Want to Start Straight Shaving

[joe201]

This is my first post in the straight shaving forum and I'd like to introduce myself. I'm interested in straight shaving and I'd like to start straight shaving exlusively. I've already started looking at razors and I've been reading a lot on the topic. Any suggestions for razrs ? (I'm willing to spend under $200 for razor (preferably shave ready) and strop) I already have a nice badger, so I'm not worried about that. Also, I've been wondering about the safety issues related to straight shaving. How common is it to get a serious injury straight shaving (assuming to shaver is using common sense and precaution)? From what I've read, straight shaving is very safe if properly practiced, but losing my head for a good shave isn't worth it. I'm looking foward to your inputs. Thanks.

[mdunn]

get a shave ready razor from the bst here

if youre careful, read up on everything and mind your technique then you wont kill yourself. You might cut your self a little as you learn (its kinda like a papercut).

If youre comfortable using a sharp knife in the kitchen (and you can use one without killing yourself) then you'll be fine to use a straight

[Luc]

+1 to Dunny's comment

You can get a shave ready straight for $30. You don't need a looker at this stage, just something that works! Then a strop is the other half!

[Hawkeye5]

BST is the way to go for your first straight.

Safety? Well, after all you do have a very sharp blade on your face and neck, but I've said before that the safest place for a straight razor is on your face or put away. There are lots of cut fingers out there!

About the only thing I concern myself with is some type of starteling event. My wife once stuck something in her eye while putting her eye make-up on and let out a squak. Fortunately I didn't have the razor on my face at that moment.

Shave alone. Keep the wife and kids away. Shut the door. I've even taken the phone off the hook.

[joe201]

I'm convinced that I'll be fine. And you seem to be right, there are more stories of cut hands and fingers than of faces. I'm going start looking for shave-ready razors. Thanks so much for the help. I'll try to post an update on my progress soon.

[leighton]

get a shave ready razor from the bst here

if youre careful, read up on everything and mind your technique then you wont kill yourself. You might cut your self a little as you learn (its kinda like a papercut).

If youre comfortable using a sharp knife in the kitchen (and you can use one without killing yourself) then you'll be fine to use a straight

+1

I've never seriously injured myself. In fact, I've probably done more damage using cartridges. See link for amount of time I've been doing this.

[flylot]

+1 what everyone has said so far. I would like to add that before you take your nice shave ready blade on to your newly acquired strop, learn to strop first. A butter knife and a leather belt will work fine. It's simply the muscle memory you must learn to turn on the spine. This will keep you from cutting up your strop and dulling your razor.

As far as cutting yourself, it's far easier to cut yourself with a dull razor than a sharp one. When you purchase, either from the classifieds here or the numerous on line vendors (RupRazor, Vintage Blades, Straight Razor Designs, Classic Shaving, et al) make sure it is shave ready. Remember, shaving is one skill, stropping another, and honing an entirely different kettle of fish.

Enjoy, have fun, and enjoy the journey!

[JeffE]

One more good source for an excellent, excellent razor at a great price -- check out Bob Keyes site www.bobsrazors.com. Bob is a Jedi master at razor repair and restoration. He sells lots of flashy blades on eBay, but some of the better ones are actually on his site and ready to purchase for $40 or $50.