Anyone use a straight razor? Thinking about starting.

[Giccin]

This thread is so manly.

[Raven 6]

I normally use a safety razor. It took me a little searching but I found one made the same month and year I was born. Just neat that one that old still works like new, with new blades that is.lol I've always wanted to try a straight razor, maybe this will inspire me to think about it more.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Giccin

This thread is so manly.

Damnit, Geekin'!

Saw you posting, and was imagining something rather um... erotic.

Instead: nothing and still a pinch-faced pedo avatar.

Some chicks need to post up some pics of shaving with a straight razor (legs are fine). I think that might possibly be hot as hell.

Maybe.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Some chicks need to post up some pics of shaving with a straight razor (legs are fine). I think that might possibly be hot as hell.

Maybe.

They're out there. Women have a separate section of straightrazorplace.com just for them. They normally use a 4/8" or 3/8" razor though, as it's much more maneuverable around certain areas.

[suaveflooder]

Well, I did it. I was pretty nervous, but got it done.

Here's what I learned
(1) Getting a good lather is harder than it looks in the videos
(2) The shaving lather I bought said you could do it on your face….nope, get a mug or a bowl
(3) Cheeks are pretty easy and with short strokes, it goes pretty quickly.
(4) Upper lip and chin are freakin' HARD! I didn't cut myself on the first run at my chin, but I missed a couple hairs and had to go back. Cut it. Upper lip, I cut on the first small stroke


Impressions:

I'm hooked. Not going to lie, I feel pretty bad ass right now. The shave is better than my normal mach 3. My face feels MUCH smoother. I only went with the grain this time. When I get more comfortable, I'll try a 2 and 3 pass shave. I even started with about 3 days growth.

Anyone who is thinking about trying straight shaving, go with the cheap disposible blad razor like I got. Total, out the door was around $120. I'll use it for a bit until I'm comfortable and get a real one!



all cut up but feeling like a thug


smooth as a baby's butt

[gramicci101]

You can lather on your face too, but I feel like a bowl is easier. You can also lather in your other hand. That works well because the grooves and oils on your skin help to build the lather.

Overall, nice job! Very not bad for a first shave.

One last thing: the only time I seriously cut myself was when I was starting to practice shaving across the grain. Remember where the blade is. Don't lose your focus and pull the razor in line with the blade. I put about an inch-long gash in my cheek because the blade was vertical and I pulled it down. Damn things are SHARP. Fortunately it didn't hurt. It bled like a motherfucker though.

If you decide to get a non-disposable, check www.whippeddog.com for cheap razors with a shave-ready edge. I'm still using mine that I picked up four years ago for $40. If and when you get a regular straight, keep your thumb away from the heel of the blade. My very first shaving injury was me cutting my thumb on the blade.

[suaveflooder]

Thank you so much @gramicci101!! All the advice on this thread has been great! I'll keep it up as it's super addicting! I can't wait to try again in a couple days!

[gramicci101]

You're going to end up spending a lot of money. More razors, more brushes, different creams and soaps and aftershaves, a nice strop, all kinds of stuff. This is just as much a hobby as modding cars is. Sme people build their own razors. Or buy junked ones off eBay or out of an antiques shop and refinish and rescale them. I think I've got four brushes and probably six or seven different soaps and creams.

[strat61caster]

Hah well now I feel better about blowing $100 on my DE/Brush/Blades/Soap spree a few months ago.

I've got a bowl but only one or two soaps that fit in it, I like holding the soap and lathering it in my hand, nice and simple and the cleanup is super fast.

[CK_Bladesmith]

The next thing you need to learn with your new razor is how to maintain the edge. If you're proficient sharpening knives on stones, I'd recommend a king 1000 and 6000 grit Japanese water stone, and a piece of newspaper.
Murray Carter (look him up on YouTube) has a bunch of great videos on sharpening straight razors.
If you want the ultimate straight razor experience and have the time to sharpen it yourself, it makes it 100x better. Nothing better than getting a perfect shave with a razor that you've honed to perfection yourself

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

You're going to end up spending a lot of money. More razors, more brushes, different creams and soaps and aftershaves, a nice strop, all kinds of stuff. This is just as much a hobby as modding cars is. Sme people build their own razors. Or buy junked ones off eBay or out of an antiques shop and refinish and rescale them. I think I've got four brushes and probably six or seven different soaps and creams.

I'm starting to get that idea! I'm thinking going with just a simple antique blade, not sure what one yet, but going to keep my eyes open. I can get ones in good shape for under $100. I have a guy about 20 minutes away that can restore it for me.

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Hah well now I feel better about blowing $100 on my DE/Brush/Blades/Soap spree a few months ago.

I've got a bowl but only one or two soaps that fit in it, I like holding the soap and lathering it in my hand, nice and simple and the cleanup is super fast.

lol, going to try the hand thing, but what if I need more? It took me so long that I found myself having to re-lather. Just mix more every time?

Originally Posted by CK_Bladesmith

The next thing you need to learn with your new razor is how to maintain the edge. If you're proficient sharpening knives on stones, I'd recommend a king 1000 and 6000 grit Japanese water stone, and a piece of newspaper.
Murray Carter (look him up on YouTube) has a bunch of great videos on sharpening straight razors.
If you want the ultimate straight razor experience and have the time to sharpen it yourself, it makes it 100x better. Nothing better than getting a perfect shave with a razor that you've honed to perfection yourself

HAHA! I can't wait to get there! Not there yet, though! Going to use this replaceable blade until I am pretty dang comfortable before I go with something sharper! Going to look Murray Carter, though! Thanks!

[dem00n]

Do you cold or hot shave?

[gramicci101]

Hot water relaxes your skin. The whole "opens/closes your pores" thing is a myth, because there are no muscles controlling your pores. Your skin and hair are softer and more pliant after being washed in hot water though.

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Do you cold or hot shave?

Originally Posted by gramicci101

Hot water relaxes your skin. The whole "opens/closes your pores" thing is a myth, because there are no muscles controlling your pores. Your skin and hair are softer and more pliant after being washed in hot water though.

@dem00n ^^^ This. I took a long hot shower before I started. It's truely more intimidating than it is hard. I didn't actually feel a single cut, which is a good thing. Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow night