Hey! I would like to start shaving using a straight blade, as I've grown tired of disposable cartridge razors - the cheap ones are good on longer stubble but fail to provide a smooth shave, whereas the expensive multi-blade ones only perform well on very short stubble, but they're expensive in the long run. I've never shaved using a straight blade before, so I need your advice. I read up a bit on the subject, but nothing can replace expert advice. Which specific blade should I go with? What do I need to buy to get me through 3-6 months of using the blade? I'd rather not invest in unnecessary things that I won't need within these 3-6 months, while I learn the art, and only then get whatever else might be needed once I have a better understanding. Should I get a stainless steel blade or a carbon blade? I don't want to have to replace this blade with a new one within a few months or a year, and I learn quickly, so I'd rather not get something for beginners and become quickly dissatisfied with it. What type of hollow grind do I want? I don't want to buy rubbish, but I also don't want to pay for an expensive handle when a cheaper one will do just as well. My budget, hmm. Let's just say I don't want to waste money on unneccesary things, such as the handle, or aspects of the blade that are marketed as being better without any scientific proof, but I am happy to pay what's needed for a quality blade. I will ask these question elsewhere as well, as I don't want to rely on one reply only. The general consensus will lead me in the right direction. Regards Morgan
Whippeddog.com From what I understand, Larry will give you what you need without robbing you. Call him too, if you have questions.
+1 Larry, at Whipped Dog, will not steer you wrong, his sight unseen deal is probably the best thing out there for begginers.
Based on your post, my response is probably going to drive you nuts, but I wouldn't even buy something middle-of-the-line if I were to start over. I bought a really nice blade, and it was only the guilt of getting rid of it that kept me going. So maybe that'll actually work for you, heh. I dunno which material would be best for you, but I'd say go for a 5/8" quarter-hollow with a rounded point. The rounded point will keep you from stabbing yourself as you learn, and 5/8" is just a good general size.
All you need is a razor+strop set. Grab one from Whipped Dog! And there are people who uses the single razor and single strop for lifetime. There are chances you slice the strop while learning, so better not buy an expensive strop (or even make one for your own!) at first. Straights has a looong life cycle - much longer then people ! 2 of my 3 straights are well over 100 years, and I can bet they will shave well for another 100 years at least. Honing needed if you somehow dull the blade, and many guys just send their razor to honemeisters for sharpening. Daily care includes stropping, touching up from time to time (from once a week to once a month) and lubricating to prevent pitting. As for the size - I begun from 8/8 chopper, then I've got nice 4/8 razor (both hollow grounds) and recently I got a 180 yeras old full wedge! All 3 has square of spike points... So really it is not deadly important what grind and size you will get - if the razor will be a good shaver. But later on the RAD will bite you and you can found yourself with a dozen of razors very quickly!
Before you settle on one vendor, shop around. Off the top of my head, Classifieds here, srp, b&b straightrazordesigns.com whippeddog.com holli4pirating.wordpress.com straight-razors-for-sale.com/straight-razors (HNSB) bkratchmer has a site also, cannot remember it righ tnow. I may be missing a few. The most important thing is that the razor is shave ready.
I agree shave ready. My first straight i paid to have it honed only £10 but worth it, I'm sure some members here would hone a razor for similar price. good luck with your decision.
If you want to just shave your beard in a efficient easy manner thats cost effective then try using a double edge razor and blades. It will cut a hard beard well and is cheaper to start and way more hassle free than straight use. You said you read a little on straights but the big thing with straights is research and more reading, the questions you are asking show you haven't really researched using a straight . Start at the forum specifically for the straight hobby, Straight Razor Place.
I'd just like to say a straight razor's handle is very necessary. Does that mean it has to be expensive? No, but a well made pair of scales (the handle) is quite important.
I can't believe how much there is to know about something seemingly so simple. I've read responses to what I've asked in a few places, and I think my choice will come down to one of these: http://www.straightrazordesigns.com...ovo-best-quality-black-5-8-straight-razor-set http://www.whippeddog.com/straightrazors/view/sight-unseen-deal Being pointed just to a webshop instead of a specific product doesn't help much as I feel completely green regarding this. All the 'parameters' you list mean nothing to me. I think I finally understand what people must feel like when I try to explain my area of interest to them :] What difference is there between the poor man's vs rich man's strop kit (Whipped Dog)? Will my beard know the difference? Would you still recommend a vintage blade over one of the two options listed above?
Perhaps a better answer would have been to have you research until you are comfortable answering your own questions. The reason you didn't get a straight up "Buy a Filarmonica Doble Temple 15/16 with a 3" Latigo strop" is because you really need to try str8 shaving to see if you like it before drop a few hundred bones. If you have money to throw around, send it to me and I'll send you everything you need that gets me a good shave. I have a feeling though that you don't necessarily care what does it for me but what will do it for you. All of the advice you got above was spot on for getting you into str8 use without murdering your budget, just to find out it isn't something you aren't comfortable doing. That is why you didn't get pointed to specific products; each product has lovers and haters and you need to see which one you are. I am not going to have the guilt of telling you something is good when I know that there is a big YMMV factor involved and have you waste your money. Now, poor man vs. rich man strop, no, your beard will not notice. Chances are you are gonna cut the hell out of your first strop. I would go with the poor man's initially and then after you figure out how to strop (which although it appears simple, it is not and takes a bit of practice to keep from rolling your edge), then get a better strop after you know how to do it properly. The Dovo deal at SRD is very fair and most people like it. I haven't used a Dovo but they are well liked and some of their high end stuff is considered top-notch. It would probably be an excellent way top start out. If I could do it all over again, I would do just that. The razor is very good quality and it will be ready to use when you get it, unlike most other deals out there. SRD is a trusted str8 supplier and when they say "shave ready" it means it.
well, you got all the good advice, so i would just like to say Welcome!, and please, share your shaving experience with us.
welcome, i just wanted to let you know i just picked up a dovo forestal from www.shavingstyle.com based out of canada, my razor arrived in 2 days, i had it honed by them and stropped so it was ready to go out of the case.....its the one in my avatar..it is not my first straight but is my second...even still, for my first i went with a luxury razor by dovo and enjoyed every minute of it...i think when taking a blade to your face you should use only the best!
