Thread: Should I make the change?

Hello, I'm new here and have no experience at all with straight razors, and very little with shaving in general. I always thought the concept of using a straight razor was pretty cool, seemed so much more appealing and classic than the Mach 3 I started out with, which just felt gimmicky.

I used to be terribly lazy with shaving, practically never doing it, until I joined the military. Obviously I had to be a bit more ontop of it from then on, starting with bootcamp. With time to prepare in the mornings being a big restriction I trained myself into dry-shaving, and very quickly. After 2 months of that it became a total habit and I continued to shave that way for my whole time in. Now that I'm out and among the civilian world again I'm beginning to think I should stop this practice.

I've found that those years of such brutal and careless shaving has actually left my facial skin almost leathery, excessively tough. Usually having a nice layer of hair on my face actually feels more pleasant to the touch than the bare skin underneath, something which obviously doesn't go over well in the normal world. I've now taken to shaving like a normal person however still something about it just feels off. Taking my time, actually using shaving cream, and a four blade razor since that's all the store had for me to pick from, things still feel worse when I'm done, like I should just leave the scraggly hair on there, even though it makes me look homeless. I'm now thinking maybe I need a real change to how I do things since I now have the time to actually properly prepare myself in the mornings and I've looked into straight razor shaving, in hopes that maybe that would be better. However I've been having trouble finding information that directly relates to what I'm looking for so I'm wondering if maybe I can find some more direct info here by directly asking.

So what is your guys' opinions and knowledge on the subject? I have no issues with ingrown hairs or any real irritation from brutally shaving like a caveman, but that itself is the real problem. Would using a straight razor and proper shaving materials make a significant change to the catcher's glove texture I've developed? I'm interested in there being any significant skin benefits of it, any feedback would be well appreciated.

First off, welcome to SRP!

IMO, the canned goop you're using and the cartridge razors are by far the worst type of wet shaving system there is. The goop provides little protection or skin conditioning, and the cartridges do not allow you to carefully shave and accommodate your individual skin or beard type.

OTOH, using a boar/badger brush, higher quality soaps and a straight edge razor will address each of the problems that you mentioned and should alleviate the irritation you experience once you get the ball rolling. Most of the soaps available will provide a better cushion for shaving and condition your skin instead of drying out your face. Over time your face is going to start getting smoother simply because you'll be taking better care of it. Of course, you'll have to experiment with different products to find the best one for you, but the variety of options will likely hold the key so long as you look for it. The irritation that a cartridge razor causes can also be eliminated with a straight razor by using proper technique - a light touch and a angle of 30 degrees or less. Over time, you'll notice that you won't dread shaving, but enjoying the ritual and the way your skin feels after you shave.

For now, the first step would be to read the Beginner's Section in the Wiki. You'll need a shave ready razor, a strop, a brush and some soap at a minimum to get started on your switch to straight shaving. There are plenty of places with starter kits, or you can buy individually from different online places. You may also want to get some pre-shave oil and a good aftershave balm. Of course, a styptic stick should be purchased as well, and I like to use alum block during my aftershave routine as well, to close the pores and soothe my skin. All told, you'll spend a little bit now, but with proper care and maintenance, the razor, strop and brush might just last for lifetime, and the soaps and other products, probably a few months at least.

I hope you decide to make the plunge, and good luck!

Use sharp razors and learn the right technique, it's going to stop the continuous assault on your skin! Next, make sure you use good soap or cream with good lather. There are some good materials on that. Finally, my personal favorite: Get an alum block. After shaving, use cold water and wipe it across the face. It may sting and tingle, but it works well for many different skins and the tingle/sting/burn is a good learning tool when it comes to indicating flaws in the shaving.

Howdy,
I'm fairly new to str8 razor shaving but to address your questions I agree with bingo bango, starting with this can be a little overwhelming and intensive but with practice you will get the closest shave possible utilizing a str8. However, your concern seems focused on the moisturizing affect rather than shaving itself, having said that skin cells replenish and rejuvinate naturally but thier are many products(aftershave balms/lotions, etc) that are designed to address exactly that.
All considering it's farily expensive to get a good setup and with proper care and product selection you will see a definite improvement in shave quality and skin condition.
The main issues of concern for you are the shaving soap and aftershave selection, not to say that either thing else is trival. plus if your a blade guy, which most of us are, shaving with a srt8 is just cool and nestalgic abiet more intensive their is a more zhen type thing when compared to the sh%!@ rountine of "normal" shaving with mediocere results.

In my first initial looking for stuff to buy if I do decide to take the step into it, I came across this 7 piece set. Seems to include everything people mention you'd want to get. Any opinions? Would this set be a good place to start with?

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...12/7190807.htm

Originally Posted by DanktheTank

In my first initial looking for stuff to buy if I do decide to take the step into it, I came across this 7 piece set. Seems to include everything people mention you'd want to get. Any opinions? Would this set be a good place to start with?

Straight Razor Sets

Dank:

My only beef with this set is the razor is not going to be shave ready, meaning it's already been professionally honed. What you really need is a razor that you can shave with once it arrives. The razor in this set will need to be honed, which you'd be wise to wait to learn. You could buy the set and then send out the razor for honing, but shave ready razors are out there.

Where ever you decide to purchase, getting a shave ready razor is MANDATORY and will save you a lot of trouble. You can check out Straight Razor Designs and the classifieds here at SRP to find a shave ready razor. I can easily recommend both of these places.

That is a lot of cash to get yourself started. Many of us have less than $150.00 to get out of the shoot. If you have the money and want to spend it - cool.

I saw they offer a sharpening service for $20. Get your razor shave ready. You do not want to fight a sharp razor for your first SRS.

Having said all of that, why would you want to keep doing what you are doing? If you are still in the reserves, I believe a friend of mine said the military does not allow str8's. I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is, plan on getting a good DE for a back-up.

They allow straight razors, I even knew a few who used them so yea.. But doesn't matter anyhow, I got medically seperated due to a nasty shoulder injury so I got excused from reserve duty anyhow. Looking at what BingBango sent me and I think I may go with this site, looks pretty good.

Originally Posted by DanktheTank

They allow straight razors, I even knew a few who used them so yea.. But doesn't matter anyhow, I got medically seperated due to a nasty shoulder injury so I got excused from reserve duty anyhow. Looking at what BingBango sent me and I think I may go with this site, looks pretty good.

Good move. Enjoy!

Welcome to SRP. I have pretty crappy skin myself. It's easily irritated, and breaks out if the wind blows to hard. Now I realize this is almost the oposite of the skin problems you were having, however, since I started straighted shaving, I have noticed a great improvement in my facial skin.

I'm break out free, well break out free considering my skin; the skin is soft a moisturized, and the shave is close and clean. It took some practice, and trial and error as far as soaps and balms go, but the results are undeniable.

There are many different soaps and creams to make lather, as well as after shaves and balms. Aside from trying a few, and seeing what works, I would highly recommend getting some sort of preshave oil, as well as an alcohol free after shave/ balm. The pre shave oil moisturizes the skin, allowing the blade to glide more freely, and the balm repairs any damage which has been done. Alcohol dries the skin and makes it tough, so try and avoid it.

Good luck, and Hope you enjoy straight razor shaving.