Straight Razor?

[Garcia]

So I am 22, and for I am recently starting to shave twice a week (still not as prominent but i only get hair on my chin but stuble)

I read an article saying that using a straight razor might be better than a regular disposable razor, wanting to hear your guys’ opinion?

What would you all recommend? I want a beard but I know I can’t grow one yet, so I like a clean shave look.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Straight razor shaving is a rabbit hole that has a lot in common with pipe smoking (old-timey techniques that would be extinct if not for the Internet, collecting of gear, maintenance of tools, extra steps, etc.)

So naturally, I recommend it. I should bust out my stuff next spring when I shave off my winter beard.

 

[OzPiper]

A few Forums members collect straight razors - I don’t
Like knives (which I do), an advantage if you learn to sharpen with stones

Also assuming dexterity or hand tremor is not a problem

Or you can go with the Chinese wispy chin look
(I’m Chinese and can’t grow a beard )

 

[Garcia]

A few Forums members collect straight razors - I don’t
Like knives (which I do), an advantage if you learn to sharpen with stones

Also assuming dexterity or hand tremor is not a problem

Or you can go with the Chinese wispy chin look
(I’m Chinese and can’t grow a beard )

My dad was a butcher for a little over 10 years so we have wet stones at home in which I have taught myself how to sharpen knives

 

[kcghost]

A lot of members here are into straight razors. As for me I prefer the traditional safety razor sold in stores.

 

[OzPiper]

As for me I prefer the traditional safety razor sold in stores.

Oh ! I still manage to nick myself with safety razors.
So straight razors give me the heebeejeebies just thinking about using one

 

[Chasing Embers]

You may want to start with double edge safety razors as they're easier to find and maintain then move on to a straight razor but a straight razor shave is great.

 

[Garcia]

You may want to start with double edge safety razors as they're easier to find and maintain then move on to a straight razor but a straight razor shave is great.

View attachment 258039

Is that a clam razor?

 

[Flatfish]

DE razors I would recommend personally. A vintage Gillette or a Merkur or similar.

But it depends on you. If you can master and maintain a straight then great, fantastic. But they are very sharp.

Make sure you are awake and sober when using it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is that a clam razor?

An antique German lusterware shaving scuttle mug.

 

[chilllucky]

When I started needing just an occasional shave and had the time to make a ritual of it, I used a straight razor. I quickly found out why moustaches seemed to be so popular in the past.

A few years later when I needed to shave 3-4 times a week, I started using double edged safety razors. I still do when I'm between beards.

 

[RookieGuy80]

So I am 22, and for I am recently starting to shave twice a week (still not as prominent but i only get hair on my chin but stuble)

I read an article saying that using a straight razor might be better than a regular disposable razor, wanting to hear your guys’ opinion?

What would you all recommend? I want a beard but I know I can’t grow one yet, so I like a clean shave look.

If you want to use a straight razor, nothing else will be the same. Not a DE safety razor, not a barber razor/shavette. So by all means get a good straight razor, strope, brush, soap, and alum block. There's a bazillion videos on YouTube on what to get, how to prepare, how to shave, how to maintain, and anything else you could imagine. Also check out Badger and Blade.com. Those people are just as welcoming and friendly as we are, you'll get answers to questions you didn't know you had.

When you first start wet shaving, no matter what you use, you will cut yourself. You will have a couple little nicks. That's part of learning.

You asked for opinions on is it better than cartridges. My opinion is absolutely. Any wet shaving system is going to blow cartridges out of the water. I'm getting a smoother shave, I'm enjoying it so much more,  I am saving money (but you certainly don't have to), and the soaps smell nice. The downsides are everything will be harder to find in brick and mortar stores, and it does take a longer time to shave. And it does come with a learning curve.

 

[captpat]

I used to use a SR as a daily driver for many years. Besides learning how to shave with a SR you'll need to acquire honing stones and develop the ability to re-sharpen your razors. In addition to the razor and stones you'll need to get a good razor strop, I used one with linen on one side and leather the other. If you want to try for the SR experience without investing in stones, and strops try a Feather Artist Club razor, is uses a replaceable blade in a SR form factor. It's fairly easy to learn with an Artist Club particularly if you use the Pro-Guard Blades I recommend this to anyone wanting to start with SR shaving.

