The Big, Merged, Master Shaving Thread

[SeekHer]

SeekHer, if you had to recommend one to someone who's used to being in a hurry in the morning, except on weekends, what would you recommend as an initial investment for using a straight razor so they can get comfortable with it (and increase it's usage over time)?

I'm really the wrong person to ask about razors and shaving...the last time I was clean shaven was Nov. 12 1974 and as props for rendezvous and historical re-enactments I'd have a straight razor that I'd fool around with for the public’s edification, same as writing with a quill pen...

As a collector of edged implements, I have a few straight razors, my uncles and a couple I found in garage sales for next to nothing but other then those few pieces I've no interest in them...

[SeekHer]

Best to start with a 5/8 size (5/8" blade width ... razors are traditionally sized in eighth inch increments). Easiest to handle for the novice.

At one time or another, all the better German cutlers made razors. And, going back probably 100 years, there were some very fine razors made in England. Wade & Butcher come to mind.

And remember to budget for a good strop.

#1 for a good strop and not just for razors...whenever I've finished sharpening a knife, any knife, every knife, I strop it at least five times per side...I have a couple of bench strops and I found a new double sided chair strop (36") that works better yet one side is belly in the other belly out so you get one side like suede and the other like shoe leather...

FYI--The French used to have some superb cutlers, lots of the English shops would use re-branded French blades...

Bob, is it better for a novice to get a very long blade or a very short blade to start shaving with and would a wider blade like ¾" be better still to start with?

[Bob K]

Seek,

I'd strongly advise against a 3/4" (6/8) blade for a beginner. They're significantly heavier, less "touch-sensitive", and far more likely to nick. 4/8 (IMHO) are too light and too fast, and again, more likely to nick.

Like you, I've worn a beard for years. But I shaved with a straight razor for 20 years +. I have razors ranging from 3/8 to 8/8. The 7/8 & 8/8 take some practice, but once you figure them out, they're great.

Funny story: 40 odd years ago, there was some family event or other. I went from work to my folks' house, so we could all go to the event together. I showered, and was shaving. My Mom (may she rest in peace, a great woman ... it was the only way to get away from my father) called me from another room. I went to the living room. My Mom let out a shriek, and I nicked myself. "Mother, what did you scream about?" "You had a razor on your neck!!!" "I'm shaving, damn it!!!" (Walks calmly back to the john, searching for a styptic pencil.)

[Lokidude]

While we're on the subject, how does one properly strop a blade? It's a skill I've never actually picked up, but would like to.

[Factfind]

I wore a beard when I was working undercover and got spoiled not having to shave. Now that I am in the corporate world I have to shave and do so before I go to bed. I don't like shaving when I wake up. I shave at midnight and I am good to go until the next afternoon.
I use any of the macho sounding razors, mach 3 or 5 or anything with turbo on the packaging.
If they marketed a razor that said Colt .45 I'd buy them all.
Once when I was out of blades I used the wife's pink disposable razor. I am ashamed.

[SeekHer]

While we're on the subject, how does one properly strop a blade? It's a skill I've never actually picked up, but would like to.

I did a Google search "Razor Stropping" and got 92,700 hits but Nmbrs 1 and 2 were youtube videos...

YouTube - Straight Razor Stropping
10 min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liKYctpdjC4
This one is not bad

YouTube - Straight Razor Stropping
9 min 35 sec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liKYctpdjC4&NR=1
This guy is Canadian by his accent and by buying from Lee Valley--not a bad piece for info...could be more informative like why do you strop?

Classic Shaving has this excellent guide

Guide To Shaving - Sharpen Straight Razor

Venus Worldwide.com
Blue Straight Razor and Leather Strop $95.00

I found this really neat forum
Straight Razor Place.com

[Bob K]

I was once told by a physicist that stropping a razor aligns the electrons in the edge, thus making it sharper. I have no idea if he was funnin' me or not.

[308Mike]

Once when I was out of blades I used the wife's pink disposable razor. I am ashamed.

Oh yeah? Did she yell at you when she tried using her razor (and nicked herself) after you got done with it?

[Bandito]

I use Pivot-Plus disposables, normally in the shower. These are about as cheap as you can get these days in a two-blade disposable, unless resorting to a generic "brand." When I want to do it more properly, I use shaving soap and a brush at the sink. The wood shaving bowls with sandlewood soap from Crabtree & Evelyn produce a good lather.

But those Pivot-Plus jobs aren't lasting like they used to (I get 2-3 good shaves) and I've been looking into safety razors, especially Merkur. They seem to be the top current brand and have been mentioned several times in this thread.

But I can't find any stores in the Chicago area that actually carry safety razors any longer, and before buying a Merkur over the internet I'd prefer to have the opportunity to see one first hand, lift it up, and see how it balances and looks.

Maybe I can find an old Gilette adjustable at an "antique" store--one of the type that have booths set up where people sell collectibles.

[Bob K]

Bandito,

Try Merz Pharmacy, Lawrence & Lincoln, with a branch in Field's (er, Macy's) State St. store.

Pomper's and Corrado's are gone.

Also, there is a great cutlery shop on Lake St. just west of Halsted. Maybe, just maybe.

If all else fails, give me a holler and try mine.