Taking Plunge into STRAIGHT Razor Shaving -

[FlyFishNut]

Was standing in the grocery store looking at the obscene cost of Fusion razors and said "F- it"...

I found my Old Man's Doko Salingen razor from when he was in the Marines, c-1960's. He left me a big strop before he passed away... said that I'd "earned it" in that he whipped the hell out of me with it when I shot the school windows out with my Red Rider. I can't find the strop at this point, but it's around the house somewhere...

Anyway - I went to AOS today and bought Preshave Oil, Balm and a nice brush stand. THEN I found Amazon had the Sandalwood kit with Oil,Balm, soap and brush for $88 vs $100. So, I bought it just a minute ago and I am returning the other stuff and just keeping the stand. Man, the AOS store is really cool. I will probably exchange the stuff I bought for other cool stuff. Hmmmm what to get?

So, I guess I need to verify this old razor will shave me well and if not I've been eyeing a TI razor at AOS. I'm committed: As soon as I can find that strop I'm going to start this thing and kiss the disposable razors good bye. (I didn't buy the Fusion refills BTW so the clock is ticking).

I hope to contribute some meaningful posts here, but I can't make any promises.


Cheers,
FFN

[AirForceMX]

Welcome! I think I might take the leap from DE to straights. I like your style though. Straight to the Straight! Even cooler that your using your Old Mans gear! Keep us updated!

[paco664]

if you want pm me for my address and i will hone that straight for you free of charge *(you pay shipping both ways).....

i do this as a "welcome to the straight shaving brotherhood'' PIF...

welcome...

[scottish steve]

The most important thing is to make sure your straight is shave-ready. I ruined my first experience of a straight and very nearly gave up because I bought a brand new Art of Shaving T.I which was, frankly, a disgrace which should never have gone out the factory. Neither was it anything like ready to be used. It took buying a vintage str8 from www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk to realise how much of a waste my money had been. I advise you not to buy an AoS TI until you know what you're doing and to get your dad's looked at by someone before you go to the sink with it.
Alternatively, get something like a Dovo Best 5/8.
http://www.dovorazors.com/stockrazors.html

I love mine and there is no difference between the steel used in this and the steel used in all the expensive ones. Half-grind makes a difference too.

[shakin_jake]

FFN...no worries sending your Dorko to Paco...good peep


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[shakin_jake]

The most important thing is to make sure your straight is shave-ready. I ruined my first experience of a straight and very nearly gave up because I bought a brand new Art of Shaving T.I which was, frankly, a disgrace which should never have gone out the factory. Neither was it anything like ready to be used. It took buying a vintage str8 from www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk to realise how much of a waste my money had been. I advise you not to buy an AoS TI until you know what you're doing and to get your dad's looked at by someone before you go to the sink with it.
Alternatively, get something like a Dovo Best 5/8.
http://www.dovorazors.com/stockrazors.html

I love mine and there is no difference between the steel used in this and the steel used in all the expensive ones. Half-grind makes a difference too.

~~~Steve- Sorry to hear about your poor exp. with an AOS TI razor...I've seen pics of what they sell and they look near identical to the 6/8 TI Le Dandy I bought last spring (2011)...here's a crappy pic of mine

that's protective oil on the blade FWIW...if you look close at the heel, you'll see the edge has a spike point...real lethal if you aren't careful. i don't shave with it much although i should...it has to be in the top 3 of my sharpest shaving straight razors. I'm going to guess TI sent some clunkers overseas from time to time and you got one, but I'm not kiddin...mine's a great shaver. IIRC I paid $163 shipped to my door for it, and they're (LeDandy) considered entry level although it's the same C135 blade a lot of their line uses...just w/plain jane schales though I think the black triangular ends are quite natty


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[mdunn]

Welcome!

Get it honed, and go to town!

[FlyFishNut]

Thanks fellas - and Paco I will definitely take you up on that! Very kind of you. I'll shoot you a PM.

I'm looking forward to the straight razor shave - there is just nothing like it. I was going to a place to get my hair cut that was also obscenely priced (I justified it b/c I got my shoes shined, they provided me a couple beers, and of course the girl was hot) and when she gave me a straight razor shave my mug felt like a baby's bottom. I also didn't have to shave the day after which is a bonus as well.

I'll hold off buying another razor until Paco takes a look at my blade and tells me if it is suitable.

Thanks for the nice welcome!
FFN

[chuckr9]

It appears you have a good razor to start, but getting it shave ready is more important than the brand. I suggest reading through the Forum for vey helpful information.

[Oblique Human]

Hello Nut, Welcome to B&B!

[frostygoth]

Good luck! I'm just starting de shaving and I can't imagine taking a straight razor to my face now.

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[Slash McCoy]

Good luck and Happy Shaves!

[shakin_jake]

Good luck! I'm just starting de shaving and I can't imagine taking a straight razor to my face now.

~~~~no biggie shaving with an open straight edge razor. The only way you are going to slice yourself with it is if you move the edge sideways against your skin...so you learn to avoid doing that. Safety razors have the advantage of dropping in an economical/replaceable blade so no talent is involved 'keeping the edge shave ready'...but for a lot of us that shave daily with straight razors, we'd have it no other way


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[dpmtherrien]

Welcome to B&B. Just take it easy with that straight and go slow.

[shuasdad]

Welcome!

Hope you're starting a shave diary over in the Straight Razor forum, cause that'd sure to be an interesting journey.

[FlyFishNut]

Welcome to B&B. Just take it easy with that straight and go slow.

I will do that - and I'm sure I'll need some pointers. - Sending my blade to Paco to be properly stropped and I'll post when I give it a go.