Straight Razors!

[BeardedPelican]

Here's a man's hobby, how many of you guys either use a straight razor or collect them? Got a favorite brand, style, grind, soap?

Currently I'm rotating between a 1928 Geneva 11/16ths, round nose and hollow ground, and a 1915 Solingen made Blue Steel 9/16ths, smiling spine with a Square point, both are excellent shavers.

[Lucky1]

Do you have any pic's?

[Shawn Pappas]

I've been using a safety razor for a about a year now and I would like to move up to occasional staright razor use. I would appreciate recommendations anyone can make for a staright razor to get.

[BeardedPelican]

I've been using a safety razor for a about a year now and I would like to move up to occasional staright razor use. I would appreciate recommendations anyone can make for a staright razor to get.

If you've never used one before then you will do better to start with an 11/16ths hollow grind, don't try for a wedge or a narrow sized razor. Make sure that whatever you get is honed, the ones from the antique store most likely are duller than a spoon. There are brands to avoid but be sure you do alot of research before going to an antique store or a shaving parlor (if you have one). Blue steel is an excellent old brand but there aren't many around, Dubl Duck is a fine choice as well. Wade and Butcher made absolute dream razors for years, if it looks cheap, avoid it.

Have a professional hone it for you when you get one, and be sure you learn proper stropping, a good 3 inch wide strop is key, do not go cheap or you will regret it in the end. Hope that helps

[bae]

I cheat most days, and use a Feather Artist Club DX Japanese Style non-folding razor, which uses replaceable blades:

http://www.classicshaving.com/i/Feather/ArtistCLB_DX_nonfold2.jpg

[Mjolnir]

Tagged so I can learn how to shave like a man. 😉

[TattooedGunner]

My favorite is a 13/16 Maher & Grosh although since I've grown a beard I just use a 1912 single edge to trim around my neck.


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[BeardedPelican]

The Blue Steel has the white scales and shows alot more wear, but it's a bit older than the Geneva.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8206108576_3c0d188aa0_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8205018167_e59c3cb530_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8206107942_ca3cd6d3a4_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8206108144_630a5f3be0_c.jpg

[BeardedPelican]

My favorite is a 13/16 Maher & Grosh although since I've grown a beard I just use a 1912 single edge to trim around my neck.


Is the 1912 a Gem Damaskeen?

[TattooedGunner]

Is the 1912 a Gem Damaskeen?

It is an EverReady 1912. Same razor as the Gem 1912, don't remember what the damaskeen model is.


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[JPS]

Murkur safeties and dovo straights. Vulfix or Ronney brushes. Georgetown scuttle.

[BeardedPelican]

JPS, what soaps are you using currently? I'm addicted to MNS Lime and the Pine and Cedarwood bars

[scap99]

I snagged one a couple weeks back from whipped dog.
27141

I'm loving the whole experience.

[Pict]

OK I'll admit to being a total girly-man when it comes to straight razors. Here in Brazil they do the trim with one with every haircut and the first time my BP was a bit elevated. I'm used to it now, even look forward to it. A guy I know was once shaving while leaning forward on a medicine cabinet. The mirror broke and he sliced a giant lazy S into his face. Straight razors do demand respect.

[JPS]

Mr. Kirkland. The Georgetown scuttle has clasicshaving lime, my mug has classicshaving bay rum. Today I shaved with a gelette new from the mid 1930's. Used my Roney super badger brush.

[BeardedPelican]

Mr. Kirkland. The Georgetown scuttle has clasicshaving lime, my mug has classicshaving bay rum. Today I shaved with a gelette new from the mid 1930's. Used my Roney super badger brush.

Nice! Super Badger is nice when you can get it. Ever tried Truefitt and Hill's 1805? It's quite divine

[Anthony_DuClare]

I resurrected my great-grandfather's Schoedinger, Fearn, and Co. (have found very little info about them) straight razor and now shave with it exclusively. I re-honed the blade with a 4000/8000 grit stone. Eventually, the old Bakelite (?) handle broke, so I made a temporary one out of cheap white pine, treated with tung oil; some day, I'll make a nicer one. I strop it with a Thiers-Issard paddle strop, which I like because it covers the whole width of the blade. I use a badger bristle brush from Vermont Country Store (I think, it was a Christmas gift), alternate between Proraso and Art of Shaving soaps, and use Art of Shaving after shave balm.

[WinstonSmith]

I've wanted to switch to this for awhile. What is a good recommended first razor?

[BeardedPelican]

I've wanted to switch to this for awhile. What is a good recommended first razor?

11/16ths, hollow grind, make sure it's honed. Dovo makes some good beginner sets

[fldback]

Here's my current shaving setup.

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The yellow handled razor is a JA Henkels that is stainless. I don't use it as much since it doesn't hold an edge as well.

The black handled razor is a no name that has Solingen stamped on the tang. It sees the most use. It sharpens easily and holds an edge well. I hone my blades every couple of weeks. It only requires a few minutes once they have a nice edge on them.

The soap is new to me. I was using Colonel Conk's but I wanted something with a better lather.

To finish it off I use Pinaud after shaves. The Lime Sec and Vanilla are my two primary scents but I do use Bay Rum from time to time.

If you are new to straight razor shaving, Lynn Abrams has a good video about razors out. Google it.

[duey1267]

Are there any books out there on the different razor manufacturers and the history of the different razor brands?

[CaptBeach]

I've played around with teh notion of getting one...I've always been a wet shave guy...never could stand the electric razors...I love damascus steel...working on a couple of D-Steel blades for son and son in laws for Christmas...but I saw one of these the other day...got me to thinking...I need a strop anyway...

