Buying Your First Straight Razor: What a Beginner MUST Know!

Ready to elevate your shaving experience with your very first straight razor? This video is your essential guide to entering the world of classic shaving. Whether you're seeking a closer shave or want to embrace an age-old grooming tradition, we've got all the insights you need to get started. Plus, I’ll share my personal recommendations for beginner-friendly models that will deliver on performance and quality.

Whether you're buying a gift or starting a new personal grooming ritual, this video will provide you with the confidence to make an informed purchase.

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At Razor Emporium, we believe in empowering men and women to practice traditional grooming using quality new and vintage shaving supplies. Our business is made up of three core areas, Service, Retail, and Education.

Our service technicians restore, repair, and revamp your treasured shaving items, bringing them back to their original glory. Our downtown Phoenix, AZ lobby allows shavers to experience quality products before buying. And our educational resources are wide and always expanding.

We hope you enjoy us every week for new videos about shaving technique and insider knowledge you can’t get anywhere else. Thanks for watching, and please consider subscribing!

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[daviddixon]

I shaved with a straight razor exclusively for about 10 years. I'd amassed a collection of about 60 razors by the time I realized it was taking too much of my time. Some of the vintage razors are exceptional.

[SocalCanyonRacer]

Thank you!
I teach sharpening, straight razor is another valuable arrow in the skill quiver.

[hoosurdaddy]

Good advice for anyone thinking about getting into straight shaving. Word of warning though, like any other aspect of wet shaving acquiring "new" razors can be addicting just like DEs, soaps, brushes, etc. I own 27 straights with all but one dating back to at least the '50's . . . . .they are just cool.

And then once I started I of course had to get some strops, diamond paste, diamond stones and water stones going from 400 grit all the way up to 20, 000. I may have gone a bit wild but it is pretty satisfying sharpening and shaving with a piece of history. Makes you feel like Josey Wales or the High Plains Drifter. . . . just bad ass.

[sparksmcfadden]

I got into wet shaving for the ritual and taking the time to just be in the moment. I purchased one of the restored RAs from the Emporium and that has been bliss even with the nicks. Of course I just had to get a Dubl Duck when I came across it now I have RAD. Thank you Matt for your videos and help with the whole wet shaving world.

[goteampatrick]

This is a great video. I’ve been thinking about trying a straight razor but I need to do a lot more research before buying one.

[Ivanhoe]

Drawing, painting, woodwork with hand tools (plus honing them), blacksmithing and straight razor wet shaving (the time really flies off)... There's no school like old school.
I can hardly wait to bladesmith one for my self as an artist (as you said).
Funny thing-DeLorean was also made of stainless steel...

Best regards

P.S. "Get to the

[rsolsjo]

I started with shavettes and honestly prefer them. It's like diving off the deep end, but there are a lot of benefits: no maintenance required, you can change to a sharper (or less sharp) blade at any time, they come in different sizes and styles, no stropping needed, etc. If I had started with a straight razor I think I would've been frustrated or potentially gotten a slightly tuggy shave, and not understood what kind of maintenance is required. Maybe even stopped with straights/shavettes altogether. I think I'd advise people to at least buy a very small, very cheap shavette and try it with a forgiving blade first. That's almost like renting a car, buying a straight is like buying a used car that needs regular upkeep and maintenance to function well.

[jeffdowns]

Great video. I just started using a 5/8 round point. Gotta say it is definitely a learning curve envolved . I like the results . The hardest thing for me i being patient. Definitely do not rush.

[kevinwine]

Awesome video!! Gents I am a vintage Gillette de shaver, but with that being said, some years ago when I got tired of the disposable and cartridge razors, I got a shavette, and soon after I was shaving with a regular straight razor. A straight razor is like a de razor in the sense, they become very personable. A couple tips for there care are like Matt has mentioned with de razors, take your blade out and let it air dry, I had rust on mine when I was shavette shaving. And when I was straight razor shaving, after I was done and dried the razor off, I would take a q-tip and put a light coat of Vaseline on the blade, that will help keep your straight razor from rusting. I hope everyone has a great time with their choice for wet shaving.

[Rood]

As @rsolsjo mentioned shavettes; I believe this may be the way I go in order to try moving up from my decade of DE with Feather blades shaving.

[jackkigerl]

Great video! And I appreciate the eyes wide open take. I'm looking for my first buy and this helped make sure I have my head in the right place.

[matth]

I’ve always enjoyed a straight razor shave at the barber. I’ve been using a ‘40’s Gillett safety razor for years!

[tompvic]

At one time almost got a Ralf Aust full hallow from Lynn Abram’s Straight razor company. And then I see your straight razor video about how much time one would have to spend maintaining it, and decided against the purchase. But still fascinated about using one from the 1800’s. Nice video.

[JustYourAvarageJoe]

I have a 100 year old straight razor that was gifted to me and I’m learning how to use it was my grandfather’s

[AlitaAvenger]

Thank you Matt.
I have one shavette but have not really started with it, because I feel very content with my DE razors and one single edge. My comfort zone 🙂
I also wonder how stable a single edge blade is anchored in a shavette compared to the screw mechanisms in DE razors.
Have a good weekend 🙏

[johnbipolarskitzo]

I'm glad you mentioned the ear lobe. My first straight razor thankfully is a round point and my first shave I apparently used my ear as a guide and well definitely would have done some lobe damage if it wasn't a round point.

[sirhunter]

I thoroughly enjoy the exfoliative effects when using a straight razor. Maybe I’m saving with slightly too much pressure, but it explicates my face better than any scrub or loofa typa thing I’ve tried

[melchurch]

Good thoughts and suggestions. I inherited my great grandfathers straights but learned to sharpen and shave with some estate sale razors I found. The process of stropping and shaving is much slower but fun and relaxing. If I'm in a hurry I grab the Feather Kamisori and can do a quick shave.

[robertcochran]

Thank you for posting this excellent video. I do have a straight razor that I bought some years ago. There was not too much logic in my purchase: it was done more because my eyes saw the candy than because I was looking for just the right razor for a beginner. I think I damaged the edge almost immediately after opening the razor. I did manage to get part of one shave done with my new "straight", but it felt big and heavy and I did get a nick. I was filled with fear of the razor every second. I didn't know how to hold it for the specific shaving stroke and part of my face that I wanted to shave. I was afraid, afraid, afraid! Terror raced my heart! I wasn't sure where to put the razor down so I could rinse my face. (My house was built in 1937, the bathroom is rather small and the toilet seat is plenty bigger than the vanity sink, so I just couldn't decide where to put the straight when I wanted to rinse or after shaving.) Mostly I had this terrible fear of using the straight razor wrong and cutting myself. So after that first shave, I put it aside and never used it again. Maybe I can get back into it...I have a strop and could learn....

[Jedidiahguitar]

Thank you for the helpful video! I want to do it to save money, good disposables are so expensive these days 😂! I have 2000 and 4000 whetstones for my Japanese knives will these work for a razor?