Shaving with a straight razor

[Doctor D]

Just curious, do any Mycotopiates shave with a straight razor? I'd like to know about your experiences with them. I'm thinking of switching over to one, as I understand you can achieve a closer shave with one, plus they are more cost effective over time.

I currently shave with the Gillette Fusion Power, and I'm pretty unhappy with the closeness of the shave. I can only get a really nice, baby's butt feel on my face if I shave twice - once with the grain, then again against the grain. But this eats through razors like crazy, which as all shavers know are expensive as hell. So I rarely splurge on such a close shave, and instead just give myself my normal, every day shave (once with the grain, and a few sideways strokes on tough parts) in which I replace my razor blade about every two weeks.

If you use a straight razor, how long did it take you to learn how to shave with it? And what else can you tell me about it? The start-up cost for straight razor shaving is a bit daunting. The shaving store I went to wants $120 for a basic straight razor, $60 for a strop, and then of course more for shaving lotion, brush, etc. I'd like to get some opinions before I commit $200 to a shaving technique I may end up not liking.

[catdaddy]

Honestly man, I don't trust myself with anything that cuts that deep near my head.

That said- I usually use Wilkinson throw-aways- the best throw away, IMHO.

Now my WIFE uses a two blade pivot head cartridge razor that is SOOO much closer and neater than anything I've ever used.

I just won't pay out the ass for shaving.

Now using a straight razor may become more than just a "better way" for you- it could be one of those manly affectations too.

I like those. It makes me feel free to do things a bit...different.

Maybe a friendly barber would let you do a guided trial with his blade.

[TastyBeverage]

My friend used a straight razor in high school and really liked it, but i don't know how close the shave was since i didn't do it myself.

However, as a person who has many years experience with shaving delicate parts where having stubble sucks, i have one good tip: switch from whatever shaving foam/soap you're using to hair conditioner. It's absolutely frictionless, you probably already have some in the shower and it will give you a closer shave.

Try it!

[eatyualive]

there is this stuff i been using to shave. im a hairy bastard too. shaving oil. ive had one bottle for nearly 2 years and its a way smoother shave than any shaving cream ive tried. you basically take a shower. then dry off. rub that oil on your hands and on your face. you can get some warm water going and rub it on your face area that you plan to shave after you applied the oil and it gives it a slick and warm feel to it.

it is then super easy to shave. probably the easiest shaving ive had over the years.

[Doctor D]

Thanks Bev, I'll try the conditioner. Right now I use Neutrogena for Men Shave Cream, which is a great product - an actual shave cream, not a foam or gel. Those always leave me with razor bumps. Eats, I'll try the shave oil, too. What's the brand?

I don't want to use a straight razor if it's just going to be a manly affectation with little benefit. If that was all I was going for, I'd start wearing ties. Can't stand em! I refuse to wear one or learn how to tie one. Maybe I'll see if I can score one off of FreeCycle (straight razors, not ties).

[roscoe]

I currently shave with the Gillette Fusion Power, and I'm pretty unhappy with the closeness of the shave. I can only get a really nice, baby's butt feel on my face if I shave twice - once with the grain, then again against the grain. But this eats through razors like crazy, which as all shavers know are expensive as hell. So I rarely splurge on such a close shave, and instead just give myself my normal, every day shave (once with the grain, and a few sideways strokes on tough parts) in which I replace my razor blade about every two weeks.

i was listening the radio the other night and dr. bill watenberg (google him) was tackling the topic of expensive razors that dont last. he said the cutting edge on the blade does not dull as much as it corrodes. he suggested to keep it from corroding you should submerge the razor in a cup with mineral oil. he said you can get more than twice the life out of those expensive razors. i personally have never tried it, but it makes sense. you buy mineral at any grocery store, it will be near the isopropyl alcohol and things like it.

[apokalypse]

My facial hair grows semi-fast, and I've had straight razor shaves from my neighborhood barber since he gives me a good discount on it. It feels baby-bottom smooth for about 2-3 days, and then it gets stubbly. Never bought a straight razor, but I do have some shaving cream and a brush.

[jay-pheno]

when im not to lazy i use a old razor i got from the flea market ,, got a little shaveing brush you use to lather up with also ,,, i love it ,, main reason is the $ im saveing .. but its faster too since the blade is wider ,
i think of it as kinda going green ,, its worth it imo

http://www.classicshaving.com/Straight_Razor_Sets.html

[Quadrupliplex]

I use a straight sometimes. It's a little dull right now, gotta quit being lazy and do it. Its enjoyable but somewhat tricky since you have to switch hands for each side of your face. So if you can shave well with both left and right hand you should pick it up faster. I definitely prefer whipping up my own shaving cream from a cake rather than from a compressed can, it seems to have a lot more oil in it. This is a good guide that i found when i first became interested on the subject.

[Quadrupliplex]

Oh yes i forgot to mention I have an ebony dovo solingen straight razor.

[Doctor D]

Thanks guys! So it sounds like the process is kind of a pain in the ass, and there will be days that I won't want to bother with the straight razor. I'm a lazy fucker too, so I can see that happening easily. Does it take much longer to shave with?

What about the quality of the shave itself? Can you get a closer quality? I tried using hair conditioner like Bev suggested. It works pretty well, and I compared the ingredients to the expensive Neutrogena shave cream I normally use, and they are pretty similar. However I think I'm going to stick with the shave cream, as it has been tested for and developed especially for the face. My face is sensitive around my beard, and I don't want to risk the irritation - that's why I quit using those sucky shave gels.

[Zeus]

I had that done once, by a professional, when I was cleaning up for a wedding. He butchered me, didn't know the grain of my beard etc....went against the grain too soon, looked like i had a raw pork chop around my neck for the wedding.

[GlorySoup]

who needs to sha\/e anyway!? i just let my 8eard take o\/er my face! for within your facial hair, is the spirit of a warrior.

[Quadrupliplex]

HAHA yeah if i could work at my jobs with a massive beard i would gladly never shave again. As for closeness when you become good at it i think you'll find it is just as close or closer than a commercial shaver. When i was learning i would shave with it then find that i missed a spot or didn't go with the grain of my face, when that happened all you gotta do is touch up with a commercial razor. Pretty soon you will no longer need to do touchups. IMHO it is well worth it to learn. It saves money and is just a badass way of shaving.

[ggod]

Originally Posted by roscoe

i was listening the radio the other night and dr. bill watenberg (google him) was tackling the topic of expensive razors that dont last. he said the cutting edge on the blade does not dull as much as it corrodes. he suggested to keep it from corroding you should submerge the razor in a cup with mineral oil. he said you can get more than twice the life out of those expensive razors. i personally have never tried it, but it makes sense. you buy mineral at any grocery store, it will be near the isopropyl alcohol and things like it.

That makes a lot of sense to me.
BTW.... common baby oil, is mineral oil with a bit of fragrance. $1 at the Dollar store.

[rapture99]

all i have 2 say is f the electrics i have bought 4 of the best top of the line ones and they never get it all.I always have to go back and hit is with a straight razor

[CoyoteMesc]

Mach3, used in the shower with a shower mirror...you can't get any close than that.
Nair couldnt beat the mach 3's. I shower and shave last. It seems to soften the hair and skin and the stuff comes off like butter.

[Discobiscuit]

i use gillettes stuff and have for years. I can't use electrics because they just bounce off my burly man hair Anyway just get some of the foamy gell stuff and a mach 3. not 4 blades not 1 blade 3 blades

Also DO NOT use the cheap pos razors in a bag for like $1. i used them once and they made me bleed all over the place but that was the idea but eh....you know what never mind just don't use them kk?

[Burger]

Originally Posted by TastyBeverage

i have one good tip: switch from whatever shaving foam/soap you're using to hair conditioner. It's absolutely frictionless, you probably already have some in the shower and it will give you a closer shave.

Try it!

I agree conditioner is a good shaving lube, however I find it clogs up my twin blade razors pretty bad and takes some hard tapping to un-clog the blades.

Originally Posted by Doctor D

then again against the grain.

Against the grain leaves me bleeding, especially on the neck.

[sandman]

You will not stick with straight razor if you are lazy, it's like a fancy art form. The blade has to be perfectly sharpened to even get anything resembling a shave. It is doubtful you would get what you are wanting from it (a nice close shave) before lots and lots of practice. It sucks to pay for them, but the mach3 is probably the best fit for an easy super close shave. I dont shave but every few weeks cause I'm so lazy haha. Actually I usually just "shave" with a electric beard clipper (like a small hair buzzer), but its not a close shave it just gives you the rustic look. My face is very sensitive so I only do a real shave with a mach3 if I'm trying to show off. Good luck, may your bearded journey be well.

[eastwood]

Im a mach3 fan myself.I can spend $10 on mach3 razor blades an they will last me atleast a month,most of the time 2 months.That's really not to bad if you think about it.I have used those shitty disposable razors so much in the past that the 10 bucks for the mach3 blades are well worth it imo .I can not stand to get those razor bumps on my face after shaving with those shitty razors.

[dice]

I used to use the mach3,
but when they came out with the fusion I started using that.
Still Doc Im like you it takes going with the grain then
going against it to get that smooth as a babys ass smooth were lookin for.
So with this thread being a month old
Have you got a straight razor yet Doc?
If so how is it working for ya so far?
Im lazy like most yall except try and shave every couple days
I found thats the best and easiest way to keep it smooth.
Fusion all the way baby!hehe

[Jaspmf]

Originally Posted by Quadrupliplex

I use a straight sometimes. It's a little dull right now, gotta quit being lazy and do it. Its enjoyable but somewhat tricky since you have to switch hands for each side of your face. So if you can shave well with both left and right hand you should pick it up faster. I definitely prefer whipping up my own shaving cream from a cake rather than from a compressed can, it seems to have a lot more oil in it. This is a good guide that i found when i first became interested on the subject.

Thanks for the link, pretty descent article.

I've been thinking about going straight-edge for sometime. In due time

Reggae razors are boring

[jay-pheno]

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving

The purpose of this article is to serve as an overview of the resources available at Straight Razor Place, and to give readers who are interested in the art of straight razor shaving a gentle introduction to the tools, and skills, required. It also contains links to further information where appropriate. We, the SRP community, encourage our readers to peruse the material referenced in this article.
This entry therefore only contains the most basic information, video, and suggestions for when you start shaving with a straight razor. It includes suggested equipment, and equipment we believe you had better avoid. For more information on what to look for when buying, including a list of questions for sellers, refer to the entry on Straight Razors.
Additional help can, and will, be found in our forums and in our chat channels.
Contents

• 1 Before you begin
• 2 Basic equipment
• 3 Extended basic equipment
• 4 Shave ready razors
• 5 Choosing a razor
• 6 Stropping
• 7 Beard Preparation
• 8 Shaving
• 9 Post-Shave
• 10 Further Information

Before you begin

Shaving with a straight razor is an art that requires learning. It has a steep, and long, learning curve. Chances are your first weeks or even months will yield results that are, at best, on par with those of a cartridge or even a safety razor. Before you dive into the experience of shaving with a straight razor, you should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the basic concept of straight shaving. This article will cover a basic equipment list, a definition of shave ready, some clarity on selecting a razor; and over-views on stropping, beard preparation, shaving, and post shave practices.
You will find further useful information in the Further Reading Category of this Wiki.
It is also strongly recommended that you understand the concept of The Zen of Straight Shaving. This means, you will need time, and patience. Learning to shave with a straight razor will not yield quick results. If your goal is to get a good shave quickly, you might be better off beginning with a safety razor.
That said, straight razor shaving can be a deeply satisfying experience, and once you have mastered the basic skills, you will most likely find its results superior to any other shaving method. So, be patient, read on, and enjoy your stay with the SRP community.
Basic equipment


A typical beginner's setup with a customized Double Arrow 7/8


The following items are considered the basic equipment. Basic means that without either of these items, your shave will most likely be sub-optimal or even painful.

• 1 or 2 straight razors. Do make sure to read our list of straight razor brands to avoid, lest you invest in a razor that will never shave.
• A strop (most people use hanging but paddle or loom will also work); the canvas/linen side is optional, but very highly recommended.

Extended basic equipment

The following items are considered optional, but useful, additions to the basic equipment.

• Shaving soap or cream (strongly recommended)
• A shaving brush (strongly recommended)
• Shaving mug or scuttle (optional)
• Lynn Abrams' Video on shaving, stropping, honing, etc.

Further useful items can be found in the Equipment Category of this Wiki.
Shave ready razors

Main article: The Shave Ready Razor When you see a razor that is advertized as "shave ready". and the razor comes straight from the factory, in almost all cases it is not really shave ready. Unless the razor has been honed by somebody with experience, it will likely need to be honed before you use it. Why? If you are really interested in the reason you can read the detailed explanation. Otherwise just trust us.
Choosing a razor

Choosing a razor is a matter of personal preference. If you must have a brand new razor the quality choices are limited to the three main major current manufacturers: Dovo, Thiers-Issard, and Böker; to the NOS Double Arrow and Wapienica; and to the custom razor makers. A brand new razor will still have to be honed.
Fortunately there are many vintage razors which would often be of equal or even better quality than the current production and they will generally cost significantly less. The best place to find one is the Classifieds section of SRP. Most often the razors there are honed and shave-tested by the seller, and this is noted in the ad, but when in doubt you can always ask them.
Newbies are discouraged from purchasing vintage razors on eBay because they do not have the experience to evaluate the condition of the razor - in most cases the pictures on eBay do not provide enough details, and even when they do, a newbie generally doesn't know what is important and what isn't.
Nevertheless there are some razors that should be avoided, and even though every purchase is a risk there are few popular vintage brands that are generally good.
You can find detailed descriptions of hundreds of new and vintage razors in our Straight Razor Database (SRDB).
Stropping

