Disposable Straight

**thefisher** · 01-25-2007, 02:35 PM

Hello I've been thinking about getting into straight razor shaving. It seems like the best choice for me right now would be a disposable. However, I'm not really sure which one I should get as the feather seems a bit pricey for something I might not like. I'm hoping for a little guidance and help with the choice. Thanks!

**M Guthner** · 01-25-2007, 02:54 PM

Try the "Shavette" by Dovo http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...940/286096.htm

**boboakalfb** · 01-25-2007, 03:28 PM

Just curious why you think the disposable is the way to go for you?

**thefisher** · 01-25-2007, 03:37 PM

It lets me practice the technique plus it is cheaper. As a college student cheaper is better for me.

**boboakalfb** · 01-25-2007, 03:54 PM

I was thinking that the low initial investment was the reason. From what I have read it is a different experience. You may not like the disposables and never try a traditional straight. If you go the route of getting a shave ready razor from someone reputable here or on SRP, it might not cost you very much money. It won't be a showpiece, but you just want a quality razor. Talk to Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman (He is a member here as well. You can PM him.) and he should be able to get you set up with a budget in mind. If it isn't for you, just sell it. Just something to think about.

Hopefully some of the experts will chime in with their thoughts.

**Taz** · 01-25-2007, 04:06 PM

I was actually looking at something along the same lines but the are not cheaper. I was looking at the The Feather "No-Sharpen" Straight Razor in the artist series. Here is a link
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/1240646.htm

Has anybody tried these. I would like to get a straight for the occasional shave once a week maybe for something different. And the hassle and learning code of a regular straight. Thought it would be to much trouble. Has anyone tried these I know I love my Feather Blades.

**JohnP** · 01-25-2007, 04:08 PM

Well,
If it's the price that concerns you most, I agree with Bob, look around. You needn't spend a fortune to try out a regular straight.
If you want a disposable blade version, I've not tried the Feather which comes highly rated, but for a LOT less money I've had good results with a Hess EZ shave, which takes hair shaper blades as well as the injector-style mini shaper blades.
It's not quite the same thing as a regular straight but very similar IMHO, with similar length of blade in contact with your face (vice the Shavette, for instance, which might as well be an odd holder for a DE blade).
John P.

**dasein_geist** · 01-25-2007, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Taz

I was actually looking at something along the same lines but the are not cheaper. I was looking at the The Feather "No-Sharpen" Straight Razor in the artist series. Here is a link
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/1240646.htm

Has anybody tried these. I would like to get a straight for the occasional shave once a week maybe for something different. And the hassle and learning code of a regular straight. Thought it would be to much trouble. Has anyone tried these I know I love my Feather Blades.

Don,

I have recently started using both the Feather AC and the Japanese version of the Feather AC as my daily shaver. You can get my first imperssions from this thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...hlight=Feather

and for another perspective:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...hlight=Feather

Since I started using these exclusively, I have steadily improved my technique. They do require a bit of transition time, but are capable of giving a smooth comfortable shave. Personally, I would not recommend switching back and forth between the Feather AC and other razors (whether other straights or DEs), until you are fully accustomed to the technique(s) necessary for the Feather AC, as it does indeed require different a blade angle and pressure...

As the title of my post indicates, however, it is not nearly the fearsome instrument of blood-letting some make it out to be - as long as you respect the relative sharpness of the blade (many claim there is nothing that can match its sharpness).

If you decide to purchase one, you may want to contact http://www.jatai.net, and let them know you are a member of the shaving message boards; as, depending on the model you want, they seemed to offer the best price...

**Scorpio** · 01-25-2007, 04:37 PM

I agree with the advise from esteemed colleagues. You can get a shave ready razor, a very good one, plus strop to get you started at a very affordable price. This setup with proper care of the blade will last a few months and by then you would have already decided if it is for you or not. If it is not I can assure you that someone will purchase the item from you. Ask questions and enjoy.

Raf

**Taz** · 01-25-2007, 05:13 PM

Thanks now I just need to decide which way to go.

**Doc4** · 01-28-2007, 08:42 AM

I'm in the same boat as you, and have recently ordered a Feather (not yet arrived). For me, one of the main reasons for going Feather rather than old school straight was my lack of knowledge about how to properly hone and strop ... which aren't needed with the Feather AC. The cost seems basically the same for the razor (compared with the straights I was considering), but no need for figuring out which stop & honing stone (and what about pastes??).

I read with interest the Threads about the Feather mentioned in the earlier relpy (above), so I knew the Feather could work for me as a beginner, provided I respected its unique sharpness

When my parcel arrives in the mail (foot tapping impatiently) I'll be sure to post my initial impressions & first shave post-op report, so depending on how long you want to wait, that may be of some help for you.

Originally Posted by thefisher

Hello I've been thinking about getting into straight razor shaving. It seems like the best choice for me right now would be a disposable. However, I'm not really sure which one I should get as the feather seems a bit pricey for something I might not like. I'm hoping for a little guidance and help with the choice. Thanks!

**Suzuki** · 01-31-2007, 08:07 AM

I've just used an AC for the first time (have been shaving primarily with straights for a few months).

