Cheap Intro to Straight Razor Shaving, Think I May Be Hooked...

B

b yond

Joined
Jun 3, 2011
Messages
320
Well Dang.

I'm house-poor at the moment, and ran out of refill blades for my multi-bladed modern razor. I didn't want to spend $30 for 8 refill cartridges so I started scouring the 'net for a cheaper alternative. Lo and behold, it led me to a site about straight razors. Being a knife knut there's something about the idea of waking up every morning and playing with a wickedly sharp blade that just sounds right to me, so I read on. And on. And on. Then my wife got mad. So I went downstairs and read some more.

Being short on funds, I wasn't ready to invest in a good SR razor right away, and besides, I didn't know if I'd actually like using one. I ended up getting a Parker SR-1 online for around $17. It looks like a SR, but it takes replaceable blades, and can utilize 1/2 of a DE blade. I also picked up 100 blades for around $5 and a cheap soap/dish/brush set for another $7 or so. So for around the price I would've paid for 8 refill cartridges for my multi-bladed modern razor I was able to set myself up for a year, give or take a few soaps.

I figured if I didn't like it, wasn't able to do it, or sliced my jugular open on the first try I wouldn't be out too much cash. If I did like it, I had a year to save my pennies for a good SR, strop, and stone, and then I'd be set for life.

Well...I like it. I haven't lost much blood (just a couple small nicks the first time because I used too much pressure). I'm hooked. I've found that the time spent staring at my ugly mug in the mirror is actually therapeutic. Practically meditative. I've also found that it doesn't take me much longer to shave than it did with the modern razor (I do have a mustache/goatee so there's nothing really difficult to shave).

Anyway, thought I'd pass along the success story and encourage anyone interested in trying it out to start out cheap like I did.

My starter razor:

ParkerSR1.jpg
 
Shavettes are a great way to get an intro--glad you enjoyed the experience! The real deal is even better. :cool::thumbup:
 
I also have a cheap straight and like its features. So, I shave using it at times and get decent results plus its a good travel razor. One of my nice razors I'm afraid of travel damage or someone helping themselves to it whereas this one doesn't carry that weigh. Its a good arrangement. DM
 
The Parker SR1 is by no means a nice shavette. Edges are rough, whatever they use to paint the text and design on it was also imbedded in the rough tool marks on the edges, and it feels cheap. It does, however, do an adequate job of holding the disposeable blade, has enough weight that I don't use any pressure to shave, and has a metal handle rather than a plastic one. I plan to use it for around a year, and unless it falls apart before then, I don't expect t have any problems shaving with it. My complaints are not functional but cosmetic.

I've used it about 5 times now, and have already become much better at it.
 
THG said:
How do you think it would compare to a Dovo Shavette?
Click to expand...

Hard to say, as I haven't used the Dovo. I did compare the two before I decided on the parker, and I chose the parker for a number of reasons:
-it's heavier
-the handle is metal
-it doesn't rely on a plastic blade holder (I've read that this is a major weak point of the dovo)
 
You can get the Dovo in a stainless handle (mine is) and the plastic blade holder is made of a durable material that sees minimal strain in actual usage. I highly recommend one--I use mine when I don't have the time to strop my str8s and it does a great job--especially with Derby blades. :)
 
I hate to commit thread necromancy, but I wanted to post an update 6 months later.

I'm still using the same cheap shavette, and not even half way through my first pack of 100 blades. Still lovin' it.

I often follow up with a second pass XTG with a cheapo DE. I've found that this gives me a great close shave.

I experimented a lot with soaps, creams, and aftershaves. I tried the expensive stuff, I tried the cheap stuff. A lot of the fancier brands actually gave me some skin irritation. I settled on Williams Mug Soap, which I add a few drops of drugstore glycerin to when building lather, and I follow up with a liberal application of Aqua Velva.

I'm getting the best shave I've ever had, and spending practically nothing on it. :)
 
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