG strokes, you will see the value in becoming ambidextrous, as it allows you to work the blade in any direction at any point on your face without having the tang or your hand blocking your view.
But that first stroke of the first shave, my hand was shaking so much I thought I was going to cut my ear off!
Start slowly.
WTG, "strong side" cheek only using your dominant hand.
Finish with the DE
During that first week, move on to complete the side of your face, again, WTG only, and you WILL have to do a 2nd pass with the DE.
Next week, do the same on the "weak side" using your non-dominant hand.
Once you get into all of the XTG and ATG strokes, you will see the value in becoming ambidextrous, as it allows you to work the blade in any direction at any point on your face without having the tang or your hand blocking your view.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks guys. I'll have to try my best to let everyone know it is essentially safe. Then I must seek out a straight.
Don't let us fool you... you DO have to be careful and the blade is very open and very sharp; that is no lie. Just take it easy and don't let confidence take over and you will be fine.
I think I cut myself a lot more once I had used one for a while and was no longer really worried about slicing myself. Got a little careless, nothing terrible but enough to make me reconsider my methods
I believe the first ones were relatively bloodless.
But yes, definitely be careful. It's likely the sharpest knife you've ever had your hands on and you are holding it up to your face, neck, etc. It doesn't have to be a horror movie though!
I believe the first ones were relatively bloodless. But yes, definitely be careful. It's likely the sharpest knife you've ever had your hands on and you are holding it up to your face, neck, etc. It doesn't have to be a horror movie though!
Yes, you can seriously injure yourself, but just be careful. Wear something from the waist down, jump back if you drop it, don't try to catch it, shut the door of the bathroom, no animals or kids nearby. That sucker will be SHARP!
I was scared like everyone else. A certain veteran around here tells a story of putting his cell phone on the floor the first time he shaved with a straight in case he passed out (didn't need it).
Kinda like a gun. It's got it's rules for safety, but if you follow them, it's a daily experience that really is quite a pleasure.
I was scared like everyone else. A certain veteran around here tells a story of putting his cell phone on the floor the first time he shaved with a straight in case he passed out (didn't need it).
Kinda like a gun. It's got it's rules for safety, but if you follow them, it's a daily experience that really is quite a pleasure.
Oh ya... if your mirror is near the edge of the wall, WATCH YOUR ELBOW!!!!!!!!!!
One tap on the door frame is all it takes to require some TLC with a styptic
One tap on the door frame is all it takes to require some TLC with a styptic
Been there! and also, stretch the skin and then bring the razor to your face. My spare hand hit the scales going in for a stretch, got a pretty good nick on that one.
I started out by just shaving the big flat spots on my cheeks until I was more comfortable with the razor.
Whipped Dog is a good place for a starter razor.
Whipped Dog is a good place for a starter razor.
One of the few things most of us on the forum agree with - Whipped dog sight unseen set is the most recommended way to get into straights
just dont cut yourself, you'll be alright.
As long as you are careful then yes, it will be fine. I waited until SWMBO was away with her family to use a straight for the first time. There's a lot of good info in here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Interactive_Guide_to_Straight_Razor_Shaving
You run the risk of cutting your hands/fingers more when cleaning and putting the razor "to bed" after using it than you do cutting your face.
Watch out for your ear lobes and going around your chin and around your lips. These are the places that are more likely to "get in the way"
Straight razor shaving is no more "dangerous" than DE shaving but there is more potential for mistakes.
You do have to stretch your skin a lot more tightly when using a straight than when using a DE razor, other than that it is the same whisker whacking routine for both.
I find that I use my DE razors more frequently and the reason is mainly because of the higher maintenance required for a straight. I just don't seem to have the extra time to strop before and after shaving and to hone up the edge every week or so to keep it "razor sharp". Add in the extra time required to completely dry the blade and oil it after each shave then the time to remove the oil and strop and I triple the time required to shave.
With that all said I think I will use one of my straights today since I have some extra time today to enjoy the routine
Watch out for your ear lobes and going around your chin and around your lips. These are the places that are more likely to "get in the way"
Straight razor shaving is no more "dangerous" than DE shaving but there is more potential for mistakes.
You do have to stretch your skin a lot more tightly when using a straight than when using a DE razor, other than that it is the same whisker whacking routine for both.
I find that I use my DE razors more frequently and the reason is mainly because of the higher maintenance required for a straight. I just don't seem to have the extra time to strop before and after shaving and to hone up the edge every week or so to keep it "razor sharp". Add in the extra time required to completely dry the blade and oil it after each shave then the time to remove the oil and strop and I triple the time required to shave.
With that all said I think I will use one of my straights today since I have some extra time today to enjoy the routine
To have to touch up a razor every week or so seems like a bit much. Maybe ever few months or so and that can be done with a pasted strop if one is looking for a quick and easy way to do so. As far as oiling goes, if the razor is in a regular rotation I see no need for oiling a razor after every use. You could use some Tuf Glide to totally eliminate the need for oiling.
Maybe I am over maintaining my straights. It just seems like I need to touch them up after every 10 shaves or so. Maybe I am expecting too much "sharp" out of them. All I do is 10-20 +/- laps on the coti, not a lot but it does seem to get them back to what I like.
I may look into the spray slide lube. How well does it play with natural scales (bone, horn, ivory)? I've used food grade mineral oil and it seems to work very well for long term storage.
When I put a straight to bed I do not know how long it will be before I see it again. Maybe a week, maybe several months so I put it away for longer term storage so I don't need to worry about it should I go several months before looking at it again.
What I do should not be taken as a recommendation as I am a non-regular straight shaver.
- Thread starter
- #19
Thanks guys, maybe one of these days I'll go pick one up
Don't worry so much about your throat, rather, worry about what you may cut on its way down if you drop it. I have pretty much switched to straights, myself. I would have never made the switch until I took GeoFatboy's advice about learning to use both hands to shave with. I would recommend to look at his YouTube Videos. Also, if you have got yourself well acquainted with a DE/SE safety razor, maybe try a Feather SS Japanese before investing in all the maintenance/cost requirements for a true straight razor. Kind of like a bridge between a safety razor and a straight. I don't have a straight as sharp as my Feather Japanese style though.
Good luck & HTH
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