new to straight razor shaving

[tenors596]

I recently bought 2 straight razors don't remember what metal was used but I do know that they are cheaply made. I know that I need to have them honed and I need a strop, I am just trying to find somewhere where I can buy good quality for less as well as do I need an abrasive compound for the strop, just general information on all of this.

 

[jgkeegan]

A decent place to start would be for you to read the B&B forum and The Straight Razor Place. You'll find a lot if information and support in both places.

--james

 

[unit]

Good advice regarding info sources.

A couple recommendations and warnings I'll add.
1. Please do yourself a favor and do not try to learn to hone and straight shave together. Most are far better off learning to shave first, and to do so with an unquestionable razor with a confirmed shave ready edge. I found honing and straight shaving to both be very challenging and rewarding to learn. Every beginner I have mentored has questioned his equipment while developing his technique. Remove this doubt and make sure your gear is not going to hold you back.

2. You mention your razor is cheaply made. (This, you may not enjoy hearing). Razors require AMAZING skills to make. There are HIGHLY skilled knife makers that cannot properly produce a razor. Many won't bother trying, others will try numerous times before they develop the skills to create a viable piece that they will offer to others. Unfortunately, some producers and many modern buyers do not know the difference.

Imagine the sharpest knife you have ever experienced....I would bet that the edge on that knife is entirely unsuitable for straight shaving. The term you hear thrown around "razor sharp" is just jargon. True razors are not only sharper than most knife enthusiasts have ever experienced, but they are also prepared for a second criteria (smoothness).

I sincerely hope your razor is a razor and not a razor-like object (RLO) that is made of materials unsuitable for achieving and maintaining shave readiness. There is a growing trend toward production and offering these RLOs and collectors enjoy them, but they frustrate the heck out of guys trying to learn straight shaving.

I love straight shaving and helping others to find the passion I enjoy. I would be happy to offer my assistance to you in whatever capacity you choose (be it learning to hone, figuring out if yours is a viable shaver, finding other viable but affordable straights, and finding other qualified restorers/honers). Whatever you do, please don't give up...it's a great passion to develop.

 

[david childers]

I am a licensed barber and I would advise anyone not to shave themself with a straight razor. I know there are people who do, but there are reasons why you shouldn't. Shaving with a straight razor is a skill that most people aren't trained to do. Even barbers like myself who have been trained, do not attempt to shave themself with a straight razor because looking in a mirror throws off your depth perception and makes not just nicking but seriously cutting yourself much more likely. It is much safer to shave someone else as opposed to yourself. As to honing and stropping, once again you have to know what you are doing. There are few companies out there who make quality straight razors anymore, which is one of the reasons the old ones are so sought after. It does take a lot of skill to make a good straight razor and it takes skill to maintain one as well. If you want to purchase straight razors, my suggestion would be to buy them as collector pieces and shave with a good safety razor. If you want a straight razor shave, treat yourself once in a while and go to a well trained barber who still practices the art of shaving. The secret of a great shave is a clean face,then preparing the beard by softening the whiskers, then suspending the whiskers with lather, shaving with a sharp razor and maybe a cooling lotion afterwards. Don't just shave with a straight razor for the coolness factor. Cutting yourself is not cool.

 

[unit]

I appreciate your opinion, but I'll state that myself and thousands of others have chosen to learn to shave with a straight and find it to be a highly rewarding experience.

I agree that it is not easy to master the shave, the strop, and the honing...but what things in life that are worth doing are easy?

This is one one the reasons I offer to help others learn. Another reason is that fathers today tend to not pass down the teachings of a proper wet shave...and yes, at one time most men did shave themselves with a straight (thus the large numbers of vintage straights available).

I agree that it is a skill that few are trained to do. This is true of many MANY things. This fact suggests they interested parties should seek training...not that they should simply give up!

 

[Mack]

I have shaved with a straight since I was 18. I'm 49 now, should I stop because a barber doesn't think I should do it? I love shaving with straights. It's one of the few pleasures I have in life. I'm not going to stop until I simply can't do it anymore.

