Time to switch! Have a few questions

[loonybin]

My shave every other day consists of a shower, some Shave Secret from Wal-Mart, and a 2-pass shave with a Schick Quattro (used to be a Gillette Fusion, but those blades are too pricey).

It sucks.

Let me repeat... it sucks. The Shave Secret was actually an improvement over the cans of shaving gel, but these disposable razors still suck.

I switched from electric to cartridges about 2 years ago and was amazed at how much better of a shave I got. However, I have wires for whiskers and quite sensitive skin. If I shave every day, my face is torn up and I have razor burn so bad you'd think I'm sprouting acne all over at age 35 (hence I have to shave every other day). Add to that the frustration of getting only 3 good shaves out of a blade before it's pulling, and I have the added dismay of spending a fortune on blades. I'm almost ready to grow a ZZ Top-style beard and not mess with it, except I enjoy being kissed by my wife

Here is where I have reached a fork in the road. I am done with cartridges. Once they are used up, I am not getting any more. That leaves me the option of a hermit's beard, a DE razor, or a straight razor.

The wife has vetoed the hermit's beard.

The DE razor sounds most similar to what I know already, but I don't exactly have the money to get a good one. $70 for a razor isn't in our budget at the moment.

I have an old straight razor that used to belong to my wife's grandfather -- a George Wostenholm & Son's "Celebrated IXL Razor" with that plus "Washington Works, Sheffield England" on the arm of the blade and "ISL Hollow Ground Razor" on the blade with a nice scroll and some vines around it (I'll try to post pics later).

I'm wondering what will be more cost effective for me to get started: Spend the money on a strop for the straight razor ( I also have his honing stones, including a Swaty honing stone), or dig deep and get a DE razor?

What kind of learning curve am I looking at with each one?

 

[Gollnick]

You can get a nice DE on eBay in the $20 range.

I suggest a blade sample kit from westcoastshaving.com.

DE blades give most guys 3-8 shaves. But, unlike carts, they typically cost about ten cents each. So, they are fabulously economical.

You can continue to use the Shave Secret oil. But, the other option is a brush and some soap.

The bests tips are: slow down a bit, especially at first, use a light touch, blade angle is key; start with the blade horizontal to your skin and then increase the angle slowly until I cuts nicely. Expect a few nicks early on; but it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[gadgetgeek]

starting cost of used DE and blades $25
starting cost of used Straight (pro honing, home made strop) $45 and that number goes up fast if you get a professionally made strop, get your own honing stones, etc. you will want to use the straight sooner or later, but if I was switching, I'd go for the DE first, and then get straight stuff as I had the money.

 

[loonybin]

You can get a nice DE on eBay in the $20 range.

I suggest a blade sample kit from westcoastshaving.com.

DE blades give most guys 3-8 shaves. But, unlike carts, they typically cost about ten cents each. So, they are fabulously economical.

You can continue to use the Shave Secret oil. But, the other option is a brush and some soap.

The bests tips are: slow down a bit, especially at first, use a light touch, blade angle is key; start with the blade horizontal to your skin and then increase the angle slowly until I cuts nicely. Expect a few nicks early on; but it shouldn't be too bad.

starting cost of used DE and blades $25
starting cost of used Straight (pro honing, home made strop) $45 and that number goes up fast if you get a professionally made strop, get your own honing stones, etc. you will want to use the straight sooner or later, but if I was switching, I'd go for the DE first, and then get straight stuff as I had the money.

Thank you gents. this is the kind of info I'm looking for. I had no idea I could get a good DE razor for slightly more than the price of a pack of Fusion cartridges! That makes the decision on what to start with much easier.

Now I need to figure out what brand of DE razor to go with. Merkur seems to be pretty popular, but what other brands should I look at (or vice versa... what brands should I stay away from)?

 

[cybrok]

Blade sampler from westcoastchasing is the way to go.

As for the razor, try to find old Gillettes:

Superspeed, especially the metal handled one.

Fat handled tech.

Brush and soap really make a difference. This youtube channel will too:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

 

[mdole]

I too hated spending all that money on cartridges, so I made the switch two years ago. Now my biggest problem is getting my wife to put the razor back where I left it! Mine is a gillette tech with a ball handle (identical to this one http://www.countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/4-3-tech.html). I picked it up for under $15 at an antique store, and but my blades from cvs or longs or wherever I happen to be. Make the switch, and free up some money for other knives!!! Good hunting!

 

[gadgetgeek]

Mine is a slighly older (i think) gillette tech open comb, and I love it. I also have a gillete slim adjustable, which I am going to try to get my fiance to try (might as well save the money she'd spend too right?) I think that condition is more a factor than brand when it comes to the old ones. as for new, it seems to be a preference thing. there is a decent secondary market, so you shouldn't loose much if you get one you don't much like. generally the old ones are on a hard floor for value, so you won't go wrong selling an antique as long as you buy at a fair price.
oh, and watch all of Mantic59's youtube films, great tips!

 

[Gollnick]

Ask Kohai999 to help you out. He watches the eBay auctions and can point out a good one for you. You should be able to come out under $20. You may want to look at This Thread.

 

[loonybin]

Blade sampler from westcoastchasing is the way to go.

As for the razor, try to find old Gillettes:

Superspeed, especially the metal handled one.

Fat handled tech.

Funny you should mention those two. I went hunting for them, and so far I have won 2 auctions: a 1976 black handled Super Speed (W-1 code) and a 1960 flair tip Super Speed (F-3 code). I missed a 1972 Super Slim Adjustable by about $2. I'll pick up one of the sample packs and some soap and brush and be on my way once my cartridges are used up. It'll give me some time to read and learn before applying bare blade to face.

