delete

[chipper]

delete this bs

[spacerace]

That just looks like a novelty pocket knife, not something to actually use on your face.

[kelly_aus]

Even sharpened, I don't think I'd be wanting to use that on my face..

Pre-transition, I was a cut throat shaver.. If you are thinking of going down this road, buy a good razor and keep it sharp.

[Magnus]

Yup, that's a novelty knife. The bevel as well as the grid gives it away. A genuine straight razor intended for shaving would be thinner and with hardly any bevel because of the steeper grind angle. What you have there also lacks a convex profile. Still nice, just not for shaving.

Also if you really want to get into traditional wet shaving, start with a DE razor. There is definitely a learning curve to this either way, but I can guarantee that you don't want to go through that with a cutthroat razor. DE razors afford the same close shave but without the same risk. Also, sharpening and honing straight razors is a massive PITA (basically, if you find you have difficulty sharpening and honing a regular pocket knife, forget about being able to do it with a straight razor) and something you don't have to do with DE razors. I'm not saying never, but I am saying don't start with one until you've mastered the basics with a DE first.

[Nygeel]

I'd say get a safety razor instead of a straight razor. Yes, a straight razor will give you a closer cut but a lot of guys end up going too close. Prepping has a lot to do with getting a close shave. You can get some shaving soap, shaving mug, and a badger brush and create a foam that way. Those kinds of foams and the act of brushing it on generally will make the hair stand up better. You can get a brush, soap, mug, and a stand for like $30 on amazon. Honestly, it will save you money in the long term if you use shaving soap and a brush instead of shaving gel in a can. You can buy shaving soap for $1 and it lasts longer than a container of gel or foam out of a can.

[Magnus]

Thanks for all the input. Knife seems to be the consensus... I've heard of people shaving with knives though, have a hardcore friend in the Marines who only shaves with a knife... definitely not something I want to jump into though. Kinda bummed to find out this is gift was not in fact a straight razor... so where do I go from here if I want a similar set up?

Mangus-
I checked out the DE razors but was hoping for something less razor like and more knife like. Something with switchblade option, something similar to what they use in the barber shops around here... something that resembles the knife my friend purchased. Don't mind sharpening knives and have minimal difficulty doing so. I'm not sure where to begin when it comes to straight razors. My grandpa had one and made it look super cool.

DE razor seem like a good wet shave beginner option. Was hoping to find something middle ground... not ready to invest in some high quality straight razor, but definitely willing to put some money into getting something worthwhile. I especially appreciate the longevity factor of straight razors, have a good one and it seems they last forever. Any pointers?

If you are still adamant, then this should tell you all you need to know.

On the other hand, you should also see this too. Particularly the portion after 'What to Expect from a Straight Razor Shave' where it specifies true and correct that "Because of health codes, most barbers use disposable straight edge razors as opposed to traditional straight razors." In fact, by U.S. Health Code Law, anything that touches a clients face must be disposable and because it will need to be replaced for every customer (due to the legitimate risks of blood-transmitted diseases). So in reality, there really is no more genuinely traditional straight razor shaving at a barber shop/salon. Instead what they are actually using is also called a Shavette or a Barber's razor. These use the same kinds of blades that DE safety razors do, by the way, in that they do not have the same hollow grind as a legitimate/traditional straight razor. That does make a difference because of this. #2 is the flat grind, most widely used for razor blades. #1 is the hollow grind and is the most widely used for surgical scalpels and also legitimate straight razors. In other words, real-deal straight razors are as wickedly sharp as a surgeon's scalpel and is exactly why most will never recommend a novice try and jump right into a real-deal straight razor at first.

And so if you really are dead-set against a standard safety razor, then you should at least opt for a barber's razor first, like this. It will still be more difficult to use than a standard safety razor, but it also won't cause any more damage than the same 2-3mm deep nick or cut. Whereas, a legitimately traditional straight razor affords very little room for error and has nothing to stop it from causing significant damage other than, of course, its users experience and skill and both absolutely what a novice lacks and therefore has no business trying to jump the gun into right off the bat. You would only succeed in carving up your face for your lack of technique.

I am not saying that to belittle you whatsoever, I myself lack the proper technique as well and I damn near made the mistake of jumping right for a legit straight razor. It would have been a disaster. I thought DE shaving was going to be a piece of cake... but actually, no it isn't. To elaborate on that, cartridge shaving requires no skill in comparison and because it fairly much does all of the work for you except for moving itself across your face. With DE shaving, you are responsible for maintaining the blade angle as well as also not applying any outside pressure to the blade against your face. When you mess either one of those two up (believe me, happens at least once per shave... but that's most likely just my inexperience), you get a nice nick or cut for it. And with straight razor shaving, there is even more you are responsible for because it is 100% manual and absolutely nothing is done for you. It is genuinely not as simple as you think it is.

[TheGrayWolf]

If you're looking to get into shaving with a straight razor, I would definitely recommend the forums at Badger & Blade. They have a plethora of information on shaving gear and especially technique, and many many experienced shavers who will answer whatever questions you have. I would also add my own recommendation to check out single edge razors as well (as opposed to double edge), which is what I use; they are all too often overlooked. In terms of a close shave, it's generally billed as the closest you can get barring a straight razor, and I really just enjoy using it for both the functionality and the aesthetic of the razor itself. (I use a GEM 1912 which I got online for about 10 bucks.) They use blades which look like a standard box-cutter blade (but are not, they are much sharper), and due to the more rigid nature of the blade, they can give a better shave than a DE, and can also be more forgiving of bad technique because of the angle. I've never gotten cut with mine so far (and now that I've said that I fully expect to cut myself the next time I shave, haha).

[freddie]

Looks more like something you'd use in the garden tbh