straight razor?
 

i've been thinking for a long time about giving up the plastic razors. they suck, IMO. another thread inspired me to ask:

any suggestions regarding straight razors? brands? tools? maintenance? sharpening? etc.?

TIA!

Not sure about straight razors, but while you're looking, I'd suggest you change up your shaving cream if you're using something from the supermarket. That Gilette and Edge stuff really is crap compared to the good stuff. Maybe go up one level and try the American Crew shaving cream.

Also try the "Venus" women's razors. No, really.

It's really not as hard as it seems. Dovo makes some good, cheaper straight razors. Carbon steel is easier to maintain overall IMO, if you go stainless, expect to spend a long time working on it when it finally needs sharpening/honing. With a proper waterstone, a carbon steel razor can be sharpened and honed in 25-30 minutes.
Aside from the razor, you'll need a good brush (badger is pretty much the only way to go), a mug, cream/soap of some sort, a strop and, eventually, a double side waterstone (mine is a 5k/9k and produces an excellent shaving edge.
Expect to spend ~$200 to get started and another ~$100 when it's time for the first sharpening (if you shave daily, expect to sharpen every 4-6 months)

I've used a brush for 40+ years for lather, I think its the best. Buy a good, expensive badger brush, I've used up two in those 40 years. I don't use a straight razor.

Straight razors certainly have a nostalgic appeal and in the right hands give an excellent shave. But I will emphatically add that there was a very good reason someone took the trouble to invent the safety razor, and it had not so much to do with sharpening... the 'nicks' could require suturing!

On the other hand, the Mach7 (or whatever ridiculous number of blades we're up to now) is pure marketing hype.

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Have to disagree - the 5-blade Fusion really does yield excellent results and is hard to nick/cut yourself with. Blade replacements aren't cheap but you get what you pay for...

BS, I've cut myself a few times with a straight and it's never any worse than with a modern plastic POS or with a true safety razor. In fact, safety razors weren't born out of a need for safety, they were born out of a need for money. Which makes a corporation more money? A razor that lasts years with only minor maintenance that can be done in home or a razor that requires a 'new' part every week?

+1

and fwiw, don't let soap and water drops air-dry on your razor. ..evaporation of water droplets causes etching.

I use the Fusion as well. Excellent results.

Just because you want to use a straight razor doesn't mean you have to buy into all that mug, brush and soap stuff.

In a previous thread, we discussed the merits of shaving in the shower. Methinks this would be a good place to use a straight razor if you can get the mirror thing down. Ivory soap clogs a multi blade safety razor but might be the ticket for the single blade.

I just don't see how you can get the angles a barber can when standing at your back and at your sides. I'd end up slitting my throat.

I collect shaving brushes. I have over 200 of them.

And it looks like you don't use any of them! :D

I have two.

I shave in the shower with one. There is nothing easier: Shampoo, little scrub work with the loofa and the whiskers are primed to jump into the Fusion. Nary a nick.

The second Fusion closes out the stragglers like Rollie Fingers as I admire and shave my lovely visage in the mirror apres shower.

Soft and smooth as a clouds edge.

I like the Fusion too but if I don't hold my sack just right it . . .

Oh, never mind.

i did the straight razor thing for a while. i had a quality solingen carbon steel blade. in the end, the fusion or plain mach three was quicker, and smoother.

Nope ...not a one.

Anyone brave enought to shave their junk with a straight edge? :eek:

i am tired of my whisker hairs clotting between the blades and the life of the safety razors is woefully short. i am tired of putting money in gillette's pocket for a crap product. PLUS, i think that shaving with a straight razor is a skill worth learning. i am going to give it a try.

thanks for the posts and opinions!

d.

Just don't watch Sweeney Todd....

Check out the Pelican Forums of shaving here: Badger & Blade

A friend said he was getting set up with the latest stuff from Japan (think Samari) and the lanolin cream and Badger brush. He spent a few hours on the above site rather that the Marlin (spoon) owners forum for a change - he hopes to shave at night every other day..... He defended the practice as not as Metro as he expected - except some of the fragrance discussions :) He is as non metro as you get.