Thread: New guy question

Howdy all. I apparently have real sensitive skin. I have been wanting to get a straight razor, but have been reluctant to spend the money on a razor only to find out that it does not work for me. I get about 2 shaves from a disposable razor before my skin gets all chewed up. I tried my fathers old safety razor, but that made me a bloody pulp immediately. My newest adventure, I bought a Parker sr1 shavette. All I have to say is, OUCH! Here is my question, will a properly honed straight razor, used correctly, shave me without chewing up my skin? I was using Edwin Jagger shaving cream for sensitive skin also. Any advice would be helpful, because my alternative is to go back to 1 disposable razor a day.

Yes, the difficulty will be in figuring out how to use it correctly. The other methods will also. Without trying to sound harsh, were you planning on giving up on the other methods already as a matter of habit? If so, then you won't have the patience for straight shaving. It has a steeper learning curve.

But, in the hands of an expert the straight razor has no equal, with both smoothness and closeness.

A properly honed, properly used straight razor will give you the best shave you can possibly have. Especially if you have sensetive skin.

Originally Posted by Theseus

A properly honed, properly used straight razor will give you the best shave you can possibly have. Especially if you have sensetive skin.

Caveat: Right after you learn to use it.

I would recommend checking with your dermatologist. If every razor you listed is causing you aggravation, I would think that the straight razor would really not be any different for you. Sorry.

Good luck.

If the alternative is to use one disposable razor one time, might as well try to snag a good starter straight from the Classifieds here and check it out. Even if you shave with it once and find that you don't notice ANY difference you would still only be out 20-30 bucks if you wait to buy a strop. The caveat is you will need at least a half way decent tecnique to get a decent shave. And even then most reccomend youonly shave your cheeks the first couple tries.

If it were me I say go for it. If you find it doesn't make a difference you could always pawn your stuff on ebay and probably break even. Even if you lose a few bucks it would probably be comparable to how much you spend on disposables. Good luck!

Easy way to find out,

Go find a local place (Barber etc) that does shaves and does them often and get shaved by a pro. If you have irritation and skin problems after a shave by a professional then you will know that it will likely be worse for you, however if you are totally fine afterwards then you know it will likely be ok for you once you learn the technique (which in and of itself takes time and patience)

Thanks for the info. I will buy a straight razor and go for it. If too much skin is removed I will give it a few days and try some more. Thanks again. Tom

Welcome to SRP Tom.
BEFORE buying a straight razor and going for it, please, please, please, please, please, read the sticky at the top of this section and study the WIKI regarding how to start out using a straight razor.
Also, a browse through the soaps and creams sub-forum might be of assistance to find a soap that is better for sensitive skin.
By doing these things you might have a head start to a better shave and less irritation.
We all want you to enjoy your experience with a straight razor (as you can see by the comments above) and believe that it will give you a better, less irritating shave in the long run.
You may want to take Lynn's advice and see a dermatologist before spending money on the straight shaving gear.
Please let us all know how you are progressing.

Sorry to have to say it but with all the problems you seem to be having regardless of the appliance used once you know you don't have a medical condition then you need to look at your shaving technique in general. This is kind of like the guy at the range who has a bunch of guns and can't hit the broad side of a barn with any of them and blames the guns for his problems.