Starter straight razor?

[toxicavenger]

I think I might give it a try. Anyone recommend a cheap starter straight razor?

[Erratic101]

I used a straight razor for a bit. It’s tough to get a hang of and takes time. I ended up using a safety razor. And I love it. It’s a merkur, I bought a pack of 100 Feather blades for about $20 on Amazon. The standard 3,5,12 blade razors are just a huge waste of money.

[Erratic101]

Oh, the straight razor I used was a middle of the road Parker. It was ok, but maybe just a hair too light for me. It actually used safety razor blades. You would snap one in half and insert it. So it was not a one piece straight razor. Maybe I should’ve tried that.

[watches503]

What’s the allure of this old school way of shaving ? I’d be scared to cut myself all the time.

I shave my whole head two times a week and Schlick Quattro is the smoothest blade ever. I buy 24 packs and that lasts me about 2 years.

[DoctorC]

If you have a good barber or stylist that uses a straight razor, ask them for some tips.
There are videos on YouTube showing proper technique.
I usually shave in the shower in the morning half asleep so I won't try a straight razor yet....
The amazing woman that cuts my hair always does a hot foam straight razor shave on the back of my neck.
She offered to teach me if I ever want to learn to do the front.
She also told me she had had clients try it on their own,with less than stellar results.

[toxicavenger]

What’s the allure of this old school way of shaving ? I’d be scared to cut myself all the time.

I shave my whole head two times a week and Schlick Quattro is the smoothest blade ever. I buy 24 packs and that lasts me about 2 years.

Honestly it is the same as when you first starting shaving as a young adult. You have to figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

For me personally I get a better shave than I did with the Mach 5. The Mach 5 use to also cut me on my lip since there are so many blades you can line them up as easy to the contours on your face.

I think the guys here got me to change to a safety razor years ago and I totally will not go back.

[toxicavenger]

If you have a good barber or stylist that uses a straight razor, ask them for some tips.
There are videos on YouTube showing proper technique.
I usually shave in the shower in the morning half asleep so I won't try a straight razor yet....
The amazing woman that cuts my hair always does a hot foam straight razor shave on the back of my neck.
She offered to teach me if I ever want to learn to do the front.
She also told me she had had clients try it on their own,with less than stellar results.

Greg when I was in Iraq I had a Turkish barber that would trim up my beard and neck. That guy was amazing. And the feeling of a good clean shave was amazing. So I completely understand.

[dnslater]

What’s the allure of this old school way of shaving ? I’d be scared to cut myself all the time.

I shave my whole head two times a week and Schlick Quattro is the smoothest blade ever. I buy 24 packs and that lasts me about 2 years.

Takes a tad bit more skill, but honestly the shave is better and the whole 5-6-7 blade one-upsmanship is just a racket to get you to pay a fortune for blades. Gillette used to make the old school razors and blades and came out with the disposables and then multiblades mostly because of marketing and the fact that they made a lot more selling a 1$ cartridge than a 5 cent blade given that the safety razors last a lifetime.

I also like the buy it for life concept. My EJ safety razor and badger blade will last me the rest of my life. A $20 box of feather blades will last me years. I have a couple of hard soaps that last forever. I also enjoy the experience/ritual more with these "tools". Environmental thought of all of those plastic disposable cartridges and razors in land fills also makes me cringe.

[JBZ]

I use a safety razor.

Having tried a straight razor, I now understand why all the guys in the 1800s had beards.

[Safetystop]

First off, don't get a "cheap" blade. You'll have nothing but problems honing and stropping the edge.
Dovo and Thiers are both the only blades in my collection. Just remember to get them "shave ready". And no, they don't come from the factory that way. Add to that a QUALITY strop and you're set. Hit me up if you need recos. I graduated from safety to straights and haven't looked back for at least a decade.

[toxicavenger]

First off, don't get a "cheap" blade. You'll have nothing but problems honing and stropping the edge.
Dovo and Thiers are both the only blades in my collection. Just remember to get them "shave ready". And no, they don't come from the factory that way. Add to that a QUALITY strop and you're set. Hit me up if you need recos. I graduated from safety to straights and haven't looked back for at least a decade.

dave thanks again bro for the info. I will ping you about some shit if I decide to go this route. i am still loving the merkur futra so i might not change.

[hoppyjr]

I think I might give it a try. Anyone recommend a cheap starter straight razor?

Dude, it’s called a “straight razor” because it’s a single blade. It doesn’t have magic powers.

[Henryj]

I used a straight razor for a bit. It’s tough to get a hang of and takes time. I ended up using a safety razor. And I love it. It’s a merkur, I bought a pack of 100 Feather blades for about $20 on Amazon. The standard 3,5,12 blade razors are just a huge waste of money.

That’s where I am. Merkur Futur with Feather blades and Sampson’s shave soap. That’s as close to a straight as I want to get. The Merkur/Feather setup rewards care and a light touch. Rush it or use pressure and it’ll cut me just enough to make sure I don’t want to try a straight.

[toxicavenger]

I think I might give it a try. Anyone recommend a cheap starter straight razor?

Dude, it’s called a “straight razor” because it’s a single blade. It doesn’t have magic powers.

don't get my low T's riled up!