Take a look and Badgerandblade.com, a forum dedicated to shaving for more info.

 

[AroEnglish]

Straight razor shaving is fun but it’s a bit more involved if the grain of your hairs goes in a bunch of different directions, especially around the neck. I haven't done it in a long time now after switching to safety/DE razors but this post has me thinking of trying it again.

Or you can go with the Chinese wispy chin look
(I’m Chinese and can’t grow a beard )

My brother!

 

[SBC]

I myself enjoy seeing guys grow their distinctive, limited or sparse facial hair patterns. If your face produces a small patch on the chin, and/or some funky sideburns, whatever, I say grow what you've got. That's you. No need to go to the trouble of regularly removing a part of your distinctive look which twice a week reminds you that it wants to be there.

...just my idiosyncratic opinion...

 

[lightxmyfire]

I've been using a straight razor for about 5 years now, and highly recommend the switch with the same caveats others have mentioned. It does take a bit longer, it takes practice and confidence building to learn to use really well, I'm one of those people who's neck hair goes in all kinds of crazy directions and I'm still working on getting a closer shave there.

For me I would get a decent amount of razor burn and agitation from standard cartridges, the straight razor really improved that for me; I get ZERO of that stuff now, and I find the shave also lasts much longer. I currently maintain a beard on my face but not my neck, so I'm not doing a ton of shaving area and it takes about half an hour with the whole routine. Which I also find to be meditative and centering, like pipe smoking!

+1 for youtube and badger and blade those were both really helpful to me when I was starting out, and continuing to learn.

I'll also say that if you don't want to jump into sharpening it yourself you should look for a local knife sharpening business! The good ones will also know what to do with a straight razor and shouldn't cost you a ton. I used to cook professionally and have several Japanese wet stones for sharpening my chef's knives. I however don't trust my self to sharpen my razor, its a different angle and process from knives and I'm certainly less worried if I make a mistake on a knife I'm cutting up chicken with VS something that has to NOT cut or rough ME up. I called around to find a sharpener that had experience with straight razors and I use them now, it costs about 40 bucks and with the amount I'm shaving I've only had to have it sharpened once a year.


I'm also using a Japanese Kamisori Style razor that my wife and some close friends got me for a few years back from Handmade Straight Razors and Fine Shave Goods | ShaveSmith - https://shavesmith.com/ I love it and wont be going back to the other style.

All that being said there are a ton of options for soaps and pre/post shave products out there online that you can experiment and really find what you like and works for you. Its been and continues to be a fun adventure for me so welcome!

 

[mawnansmiff]

I have a few antique Sheffield made straight razors made by my ancestors though I've never dared try one on myself.

You really ought to watch someone use a straight razor before attempting it yourself.

Jay.

 

[HRPufnstuf]

Get a shave or six with a straight razor from a pro before you start on yourself. Observe technique while they do it and ask questions. Learn to sharpen and hone on a lower quality blade before you move to finer quality razors. it is quite different from sharpening knives. Do not stint on stone quality...better stones help preserve your blade and give you a more consistent edge.

Good luck and steady hands!

 

[El Capitán]

I used to let my barber take care of my beard before I just decided to let it grow. I suggest investing in whetstones and a leather strop. Straight razors provide a smooth shave.

 

[anotherbob]

So I am 22, and for I am recently starting to shave twice a week (still not as prominent but i only get hair on my chin but stuble)

I read an article saying that using a straight razor might be better than a regular disposable razor, wanting to hear your guys’ opinion?

What would you all recommend? I want a beard but I know I can’t grow one yet, so I like a clean shave look.

for stubble why bother? It's up to you but unless you're experiencing great irritation I don't see the point. Now I have to use a safety razor or straight razor the disposables don't even make it through one shave for me.