DEto straight

**jpmunozz** · 07-30-2011, 04:33 PM

My goal has always been to shave with a straight. I started with a de just because I figured it would be a good introduction to shaving with non cartridges.

Anyway my question is. How painful were the growing pains for those of you that started with a de with the hopes of moving to a straight

**Kentos** · 07-30-2011, 04:41 PM

If I could do it over I would skip the DEs. It wasnt a hard transition, and all the money spent on the RAD could have been put into my SRAD. Prep and lather are the only cross over skills IMO, and while important, are easy enough to learn concurrently. Just watch videos, read all the wiki, all the noob posts and you should be OK.

Short answer, not at all painful, totally enjoyable.

**Luc** · 07-30-2011, 04:58 PM

One way or the other, try the straight razor when you are ready. Keep in mind there's a learning curve. It wasn't half bad as I was expecting...

**dpmtherrien** · 07-30-2011, 05:05 PM

Wasn't bad at all. A longer learning curve than the DE, but you learn from your mistakes, and now its well worth it.

**Wid** · 07-30-2011, 05:11 PM

It really wasn't all that bad but imo the learning curve for a straight razor is somewhat steeper than a DE.

**Chef-ryan** · 07-30-2011, 05:22 PM

being one of the newbies .. i agreed . dont expect instant perfect shave .. 3 weeks in and its the only absolutely no razor burn shave yet not quiet bbs but it was a nice shave.. im sure i could of done an atg pass and gotten mostly smooth but in due time.i only picked up my cartridge once since the razor arrived on the 5th ( was way to sleepy to use a straight, i value my ears and nose).

**Shangas** · 07-30-2011, 05:40 PM

Provided you've done sufficient video-watching and background reading and have a firm grounding in the theory of straight-use, actual shaving and razor-use & maintenance isn't that hard. It took me about 2-3 weeks to get comfortable.

**Brent** · 07-30-2011, 07:27 PM

I skipped de all together so you would think my growing pains would have been worse but it wasn't that bad. Nicks here and there, irritation wasn't so bad and still better than using the cartridges and electrics. If you read the intros on here you'll see that most if not all times it was much worse for anticipation and worry than it was when the shave happened. Yes, there will be growing pains but nothing severe or insurmountable.

**jpmunozz** · 07-30-2011, 07:37 PM

My fear is my head most of my shaving is done on my head. De was tough starting with feathers and futur. I'm afraid to have a crap shave and get turned off after spend $400 for a proper straight kit. Anybody get bbs shaves in the noggin with a straight?

**Kentos** · 07-30-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by jpmunozz

My fear is my head most of my shaving is done on my head. De was tough starting with feathers and futur. I'm afraid to have a crap shave and get turned off after spend $400 for a proper straight kit. Anybody get bbs shaves in the noggin with a straight?

Shaving yer head is a bit different than yer mug...good luck my friend, my experiences are of no help.

There are a couple of videos on YouTube, and I think forum member thepastor shaves his head with a straight..

**sanfranciscian** · 07-31-2011, 10:49 AM

That is the path i took so can't speak to starting sans DE. I think logic would have it that you will want to have a DE around anyway after you have moved to straights so if you Haven't gone hog wild it should not be a waste of money. As stated above the learning curve will be lengthy though not long until you can do it without too much hassle. still think months not weeks for that experience you are yearning for. Good luck and have fun.

Ian

**taffy** · 07-31-2011, 01:11 PM

Its a very natural step, you will enjoy it.

**Gustav** · 08-01-2011, 01:16 AM

I used to think that the DE was a good way to start because I had gotten the hang of prep and lather but as it turned out I had to learn to lather all over again because lather quality was a big issue for me. Straight razor lather should be more on the wetter side whereas for DE you can get a good shave with almost any kind of lather. So on the whole I think you can safely skip the DEs and start with straights right away as long as you read the material available in the stickies, watch a few vids and get yourself a razor honed by a pro and a cheap strop.

**Domminigan** · 08-01-2011, 10:20 AM

Mine was a fairly easy first transition, I took an hour and a half and just spent the time feeling out the razor with different pressures and angles and such until it felt right. I had a few pains with not having the razor sharp enough and causing some decent irritation, but it ended up well. Like others have said, Take your time and learn as much as you can.

**The Mick** · 08-01-2011, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Kentos

If I could do it over I would skip the DEs.

I went from cartridges to straights then later bought a DE for those days I wasn't feeling good or just lazy.

**jpmunozz** · 08-01-2011, 01:13 PM

Thank you guys for all your input. i have been reading tons of material....... that is the only reason i can now get a good head shave with no blood. this forum is really amazing, a real mature and helpful bunch of guys. Thank you all.

On my next questions. I'm kind of confused on what items i would need to get myself started, shave, sharpen, and adequately maintain my razor for years. can you guys please give me a list of items i will need to be self sufficient from the beginning? and also a name of a razor you would recommend for its quality and beauty.

**Blix** · 08-01-2011, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by jpmunozz

On my next questions. I'm kind of confused on what items i would need to get myself started, shave, sharpen, and adequately maintain my razor for years. can you guys please give me a list of items i will need to be self sufficient from the beginning? and also a name of a razor you would recommend for its quality and beauty.

Razor, strop and hone(s) .
Start with buying a decent shave-ready on the BST

Get a cheap starter strop, but buy a good one as soon as you got the technique down, stropping means a lot.
Now for honing, there's a lot of options.
One is buying into a system, like Nortons, Shaptons and Naniwas. That involves 3-5 stones taking you from bevel setting up to 10-16k. Most honing "systems" are fairly easy to use and provides reliability.

And there's the naturals. You can do a lot with just a coticule and slurry. That could be all you ever need..

Also, just for keeping an edge going, there's diamond pastes and sprays, that can be used on strops and balsa.

Now a new straight, there's a bunch of options there, Dovo, TI, a few stors sells NOS Revisor, Friodur and a bunch of others.

**jpmunozz** · 08-01-2011, 05:34 PM

Thank you for the info. Can you recommend a good every day razor? I like the hart and steel ones. Are they good every day razors?

**Luc** · 08-02-2011, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by jpmunozz

Thank you for the info. Can you recommend a good every day razor? I like the hart and steel ones. Are they good every day razors?

I would suggest a second hand razor and see where it takes you. The second hand razor will be cheaper and will give you the same results... You won't stop at 1 razor I'm afraid...

**jpmunozz** · 08-02-2011, 09:44 AM

lol, funny thing is i already have ideas for xmass gifts from family lol. i'm expecting to fall in love and pick up a few. I've already made the decision that i am investing the time, blood, pain, and energy into it so i want new. I had a TON of growing pains with DE from horrible form, to horrible blades (merkur), to horrible lather, to horribly sensitive skin..... Finally i can get a really really awesome shave and i really look forward to shaving because i have a set system now. a nice steamy shower, shave oil, sit a minute or two get alot of air into my lather, really work it into my skin after the oil has penetrated my skin and hair. than put on some sergio mendez, and just artistically stroke my face with a razor sharp feather blade and a shinny futur/38c/progress/slant.

its the little things in life that make life for me. and a nice shinny object that makes a not so pleasurable act fun and pleasurably is worth anything to me. so new is the way i'm going since i've made the desicion to invest my time, frustration, blood, and pain into it.