Please tell me this isn't going to end up like my guns and knives -- never enough...

 

[Durwood]

Ask Kohai999 to help you out. He watches the eBay auctions and can point out a good one for you. You should be able to come out under $20. You may want to look at This Thread.

Gollnick,

I've been following Gillette adjustables for about two months on ebay and it's tough to snag one for $20 these days that doesn't need some serious cleaning. I've only done it twice and both times the key was that the seller's pics were poor and the razors were actually much nicer than they appeared...something that rarely happens in the knife world

 

[Darksky]

You can get into a DE for cheap. If you want something nice IMHO look at MERKUR. I have a progress in the long handle. I like it best with feather blades. E-bay is a quick resource for DE. After a bit with DE you will most likely want to make the jump to a straight razor. Once you start out with a straight razor you will wonder why you ever used anything else. I think that "most" guys fear the sharpening and maintaining a straight more than the worry of getting cut. Again, once you get in the groove of sharpening (honing) and stropping your razor you will enjoy that part of the whole ceremony as well.

 

[loonybin]

You can get into a DE for cheap. If you want something nice IMHO look at MERKUR. I have a progress in the long handle. I like it best with feather blades. E-bay is a quick resource for DE. After a bit with DE you will most likely want to make the jump to a straight razor. Once you start out with a straight razor you will wonder why you ever used anything else. I think that "most" guys fear the sharpening and maintaining a straight more than the worry of getting cut. Again, once you get in the groove of sharpening (honing) and stropping your razor you will enjoy that part of the whole ceremony as well.

I inherited a straight, but I need to save up the money to get all the honing and stropping material, so DE will be it for a little while. I managed to score that 1960 flair tip I linked to for $6.50 including shipping. Even if I get the "everything" blade sampler from westcoastshaving.com, I'll have the razor and blades for less than $45. I probably will end up migrating to straight razors at some point. For now, though, I need to learn all I can about DEs.


EDIT: Well, there is a huge flea market in town tomorrow at our state fairgrounds that will take up an entire building (huge one, that is). I'm going to see what I can find there for an adjustable one.

 

[cybrok]

It's ok to start with a DE, you'll learn a lot about your face and hair (growt direction). It's ok to get a non-adjustable too, you'll learn to adapt to the razor, instead of the opposite. Every razor has its "personality".

When you'll be ready, I suggest you get your straight honed by a pro (at least the first time, to really know what a sharp razor is), even get it restored if needed. All you'll need then is a good strop.

Shaving with a heirloom razor is something very special.

 

[loonybin]

Shaving with a heirloom razor is something very special.

You're telling me. My wife's grandfather died at age 84. He used his straight razor into his 70s until his hands got too shaky. Some day I'll start using it.

 

[gadgetgeek]

that is piece to be proud of man, looks very good!

 

[Gollnick]

What a precious family heirloom. Shaving with a straight razor is quite an effort and a bit time-consuming. If you don't have the time or patience for it everyday, maybe it'll just be a Sunday thing with a DE most other days. The DE shave can be time-consuming too if you let it. But it can also be done very well in ten or twelve minutes.

 

[cybrok]

At the moment, it's a weekend thing for me. 3x a week max. It is time consuming.

Here's my great grandfather's razor before resto:

And after:

I think it worth it to restore them. I paid around 80$ for the resto and honing. It gave the razor a new life.

DE are more practical, quicker shave, easy to travel with. But I prefer a good straight razor shave.

Loonybin: That razor is a good one. Don't let it sit in a drawer. Wostenholm made high quality blades.

 

[Kohai999]

Gollnick,

I've been following Gillette adjustables for about two months on ebay and it's tough to snag one for $20 these days that doesn't need some serious cleaning. I've only done it twice and both times the key was that the seller's pics were poor and the razors were actually much nicer than they appeared...something that rarely happens in the knife world

Once I saw this post, Durwood, I put up a razor for sale in the Exchange for $25.00 delivered, and it doesn't need any cleaning.

Loonybin, I have an extra "beater" Super Speed that you can have at no cost if you PM me your address, I can box it up and ship it out tomorrow if you hurry.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Gollnick]

Loonybin, I have an extra "beater" Super Speed that you can have at no cost if you PM me your address, I can box it up and ship it out tomorrow if you hurry.

If Steve is gonna send you a Razor, PM or E-mail me your postal address and I'll send you some blades.

 

[loonybin]

Loonybin, I have an extra "beater" Super Speed that you can have at no cost if you PM me your address, I can box it up and ship it out tomorrow if you hurry.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

If Steve is gonna send you a Razor, PM or E-mail me your postal address and I'll send you some blades.

Holy Cow guys!

Kohai999, that's incredibly generous. However, I wouldn't feel right taking a razor from you when I just won 3 auctions on eBay for some that should be here by the end of the week (one a 1960 Super Speed Flair Tip), and I picked up two at a flea market yesterday. One is pre-1951 (no idea what model) and quite dirty, and I need to do a lot of cleanup on it; the other is a small 1964 travel razor that is so pristine, I'm not sure it's even been used (bought it for $2!!!). I may have to keep it that way.

Gollnick, thank you very much! I think I'll need to take you up on your offer, as I have no idea what to look for in blades. Having a few to try out will be a big help.

Here are the two I picked up:

pre-cleaning:

The green gunk scrapes off in the low spots with my fingernail, but I'm not sure what to use to get it off completely.