I used a straight razor for a bit. It’s tough to get a hang of and takes time. I ended up using a safety razor. And I love it. It’s a merkur, I bought a pack of 100 Feather blades for about $20 on Amazon. The standard 3,5,12 blade razors are just a huge waste of money.

That’s where I am. Merkur Futur with Feather blades and Sampson’s shave soap. That’s as close to a straight as I want to get. The Merkur/Feather setup rewards care and a light touch. Rush it or use pressure and it’ll cut me just enough to make sure I don’t want to try a straight.

Henry I have the same one I got it from Dave (safetystop) here on the forum. I love the adjust-ability of it.

[Safetystop]

First off, don't get a "cheap" blade. You'll have nothing but problems honing and stropping the edge.
Dovo and Thiers are both the only blades in my collection. Just remember to get them "shave ready". And no, they don't come from the factory that way. Add to that a QUALITY strop and you're set. Hit me up if you need recos. I graduated from safety to straights and haven't looked back for at least a decade.

dave thanks again bro for the info. I will ping you about some shit if I decide to go this route. i am still loving the merkur futra so i might not change.

No worries.
Just as a heads up... the jump in shave quality you saw from the commercial products to the Merkur, you'll see when you go from a safety razor to a straight. It's that much of a difference when you get things (your technique) dialed in.

[watches503]

What’s the allure of this old school way of shaving ? I’d be scared to cut myself all the time.

I shave my whole head two times a week and Schlick Quattro is the smoothest blade ever. I buy 24 packs and that lasts me about 2 years.

Honestly it is the same as when you first starting shaving as a young adult. You have to figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

For me personally I get a better shave than I did with the Mach 5. The Mach 5 use to also cut me on my lip since there are so many blades you can line them up as easy to the contours on your face.

I think the guys here got me to change to a safety razor years ago and I totally will not go back.

Thank you for your feedback. Very interesting. Better shave than Mach 5 says a lot.

[watches503]

What’s the allure of this old school way of shaving ? I’d be scared to cut myself all the time.

I shave my whole head two times a week and Schlick Quattro is the smoothest blade ever. I buy 24 packs and that lasts me about 2 years.

Takes a tad bit more skill, but honestly the shave is better and the whole 5-6-7 blade one-upsmanship is just a racket to get you to pay a fortune for blades. Gillette used to make the old school razors and blades and came out with the disposables and then multiblades mostly because of marketing and the fact that they made a lot more selling a 1$ cartridge than a 5 cent blade given that the safety razors last a lifetime.

I also like the buy it for life concept. My EJ safety razor and badger blade will last me the rest of my life. A $20 box of feather blades will last me years. I have a couple of hard soaps that last forever. I also enjoy the experience/ritual more with these "tools". Environmental thought of all of those plastic disposable cartridges and razors in land fills also makes me cringe.

Thanks for the great perspective. I gotta admit I’m intrigued now.

I also like the “hard soaps” comment. I don’t do body wash so are these bars you buy online or where? They aren’t oily are they ?

I recently found my favorite bar soap and it’s from Old Spice, surprisingly. They do not last more than 5-6 showers.

[Henryj]

A couple more thoughts on straight razors. It might be my Aspergers or just getting older, but I do appreciate routines that have a little bit of ritual and detail built into them. I find the sequence of steps involved in mug/brush/soap/ safety razor somewhat centering in the mornings. That said, what really keeps me away from a straight razor is that four mornings a week, I’m doing this around 4:30 A.M.

[DrWapenshaw]

I am on the road and just tried this as it arrived literally while I was leaving.



Its amusing. I thought I was doing fine unntil it was all over. Then I noticed the blood seeping out all over my face!

I had always used electric razors until 10 years ago, never felt they were close enough (always bought high end). So I started using disposble razors). Now this was my first time trying a straight razor on myself. It was fun with a good laugh at the bloody end.

[dnslater]

I also like the “hard soaps” comment. I don’t do body wash so are these bars you buy online or where? They aren’t oily are they ?

I recently found my favorite bar soap and it’s from Old Spice, surprisingly. They do not last more than 5-6 showers.

Was talking about hard shaving soaps.

[toxicavenger]

I am on the road and just tried this as it arrived literally while I was leaving.



Its amusing. I thought I was doing fine unntil it was all over. Then I noticed the blood seeping out all over my face!

I had always used electric razors until 10 years ago, never felt they were close enough (always bought high end). So I started using disposble razors). Now this was my first time trying a straight razor on myself. It was fun with a good laugh at the bloody end.

Damn were you trying to kill yourself?

I would go to a safety razor first before that beast. Hell I don't even know if they give a good shave or not with that type of setup?

[DrWapenshaw]

I am on the road and just tried this as it arrived literally while I was leaving.



Its amusing. I thought I was doing fine unntil it was all over. Then I noticed the blood seeping out all over my face!

I had always used electric razors until 10 years ago, never felt they were close enough (always bought high end). So I started using disposble razors). Now this was my first time trying a straight razor on myself. It was fun with a good laugh at the bloody end.

Damn were you trying to kill yourself?

I would go to a safety razor first before that beast. Hell I don't even know if they give a good shave or not with that type of setup?

It was....
Too much.

I am now back home and got to use the Dorco disposable 3 blade and it was smoother than the Gillette I was using previously so that is a nice plus from all of this.

Now I just need to find a nice after shave GEL replacement.