Considering switching to the straight razor.

[UncleBoots]

I bought a straight razor blank out of a magazine. Finished it out and sharpened.

Also dropped the thing on my foot while in the shower.

Antique shops always had a few straight razors. Top line German was around $30 bucks. $45 if it had gold inlay. Average $15 each for the common ones. The blank, if I remember right, $4(?) It wasn't more then $8(?).

Everything was done on the blade but polishing the blade, sharpening, and needing a guard. So I've had my go at a straight razor. 19 year old kid.

Then went to the double sided not long after. Safety razor. Which I've used for years. There's a reason why it's called a Safety Razor. It's not just your face. It's fingers and feet safe.

Straight razor Rule #1: Never shave naked

 

[Grasshopperglock]

Straight razor Rule #1: Never shave naked

I shave in the shower so I don't get the bathroom sink full of razor stubble hair.

I had a hand mirror hanging up. Going along shaving. With the soap being slick.

I dropped it. Felt a thump on my foot. Bathtub fills with red. It landed dead center between two toes.

Once is enough of that. I'm not stopping shaving in a hot shower.

 

[Tsujigiri]

I switched to a straight razor years ago because my dad gave me a good one that he bought and gave up on. Now they're all I use, and I don't plan to ever go back. They do require more time and I cut myself when I'm not careful, but it kind of elevates the experience. You're going to have to spend more than a pack of refills to get started, but I read somewhere that the average man spends something like $4k+ on disposable razors in his lifetime, so you'll come out way ahead eventually.

You'll need a good razor, not a decorative piece. There are pretty much only 3 quality production companies still making these: Thiers Issard, Dovo, and Boker (figure a little under $200 for a good full sized one). You can also buy a custom if you're willing to spend a little more or a vintage razor if you're willing to put in the time and effort.

If you're not restoring vintage razors, you should be able to get away with one large finishing stone and a levelling stone, I got a Naniwa 12k and a DMT diamond leveller. A little over $100 for the Naniwa and around $50 for the leveller IIRC.

You'll also need a good strop, which you'll use every time. That will be around $100 too.

 

[jeffbird]

You'll need a good razor, not a decorative piece. There are pretty much only 3 quality production companies still making these: Thiers Issard, Dovo, and Boker (figure a little under $200 for a good full sized one).

???? I still have a Thiers Issard sitting on the shelf. It was poorly ground resulting in a very uneven bevel and thus edge. It is beautiful, but a poor performer.

After trying about fifteen or so, Wacker stood out very noticeably from the others. A photo of my daily user, the Wacker Chevalier, is above.

The older Le Grelot P. Hospital razors are my second favorite and quite affordable. I’d recommend starting with these as they are consistent quality, easy to sharpen, affordable, and easy to use starting off.

 

[Tsujigiri]

???? I still have a Thiers Issard sitting on the shelf. It was poorly ground resulting in a very uneven bevel and thus edge. It is beautiful, but a poor performer.

After trying about fifteen or so, Wacker stood out very noticeably from the others. A photo of my daily user, the Wacker Chevalier, is above.

The older Le Grelot P. Hospital razors are my second favorite and quite affordable. I’d recommend starting with these as they are consistent quality, easy to sharpen, affordable, and easy to use starting off.

Vintage production razors were probably more consistent than what's available today, but the fact remains that the three I mentioned are the last good remaining production razor companies. Brands like Wacker and Ralf Aust are not production companies and don't have the manufacturing capability to make blades on a large scale. Both of them source their blade blanks from one of those production companies (Dovo IIRC), and do a little extra finish work on them.

 

[jeffbird]

Maybe there is a difference in semantics of "production" in our minds. Wacker grinds their own blades, it is more than just "finishing." See the video below. They produce standardized, non-custom order models. The standardized models are produced in sufficient volume to be readily available from multiple retailers including but not limited to Amazon. To me that is the same as a knife company taking steel blanks, grinding them to produce standardized models, which to me are "production" knives. fwiw - I also have an Aust, it is ok, much prefer Wacker.

Regardless, it is a currently and readily available, high quality razor.

Someone starting off probably is best served buying a two or three decent quality used razors from a vendor that specializes in straights and can ship them truly shave ready.

Either way OP, jump in and give it a try. Be patient with yourself, it is a learned skill
worth learning.

 

[greater]

I have had good luck with a large Dovo with rounded corners. It's likely second best out a good collection.

The best I have is a Filarmonica spanish made straight.

Filarmonica has a good reputation for being one of the best made straight razors but they have been out of business for quite a while and you have to find a good one on the secondary market.

There are complications when buying a Filarmonica. For a period of time Filarmonica was producing total crap razors before going back to making high quality straight razors like they used to.

You have to know if the Filarmonica straight razor was made during the time poor quality ones were being sold before buying and if so avoid them because the risk is too great of getting a lemon.

For what it's worth I have read many good things about Wacker but I have never used one.

Also I don't like using tape to protect the finish of pristine straight razors. Straights were designed to be easy to sharpen and sharpen best by laying the blade flat to work on the edge so both edge and spine wear evenly. Straights have been around very long and the design has for the most part fully evolved is well established for a reason. You will just have to get over it if you don't like your beautiful finish touched by the stones and strop.

To be fair you can probably get away with using tape for a long while but you can't forever. You edge angle will get steeper eventually.

 

[Simplejack]

I send all my razors to a one man straight razor enthusiast. He sells restored old straights on the bay that are truly shave ready at a fair price.

 

[CSG]

When was the last time the OP responded to this thread?