 

[eKretz]

I am a licensed barber and I would advise anyone not to shave themself with a straight razor. I know there are people who do, but there are reasons why you shouldn't. Shaving with a straight razor is a skill that most people aren't trained to do. Even barbers like myself who have been trained, do not attempt to shave themself with a straight razor because looking in a mirror throws off your depth perception and makes not just nicking but seriously cutting yourself much more likely. It is much safer to shave someone else as opposed to yourself. As to honing and stropping, once again you have to know what you are doing. There are few companies out there who make quality straight razors anymore, which is one of the reasons the old ones are so sought after. It does take a lot of skill to make a good straight razor and it takes skill to maintain one as well. If you want to purchase straight razors, my suggestion would be to buy them as collector pieces and shave with a good safety razor. If you want a straight razor shave, treat yourself once in a while and go to a well trained barber who still practices the art of shaving. The secret of a great shave is a clean face,then preparing the beard by softening the whiskers, then suspending the whiskers with lather, shaving with a sharp razor and maybe a cooling lotion afterwards. Don't just shave with a straight razor for the coolness factor. Cutting yourself is not cool.

Sorry, but this is just silly. Men have been shaving themselves with straight razors for over a century with rarely an issue. Granted you should have a steady hand and it is extremely helpful to have someone experienced to help you learn, but it isn't that big a deal. I too have been straight razor shaving for quite some time now, and have shaved with a pocket knife on plenty of occasions.

 

[Sam Wilson]

I agree with the last couple of guys. I have been using a straight razor for several years, and very happily. It really isn't that big of a deal, once you learn. I particularly agree that it's a good idea to get them professionally honed in the beginning. If you don't know for sure how to do it, it can make learning to shave with one doubly frustrating, when you don't really have a sharp razor.

 

[david childers]

I have shaved with a straight since I was 18. I'm 49 now, should I stop because a barber doesn't think I should do it? I love shaving with straights. It's one of the few pleasures I have in life. I'm not going to stop until I simply can't do it anymore.

Look, I know lots of guys shave with a straight razor and I also know my opinion won't change that fact and I really don't care. I also know that men have been shaving with them for a long time. As a barber though, I can also say that it isn't as safe as shaving with a safety razor, and I cannot advise people to try something that they are not trained to do. Just as you'll have a hard time finding a dentist telling people to go ahead a pull their own teeth. So if you're determined to shave yourself with a straight razor, I'll just say, OK, good luck, and God Bless, and go ahead and try to cut your hair while your at it.

 

[eKretz]

LOL, been there, done that, and it looked and worked fine too.

 

[Mack]

Look, I know lots of guys shave with a straight razor and I also know my opinion won't change that fact and I really don't care. I also know that men have been shaving with them for a long time. As a barber though, I can also say that it isn't as safe as shaving with a safety razor, and I cannot advise people to try something that they are not trained to do. Just as you'll have a hard time finding a dentist telling people to go ahead a pull their own teeth. So if you're determined to shave yourself with a straight razor, I'll just say, OK, good luck, and God Bless, and go ahead and try to cut your hair while your at it.

I've been cutting my own hair for more years than I've been shaving.

 

[unit]

Hey, no offense, but you must care, otherwise you wouldn't have posted what you did.

I understand that people want to protect their jobs, but I doubt cab/bus drivers post up about how dangerous driving oneself can be.

Simply put, it is not that dangerous. Cuts and nicks may happen, injuries that require medical help are pretty rare (never heard of one in related to shaving with a properly honed and maintained straight razor). Mishaps requiring medical treatment are far more common with pocket, kitchen, and hunting knife use....but I'm not going to urge people to abandon use of them.

Sorry, and again I do not intend to offend, but just as a barber may want to protect their profession, I wish to protect mine. I think everyone interested in straight shaving SHOULD and I'm willing to help, either with information, instruction, or honing services.

Straight shaving is wonderful, as can be wet shaving with a safety razor. Just make your own decision based on real risk assessment. Stairs are far more of a concern to me

 

[69_knives]

I've been cutting my own hair for more years than I've been shaving.

Oh my gosh, you cut your own hair too?? heaven forbid!

He probably believes it should be against the law to carry a knife longer than 0.99" too...

