Want to get into Straights

Hey, Gents, I’m interested in getting into straights. What do you suggest I start with? What accessories do I need? I know I will need a quality strop. For now I’m not interested in honing since I could send the razor out for honing. Thanks for your time. 

Kirk

Awesome Congrats!

Literally, all you need is a decent razor and a strop. My first razor was a Dovo Bismarck 2, and knowing what I know now, after 7 straights; I have to say, it really was the perfect first straight.

https://www.westcoastshaving.com/product...d7c0&_ss=r

As far as the strop, there are many different materials; but the truth of the matter is: they all do the same thing. The variance in price comes from the type of material used, be it cow, horse, camel etc... how it’s stained, and who made it. All these factors affect the feel of the “draw”, and the audible sensation you get..but it’s literally has the same effect on your blade.

If you need a good quality starter strop for cheap, send me a PM!

Start with a shavette, preferably one that takes single edge blades. Shavettes won’t be the same experience, but they are similar and a simpler way to gauge if straight razors are for you. You can concentrate on shaving, and leave stropping, drying, oiling, and sharpening for later. (You will need to concentrate.)

The Irving Barber Co shavettes accept Artist Club (AC) and Schick injector format Blades. Feather DX models also accept them. Maggard carries them both, but you may find lower prices on some DX models at Amazon. More shavette users opt for DX blades than Schicks, but either blade will be thicker than a DE.

Start with a shavette, preferably one that takes single edge blades.

Best option IMHO is a chinese clone of the Feather, with AC style blades.

I love my Kai Captain with Kai ProTouch guarded blades.


Not exactly a straight razor, but way easier and even better for newbies to prevent nicks or worse.

If you're not interested in honing your own I'd suggest looking for vintage dubl duck, Boker, C-Mon, Puma and the like. Full hollows to begin with, experiment with half hollows, wedges later on.

Find them on the forums, ebay, maybe at flea markets or antique stores. Get only excellent plus or better condition. Send them out for honing if they aren't shave ready.

Get at least two or three so you have something to shave with while one may be sent out for honing, or touch up.

Solingen made full hollows, not Japanese or Chinese knock offs. 

There are other brands that are good, Theirs-Issard is one of my favorites from the old days, not sure how current production is. Same with the old Dovo, particularly marked Fritz Bracht.

dubl duck Special is a good one to go for. Great steel but not as collectible or expensive as the Goldedge, or the Wonderedge.

Thank you, Gents, for your thoughtful replies. I have a vintage straight coming from an Etsy seller. I believe he is a forum member here. I also bought a strop from him. I will
Take my time and learn the art. I keep a goatee so I won’t have to learn the difficult contours on my chin. I only do 1 pass shaves now with a DE/SE so I’m never chasing bbs. I can’t wait! I will keep you all updated.

That is the way to get started, IMO. Direct into real straights, professionally honed and a simple strop.
I'd recommend to build muscle memory before you put the edge of the razor against your skin. Practice running a pen or even your finger across your face, as if you were removing lather from your face.
When you are ready to shave, don't push it. Do only what you feel comfortable doing. My biggest mistake was pushing too hard. We tend to push hard to achieve things. Not in this case. Patience and practice are the key here.

As for the stropping, again, practice before you put the razor on the strop. They always say you will nick your strop. I did not and all I did was to practice and focus. Light on the strop, no need to press. Just as if you were cleaning the razor on your skirt while wearing it.

Watch a couple videos. The good ones. Avoid the usual interwebexperts.
I think this is one of the best. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDq-2ZRVYXA

Enjoy the journey!

Dive in but don't spend a lot of money. You might not stick with straights. If you do, there will be plenty of time for you build a collection of excellent, expensive straight razors, strops, honing stones, etc. 

The video that was posted of Lynn Abrams (by lloydrm) giving a tutorial is excellent. 

As far as whether you should start with an Artist Club shavette, that's how I started but the shave between a true straight and a shavette is quite different as far as feel, closeness, and angle. To my surprise I found that straights are much easier to use without bloodshed than shavettes. If you decide to start with an Artist Club shavette, which is an excellent razor, please consider using a Feather ProGuard or the Kai equivalent, which I much prefer. You can learn the correct angle, pressure, etc. and HOW TO GENTLY TOUCH THE BLADE TO YOUR FACE SO YOU DON'T CREATE GASHES. The blades without guards are so sharp that if you tap it against your face, you might find that you've made an unwitting incision. 

I enjoyed shaving with straights but not enough to put up with the sharpening, the honing, etc. Now I use a Feather AC when I want a straight razor shave. My blades of choice are the Kai with the guard, or the Schick Proline without the guard. It's great fun and provides a real sense of accomplishment. 

So enjoy this hobby within a hobby and make sure you have fun with it. And one other thing:  NEVER EVER MOVE THE BLADE LATERALLY ON YOUR FACE. MOVE THE BLADE DOWN OR UP BUT NEVER, EVER MOVE IT THE WAY YOU WOULD SLICE SOMETHING WITH A KNIFE. Lynn Abrams's videos and experience will teach you the rest. 

Dive in but don't spend a lot of money. You might not stick with straights. If you do, there will be plenty of time for you build a collection of excellent, expensive straight razors, strops, honing stones, etc. 

The video that was posted of Lynn Abrams (by lloydrm) giving a tutorial is excellent. 

As far as whether you should start with an Artist Club shavette, that's how I started but the shave between a true straight and a shavette is quite different as far as feel, closeness, and angle. To my surprise I found that straights are much easier to use without bloodshed than shavettes. If you decide to start with an Artist Club shavette, which is an excellent razor, please consider using a Feather ProGuard or the Kai equivalent, which I much prefer. You can learn the correct angle, pressure, etc. and HOW TO GENTLY TOUCH THE BLADE TO YOUR FACE SO YOU DON'T CREATE GASHES. The blades without guards are so sharp that if you tap it against your face, you might find that you've made an unwitting incision. 

I enjoyed shaving with straights but not enough to put up with the sharpening, the honing, etc. Now I use a Feather AC when I want a straight razor shave. My blades of choice are the Kai with the guard, or the Schick Proline without the guard. It's great fun and provides a real sense of accomplishment. 

So enjoy this hobby within a hobby and make sure you have fun with it. And one other thing:  NEVER EVER MOVE THE BLADE LATERALLY ON YOUR FACE. MOVE THE BLADE DOWN OR UP BUT NEVER, EVER MOVE IT THE WAY YOU WOULD SLICE SOMETHING WITH A KNIFE. Lynn Abrams's videos and experience will teach you the rest. 

6 of 7 shaves for the past 6 months have been with the Feather Artist club non-folding blades holders. The first 4 shaves were rough, the 4 after that were acceptable DFS, and from that point on the shaves have gotten incredibly good.

Sage advice on the lateral moves! The slightest pressure will cause irritation. For me, During the first few shaves, I noticed that angles over 30° caused the blade to not move, then I would notice that I was pushing the razor, and immediately irritation would develop. A quickly learned lesson.

I now can't imagine using any other type of razors. The incredible closeness with the most minimal strokes is really striking! I get about 17 shaves per blade.

I'm here just kicking tires thinking about this all.lol.  Looks like you guys have some great advice for a new straight razor guy.