 

[anicefloe]

What I will add is that I’ve been using a Feather Japanese style exchangeable blade straight for about a year and a half and love it! While I have several DE’s and traditional straights, I find it to work best for me as a compromise. I also had the folding version but let it go after using the Japanese handle type. Nothing clunky, efficient, and low maintenance. I can appreciate traditional Western straights but this has been the GOAT for me personally. I hate it when I have to fly and use something else.

 

[scdub]

I’ve used a vintage kamisori (Japanese straight razor) for years and don’t plan to go back.

I’m cheating somewhat though as I wear a beard and so only need to shave my neck once or twice a week.

I didn’t find it particularly difficult or complicated to start, just nicked myself a few times. Remember that people have been using them for thousands of years - you really don’t need all the specialized gear.

I sharpen mine on rocks that I found on the beach and a homemade leather strop.

 

[eveled]

You can always try the happy middle ground between modern cartridge/throw away plastic, and full-on straight razors: the double edge safety razor. $100 for a razor and a few hundred blades, and you're set for life. Google or search the forum here for Henson AL13 as a starting point. You can always move to the straight razor later at your own pace, if desired.

+1

I could consider a double blades safety razor, I assume they're less risky than straight razors?

Yes much safer.

 

[shinyedges]

When was the last time the OP responded to this thread?

My guess, he got a cheapo straight razor and perhaps had an accident.

 

[anicefloe]

Just had to order a new blade protecter for the Feather Kamisori (hinge fail) and a definite plus for the folder. That said, It is a winner. I’m sure that a sheath would just ruin the blade.

 

[RubiSoHo]

I only use straight razors, but I prefer the disposables. Way more economical. I use a 1940’s style safety razor most days, the style that accepts a double edged single blade razor. I can get a pack of 20 blades that can last for a couple of months for like $2.50. I think I paid $25 for the handle. They give a WAY better shave than the multi razor cartridges that cost an arm and a leg. They rinse clean easily, and end up with a closer shave with way less irritation and no ingrown hairs.

If there’s time in the morning for a longer shave, I have a Japanese style straight razor that holds half blades. Something like this:

similar quality, and 100 Parker razors for it was $9.99 when I bought it. The handle was $19.99. The blades are so sharp that just the weight of the handle can drag it across a properly lathered beard and cut the hair close enough to feel baby butt smooth. I’ve cut myself a couple of times, but never deep enough to need more than a styptic pencil.

 

[Simplejack]

I also only use straight razors. Strop em up lather the face and shave. It's a peaceful way to wake up in the morning.
With what I would have spent on shaving over 3 years I made an entire shave den.

 

[mc556]

I only use straight razors, but I prefer the disposables. Way more economical. I use a 1940’s style safety razor most days, the style that accepts a double edged single blade razor. I can get a pack of 20 blades that can last for a couple of months for like $2.50. I think I paid $25 for the handle. They give a WAY better shave than the multi razor cartridges that cost an arm and a leg. They rinse clean easily, and end up with a closer shave with way less irritation and no ingrown hairs.

If there’s time in the morning for a longer shave, I have a Japanese style straight razor that holds half blades. Something like this:

similar quality, and 100 Parker razors for it was $9.99 when I bought it. The handle was $19.99. The blades are so sharp that just the weight of the handle can drag it across a properly lathered beard and cut the hair close enough to feel baby butt smooth. I’ve cut myself a couple of times, but never deep enough to need more than a styptic pencil.

I recently bought the same Feather Artist razor.
It’s a learning curve for sure, but I’ve only gotten a few nicks aside from the first shave. The first shave had me doubting my purchase. I only shave my neck and it’s not that corse. I’m going to try the KaI blades as I hear they are less aggressive.


My DE safety razors are by far more comfortable and economical, but the straight razor is just kinda cool. I do think you have to be a blade nerd like most of us to appreciate it.

 

[jbib]

Have you used a straight razor before?

And No, you don't sharpen it on a grinding belt.

Here's how this is going to go. You're going to get a straight razor and the first time using it. You're going to bleed.

Working through it. The second week won't be much better.

Third week, having to spend an extra 30 minutes carefully scraping your face. Getting sick of the razor nicks.

Finally ending with the idea. Straight razors suck if you're using it yourself. It's better when a trained barber uses it.

Oh and don't use it in the shower and definitely don't drop it. Such an event sucks. Trust me on that.


So if you want to go hard-core. Buy one. Add to your experience. But keep the safety razor handy.

I wanted to use a straight razor too. Three tries convinced me it wasn't a good idea. And candidly never finished after the blood started flowing. Might I suggest if you want to do something eclectic go on the bay. There are a lot of classic safety razors that might appeal to your taste.

 

[jbib]

Thoughts on this one?

https://www.fendrihan.ca/products/merkur-34c-hd-double-edge-safety-razor?currency=CAD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=88a2ab08dc0f&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAn-2tBhDVARIsAGmStVldgcChVyBcip1rTf6xCDegyCbLL9RpqZ3mYNFYHJ7T3Aw4i-3vM9waAtPuEALw_wcB

Merkur's are top notch. No blade wobble at all. What blades do you prefer? Don't laugh but I really like the Gillette/Wilkinson blades.

 

[kellyhh]

I've gone through the progression from cheap plastic bulk razors to decent cartridges, DE safety razors, a shavette and now on to straights. As some have already said, if you're getting into straights to save money, start laughing at yourself now. I find straight razor shaving to be meditative, a ritual I really look forward to. But I've spent a small fortune on stones, strops (leather and balsa and lapidary pastes), vintage razors on auction sites, and shave soap, aftershave, shave towels and towel warmer, and on ad nauseum. I own a few dozen straights now from brand new to 200 years old, and all shapes and sizes.