I started shaving with a shavett (a straight razor that uses disposable blades) that i got from Shave Nation about 4 years ago. In that time I started going bald so about 6 months ago, I switched from shaving my face to shaving my head. I have found that using a shavett was not only a better shave for my dome, it was actually easier to use than cartridge razors and DE safety razors. So I made the jump and ordered a real straight razor this week from Shave Nation, along with all the other supplies Geo mentions in this video. I can't wait for them to arrive.
Excellent video as always. Great information, especially the things I hadn't considered: flattening stone, multiple treatments for the strop... This was everything I needed to know that I'll stick with DE razors, or possible a straight shavette. I cannot sharpen a pocket knife for all the good in Ft Knox; I'd ruin a stone and blade the first time it needed sharpening. Or have to pay for professional sharpening, which drives the cost for this type of shaving even higher.
All these tools… Is a straight razor shave that much better over using a safety razor? I mean… I think I get a pretty good shave with my safety razor, but maybe i’m missing out? I can appreciate the desire for cool guy toys and maybe a nostalgia of old school, but that just seems like a whole lot more work. Is it really worth it?
When a straight razor is sharp, and you get the technique right, it’s a very rewarding experience. It really comes down to if you’re comfortable putting the time required into it.
I’ve been straight razor shaving for about a month now and the work is actually not bad. Stropping is just a minute or two while your lather can settle on you face (extra free prep!). And disassembling and cleaning up a safety razor after a shave takes about just as much time which you don’t have for a straight. What did improve is my skin, I’m getting a lot less irritation. I’m not honing yet btw, maybe that will come later.
This video is ironically funny to me. "Here's what you need to get started straight razor shaving!" *proceeds to list 20 million different items* lol, love your vids. I started DE shaving last year (learned watching yours, Kensurfs and PaulHFilms) and and was recently thinking of checking out Straight razor or Shavette razor shaving (for straightening lines when I sport facial hair). Been researching for a while now and straight razor shaving seems just so much more tedious to me with all the stuff you need/need to do to prep compared to shavette (which is little more than you would with a DE blade), though from my understanding it's slightly less-risky at cutting yourself with a straight over shavette (though if you drop a straight accidentally it can permanently damage the blade?) Which would you recommend overall? I would guess an actual straight razor over shavette.
A question regarding using tape on the spine. Would this not alter the bevel? Actually, I know this will alter the bevel but would you not need to go through various grit stones to do this? If the razor was factory sharpened without tape I’d imagine going straight to a 12000 grit stone once the razor had lost its cutting edge would do more harm than good with the tape applied.
Hi Geo- Great straight razor start-up information; thank you! Take good care and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸 Be safe and be well. Best regards, as always!
Hey Geo is it possible to find strops that aren't made from animal products? Been wanting to get into straight razors but I don't purchase leather. Or can you maintain a straight razor with just stones and not need a strop? Thanks.
I have seen people use newspaper or denim, as in blue jeans, as strops and those work just fine. The stone is for honing or sharpening your razor - a strop is for polishing or aligning the edge and if you shave right off the stone it is a harsher shave. Stropping a blade, however you do it, removes some of that harshness so you have a sharp blade and a comfortable shave. T
Depends on the condition of the razor. If a razor is not anywhere near shave ready then you will need lower grit stones to get it sharp. Check out DrMatt357 he’ll teach you the ropes.
Most people use a variety of stones because they like to follow a progression, one stone after another etc, but it's not vital. What you do need is a low grit stone if you have to set the initial bevel on a blade, or the blade is chipped etc and needs repair. If you are just refreshing a blade to make it sharp again then either the paste or the higher grit stones, like the 12k Geo mentioned will do that in no time. By which i mean: 10 swipes on the stone, 10 on the paste, strop it and shave. T
I’ve been using the same tools (the Nani 12k and strop) for my straights, though I personally prefer my edges fresh off the stones. But that’s just me. Anyway Geo, I’d like to know: Of all your straight razors, which one would be your go-to as a regular shaver? Thanks again!:)
Sir would you consider a video on shaving my head? I suppose you would shave someone else's head where you are not bald, but I am bald and have been trying but could use a video on preventing nicks and such. Thanks for your time either way.