[scap99]

I've wanted to switch to this for awhile. What is a good recommended first razor?

I got mine "sight unseen" from Whipped dog dot com.

He gets old straights, cleans them up, gets them shave ready, and then sanitizes them. All for less than $40.

For me, this is the best approach because I didn't know if I would like straight razors and also if I bung it up I'm not out a whole lot of cash.

When I get the hang of stropping and honing down, I might get a better razor, but this restored razor is doing fine so far.

[scap99]

My lovely wife got me this one for Christmas.
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[TheGrayMan214]

This is my next jump and venture... Actually been looking around for straights for quite some time now. Lookin' like I'm going to have to get me one... Soon.

[EDELWEISS]

OK so tell me are they really a closer shave than a modern multi blade razor?

I cant stand the electric shavers, theyve never come close to giving me a stubble free shave. Ive tried the old "safety razors"; but again nothing seems to come close to the current crop of multi-blade wonders.

So before I even consider switching, are they better? Or just cooler?

[50BMG]

OK so tell me are they really a closer shave than a modern multi blade razor?

I cant stand the electric shavers, theyve never come close to giving me a stubble free shave. Ive tried the old "safety razors"; but again nothing seems to come close to the current crop of multi-blade wonders.

So before I even consider switching, are they better? Or just cooler?

No. Id argue its the experience.

Then again, there are cheaper ways to drink, but a good single malt I hard to beat.

The cost per shave is considerably less than the buying cycle the multi blade razors create. Just an added benefit.

[BeardedPelican]

OK so tell me are they really a closer shave than a modern multi blade razor?

I cant stand the electric shavers, theyve never come close to giving me a stubble free shave. Ive tried the old "safety razors"; but again nothing seems to come close to the current crop of multi-blade wonders.

So before I even consider switching, are they better? Or just cooler?

As someone who has been trying to live Spartan for recent years, they are essential to my daily routine. It simply cuts out the constant "need" of having to buy pack after pack of 5 blades. My first one was made in 1928, if it's lasted that long I can pass it down to my kids.

In short, in my book they are more sustainable and are far more viable than people think. It simply takes time to learn the methods, at the moment I can shave better and more comfortably with a straight razor than a multi-blade. YMMV

[Ned Stark]

I've tried a straight razor without luck; my whiskers are thick and stubborn and stalls my blade (it was professional honed). Instead I use a slant safety razor, then refine with my open comb.

For safety razor instruction, mantic59 (http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59) really helped me out a lot. The best advice is to not try to get the perfect shave in a single pass. Took me a bit over a month to get real good and fast.

[Winchester67]

I gave out straight razors to the gents that stood up with me at my wedding.

[Arthur H.]

I've been using a safety razor for a while now and it's a fantastic shave, far better than any cartridge razor I've tried. Just picked up a Dovo straight over the weekend and plan on using it periodically. Unless I get really good I can't see retiring the safety for daily use though.

[cbvanb]

OK so tell me are they really a closer shave than a modern multi blade razor?

I cant stand the electric shavers, theyve never come close to giving me a stubble free shave. Ive tried the old "safety razors"; but again nothing seems to come close to the current crop of multi-blade wonders.

So before I even consider switching, are they better? Or just cooler?
In my opinion you will never get a closer shave than a straight razor. I have been using them for about 5 years now, and prefer Boker brand razors from the 1920's and 1930's. I have bought a number of unused Boker hollowground from eBay for less than $50, and I while I have a number of other makes, I find I can hone the Boker's better than the others, for some reason. One thing I find is you can't be in a hurry with a straight razor. Shaving for me is about a 20-30 minute experience, by the time I set out all the accoutrements, strop the razor, and then very slowly shave twice, once with the grain and then again against the grain. Sometimes I can only do that on the weekends, but it's well worth it.

[bae]

OSHA-required fit testing of my SCBA mask comes up Friday, so I had to take off my beard today, after 30+ years of having it on. Actually, I've never seen my adult face until now, nor has my wife.

So it went out in style...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GgxQTTzzZBs/UUium2nzGgI/AAAAAAAAHc4/zZd4j3H4Mzw/s640/Awesomized.jpg

[AlwaysVigilant]

If its got to go, what a fitting end! Great photo.

[Heywood]

OK so tell me are they really a closer shave than a modern multi blade razor?

I cant stand the electric shavers, theyve never come close to giving me a stubble free shave. Ive tried the old "safety razors"; but again nothing seems to come close to the current crop of multi-blade wonders.

So before I even consider switching, are they better? Or just cooler?
The reason I like to use, and have been using exclusively straight razors for the past decade or so is because they do not shave as close as a modern cartridge razor. If you are prone to ingrown hair or razor bumps, they are the way to go as the hair is not cut below the skin. You can learn to better regulate how close you shave depending on the sensitivity and direction of hair growth of the particular area on your face and neck.

[Ned Stark]

I don't think that's true. The reason why the modern multi-blade cartridge causes ingrown hairs is because the first blade dulls, pulls the hair away from the skin, then the second blade cuts the hair, then the hair recoils back under the skin. So what you end up having is your hair beneath the skin which later becomes an ingrown hair.

[New Generation]

So that's why I always break out after shaving. Learn something new every day.

[daniel87]

I'm still running after 2 years Gillette slim adjustable with astra supirior platinum. My razer was 2$ 100 blades 25$ each blade based on frequency and beqrd thickness 2-5 shaves more or less mine rusts after 3 Shaves always forget to leavve in cup o alcohol

I wanna straight. Priorities. But i will. Just like a pipe straight should be match set for a rotation 5 to 7.... i can wish

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