5 Biggest Headaches When Starting Straight Razor Shaving

[@bTome9123]

Patience is a virtue with a straight razor.

[@robertlarkham2428]

Just bought my first straight. Can’t wait to get started.

[@dappershaves]

congrats and good luck on your journey bud! best wishes Mr Straight Razor

[@franksturniolo5480]

good tips. I straight razor shave on Sunday mornings when I have a bit more time. for me, though I enjoy it, it's not as close a shave as my DE's. But I love the history of it, and it certainly commands my presence!

[@scottstewart6260]

I got a Parker SR1 shavette over the weekend and its a world of difference. Highly recommend trying that one if people are curious about the feel of a barber shave. Dont go with a Gravity Razor as your first… they will slice and dice you face.

[@jazzbob7]

I am returning to using a straight razor. These were good reminders. I need to remember to take short strokes. Thanks for this.

[@dappershaves]

yes, short overlapping stroke! enjoy the journey - practice makes improvements. best wishes

[@butch755]

One thing that Dad shared with me when I started SR shaving is to focus on cutting the hair not shaving the skin. I don't know why but it seems to work. Great beginner info Mat! Shave on!

[@RazorEmporium]

Interesting!

[@Shaverboy516]

Excellent video Matt, number 1, practice with a shavette.

[@RazorEmporium]

Absolutely!

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you so much for a really great set of tips.

[@seldogrif9732]

I started out with a Shavette farelly recently (cause I didn't want to commit to a Straight Razor from the get go) and I think that the biggest thing I needed to understand that I should not be afraid of the blade and that it can cut you, but view it as a tool that needs respect. I noticed that most of the cuts I got were more of nervousness than lack of technique. Like I watched a bunch of tutorials and got a good explanation from a colleague that originally recommended me SR shaving. But it is one thing when you hear it in theory and another when you do your first tries, especially when you are not using your main arm or going against the grain. So when I shaved and felt like something is not as smooth as I want, my hands unconsciously slightly trembled, which resolted is some minor cuts. Only when I understood that I am my worst enemy and am more afraid of messing up, than focusing on what I am doing right now, did approach changed for the better. I did still get cuts (especially near the mouth and chin), but those were more of a skill issue than some bullshit trembling.

[@seanstapelfeld]

Great video! Awesome 5 tips for beginners

[@brianhall481]

I just ordered my first straight razor from you guys. It’s a Dovo Prima Steel Silver with the emporium honing. I can’t wait to take the dive into the deep end.

[@dappershaves]

congrats on the new razor and adventure. practice makes improvements is my motto. best wishes Mr Straight Razor

[@RazorEmporium]

Congrats - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at [e-mail] with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team

[@salvadorsantos315]

Great video Matt. Lots of guys are just so afraid of straights. Take your time, go slow, angle and pressure are everything. When you're done, strop, oil and put it away. I keep mine in my safe because it's got dehumidifiers in it.

[@RazorEmporium]

Well said!

[@SteveKN4POP]

Love a straight razor shave. Need to make more time for it as it seems im always in a hurry and tend to grab my DE instead. Great tips for the beginner.

[@JamesWilliams-eb7xe]

Wonderful Matt... Shaving with a straight razor takes a bit of skill, time and care. It also can bring a bit of satisfaction that YOU can do this... I have several types of razors that I use, including straight razors I sharpen\hone. Actually my fav currently is a type of shavette that uses the whole DE blade. Great tips...

[@TheWilkReport]

I actually started shaving using straight razors purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply that had removable blades. I didn't know the blades were carbon steel, so they rusted into the holders, which meant having to replace the entire thing as I couldn't get the blades out. Then I went to cartridge razors, and stuck with those until 2017 when I finally made the switch to safety and straights.

[@TWalsh2]

3:15 There should be no "letting it dry for an hour after you're done". It should be put away perfectly dry. I run it under hot water when I'm done as a warm/hot blade promotes evaporation and dry it thoroughly with tissue. I also strop it so it's ready for the next use which cleans any imperceptible nascent rust on the edge.

[@RazorEmporium]

I have to appeal to the lowest common denominator and assume that the average person lives in a humid swamp

[@zionpsyfer]

Tip for those in humid areas or the paranoid: Save a few packets of those silica packets found in drugs, vitamins, etc. Buy some cheap balsa wood boxes online or at a craft store and toss in the silica packets. After letting the razor dry on top of the balsa box for an hour or two after use, store it in the box with the packets.

[@CocoboloCowboy]

Matt is Straight Guru, listen to Matt.👍🥳

[@greathoundAZ]

Great tips!