Only thing me, my dad and my grandfather ever used was a straight razor cream and alcohol, I probably spent 20$ a year getting a shave. This is pure 21st century marketing
Your family must have skin like a boulder, proof you can strip Straight Shaving down to the bear essentials, but really you should be stropping the blade
DE's may well be cheaper than straights, but i think for the ultimate in cheap, you have to use a shavette. None of the maintenance of a straight, but you need the same well-developed technique else you bleed a lot! T
The initial set up costs are definitely high, but over a lifetime of shaving (30, 40 years), it would be way cheaper than DE or cartridge. And it's certainly the more eco friendly of the various methods.
I don't know anyone that uses a DE razor, and only owns one. Regardless of what you told yourself when you first started, this is not a hobby that saves you money. It's not about savings, it's about the art and enjoyment of the shave, and taking a chore that somehow turns into a spa treatment for yourself.
What would happen to your family if you died in a motorcycle accident all because you didn't wear a protective leather jacket and most importantly a helmet, your loved ones are important, please wear a helmet.
I started shaving with a shavett (a straight razor that uses disposable blades) that i got from Shave Nation about 4 years ago. In that time I started going bald so about 6 months ago, I switched from shaving my face to shaving my head. I have found that using a shavett was not only a better shave for my dome, it was actually easier to use than cartridge razors and DE safety razors.
So I made the jump and ordered a real straight razor this week from Shave Nation, along with all the other supplies Geo mentions in this video. I can't wait for them to arrive.
Which do you prefer to shave dome the shavette or the straight? And which gives a closer shave and which is smoother?
Thank you very much for making me understand how safety razors are the best!
Happy to help!
Excellent video as always. Great information, especially the things I hadn't considered: flattening stone, multiple treatments for the strop...
This was everything I needed to know that I'll stick with DE razors, or possible a straight shavette. I cannot sharpen a pocket knife for all the good in Ft Knox; I'd ruin a stone and blade the first time it needed sharpening. Or have to pay for professional sharpening, which drives the cost for this type of shaving even higher.
My favorite straight razor is the Dovo Bismark. The acrylic pearl with the gold accents is beautifully done
Like my DE razor,Geo, but if I ever decide to change, you’re the man!
You forgot alum block and stiptic pencil.
Gotcha: shavenation.com/collections/all-shaving-remedies
I hope you recorded that shave on. I enjoy your work with straight razors.
I just bought all the separate pieces individually just the other day. Can't wait for them to arrive!
I'm in Europe is it possible to ship here
All these tools… Is a straight razor shave that much better over using a safety razor? I mean… I think I get a pretty good shave with my safety razor, but maybe i’m missing out? I can appreciate the desire for cool guy toys and maybe a nostalgia of old school, but that just seems like a whole lot more work. Is it really worth it?
I was really excited to start using a straight razor but after watching this video i think not...
When a straight razor is sharp, and you get the technique right, it’s a very rewarding experience. It really comes down to if you’re comfortable putting the time required into it.
I’ve been straight razor shaving for about a month now and the work is actually not bad. Stropping is just a minute or two while your lather can settle on you face (extra free prep!). And disassembling and cleaning up a safety razor after a shave takes about just as much time which you don’t have for a straight. What did improve is my skin, I’m getting a lot less irritation. I’m not honing yet btw, maybe that will come later.
How can i found straight razor
Here you go: bit.ly/StraightRazorsSN
This video is ironically funny to me. "Here's what you need to get started straight razor shaving!" *proceeds to list 20 million different items* lol, love your vids. I started DE shaving last year (learned watching yours, Kensurfs and PaulHFilms) and and was recently thinking of checking out Straight razor or Shavette razor shaving (for straightening lines when I sport facial hair). Been researching for a while now and straight razor shaving seems just so much more tedious to me with all the stuff you need/need to do to prep compared to shavette (which is little more than you would with a DE blade), though from my understanding it's slightly less-risky at cutting yourself with a straight over shavette (though if you drop a straight accidentally it can permanently damage the blade?) Which would you recommend overall? I would guess an actual straight razor over shavette.
