Just thought I would share my recent experience of straight razor shaving, in the hope of getting some tips and feedback from the experts, and that it might be useful for others in the same position or about to take the plunge...
I started using a straight last weekend (12 days ago), having been using a safety razor (Merkur, Gillette, Ikon, FaTip) for the last 15-20 years. I have dry skin, which is particularly annoying during grim Scottish winters, and am always looking to reduce irritation in my shave. I have a decent pre-shave routine - cleanse, hot cloth, pre-shave balm, brush and soap (usually Tabac or Speick), then one WTG pass with the safety. 4-5 shaves from a blade, usually Feather or Astra.
I got myself an old 'ERN 66' 19mm full hollow straight on eBay, and taught myself to hone it. I eventually figured it out using 1K, 6K water stones, a 12K-ish Welsh slate, followed by chromium oxide on balsa and then a leather hanging strop. I had all the above already for sharpening knives, except the slate (£15) and the balsa and strop. I'm reasonably happy with the honing job, not sure about HHT but it shaves comfortably.
I've now had 6 shaves with it. I initially got some irritation from poor angle and technique generally, but the last two shaves have been decent. No irritation and no missed areas!
Reflections:
It takes me way longer than with the safety - about 20+ minutes rather than 10!
It took about 4 shaves to realise that you can't shave whilst holding your breath! Likewise that good preparation is absolutely essential. You can bash on through crappy lather and a hard beard with a safety, not as a new straight razor shaver, though.
Skin-stretching - this does not seem to be optional.
It is way more satisfying than using a safety, and an opportunity to forget about everything else in life.
I'm not getting such a close shave with the straight as I did with a fresh blade in the safety. I suspect this is down to my developing technique and possibly a slightly agricultural honing job (I now have some 0.5u diamond spray).
The first few shaves are fairly terrifying at times. Long seconds, with the blade hovering millimetres from an earlobe or nostril, certainly focus the mind.
Persistence is key. The learning curve is quicker than I'd expected, though.
Happy shaving,
Niall
I started using a straight last weekend (12 days ago), having been using a safety razor (Merkur, Gillette, Ikon, FaTip) for the last 15-20 years. I have dry skin, which is particularly annoying during grim Scottish winters, and am always looking to reduce irritation in my shave. I have a decent pre-shave routine - cleanse, hot cloth, pre-shave balm, brush and soap (usually Tabac or Speick), then one WTG pass with the safety. 4-5 shaves from a blade, usually Feather or Astra.
I got myself an old 'ERN 66' 19mm full hollow straight on eBay, and taught myself to hone it. I eventually figured it out using 1K, 6K water stones, a 12K-ish Welsh slate, followed by chromium oxide on balsa and then a leather hanging strop. I had all the above already for sharpening knives, except the slate (£15) and the balsa and strop. I'm reasonably happy with the honing job, not sure about HHT but it shaves comfortably.
I've now had 6 shaves with it. I initially got some irritation from poor angle and technique generally, but the last two shaves have been decent. No irritation and no missed areas!
Reflections:
It takes me way longer than with the safety - about 20+ minutes rather than 10!
It took about 4 shaves to realise that you can't shave whilst holding your breath! Likewise that good preparation is absolutely essential. You can bash on through crappy lather and a hard beard with a safety, not as a new straight razor shaver, though.
Skin-stretching - this does not seem to be optional.
It is way more satisfying than using a safety, and an opportunity to forget about everything else in life.
I'm not getting such a close shave with the straight as I did with a fresh blade in the safety. I suspect this is down to my developing technique and possibly a slightly agricultural honing job (I now have some 0.5u diamond spray).
The first few shaves are fairly terrifying at times. Long seconds, with the blade hovering millimetres from an earlobe or nostril, certainly focus the mind.
Persistence is key. The learning curve is quicker than I'd expected, though.
Happy shaving,
Niall