Main article: Theory of stropping Before each use a razor needs to be stropped on a flexible strip of leather or canvas. Unlike honing a blade, in which a whetstone removes metal bent out of alignment from the blade's edge, stropping the blade re-aligns the indentations without removing any material. The strop may be a hanging strip or a hand-held paddle. Leather is generally considered to be the best material for strops, but some synthetic strops have been reported to be almost as good.
Beard Preparation

Main article: Preparation Shaving dry whiskers is generally very uncomfortable because dry whiskers are extremely tough. The traditional way to soften your beard is by using lather, which is generated by mixing shaving soap or cream and water using a shaving brush. Generally you should give few minutes for the lather to soften the whiskers before starting to shave. Hot steam towels can provide further conditioning for a luxurious shave. Some people use pre-shave oil or even olive oil in addition to or instead of lather, and even the canned shaving foam or gel is better than using nothing at all.
Shaving

Main article: First straight razor shave Shaving with a straight razor is not very hard, but it is a learned skill. The basics are to keep the blade angled at about 30 degrees with respect to the face surface, and to use extremely light pressure just so that the razor is still touching your face. The razor motion is perpendicular to the edge initially and as you develop a technique you can improve on it by using a slight angle so that the whiskers are sliced better (too much angle will cause a cut). Stretching the skin with your free hand is very important as well. The principle is not beard elimination, but beard reduction - use multiple passes starting with the grain (WTG) and then possibly adding across the grain and against the grain (XTG and ATG). The recommended approach is to start by shaving just under the sideburns and to slowly expand the area with each shave as you become comfortable and confident with the razor.
Post-Shave

See also: Category:Post Shave The top level of the skin cells is exfoliated during the shave. Some people find that a good moisturizing soap or cream provides enough skin conditioning to compensate for this. However most find that some post-shave skin care is helpful. This is an area where you have to find what works best for you. The usual products are styptic pencil/alum block, witch hazel, and a whole multitude of aftershave products.
Further Information

The best places to get more information and answers to specific questions outside of this wiki are the Straight Razor Place forum and the #srp IRC channel on freenode. We have prepared an easy to follow walk through: Using the SRP Chat.
An experienced local barber can also be a helpful resource.

[Fresh Brewed]

Originally Posted by CoyoteMesc

Mach3, used in the shower with a shower mirror...you can't get any close than that.
.

Me to, and I don't know if I just have a wuss beard or what, but a Mach 3 head lasts me for several months of every other day shaving. Let a women shave her legs once with it though and it's done...gotta put on a new one.

[Doctor D]

Originally Posted by dice

Have you got a straight razor yet Doc?
If so how is it working for ya so far?

No straight razor yet. The start-up cost for straight razor shaving is very prohibitive. I'm looking at around $200 for just one razor, strop, and badger-hair shaving brush. Also, I have a few misgivings about buying a badger-hair shaving brush. I just don't like the thought of an animal being slaughtered just to make a brush that I can lather my face with. That's not justified killing, IMO. So I'm looking for an acceptable non-badger hair brush solution, but it seems that the badger hair brushes are the best.

Regarding the razor, I've got a birthday and Christmas coming up, so hoping some family members help defray the start-up costs around then. I'll keep you all posted. I understand that straight razor shaving won't be a quick fix to my shaving problems, but given enough time and perfection of my technique, it might give me what I'm looking for.

[jay-pheno]

Originally Posted by Doctor D

No straight razor yet. The start-up cost for straight razor shaving is very prohibitive. I'm looking at around $200 for just one razor, strop, and badger-hair shaving brush. Also, I have a few misgivings about buying a badger-hair shaving brush. I just don't like the thought of an animal being slaughtered just to make a brush that I can lather my face with. That's not justified killing, IMO. So I'm looking for an acceptable non-badger hair brush solution, but it seems that the badger hair brushes are the best.

Regarding the razor, I've got a birthday and Christmas coming up, so hoping some family members help defray the start-up costs around then. I'll keep you all posted. I understand that straight razor shaving won't be a quick fix to my shaving problems, but given enough time and perfection of my technique, it might give me what I'm looking for.

if you look on ebay you can find some pretty nice razors with strop under 30$ ,, as far as brush goes target has some nice ones cheap !

[ShroomGuerilla]

I wonder if anybody shaves their nuts with
a straight razor.... livin on the edge there.