I started to use a straight razor recently
and there is quite the learning curve as one might guess. I use a dbl edge safety razor but I couldn't get the detailed areas of my face well because I sport a beard and mustache. I used not do much maintenance between visits to the barber who does an outstanding job on these areas and keeps me from looking like a mountain man with a spotty, scraggly beard.
The dlb edge razor head occluded my vision and I would miss a large amount of whiskers or I would start shaving areas I wanted to keep.
SO I began to investigate Straights. I wanted something maintenance free and saw my barber used a shaver with a disposable blade I checked some out on Amazon and ended up with this.
It is cheap so if I abandoned the idea I wouldn't be out much $$.
Lemme state again that there is a significant learning curve
My first shave I was bleeding from all over. I was pretty nervous and caught a few nicks from being apprehensive with my technique. After a while I gained confidence and my shaves improved. I cut my hand somehow
I was blotting up some leaks and couldn't figure out where the blood kept appearing from. Then I found out I caught the outside of my pinky almost the full length of my middle joint. I have no idea how I did it either.
My subsequent shaves have improved and I am bleeding less each time. Most are just baby nicks that dry up rather quickly.
Technique and lubrication are key here. I use a tube base creme similar to Porazo
applying it thin allows it to dry out fast. So I wet my fingers smooth the area out with the water, wet the razor and start to shave. It is pretty cool seeing the hairs just pop off when the blade touches it
. I can shave my neck easily up and down, and I thought I'd have the hardest time with that area too.
As for the detail shaving it works like a champ and I really like it. I can hit individual hairs and stubble which cleans up my shaved areas quite nicely. It does take more time but I do not have to hit these areas constantly. I can use the dbl edge to knock out the majority then use the single to clean up and detail the areas around my lips and nose as well as even up my cheek line.
I thought I would post this for those who were wondering if using a single edge razor would be a good alternative but cost and blade maintenance would be the prohibitive reasons for not trying one out.