Author Topic: straight razor (Read 3396 times)

flyawave · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 09:02:40 PM »

Sup. i'm 15 and starting to shave, except I can only use a straight razor (some skin condition) so, any suggestions?

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:22:04 PM »

Suggestions on a razor, or on how to go about doing it?

I thought briefly about it when I read The Art of Manliness' post on the subject, but I cba to shave with an electric every few days, so I doubt I'd ever take the effort.

flyawave · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:02:19 PM »

suggestions on razor, cant use an electric razor, skin rashes up.

dbml · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:28:23 PM »

Nah, forget shaving. Grow the beard out, where a knit hat and bring a soda bottle in a paper bag wherever you go. Bum it up. You'll be a total hit with the ladies.

Seriously though, just experiment. Buy a bunch of different ones with various amounts of blades and other thingamabobs and see what irritates you the least. From my experience though, more blades = less irritation.

rathoriel · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2009, 10:55:01 PM »

at 15 I could grow a full beard if I wanted to but only had a mustache. My facehair is rather course and eats blades up. also on my neck the hair grows up at a angle. like what dbml said more blades= less irritation but the blades cost more and dull quickly for me. since you are at your age and not in the job market yet try some different facehair combinations (mustache, goatee, beard) to see what you like. you say electric gives you rash but i find the more expensive ones work better in the long run. Living in the north I usually have a beard in the winter and a mustache or goatee in the summer (less to shave is less irritation and cheaper for blades)the electric i use is a braun activator 8595. Hope this helps.

flyawave · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:10:52 PM »

I'd like to keep a beard but I'm an air force cadet, so no beards here

but I did have a mild goatee (fresh virgin hairs)
either way i can't use my dad's razor for much longer. Hygiene and whatnot

nstgc · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:35:15 PM »

Not that I would do this, but what about some chemical hair remover?

sdedalus83 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 11:43:18 PM »

Quote from: flyawave on December 23, 2009, 11:10:52 PM

I'd like to keep a beard but I'm an air force cadet, so no beards here
but I did have a mild goatee (fresh virgin hairs)
either way i can't use my dad's razor for much longer. Hygiene and whatnot

You've got a parent who's obviously used a straight razor for a long time and you're asking an online community of primarily teens and twenty-somethings for advice on picking one? Just ask your dad; you'll get much better advice than you will here.

vuzedome · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2009, 01:37:47 AM »

Quote from: flyawave on December 23, 2009, 09:02:40 PM

Sup. i'm 15 and starting to shave, except I can only use a straight razor (some skin condition) so, any suggestions?

Be a man and don't. You'll look older and the girls'll dig it. Sweet memories. >: )

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2009, 04:36:12 AM »

Quote from: vuzedome on December 24, 2009, 01:37:47 AM

Quote from: flyawave on December 23, 2009, 09:02:40 PM
Sup. i'm 15 and starting to shave, except I can only use a straight razor (some skin condition) so, any suggestions?
Be a man and don't. You'll look older and the girls'll dig it. Sweet memories. >: )

Well, for a while you'll just look like a teenager who thinks he's a man, but really isn't.

SirSkyRider · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2009, 05:55:40 AM »

Get that one:

Best razor for wetshaving out there for a price that everyone can pay.

flyawave · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2009, 06:40:45 AM »

thanks guys, but my uncle in Canada has one waiting for me (couldn't he tell me earlier??

)
it's the 5th one down

http://ant-supplies.co.uk/kriegar.aspx#razorwood1

vuzedome · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2009, 07:57:08 AM »

Quote from: flyawave on December 24, 2009, 06:40:45 AM

thanks guys, but my uncle in Canada has one waiting for me (couldn't he tell me earlier?? )
it's the 5th one down

http://ant-supplies.co.uk/kriegar.aspx#razorwood1

OUCH!! That one'll take sometime of getting used to.