First off, the Feather blades are very sharp - only after several months can I maintain a blade on a traditional straight that comes anywhere close to the sharpness of the Feather blades. I have two, possibly three razors that are anywhere close to the Feather blades in terms of sharpness (all of whom were initially honed by someone who really knew what they were doing).

In addition to a month of mediocre shaves (the first month can be trying as you're simultaneously working on stropping, sharpening and shaving techniques - all of which have to come together to get a good shave), I've spent around $300 on a hanging strop, pasted paddle strop, Norton sharpening stone and a bunch of other assorted hones of various grits, etc. However, you can get by with a less expensive set up.

I've spent much more on razors - all of which I've bought used, but you'll need to spend at least $75 - $100 for a couple of nice shave-ready straights.

In addition to the finanical committment, there's the time committment - I've spent more hours than I care to think about to develop what are still very average stropping/sharpening skills.

With the AC, you only have to worry about shaving technique. I got a used AC with a bunch of blades for $70 and know I can sell it for about the same amount tomorrow if I decide I don't like it. So, if you're worried about price, I would post a note in the Buy/Sell forum saying that you'd like a nice used AC - if you're patient, you should get a few nibbles - the ACs are very well made and clean up very nicely - so, unless its been abused, a used AC isn't a problem (the one I got looked brand new). The blades cost about $10 - $11 for 20 and each blade is good for between 5 - 8 shaves depending on the particular blade mode and your beard. Joel has done a good breakdown on the economics of a traditional straight vs. a feather - and the feather comes out ahead - even with the cost of blades.

If you're really on a tight budget, there's always the Dovo shavette - more similar to a feather than a traditional straight, but they're much less expensive and can take either standard DE (it actually uses 1/2 of a standard blade that you snap in half) or purpose-designed longer blades. Joel has done a good review of the shavette ($27 from Classicshaving.com) - so look for the review (which is favourable). This is absolutely the cheapest way to get a straight-like experience - and you can use the DE blade of your choice (including Feathers).

Good luck.

**Taz** · 01-31-2007, 08:13 AM

Thanks for all the advice.

**jnich67** · 01-31-2007, 08:38 AM

I've not tried the disposable straights, but from what I've read, they do not in any way approximate shaving with a traditional straight. They are different animals. So, if all you care about is convenience and a good shave, by all means go with the disposable, but if you're after "the straight razor" experience, you need to use a traditional straight. Those with experience please correct me if I'm wrong.

Jordan

**Taz** · 01-31-2007, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by jnich67

I've not tried the disposable straights, but from what I've read, they do not in any way approximate shaving with a traditional straight. They are different animals. So, if all you care about is convenience and a good shave, by all means go with the disposable, but if you're after "the straight razor" experience, you need to use a traditional straight. Those with experience please correct me if I'm wrong.

Jordan

Any other thoughts on this comment, Cause that is what I am looking for, just do not want to go through the learning curve, Learning to shave is all good but honing paste and strop and all that stuff seems like the hardest part to learn and also takes up a lot of time.

**webguru24** · 01-31-2007, 09:09 AM

As someone who has contemplated beginning to shave with a straight, I'm finding these discussions interesting. At the present time, due to cost and time I am leaning towards using a Feather AC or a Shavette, so I'm eagerly awaiting the Shavette review.

The one concern I have about the Feather AC (and possibly the Shavette) is blade availability. This is less of a problem with the Shavette, as it can take normal DE blades, but in terms of the AC, since it is a niche product, how long can we reasonably expect to be able to buy the blades for them? Furthermore, should blade availability become a problem, how difficult would it be for someone who learned to shave with the AC/Shavette to translate their technique to a more traditional straight?

With all of that said, sometime this year, a straight or Feather or Shavette will show up on my doorstep.

**jnich67** · 01-31-2007, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Taz

Any other thoughts on this comment, Cause that is what I am looking for, just do not want to go through the learning curve, Learning to shave is all good but honing paste and strop and all that stuff seems like the hardest part to learn and also takes up a lot of time.

I'm not trying to divert the subject of this thread, but I think we tend to make a bigger deal out of honing and razor maintenance that it is or can be. We talk about all the nuances of honing and what not because we enjoy it. It’s a hobby.

If you want to keep it simple, you can get yourself two decent shave ready razors, a hanging strop, and a pasted paddle or bench strop for not much money. As long as you strop correctly, you'll need to spend maybe 5 minutes every two weeks or so touching up your razors on the paste. Maybe 2-3 times a year you can send the razors out to a pro for honing. Over the course of a year, that's not much time or energy.

You can also get a Norton and do it yourself. There is a big difference between honing a "dead" razor/restoration and freshening one that is still close to shave ready. Its not that big a deal. A razor that has just fallen short of keen might take 10 mintues to bring back? If I can do it, almost anyone can.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

Jordan

**Thebigspendur** · 02-01-2007, 09:11 AM

You've been given some good advice here. personally if you think you will not progress beyond a feather type go with that but if you think you may want to get a straight forget the feather. As long as you don't make it a hobby you can get what you need for not much money.