Other than that, I am at a loss for words regarding this:

I am a licensed barber and I would advise anyone not to shave themself with a straight razor. I know there are people who do, but there are reasons why you shouldn't. Shaving with a straight razor is a skill that most people aren't trained to do. Even barbers like myself who have been trained, do not attempt to shave themself with a straight razor because looking in a mirror throws off your depth perception and makes not just nicking but seriously cutting yourself much more likely. It is much safer to shave someone else as opposed to yourself. As to honing and stropping, once again you have to know what you are doing. There are few companies out there who make quality straight razors anymore, which is one of the reasons the old ones are so sought after. It does take a lot of skill to make a good straight razor and it takes skill to maintain one as well. If you want to purchase straight razors, my suggestion would be to buy them as collector pieces and shave with a good safety razor. If you want a straight razor shave, treat yourself once in a while and go to a well trained barber who still practices the art of shaving. The secret of a great shave is a clean face,then preparing the beard by softening the whiskers, then suspending the whiskers with lather, shaving with a sharp razor and maybe a cooling lotion afterwards. Don't just shave with a straight razor for the coolness factor. Cutting yourself is not cool.

Suggestion - fluoride filter

 

[bradlox]

I found a really nice double sided stone in a thrift store fo a couple of bucks . Try
Antique stores and the like .
Mine is a reliance hone , puts a smooth razor edge on my straights and on some of my knives too .

 

[maxton]

Straight razors are very dangerous, but more manly. Till now whenever i tried to use straight razor, i ended up cutting my skin every single time. So, using safety razor is the only choice i have got. To me, using straight razors feels like an art. And if there is any artist here, let me know. I love straight razor but scared of it too. By the way, you can check this out : http://www.apennyshaved.com for some razor info

 

[Mack]

Straight razors are very dangerous, but more manly. Till now whenever i tried to use straight razor, i ended up cutting my skin every single time. So, using safety razor is the only choice i have got. To me, using straight razors feels like an art. And if there is any artist here, let me know. I love straight razor but scared of it too. By the way, you can check this out : http://www.apennyshaved.com for some razor info

I've never considered myself an artist but I always shave with a straight. There is blood at times but it's a part of the experience.
I think the art is the blade itself. They are wonderful works of art that demand attention and are an absolute joy to use.

Perhaps I'm an anachronism but I like that about me.

 

[Samon]

Do yourself a favour and keep the cheap ones as novelty display items and invest in a proper cut throat razor (original term used for the straight razor) that is made of appropriate steel made in either Sheffield, England or Solingen, Germany. Not that other nations cannot produce a decent one, but to simplify your searches these two cutlery capitals of the world will be a good place to start.

As a person who shaves his head every single day with a safety razor I can say I'd be cautios to start straight on my head with a real razor. Instead using old methods like my Mother did (hairdresser for 30+ years) and practice on a lathered heavily inflated balloon and then someone else!

Oh and although I prefer the term cut throat razor for it's historical originality I wouldn't advise searching that name on google images without the safety feature on! Lol the ammount of murder pic's on there is horrifying!

Also, once you've found one you like and feel comfortable buying, seek a reputable place to have it honed! Although they should come ready to shave, they will require a professional touch up eventually and it's not quite like putting an edge on your pocket knife. Expect to spend a fair ammount of money on a decent new one, or slightly less on an older used one, and all the brushes, soaps etc that are needed to perform a clean shave.

 

[eKretz]

I very rarely get an actual cut when shaving with a straight. I had one when I first started that was about 3/4" or an inch long that was just deep enough to make a red line when I had the razor catch while shaving against the grain and I accidentally allowed it to rotate in my hand, which allowed it to just dig in a tiny bit. (New to straights then, had too loose/tentative of a grip). That healed in about 3-4 days and didn't leave any permanent mark. I do occasionally get tiny little nicks, just like when shaving with a new cartridge razor. These amount to a tiny pinpoint of red that is healed over by the time I have finished shaving, and when I pat with a cold washcloth after shaving there's no trace; don't even need alum. The sharpening is the trickiest bit IMO, after that the learning proper pressure and angles to hold the razor while shaving. Once you have these 2 dialed in it's really pretty easy.

 

[gadgetgeek]

You say that your straights are cheap, HOWEVER there are actually some rather well regarded and cheap...ish straights. Can you post the brands? you might have some decent ones. I would recommend finding a honemeister to get you started on the sharpening, some even provide two for one, or free touchups for new clients. you probably only need good smooth leather for a strop, compound isn't required for the first while, and some guys don't use any ever. take it slow, give your skin time to heal when needed, and ask questions. While I no longer straight shave often, its a neat skill to have, and can have very good results. (but getting there will take some time)

 

[unit]

Good words.

Razors don't necessarily require you to pay a lot of money...but you must pay a lot of attention and diligence.

A properly honed and maintained razor makes a huge difference in the learning curve. If the razor is properly shave ready, the user has direct feedback on their technique (only)