Lurch · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2009, 02:55:48 PM »

Quote from: flyawave on December 24, 2009, 06:40:45 AM

thanks guys, but my uncle in Canada has one waiting for me (couldn't he tell me earlier?? )
it's the 5th one down

http://ant-supplies.co.uk/kriegar.aspx#razorwood1

I totally want to start using one of these, however, keeping the blade sharp would be my main concern. I've never really had to sharpen anything with leather straps... Totally getting sick of buying 20$ Gillette razor blade replacements...

flyawave · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2009, 03:33:28 PM »

well if you do keep it sharp it lasts for a lifetime more or less. Besides this is a cheapish one, real pro razors go for around £150-£200 dunno how much that is in dollars

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2009, 07:37:57 PM »

Quote from: Lurch on December 24, 2009, 02:55:48 PM

I totally want to start using one of these, however, keeping the blade sharp would be my main concern. I've never really had to sharpen anything with leather straps...

That's actually stropping, and you'll do that each time you shave, most likely, although only a few strokes in each direction. Supposedly, you'll only need to hone it every 6 to 8 weeks, according to that article I linked earlier. You really should read it; it's quite awesome.

Proin Drakenzol · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2009, 06:06:59 AM »

I can't use an electric razor either (and even have special permission from medical to shave less often than normal) but found that the Gillette Mach 3 combined with the sensitive skin shaving gels works pretty well.

mgz · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:45:57 AM »

might i suggest if your going to be using a straight razor that you look into replaceable straight razors.

They make them and barbers that still offer the service of a straight razor often have them since in many states they cant by health code use the same razor on more then 1 person.
It would make your life much easier as far as maintaining a sharp blade

Neco · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2009, 09:43:08 AM »

I've long considered buying a straight razor, but to be honest they scare me.

I can't seem to use electrics, as no matter what I use, I can't make it past the "break-in" period where your skin has to get used to it. I end up with a red burning face 99.9% of the time.

I also prefer the closeness of stick razors, but I have a nagging problem even with those, where it becomes extremely painful to shave (mostly under the chin and anywhere else if I decide to go against the grain for a closer shave). I don't know what the problem is, if I have whacky sensitive skin, or just a retarded pain tolerance overall.

I have tried many different blade types (Sensor XL, Mach 3/Turbo/Power, the 5 blade versions, etc), a couple different brands (Gillette feel the best), and tried numerous shaving gels and creams, regular and for sensitive skin.

I can never use a particular blade type, gel, or cream, for more than a day or two before it becomes unbearable again. As a result I end up growing out for a few days and then shaving, because for some reason its less painful (shaving stubble every day is extremely painful) but I don't like the fact I am not having a consistent look. It makes me look like I don't take care of myself or something.

It's becoming a nightmare really.. I can use active shave with an electric and it tends to numb my face sufficiently enough, but I get sick of applying it all the time, then having to wash my hands again, etc.. I have never found a product that will numb me up for a wet shave, and I prefer to shave in the shower.

Proin Drakenzol · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2009, 01:14:00 AM »

Quote from: Neco on December 26, 2009, 09:43:08 AM

I've long considered buying a straight razor, but to be honest they scare me.

I can't seem to use electrics, as no matter what I use, I can't make it past the "break-in" period where your skin has to get used to it. I end up with a red burning face 99.9% of the time.

I also prefer the closeness of stick razors, but I have a nagging problem even with those, where it becomes extremely painful to shave (mostly under the chin and anywhere else if I decide to go against the grain for a closer shave). I don't know what the problem is, if I have whacky sensitive skin, or just a retarded pain tolerance overall.

I have tried many different blade types (Sensor XL, Mach 3/Turbo/Power, the 5 blade versions, etc), a couple different brands (Gillette feel the best), and tried numerous shaving gels and creams, regular and for sensitive skin.

I can never use a particular blade type, gel, or cream, for more than a day or two before it becomes unbearable again. As a result I end up growing out for a few days and then shaving, because for some reason its less painful (shaving stubble every day is extremely painful) but I don't like the fact I am not having a consistent look. It makes me look like I don't take care of myself or something.

It's becoming a nightmare really.. I can use active shave with an electric and it tends to numb my face sufficiently enough, but I get sick of applying it all the time, then having to wash my hands again, etc.. I have never found a product that will numb me up for a wet shave, and I prefer to shave in the shower.

You may want to look into dilapidation creams. Other than that I just suggest you do what I do, only shave every three days.