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Straight Razor Shaving

So....

I bought a wet shave kit. Straight razor. Couldn't help myself, have to give it a try. I bought a full kit with a used razor that I can return for very little loss of investment. Currently looking into creams to go with it.
 
Check out these few.
Truefitt & Hill
Trumpers
Art of Shaving
Sharps
Billy Jealousy
Jack Black
 
Appreciate it. You use soap or cream?
JB said:
Check out these few.
Truefitt & Hill
Trumpers
Art of Shaving
Sharps
Billy Jealousy
Jack Black
Click to expand...
 
Jacob Robertson said:
Appreciate it. You use soap or cream?
Click to expand...

Cream. Still use some of these every once in a while, but truthfully cheaper gels from the store work just as well (for me anyway and I have a thick fast growing beard that grows two ways).

While some of it can be more enjoyable than a can of edge gel, the truth is, for me anyway, that I grow tired of the time it takes for the badger brush, whipping into lather, and the cost associated with so much of the stuff.
 
I understand, and cost will be a concern for me as well. This will probably be more of a once a week thing for me, with maintenance using a cartridge during the week. I hear good things about Geo F. Trumpers. Might pick up one of their lime scents.
JB said:
Cream. Still use some of these every once in a while, but truthfully cheaper gels from the store work just as well (for me anyway and I have a thick fast growing beard that grows two ways).

While some of it can be more enjoyable than a can of edge gel, the truth is, for me anyway, that I grow tired of the time it takes for the badger brush, whipping into lather, and the cost associated with so much of the stuff.
Click to expand...
 
Id be fine with a straight razor if I went to a good barber and got it done but Id never do it on myself. Besides, when Im clean shaven I look like Im 12 years old.
 
Just did my first straight razor shave. Very nice experience, 3 passes, easily as smooth as a cartridge, and much smoother than my first time using a cartridge. Also, the soap smells nice. I like nice smelling soap. The badger brush, on the other hand? Smells like a cat.
 
Jacob Robertson said:
I did a lot of research last night, and while I appreciate all the responses, I have decided to go with a nice DE razor instead. Some of you asked why I am wanting to switch, so here are my reasons:

1. I have extremely coarse, fast growing hair, especially along the jaw line. As such, I want a blade with a more aggressive cut.
2. Replacement blades for a DE razor are less expensive than that for my disposable razor.
3. A good razor will last a lifetime.

I shave against the grain already, and am just not getting the results I want.

Something like this.

merkur39R.jpg
Click to expand...


I have been shaving with a razor like this for the last 30 years jacob and I love it. Use it for both my face and my head. The one I have was issued to my grandfather during WW2 and it still works like a champ.
You can adjust them to exactly how close you want your shave and with a little patience you'll get the best shave ever.
 
My barber uses a straight razor shave when he's done with my cut. I imagine myself being Capone from the Untouchables when he does it. It really is the cleanest way to shave.
 
I'd get it done by a barber, but eff doing it myself. My beard is way too coarse and grows in way too thick to have to deal with a straight razor everyday. Gillette just has some really good options out right now that are quick and effective.
 
I used to do the straight razor shave. Then for years I went to the Sensor then to Fusion razors. But I bought a Remington and it's already paid for itself and saved me money.

Only every once in a while will I do a "regular" shave and when I do I shave in the shower. It's quick and clean. No mess to clean up.
 
I cant shave in the shower because Im too rookie to know where ive been and where I need to go lol.
superhawk said:
I used to do the straight razor shave. Then for years I went to the Sensor then to Fusion razors. But I bought a Remington and it's already paid for itself and saved me money.

Only every once in a while will I do a "regular" shave and when I do I shave in the shower. It's quick and clean. No mess to clean up.
Click to expand...
 
I used to shave with a double edge blade bent into a semi circle to give it rigidity by holding it between my thumb and forefinger, closest shave you will ever get, but be careful! I quit shaving years ago though.
 
So, after a few weeks with a straight, I am still loving it. It doesn't really take me a whole lot of extra time, and my face feels much better afterwards. Also, there are areas that I can shave much better now. I would love to recommend this method, but a lot of people just wouldn't have the time, or would be nervous.
 