[@Indyshaver]

I’m really wanting to try a straight

[@charlespreiss3426]

@@Indyshaver I have a bunch of straights that I have restored. Always willing to help out a newbie. Let me know!!

[@dappershaves]

@@charlespreiss3426wonderful sir! best wishes

[@djchubbsShaving]

Nice video Matt !!!!

[@abdullahal-shimri3091]

Tugging and pulling can also be caused by not soaking your beard long enough. I make sure I keep leather on my face for at least five minutes before shaving.

[@CarolinaCheif]

Great advice

[@kylezeller3768]

Matt this was a very encouraging tutorial, even for someone who has straight razor shaved for almost 10yrs. Is there a top 3 stainless steel straight razors that you would recommend? I believe that you did a Dovo review of one of their razors that was SS but I am not for certain. Thanks again for all you bring to the shaving community.

[@JeroenvKL]

Moet important technique my barber taught me was to use a sliding motion to slice the hairs instead of chopping straight through them. This wat the cut is a lot smoother, and the edge should last longer since it puts less strain on it. You also wouldn’t just press a knife down into something to cut it right? You make a slicing motion so it’ll cause less effort.

[@dappershaves]

100% agree bud, very well said! best wishes

[@melchurch3019]

If the razor is on your face it should be moving. My worse beginner cut was laying the razor on my face and not starting to shave. I sliced my cheek instead. Great beginner tutorial.

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks for sharing!

[@dappershaves]

100%, well said! best wishes

[@razormichl2004]

top video👍

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks ✌

[@sheerziggy]

I see guys going against the grain on their necks and I keep having issues with that and it's not clean going with the grain. But I'm here to stay and trying to learn the ways lol

[@allthegoodnamesareinuse]

And if you are a beginner, DON'T spend a ton of money on a strop. Just don't. You will wreck your first strop, guaranteed. That's normal. Everybody does. Buy something cheap to learn on and once you know what you're doing, THEN buy a better, nicer strop.

[@Doowickeybob]

Don't rush, take it easy , Go through the whole routine, pre shave, lather, balm etc Most of all enjoy the shave 😚

[@carlcarlson180]

Been straight razor shaving for 3 years 😃 I use my barber hone to freshen up my blade. When should I decide to send you my razor to be sharpened? Carl

[@charlespreiss3426]

@@carlcarlson180 when you feel some tugging or pulling it’s time to refresh.

[@patriciamassie8505]

Just starting out, don't hone the blade yourself. Get the feel of the blade first and if you want to go down the path of taking care of the edge yourself you will have the experience to know when you do a good or bad job. That will allow you to perfect your sharpening/honing technique.

[@michaelw9808]

oil the blade when put it away

[@Bearcwy]

Lather well! Spend more time making a good lather it's your cushion between your razor and your skin for a clean and comfortable shave.

[@dappershaves]

well said bud! best wishes

[@Secrent]

I have debated getting a straight razor for years. I have a heavy beard and depend on my long time Edwin Jagger Chatsworth DE Safety Razor (Closed Comb) & Feather DE blades for a great shave. I have tried slant edge razors, older vintage razors including my Gillette Red Flare Tip TTO A2, and a vintage Gillette Sensor Razor that probably gave me the best shave, but the plastic hold on clips for the blade always break (can still find them on eBay but not cheap) So, my question is, does a Straight Edge Razor give you the best shave possible given having everything right including a good straight razor?? Or is it just a good shave and the pleasure of learning to use one to enjoy the Straight Razor shaving experience??

[@TWalsh2]

I'd say I get my best shaves from a straight but there's a big proviso here in that with a straight you need to do a 3 pass shave which you don't generally do with say a gillette. If you did a 3 pass with a gillette it'd probably be comparable but the straight should lead to less irritation since it's one blade so 5 swishes = 5 shaved areas where 5 swishes of a 5 blade cartridge razor = 25 swishes on the same area. While they're difficult to get right a properly honed blade on a coticule can get you a zero irritation shave.

[@trueblu8]

7:33 😂

[@charlespreiss3426]

Two years of nothing but straight razor shaves. It’s a whole other rabbit hole. lol

[@dabsafe]

I love my straight razor shaves. I still use my DE on the back of my head for obvious reasons and when I’m away on vacation but my Dovo does my face, neck, top and sides of my head. 😎🇨🇦🎸

[@trueblu8]

💯

[@seanstapelfeld]

I’m following on your footsteps… 1 year in hehe

[@charlespreiss3426]

Do you guys do your own honing? There’s nothing better than a BBS shave with bad edge you have done yourself.

[@seanstapelfeld]

@@charlespreiss3426 yes sir! It’s the best feeling of accomplishment