What to expect from SR shave?

[CaderTheAlligator]

I have been thinking long and hard about jumping into straight razor shaving but have a few questions before I do so.
I figured that since there seems to be an abundance of knowledge on B&B I would ask here instead of the lady at the antique store.
1) Is a good straight razor shave significantly better than a good DE shave?
2) Will I be able to hone and strop my own razors?
3) What razor would you recommend to give it a shot before I jump in the deep end?
Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses.

 

[Soldierdan]

1) I haven't found that I get any closer with a straight, but I have noticed that the shave lasts longer (doesn't grow back as fast). Plus, its my moment of zen.
2) If you get the proper equipment, with the proper practice and instruction (which can be found in this forum and on youtube) there is no reason why you couldn't properly maintain your own razors.
3) You can get a good shave ready straight from the vendor section or by going to whippeddog.com. The gold dollars found in the vendor section are very well priced as well as the sight unseen deal at whippeddog.

Good luck and welcome to the dark side

 

[Lmarkow]

Hi Cader. Go for it.

1) Not at first, but can be with practice, practice, practice.
2) Probably. I don't. I suppose I "can."
3) One of the Gold Dollars, as mentioned below; Shave ready from BST; Whipped Dog, as mentioned below.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Cader,

I enjoy str8 shaving and DE shaving...why limit yourself?

1) yes....but it will take much longer to master

2) I don't know...only you can figure that out by buying a hone and strop...but I think the answer is yes...with time. Starting out however you just need a strop and blade.

3) try a GD or buy something from a reputable member here that is listed as shave ready.

You see...the challenge of str8 razor shaving is first technique...then finding which blade/hone combo feels best on your face. Remember how you (probably) sampled razor packs til you got the right fit with your DE? (Derbys and Feathers suck for me...IRP however....another story). Well, with str8s it's much the same except you have to find the edge that feels best to you. And all edges are created somewhat differently depending on the hone and honer...

They're are a lot more variables here than DE shaving...not trying to dissuade you...just trying to be open kimono.

 

[drawonme]

I started with a sight unseen from Larry at Whipped Dog. Used it and another one for a year or so. Found that I love straight razor shaving but not blade maintenance. I settled in on the Feather kamisori style replaceable straights. Still strop the originals now and then but more for fun than every day shaves.

 

[professorchaos]

Don't expect much from your first shave. All you can reasonably expect is to survive and learn that, while still quite easy, it isn't as easy to cut yourself as your imagination would have you believe.

 

[daflorc]

I have been thinking long and hard about jumping into straight razor shaving but have a few questions before I do so.
I figured that since there seems to be an abundance of knowledge on B&B I would ask here instead of the lady at the antique store.
1) Is a good straight razor shave significantly better than a good DE shave?
2) Will I be able to hone and strop my own razors?
3) What razor would you recommend to give it a shot before I jump in the deep end?
Thanks for reading and I am looking forward to the responses.

1. Better shave? No, the same. Better experience? Yes!
2. Eventually, not initially.
3. I've done some thinking about this, actually - I'm going to stray from the whipped dog/gold dollar advice - which is solid advice, if you just want to feel what the shave might be like. But I suggest putting some skin into the game: Type "Sheffield razor" into your ebay search function. Look for a pretty one that appeals to you. Be smart - no cracks or rust, must have "sheffield" stamped into it - essentially look for one in great condition. Then, ship it off to any of our members here that hone straight razors and get it honed properly.

This way, when you encounter the learning curves, you are less apt to just get frustrated and throw out your cheap Gold Dollar. You are more likely, if you drop some decent money on a nice razor that you liker, to stick it out and see it through to the end - essentially "make it work."

I almost gave up before I began in this hobby in the beginning, because if I was going to shave with a straight, I had to be self-sufficient and hone my own. When I couldn't figure out how to get a shaving edge after much hard work and learning and months of effort, that was almost it. If my first razor (a nice ebony scaled Dovo that cost my girlfriend $120) didn't have so much value, I would have tossed it then and there. But I persisted, figured out my honing issues, and now I am a lifelong enthusiast of this fine pursuit.

 

[CaderTheAlligator]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I have a lot to think about and probably will end up going for it.

This way, when you encounter the learning curves, you are less apt to just get frustrated and throw out your cheap Gold Dollar. You are more likely, if you drop some decent money on a nice razor that you liker, to stick it out and see it through to the end - essentially "make it work."

That is a good idea actually, I can really see the logic behind that. Maybe the Christmas wish list just got a bit bigger. Once again thanks for the help and now I am confident that I will figure it out eventually.

 

[Chaloney]

I agree with what daflorc said, although a Sheffield razor isn't necessary. I went with one of the "gift sets" from the superior shave. Came with everything I needed except a brush and soap. He has a variety of great razors to choose from as well.

