Thread: Need specific advice for first blade

Another option you might consider, if you want to try this out without investing a lot of money first, is to do what I did: I went to Sally Beauty Supply and bought a Magic Shaver and the packet of Wilkinson double edge blades for it for about $15 bucks (you cut the blades in half and insert one half into the holder, so it shaves like a straight). I wanted to find out whether I could learn how to shave this way without tearing my face up without also having to learn how to strop. After 2 weeks, I knew I was ready to really take the plunge. One thing to watch out for if you go this route is that the blades are really unforgiving. You're going to cut yourself regardless, but IME it's more likely with one of these things than with a real straight. But it was a good low-cost way to test it out before shelling out triple-digit dollars.

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

Another option you might consider, if you want to try this out without investing a lot of money first, is to do what I did: I went to Sally Beauty Supply and bought a Magic Shaver and the packet of Wilkinson double edge blades for it for about $15 bucks (you cut the blades in half and insert one half into the holder, so it shaves like a straight). I wanted to find out whether I could learn how to shave this way without tearing my face up without also having to learn how to strop. After 2 weeks, I knew I was ready to really take the plunge. One thing to watch out for if you go this route is that the blades are really unforgiving. You're going to cut yourself regardless, but IME it's more likely with one of these things than with a real straight. But it was a good low-cost way to test it out before shelling out triple-digit dollars.

No disrespects to Durhampiper:
I started out that way and it for me it was rough. It did okay trimming my cheek area when I had a beard, but my neck underneath my jaw got tore up something nasty.Of course I did not know about this forum then plus I had no straight razor shaving skills. But shaving with that Magic Shaver was a beast; I almost gave up on straight razor shaving until I found out about SRD and this forum. Just my couple of cents.

I'll second the recommendation for Whippeddog. There is absolutely no need to spend $150-$170 or a brand newbie who isn't sure if they will even stay with this for more than 6 months. Larry's sight unseen deal is a good razor, a strop, and a piece of pasted balsa for a good price. Grab an Omega 10049 boar brush or similar badger for ~$12 and some easy to learn on Proraso in the green tub for ~$8 and be shaving for $75. If you want to spend the money on the Dovo, go for it. Lynn's a hell of a guy and won't do you wrong, and it comes with a free second honing certificate worth $20. It really depends on what you want to spend. For me, the >$100 difference makes a big difference to me, but might not for you.

One more thing, again no disrespect to anyone, I dont feel you can really get a good feel for straight shaving with a Magic Shaver or similar. It's like wanting milk and buying a goat. Sure, you can drink goats milk, and probably even get used to it. But, if you really want cow's milk, just save your money and buy the dang cow. Then you don't have a goat to feed! Lol

Originally Posted by pmburk

No disrespects to Durhampiper:
I started out that way and it for me it was rough. It did okay trimming my cheek area when I had a beard, but my neck underneath my jaw got tore up something nasty.Of course I did not know about this forum then plus I had no straight razor shaving skills. But shaving with that Magic Shaver was a beast; I almost gave up on straight razor shaving until I found out about SRD and this forum. Just my couple of cents.

Whereas I had found out about SRP and had done a ton of reading before I tried the Magic Shaver. If I had not, my experience probably would have been a lot like yours--but in that case I think it would have been just as bad if I had jumped right in with a straight razor, too, you know? And that's not to say that I didn't cut myself with it. Probably the worst cut I've ever had shaving (knock on wood) I got during that first shave with the Magic Shaver going (of all things) WTG on my chin. But that was the ony time I cut myself with that thing, and obviously it worked for me.

We all get here in different ways, but we all get here.

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

We all get here in different ways, but we all get here.

Always good to remember. Lots of opinions, but you know what they say about opinions and.......

Originally Posted by medicevans

Always good to remember. Lots of opinions, but you know what they say about opinions and.......

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man

I definately can reccomend both SRD and Larry at Whipped dog. I however would not reccomend a shavette. They are damn tricky and do not feel anything like any of my straights, you can get a good shave, but for a few dollars more you can get the sight unseen deal (whipped dog)with a perfectly acceptable vintage straight and the poor mans strop. I do love my Dovo's, so if you want to go higher end then by all means go for the SRD package! (I believe you still get 1 free honing with it)

either way welcome to your new addiction!!

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man

Hope I didn't offend. Sure wasn't my intent. I apologize if I did. I was just saying there are plenty of roads to Dublin. We all got here, just by different paths.

Originally Posted by Durhampiper

We all get here in different ways, but we all get here.

Amen to that!!

Originally Posted by medicevans

I was just saying there are plenty of roads to Dublin. We all got here, just by different paths.

Yes we did and here we all are in one big house of shaving.