Honestly...I have many straight razors and many DE Razors...BUT...If I had to buy only one straight razor experience it would be the Feather Artist Club Shavette...( of which I have several models...LOL). Nothing is sharper than machine sharpened blades and it's essentially the same experience as shaving with a true straight razor BUT you need to be much more careful (skillful) shaving with a Feather Shavette as they are much less forgiving. Cheers from Canada!!!
Awesome advice! You make a valid point about shaving soap/cream with expirations. I was starting down the rabbit hole but as much as I would like to buy, I have to just be happy with what I have!
You can have soaps last 8 to 10 years if you take care not to introduce contamination into the soap and keep it dry this is why I am a scooper and I bowl lather but it's all about how you like to shave
removing chippings on a vintage razor with a 300-400 grit stone felt really easy, doing it on kitchen knives have been a bit of a nightmare. probably won't go that coarse again unless i feel like i really have too. or i'd like something coarser for other knives. sharpening razors feel a bit like i'm just guessing, tends to turn out well.
What wise words, Johan!👏....I'm struggling with the term "nerd" 🤓 😅 straight razor shaving is far too bloody for nerds ! What a comprehensive talk! Your a paragon of knowledge and ability. And all you said is true 👍.
For honing, I recommend Dan's Arkansas stones. Soft and a Black will work for most people. I've tried synthetic, but I've ran into a variety of issues, no matter the brand. I tried tipping my toe into Japanese natural stones, they get seriously expensive quick and there is often too much of a "gamble" factor for the cost.
Thanks for the advice. I am not yet at the point where I want to obtain more stones; I feel I need to learn the basic skills first, but I will remember your tip.
@@smievil Yes, in general there seems to be a common theme, that finishing on natural stones (Arkansas, Conticule, Japanese Natural, even the Imperial La Roccia) produces a smoother shave. The only synthetic I've heard people say are good finishers is the Naniwa 12K.
Buy a straight razor...save some money....10 brushes 10 soaps 4 creams...4 stones, roll of tape..all i need now is the stone holder..oh and a bath for my stones😂. Ill have the bankloan paid of in 5 years.😂😅..hopfully my hands will stay steady for another 30 years.
Started out a few years ago on Boker Classic Spanish tip and Omega 48 (pig). BTW I couldn't avoid some degree of "soap craze" but managed to keep it to the most "popular" ones, like Proraso and Cella from Italy, Tabac from Deutschland, Monsavon au Lait from France, Arko stick from Turkey, Vergulde Hand from De Nederlanden and so on.... I'm afraid I'd need three maybe four faces at this point to run out of soap before I die, specially considering the fact I usually let my beard grow free every year march to august/september.
In the old days, the best straight razors were made in Solingen in Germany, Sheffield in England, and Eskilstuna in Sweden - France and Spain also made amazing razors. Now, only in Solingen (and Thiers Issard in France) are razors made, and they are great.
It blows me away how great your English is. Is that normal in Sweden? Btw great video. Been fascinated with straights for years- but all they require scares me right back to my double edge lol. Seems like a steep learning curve 🪒
Honestly...I have many straight razors and many DE Razors...BUT...If I had to buy only one straight razor experience it would be the Feather Artist Club Shavette...( of which I have several models...LOL). Nothing is sharper than machine sharpened blades and it's essentially the same experience as shaving with a true straight razor BUT you need to be much more careful (skillful) shaving with a Feather Shavette as they are much less forgiving. Cheers from Canada!!!
Totally agree , just recently discovered feather professional blades , now my litmus test for all my straight razor edges , as most can't compare .
that little ridge along the blade holder somehow makes all the difference.
Thanks Michael. I agree it's hard to beat a shavette style razor, and it's a more dangerous tool than a straight for sure.
Awesome advice! You make a valid point about shaving soap/cream with expirations. I was starting down the rabbit hole but as much as I would like to buy, I have to just be happy with what I have!
Yeah, it's fun to buy new stuff, but at some point you have to use it.
You can have soaps last 8 to 10 years if you take care not to introduce contamination into the soap and keep it dry this is why I am a scooper and I bowl lather but it's all about how you like to shave
Another good straight razor beginner advice video Johan!
