Straight-razor shaving

garroad_ran

So, my Gillette Mach 3 which I've been using for about as long as I can remember is really starting to tick me off. It doesn't get anywhere near a close shave, and leaves me feeling very uncomfortable.

I'm thinking about trying out a straight razor, but I've no clue where I might buy one! Anyone got any tips?

VC Charlie

The problem I've found with razors is that when my chin grass gets too long, they get stuck between the blades and then the shave isn't as close and it burns like I pee. I don't really know where to get good razors as I'm too cheap to buy new ones but I'd assume that Bartell Drug as any establishment with drug in it is a good place to peruse

Trentus

I think I'm sort of in the same boat and have been eyeing Merkur's razors very intently... the thing that's holding me back most is that I want to be able to actually pick up and sort of... I dunno... wield the thing a little before I spend money on the thing... Finding a physical store that sells them is proving to be an impossible task (where I live anyway). It seems there are countless stores on line though. Badger and Blade seems to be a good fount of knowledge about this stuff. It might be a good idea to ask about stores in your areas, or reputable online vendors... which is really something I should do too...

Edit: There was also a great thread about shaving a couple of months back... I am disappointed to find it hasn't been archived somewhere for posterity.

Code

I have been shaving with a straight razor for some time now. My first razor came from a beauty store, it was a cheap jobby with disposable blades, sold as a "hair shaper" just remove the guard from the blade. My current set up came from classicshaving.com and is awesome. Keep in mind, the blade NEEDS to be kept very sharp, this means swapping blades every couple of shaves, or stropping if you have a non replaceable blade. it is a good idea to shower before shaving, as the hot water will soften up the hairs.
I use Burts Bees shaving soap, because I love the smell. Be Patient when using a straight razor, take your time and use a smooth full motion. It is important to be gentle, but not timid, if you stop every time the blade catches a little, you will end up dragging the blade and cutting yourself.

RNEMESiS42

I swear there was a good thorough thread on straight razors a couple months ago. I'm going to go find it...

The_Glad_Hatter

I read up a lot before buying my straight razor. there are multiple big, active forums devoted only to straight shaving. And after reading many many different papers, howto's and tutorials on straight shaving, i settled for this cheap blade.
i've had it for half a year now and my technique still isn't perfect. it is fun though... it can get me my closest shave ever (yes, i go against the grain on the 2nd pass, suck it shavingforum people).

so, to answer your question, many different ones are available on amazon.
and whatever the people on shaving blogs say, you do not need to spend over $35 to have fun with a straight razor.
(brush,soap, razor, towel, water. all you need)

Gabriel_Pitt

RNEMESiS42 wrote: »

I swear there was a good thorough thread on straight razors a couple months ago. I'm going to go find it...

They crop up pretty regularly around here, although IIRC, the last one did have some real good info in it.

Here we go.

Rook

If you can't get a good shave with a Mach 3, it's not the razor. It's the way you shave. If you're deadset on a straight razor that's fine, but you can get a great shave with any razor that's sharp if you do it properly.

Regardless of what razor you use make sure your prep, the shaving cream you use and your technique are good and the rest generally follows.

fuelish

I picked up a Gillette safety razor at a flea market for $10, cleaned it up, bought a pack of blades and have been using it for about five years. I also use the shave soap and brush lather method.
The shave is not as close as a multi blade razor but it is way easier on your skin and no ingrown hairs. Blades are also very cheap so there is no cash remorse about putting in a fresh one.

garroad_ran

Rook wrote: »

If you can't get a good shave with a Mach 3, it's not the razor. It's the way you shave. If you're deadset on a straight razor that's fine, but you can get a great shave with any razor that's sharp if you do it properly.

Regardless of what razor you use make sure your prep, the shaving cream you use and your technique are good and the rest generally follows.

It could very well be the way I shave, but try as I might I can't get a safety razor to work with the contours of the area under my chin. I'm gonna try some different shaving creams though, before I try out the straight razor.

Thanks everyone!

oldsak

also, how often do you change the blades?

JRosey

Not to hijack the thread but I've been having a problem shaving lately.

A year ago a dog bit half of my face to shreds and now there's a lot of lumpy scar tissue around my cheek (looks a lot like the Joker). I used to use a straight edge but switched to an electrical after the bite because I was afraid of cutting myself. I miss having a baby-smooth shave, even though some of my face is not smooth at all. Is there some alternative shaving method or am I condemned to having a 5 o clock shadow for the rest of my life?

The_Glad_Hatter

JRosey wrote: »

Not to hijack the thread but I've been having a problem shaving lately.

A year ago a dog bit half of my face to shreds and now there's a lot of lumpy scar tissue around my cheek (looks a lot like the Joker). I used to use a straight edge but switched to an electrical after the bite because I was afraid of cutting myself. I miss having a baby-smooth shave, even though some of my face is not smooth at all. Is there some alternative shaving method or am I condemned to having a 5 o clock shadow for the rest of my life?

i'd say do quick electrical shave of the area (or does it encompass your entire cheek?) and finish off with a straight shave, perhaps avoiding the carred area.
Also, i don't know how texture-ish your scars are, but going around them could by quite easy with, say, a wilkinson razor...

The_Glad_Hatter

JRosey wrote: »

Not to hijack the thread but I've been having a problem shaving lately.

A year ago a dog bit half of my face to shreds and now there's a lot of lumpy scar tissue around my cheek (looks a lot like the Joker). I used to use a straight edge but switched to an electrical after the bite because I was afraid of cutting myself. I miss having a baby-smooth shave, even though some of my face is not smooth at all. Is there some alternative shaving method or am I condemned to having a 5 o clock shadow for the rest of my life?

i'd say do quick electrical shave of the area (or does it encompass your entire cheek?) and finish off with a straight shave, perhaps avoiding the carred area.
Also, i don't know how texture-ish your scars are, but going around them could by quite easy with, say, a wilkinson razor...