I dabbled with straight razors, but stropping and maintains both a strop and a razor is time consuming. Disposable razors are trash. I shave daily with a safety razor, badger brush, and sandalwood shave cream. It relaxes me and the safety razor, IMHO produces a much closer shave, not to mention the fact that high quality blades are a fraction of Mach 3 type replacement cartridges. Splash on some Pinaud clubman and you're officially masculine.
 
Konderak said:
I dabbled with straight razors, but stropping and maintains both a strop and a razor is time consuming. Disposable razors are trash. I shave daily with a safety razor, badger brush, and sandalwood shave cream. It relaxes me and the safety razor, IMHO produces a much closer shave, not to mention the fact that high quality blades are a fraction of Mach 3 type replacement cartridges. Splash on some Pinaud clubman and you're officially masculine.
Click to expand...

Boom. am a huge fan of their bay rum on a cold day.
 
JR said:
Boom. am a huge fan of their bay rum on a cold day.
Click to expand...

I'd imagine it wouldn't taste like the rum I'm thinking of..right?
 
I tried it and got some decent results for a beginner, even around the neck. Chin was awkward, probably my most stubborn beard spot.
For trials i invested only in the straight razor, no proper blade maintenance equipment (strap, whetstone), so i'm back to my safety razor.
Took quite some time for a shave, and i couldn't stop nicking myself around the chin, so i'm not likely to bring the thing back out until i have a lot of time to spare in the morning.

With all that said, i enjoy the ceremony of shaving older ways, whipping up the soap myself etc. Not to mention it saves a bunch of money. a few pennies for even the highest quality blades, huh gilette?


Not sure i'd have tried straight directly from the modern wet stuff or an electric, i had a safety razor for about 2 years before trying.
 
JR said:
I did a lot of research last night, and while I appreciate all the responses, I have decided to go with a nice DE razor instead. Some of you asked why I am wanting to switch, so here are my reasons:

1. I have extremely coarse, fast growing hair, especially along the jaw line. As such, I want a blade with a more aggressive cut.
2. Replacement blades for a DE razor are less expensive than that for my disposable razor.
3. A good razor will last a lifetime.

I shave against the grain already, and am just not getting the results I want.

Something like this.

merkur39R.jpg
Click to expand...

Yo brudda be careful with those blades! Handling them and shaving with it,I cut myself pretty good with one of those.Wasn,t paying attention. I gave that up right quick scared the hell outta me!
 
Yep, they are sharp.
The first day i got new toy (2nd DE) with adjustable head i immediately went and slipped while turning it and cut up my thumb .) Silly me, of course i could've held it from a different side to be safe.

But that's by no means a reason to turn away from them. The blades are securely held with only a small bit showing, its hard to get a _serious_ cut. Don't apply pressure*, always lead with the blades edge, don't move sideways and you're pretty much unable to cut yourself.
It teaches attentiveness and care, and makes for a nice ceremonial break from everyday stress and hurry.
+ you get to have 1 of these for the occasional nick, to feel even more manly.
tade_alum_stone_310.jpg

*(quality DEs have a good weight to themselves already, no need to press them against the face.)

O, and maybe don't start with Feather Blades. They're pretty good.
 
[snow] said:
Yep, they are sharp.The first day i got new toy (2nd DE) with adjustable head i immediately went and slipped while turning it and cut up my thumb .) Silly me, of course i could've held it from a different side to be safe.But that's by no means a reason to turn away from them. The blades are securely held with only a small bit showing, its hard to get a _serious_ cut. Don't apply pressure*, always lead with the blades edge, don't move sideways and you're pretty much unable to cut yourself.It teaches attentiveness and care, and makes for a nice ceremonial break from everyday stress and hurry.+ you get to have 1 of these for the occasional nick, to feel even more manly.
tade_alum_stone_310.jpg
*(quality DEs have a good weight to themselves already, no need to press them against the face.)
Click to expand...
Alum is great for an After Shave application, but I prefer a styptic pencil for nicks.
 
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