Have a good one!
Steve
Thanks Steve!
Bravo Giovanni!
Great video as always.
Grazie Valter!
Few days ago, I got my first straight razor. It’s a C.V. Heljestrand MK No4. The razor arrived in perfect condition and truly shave ready.
Brilliant! I hope you like it.
Great video and advice, Johan! Good to see you, my friend 🙌🏼👊🏼
Thanks Brandon. I see you most Fridays!
@@Shave_n_ButcherThat is true! 🙌🏼👊🏼
removing chippings on a vintage razor with a 300-400 grit stone felt really easy, doing it on kitchen knives have been a bit of a nightmare.
probably won't go that coarse again unless i feel like i really have too. or i'd like something coarser for other knives.
sharpening razors feel a bit like i'm just guessing, tends to turn out well.
Yeah, there's a lot more steel to remove on a kitchen knife.
What wise words, Johan!👏....I'm struggling with the term "nerd" 🤓 😅 straight razor shaving is far too bloody for nerds !
What a comprehensive talk! Your a paragon of knowledge and ability.
And all you said is true 👍.
Thanks Martin. Every shaver have different ideas of course.
For honing, I recommend Dan's Arkansas stones. Soft and a Black will work for most people. I've tried synthetic, but I've ran into a variety of issues, no matter the brand. I tried tipping my toe into Japanese natural stones, they get seriously expensive quick and there is often too much of a "gamble" factor for the cost.
Thanks for the advice. I am not yet at the point where I want to obtain more stones; I feel I need to learn the basic skills first, but I will remember your tip.
i've heard people mentioning finishing razors on coticule stones, think they are marketed around 6-8000 grit. but i haven't tried it.
@@smievil Yes, in general there seems to be a common theme, that finishing on natural stones (Arkansas, Conticule, Japanese Natural, even the Imperial La Roccia) produces a smoother shave. The only synthetic I've heard people say are good finishers is the Naniwa 12K.
Some really good advice there.
Thanks a lot!
Very very nice recommendations. Thanks.
Thank you
Buy a straight razor...save some money....10 brushes 10 soaps 4 creams...4 stones, roll of tape..all i need now is the stone holder..oh and a bath for my stones😂. Ill have the bankloan paid of in 5 years.😂😅..hopfully my hands will stay steady for another 30 years.
Unbelievable!
There’s a shop near me that sells German straight razors. If you buy from them, they will sharpen it for free for life.
Now that’s a great deal!
Nice instructional video.😎
Thanks Mark
Started out a few years ago on Boker Classic Spanish tip and Omega 48 (pig). BTW I couldn't avoid some degree of "soap craze" but managed to keep it to the most "popular" ones, like Proraso and Cella from Italy, Tabac from Deutschland, Monsavon au Lait from France, Arko stick from Turkey, Vergulde Hand from De Nederlanden and so on.... I'm afraid I'd need three maybe four faces at this point to run out of soap before I die, specially considering the fact I usually let my beard grow free every year march to august/september.
It sounds like you are set for life. At least some of those soaps should be of OK quality for many years.
nice video !!! have a nice day
Thanks Michl. Take care!
Question: from your experience, are the thinner ground razors (full hollow) or the heftier ones (half hollow, wedge) which the most comfortable?
Hi Howie. It really is a matter of preference. If it's a good quality razor that has been honed properly, it's always a nice experience.
Hello @shave&butcher what is the brand of the black strop ? Where Can i buy it ?
Hello! I don't know the brand of where you can buy it, sorry. I am the third owner. I believe it is from Australia, but that isn't of much help.
Would you say Germans make the best razors? If not who does
In the old days, the best straight razors were made in Solingen in Germany, Sheffield in England, and Eskilstuna in Sweden - France and Spain also made amazing razors. Now, only in Solingen (and Thiers Issard in France) are razors made, and they are great.
@@Shave_n_Butcher Ty for the info
It blows me away how great your English is. Is that normal in Sweden? Btw great video. Been fascinated with straights for years- but all they require scares me right back to my double edge lol. Seems like a steep learning curve 🪒
I lived in England for a while and I speak a lot of English in my job so that helps. Thanks!