 

[SliceOfLife]

1. I suck at DE shaving. I either settle for a subpar shave or try and force a shave as good as I get from a straight and wind up seeping blood from every part of my face. By contrast, I picked up straight shaving almost immediately, and was getting great shaves after a month or two. So from my perspective, yes you will definitely get a better straight shave vs a DE... but if you have a Fat boy and actually know how to use the adjustment and are skilled with a DE razor, then you'll probably not get as good of a shave for a few shaves, but I would expect once you tune it in, a straight shave will be similar in quality, with the benefit of going much faster and easier if you aren't a daily shaver (straights deal with growth far better than the alternatives). Can a straight get you closer? I'll let someone who knows how close a DE can get answer that one. For me, DE's are just a step ahead of disposables. I use them when I don't want to bring a straight with me on vacation if I can't just go without shaving.

2. If you buy hones and practice a little you will be able to hone your own razors. You will have to learn to strop your own. It'd be damn silly to straight shave if you couldn't strop your own.

3. A round tip, 1/4 to 3/4 hollow ground 9/16-11/16th blade is in my opinion the easiest razor to strop and use with the least risk of nicks due to beginners mistakes.

 

[buca3152]

1- Yes IMO and many others a straight shave is a closer more comfortable shave. It lasts longer and is more forgiving to the skin.
2-Yes you will be able to maintain your razors and there are many methods of doing so from very inexpensive to very expensive. Your choice and you will hear a variety of posts on all of them if you want. Takes some time to learn but if you start out with 2 shave ready razors(gds or whipped dogs) your maintenance on them will be minimal.
3- I wouldn't look on ebay for a razor. There are some deals here almost always on gds, whipped dog, as well as shave readies in the bst section.

There is a learning curve to stropping, shaving and honing. But I believe most things are worth striving for. If you put little in, you will get little out. Your end result wont come in a day or a week or a month, but a little everyday. Good luck in whatever way you go.

 

[daflorc]

I agree with what daflorc said, although a Sheffield razor isn't necessary. I went with one of the "gift sets" from the superior shave. Came with everything I needed except a brush and soap. He has a variety of great razors to choose from as well.

This is true - I suggested Sheffields because I've worked with them almost to the exclusion of any others, and I can safely say that pretty much every single one will hold a good edge, regardless of maker. Razor sets from the superior shave are a good way to get what you need in one spot, and know that its good stuff.

 

[kontinu1]

Don't expect much from your first shave. All you can reasonably expect is to survive and learn that, while still quite easy, it isn't as easy to cut yourself as your imagination would have you believe.

HAHA, true! I think I was just trying not to slice my face open the first time.

 

[Gamma]

1) Is a good straight razor shave significantly better than a good DE shave?

You may, or may not - wind up becoming more proficient with one or the other. Only way to know is by trying it out.

2) Will I be able to hone and strop my own razors?

Hone - maybe, maybe not. Strop - if you get a strop, sure. But - the only way to know for sure is by trying it out.

3) What razor would you recommend to give it a shot before I jump in the deep end?

One that was honed by someone that knows what they're doing. After that - anything will work. Buy one you're excited to own. Life is too short to start the day with a rust bucket that's falling out of flea-bitten pants.
Tip - Square points can bite, round tips are less tedious most of the time.
Only way to find out what you like.....

 

[Carlry]

I can't speak to you're #1 as I've never DE shaved. Came over from M3. and for me the shaves are much better with a straight. That and my face feels overall healthier.

As to you're #2 question. I'm just getting all my honing gear in the mail. I have all confidence that with a little practice I'll be able to hone my own razors.

Finally #3. Personally I agree with the thought of "putting some skin in the game." I just started with SR shaving a few months ago. I didn't get a lower priced blade to see if I would like it. I bought a really nice razor for my first. Two reasons really. First off if you drop some money to get into SR shaving, as you can afford obviously, you are less likely to try it a time or two and say "well this isn't for me." This is important because at first the shaves aren't as good. You simply don't have the skill or muscle memory. You need to get past that to the place where you're getting some good shaves. Probably took me 30 or so shaves to get consistently better shaves than my M3. Secondly if you get new gear that you know is quality, then you know how a properly honed razor should feel, and if you're getting not so great shaves, you know that it's not your gears fault. For me this was a big deal. If I had started with stuff I wasn't sure was up to snuff I would have wondered, maybe it's not me. Then I would have either went and got "better" stuff or just quit. I guess I'm trying to say that by getting stuff you know is good you eliminate any tendency to scapegoat, and also any x factor.

All said and done, I'm immeasurably happy that I made the switch. It took something that was a chore for me, and turned it into and indispensable part of my day.