I am going to take the plunge into straight razors

[javyn]

Best of luck to you. I have a few straight razors that I don't use because I'm terrified I'll cut my ears off. I am quite happy with my collection of vintage Gillette and newer Merkur double edge razors.

 

[herculesinypsi]

Originally Posted by javyn

I am quite happy with my collection of vintage Gillette and newer Merkur double edge razors.


+1 on the Merkur DE razor. Shaving has become much more enjoyable since I purchased one of these.

 

[Rambo]

If you're worried about strops and all that ****, why not go for a "no-sharpen" straight? To wit: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...646/731130.htm It's basically a disposable blade straight razor. Very useful for getting the hang of things. Plus, they hold their resale value quite well.

 

[Opcn]

I think the whole Idea of a clasic straight razor is really bad assed.

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Opcn

I think the whole Idea of a clasic straight razor is really bad assed.
Think of the above as your training wheels. When you get the hang of it, then you buy your bad assed bike.

 

[Opcn]

The difference is one of sharpening and stropping, I'm great at sharpening and I'll bet I can handle stropping.

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Opcn

I think the whole Idea of a clasic straight razor is really bad assed.

Yeah, that's how I looked at the whole enterprise as well. Now it's an everyday thing. Sharpening and stropping are really simple, so long as you remember to keep both spine and edge touching the stone or strop (i.e. - laying flat) and take your time. The shavettes and Artist clubs are different - I'm told that the shavette is a bit lighter, and the artist club a bit less-forgiving.

 

[Opcn]

I placed my order yesterday, a 6/8 a 5/8 and a 3/8 (DOVO says not to strop for 24-48 hours after shaving I feel like taking their word for it, and the 3/8 is a French point for getting in close and precise.) I also ended up going with the Russian processed leather and getting the Classic Straight Razor Sharpening Set because A) I want to be able to sharpen a razor when I need to and not worry about waiting for postage and B) If I don't really take to straight razors I can still use the sharpening set on knives and tools.

 

[Thomas]

They should be winners. Generally, though I use one razor for the whole thing. Today I used a 7/8 razor, some days I go with 5/8, which tends to be the bulk of my stable. I sold off both my 4/8 razors as I just wasn't reaching for them any longer. They're great for detail work, but for the morning shave I just prefer to plow everything off and call it done. Not a masterpiece to be sure, but it works. Good luck!

 

[Opcn]

I got my straight razor in today, shaved off the 6 days growth immediately, went alright, much better than a cartridge would have but I wasn't to pleased with my lather from the AOS shave products I purchased.

 

[Thomas]

Well done!

I find the AOS cream to be temperamental. Some days it's a fine shave, other days it's dry or wet, or sticky. The AOS soaps I've not used, but I've heard some folks like them quite a lot. If you've got the hard soap, give it more time, maybe more water.

There are a ton of other creams and soaps, some better, some worse. Sometimes, it's less the soap/cream and more reliant on your brush or the hardness of your water.

 

[MCsommerreid]

Originally Posted by rambo

If you're worried about strops and all that ****, why not go for a "no-sharpen" straight? To wit:

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...646/731130.htm

It's basically a disposable blade straight razor. Very useful for getting the hang of things. Plus, they hold their resale value quite well.

The Feather "disposable" straights are pretty well received in the shaving community. Not nearly as good as a proper carbon steel honed straight razor, but apparently pretty good.

 

[Sartorian]

Originally Posted by Opcn

... I wasn't to pleased with my lather from the AOS shave products I purchased.


Welcome to a little slice of morning heaven. Far as shaving soap goes, get yourself a tube of Musgo Real or Proraso, dump that heavily marketed, faux-masculine philistine AoS krap

.

 

[javyn]

Opcn you just need to work on cream/water ratio. There is likely nothing wrong with your shaving cream.

 

[Opcn]

I love the AOS aftershave balm, the preshave oil and cream really haven't worked for me, I've been using some classic brand shaving soap instead of the Cream and I really love it, I tried shaving soap when I was younger but it never worked, now its working wonders for me (badger hair could have something to do with it) but I get a rich and wet lather in about a minute flat. I've been having a bit of trouble with stropping, but I think I'm getting it now, so thats going to help with the pulling. Unfortunately I've given myself a profusion of little tiny cuts all along my jaw line and mustache and I'll have to figure out how not to have that happen; its getting better each shave though, so that is encouraging.