Straight Razors

[bmwgs]

I used a straight razor up until I retired and quit shaving.  I used the type that had disposable blades, so I did not have to worry about keeping an edge on the blade.  I tried the shaving soap years ago and didn't care for it.  I just used gel shaving cream.

Fred

[maddafinga]

I bought a Merkur safety razor which took ages to get used to

pm Vonmessa he knows all about straight razors and you need to go with one, face oils mixtures etc.

There is a thread on the forum about them, i am seriously thinking of getting a straight razor as the Merkur safety razor is better then the cartridge type.

I've been using one for a couple of years now, I've got all the stuff and know how to use it.  If you're doing well with the shavette, you'll like the actual straights.  It's a slightly different technique, as far as blade angle and such, but the actual straights will be a lot smoother shave than the shavette is. 
If you buy a new one, be sure and have it professionally honed, by a guy who does razors, not a knife sharpner guy, they think they know how to sharpen razors, but they don't.  The difference is night and day.  If you're in the UK, I can recommend Neil Miller http://www.strop-shop.co.uk/  He's a really great dude and super knowledgeable and puts a great edge on a razor.   

[zack1234]

 

Download "Sweeney Todd" with Ray Winstone its awesome

[maddafinga]

Download "Sweeney Todd" with Ray Winstone its awesome

I've actually seen that one!  Before the Johnny Depp musical one that I haven't seen came out. 

[zack1234]

I downloaded Depp version and he started singing, I promptly deleted it and made a cup of tea

[maddafinga]

Probably the wisest plan.  I don't do musicals myself.  Not at all.

[Traveler]

I know that in NJ you have to be a licensed barber to buy one, not sure about other states.

[maddafinga]

I know that in NJ you have to be a licensed barber to buy one, not sure about other states.

No you don't man.  I know tons of people in NJ who aren't licensed barbers who buy straight razors.  You can buy vintage ones and some of the quality new ones.  Vintage ones from antique stores or ebay, new ones from the internet or if you want to pay too much and then have it sharpened also, from an Art of Shaving store. 

Now you probably need to be a licensed barber to start shaving other people with them, but you sure don't need to be to  buy a razor and shave yourself.

[VonMessa]

No you don't man.  I know tons of people in NJ who aren't licensed barbers who buy straight razors.  You can buy vintage ones and some of the quality new ones.  Vintage ones from antique stores or ebay, new ones from the internet or if you want to pay too much and then have it sharpened also, from an Art of Shaving store. 

Now you probably need to be a licensed barber to start shaving other people with them, but you sure don't need to be to  buy a razor and shave yourself.

Traveler has been sniffing too much shaving cream...


<Cough>  http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,289422.0.html <cough>

[maddafinga]

You still shaving with a straight then VonMessa?  I've got about twenty right now, and a couple of different soaps too.  What kinds of blades have you got?

[VonMessa]

You still shaving with a straight then VonMessa?  I've got about twenty right now, and a couple of different soaps too.  What kinds of blades have you got?

Lol, I haven't shaved or cut my hair in almost 6 months.

I've got three razors, however.

One was my grandfathers'.  English name I cannot recall at the moment.  7/8 wedge with turtle shell scales.

One is mine (the one I posted in the link I listed) Solingen 5/8 hollow grind

Third is one I made from some scrap tool steel I had lying around with G-10 handles (also from scrap I had lying around).  It still needs some tweaking as it bent fairly badly when I quenched it after heat-treating.

[Randy1]

As a side note to you younger guys with children.  My Dad would go get Granddads straight razor straps from the back of the door to spank our bottoms when we did wrong.  All those layers flaped together to make a lot of noise but did little to our bottoms since it is so wide.  Good effect.

[maddafinga]

Lol, I haven't shaved or cut my hair in almost 6 months.

I've got three razors, however.

One was my grandfathers'.  English name I cannot recall at the moment.  7/8 wedge with turtle shell scales.

One is mine (the one I posted in the link I listed) Solingen 5/8 hollow grind

Third is one I made from some scrap tool steel I had lying around with G-10 handles (also from scrap I had lying around).  It still needs some tweaking as it bent fairly badly when I quenched it after heat-treating.

I've been restoring them for about the last year, really fun work. I'd like to see a picture of your wedge.  I've got a really old wedge, true wedge even, no hollow at all, with the faux tortoise they used to dye blonde horn to look like tortoise.  Still nice scales, but not actual tortoise.  Still a beauty, it's an 1820-1830 razor.  I've got a couple of 1850s  as well, and some newer Solingen and several excellent American razors too. 

[VonMessa]

I've been restoring them for about the last year, really fun work. I'd like to see a picture of your wedge.  I've got a really old wedge, true wedge even, no hollow at all, with the faux tortoise they used to dye blonde horn to look like tortoise.  Still nice scales, but not actual tortoise.  Still a beauty, it's an 1820-1830 razor.  I've got a couple of 1850s  as well, and some newer Solingen and several excellent American razors too. 

Takes some patience. 

I will try to remember to take a pic.  Like I said, I haven't put steel to my face in 6months 

Sounds like you have found a new addiction