Holy Crap, I never thought about the tape haha my poor gold etching.
Awesome video like always
A question regarding using tape on the spine. Would this not alter the bevel? Actually, I know this will alter the bevel but would you not need to go through various grit stones to do this? If the razor was factory sharpened without tape I’d imagine going straight to a 12000 grit stone once the razor had lost its cutting edge would do more harm than good with the tape applied.
Hi Geo- Great straight razor start-up information; thank you! Take good care and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Happy Memorial Day! 🇺🇸 Be safe and be well. Best regards, as always!
Amazing video Geo!
Hey Geo is it possible to find strops that aren't made from animal products? Been wanting to get into straight razors but I don't purchase leather. Or can you maintain a straight razor with just stones and not need a strop? Thanks.
I have seen people use newspaper or denim, as in blue jeans, as strops and those work just fine. The stone is for honing or sharpening your razor - a strop is for polishing or aligning the edge and if you shave right off the stone it is a harsher shave. Stropping a blade, however you do it, removes some of that harshness so you have a sharp blade and a comfortable shave.
T
Is Chromium Oxide essential?
Are the lower stone grits necessary to sharpen the blade ?
Depends on the condition of the razor. If a razor is not anywhere near shave ready then you will need lower grit stones to get it sharp. Check out DrMatt357 he’ll teach you the ropes.
Most people use a variety of stones because they like to follow a progression, one stone after another etc, but it's not vital. What you do need is a low grit stone if you have to set the initial bevel on a blade, or the blade is chipped etc and needs repair. If you are just refreshing a blade to make it sharp again then either the paste or the higher grit stones, like the 12k Geo mentioned will do that in no time. By which i mean: 10 swipes on the stone, 10 on the paste, strop it and shave.
T
Sharp as steel .
I’ve been using the same tools (the Nani 12k and strop) for my straights, though I personally prefer my edges fresh off the stones. But that’s just me. Anyway Geo, I’d like to know: Of all your straight razors, which one would be your go-to as a regular shaver? Thanks again!:)
Sir would you consider a video on shaving my head? I suppose you would shave someone else's head where you are not bald, but I am bald and have been trying but could use a video on preventing nicks and such. Thanks for your time either way.
Check out another cut above with Chris he does head shaves as well as face shaves. Very good.
Only thing me, my dad and my grandfather ever used was a straight razor cream and alcohol, I probably spent 20$ a year getting a shave. This is pure 21st century marketing
Anyways whatever man, big hugs
Your family must have skin like a boulder, proof you can strip Straight Shaving down to the bear essentials, but really you should be stropping the blade
That’s an expensive way to shave! I’ll stick to my DE89 and Platinum blades! Less hassle and definitely less money!
DE's may well be cheaper than straights, but i think for the ultimate in cheap, you have to use a shavette. None of the maintenance of a straight, but you need the same well-developed technique else you bleed a lot!
T
Trunker Dixon so more hassle than a DE.
The initial set up costs are definitely high, but over a lifetime of shaving (30, 40 years), it would be way cheaper than DE or cartridge. And it's certainly the more eco friendly of the various methods.
i answered the cheap question, not the hassle one; even your DE89 suffers blade changes!
T
I don't know anyone that uses a DE razor, and only owns one. Regardless of what you told yourself when you first started, this is not a hobby that saves you money. It's not about savings, it's about the art and enjoyment of the shave, and taking a chore that somehow turns into a spa treatment for yourself.
First!
What would happen to your family if you died in a motorcycle accident all because you didn't wear a protective leather jacket and most importantly a helmet, your loved ones are important, please wear a helmet.
lol.
How you shave with a helmet on?