Anyone here use straight edge razors before or still use them to shave? I just ordered a straight edge and some soap/bowl/brush from amazon for $30. If anyone has any tips so I don't slice my cheek off, that'd be nice. I've heard there's a steep learning curve and its really easy to cut yourself the first few shaves. I'm excited to see how it goes though, seems enjoyable.

If anyone's wondering what I bought here are the links:
http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B002PQZEHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331880120&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Premium-Shave-Brush/dp/B001A3HPT0/ref=pd_bxgy_hpc_img_b

I'm looking to upgrade to one of those which require that I strop the blade (not that disposable shit you just linked to).

Presently I shave with one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-38-C ... 381&sr=8-1

It's a lot cheaper than using the standard type of razors sold in supermarkets and provides a very close shave. (I spent $10 on 100 blades and I shave as little as possible. Each blade is good for a week of shaves, sometimes two.)

What I understand though, is that straight-razor you pointed out uses very similar blade technology and so I can give you some pointers.

This should go for anyone shaving, and might seem obvious, but it's important.

You need to heat your skin with hot water for at least five minutes before putting the soap on. You need to make sure that your whiskers are softer than baby hair pretty much, otherwise when you shave against the grain (which with a straight-razor you pretty much are always shaving against the grain) it's gonna hurt because you didn't heat your skin long enough or hot enough.

If you're gonna stand in front of the mirror (probably best with a straight-razor) it would be best if you soaked a small towel in super hot water and then wrapped it around your neck and face and then re-soak it whenever it starts to cool off.

Don't apply too much pressure either, and use the fingers of your non-shaving hand to help guide the blade along the skin.

Buy small amounts of a variety of blades first. That way you'll be able to buy in bulk without buying the wrong blades. Make sure you're buying single edge straight razor blades, because most of the blades that are sold online are the double edged ones for the safety razors like the one I use.

okay, ima man, I am 40(29).

My dad is 67, he told me a story about getting a nice shave with a straight razor and how his cheeks basically were scars after the whole fiasco.

I assumed he was a pu$$y, told him such in so many words(I basically said I loved him and gave him a hug) and decided to get a real shave.

this motherfucker destroyed my beautiful face, it was pretty cool because I got to tell people I beat off 14 black gang members before the bikers got there and I kick their asses too. But really, I got my ass kicked by a real shave. Listen, we a weak and we are soft compared to the real generations before us.

Don't you ever let them put a really sharp blade to you face. I have a full beard now, out of fear.

I've had like 5 ppl tell me they've been scarred or otherwise hurt to some degree by using straight razors or safety razors but that's because they didn't actually do it right. A man's shave requires a man's caution. You can't just dilly dally with these things like you can with your beloved Schick Quattro or Mach 3 Turbo or whatever is the cool thing these days.

you wanna come over and shave me right?

I got all lathered up just reading your post.

lol so the sand AFRICAN AMERICAN decided to get a mans shave? psh your suppose to grow out ur beard and wear that hot towel that kwang talks about on ur head.

I've never done it but I hear you have to have the proper technique or, like everyone's said, you're gonna get cut. Watch some youtube videos?

The place I get my haircut does straight razor shaves. I get them to do the back of my neck and line my beard out whenever I go to get a haircut. It is simply amazing to have someone else do it.
If you have the chance to have a real hot shave done... you should give it a try. It feels simply amazing.

Ive had it done once. was very nice. Of course my manly face would destroy most of you're faggots, limp wristed, fists.

<--hot-shaves :)

I am not taking this thread seriously until I see Casey Jones post.

Woo! Got the razor in today and just shaved for the first time in over a year. Got a few nicks and cuts but it was actually kinda fun. I had the angles sort of off so the shave was kinda weird and not as good as I've seen. Luckily I have pretty stable hands so I'm sure I'll get better with more practice.

Yep, you realize how sharp those things are now right?

I'm glad it went mostly well for you and just a few scrapes. I'd scar myself for life handling something that sharp like that. I can barely shave right with one of those quadtro razors!

ignore the faggy pictures at the top, but these electric shavers get as close as those blades without the risk of cuts.

http://www.braun.com/us/shavers/series-7.html

Yeah kwang, I really only got into rough water though when I was working on my neck area. The cheeks weren't bad and the chin was alright. For some reason my neck got sliced the most but I'm not bothered by it. Hopefully after I use this cheapo straight edge for a bit I'll get a real nice one.

Purple, where's the fun and skill in that? Shaving today was interesting and sort of a challenge. I'm primarily doing it though as a hobby/skill as of now. It's been my first time shaving in a over a year and a half and I actually enjoyed it. Can't say I'd have that same satisfaction by using a series 7 or a Gillette fusion, etc.

I want to believe that, Purple, but every experience Ive had with electric shavers has been unpleasant. BUT, Ive never tried one of the nice Braun ones.

Shaving is fun when you are 14 and only have peach fuzz on your face. I shave every F*CKING day (except weekends) and it irritates the hell out of my face. Since switching to electric I have far less irritation and I don't have to deal with shaving cream. Although, I recently started using that "lectric shave" stuff (hate the F*CKING name of it) and it actually makes shaving with an electric even less irritating and easier. The thought of going back to a blade now makes me cringe.

I have been blessed with naturally light facial hair, I shave about once a month when the goat gets decently long... If you want to see a goat though, falcodevil is on his way to Scott Ian status.

@Purple, I hate shaving. But only when I don't do a proper hot shave. When I do a hot shave, OMG it is a pleasure and a joy. I might buy an electric razor for the sake of convenience in a pinch but other than if my hands get too shaky that's about the only reason why I'd switch.