Review on Diane Classic Straight Razor: 🪒 A Timeless Tool for Precise Shaving by Rodney Sample

As others have pointed out this is a very cheap (price) razor that gets the job done. However, it can be made much better with small modifications. Let's start with how these things work: you get a straight razor that at first glance looks like a regular straight razor. But if you unfold it you can see that the working end is actually a holder for a half DE blade (double-sided blade). To change the blade, pull out the insert that holds the blade. It has small protrusions that fit the half-blade's hips. Once the blade is in place, slide the insert back into the socket. The receiver consists of a piece of sheet metal folded into a tall triangle with a narrow bottom edge. The blade then protrudes where the two high sides of the triangle meet. The problem is that the sheet metal is quite thick and has square edges. The blade only protrudes slightly from the apex of the triangle, which can make it difficult to get the blade at the right angle in relation to your skin. The thick edge of the receiver keeps the blade up and off the skin. But it's easy to fix. Take a flat file and cut off a thick corner. Of course you want to make sure the insert and blade are removed when filing. It only takes a few minutes as they are made of fairly soft metal. My close-up photos of the receiver show what mine looked like after a bit of editing to remove that corner. Once the razor's head is well beveled, it becomes a great razor. When your blade dulls, you throw it away.+ I liked this for the carry-on because you can buy a pack of blades for $2-3 at just about any Wally drug store or major chain. Then I can still shave a straight edge on the street. However, there are also disadvantages: - DE blades are not really designed for razor use and therefore have sharp edges which are annoying and can cut you if you are not careful. If you really don't like square edges, I recommend the Personna-style Barber Shaper. They're fairly easy to shave and have longer blades, but the blades are a bit more expensive and hard to find. Disposable blades can be TOO sharp for a beginner. Especially when they are new, it is easy to cut the face into ribbons. BTW, I bought this after a similar product was confiscated by the TSA. They said because it can hold a blade, it still can't be used as carry-on even if it doesn't have a blade. But for the price, I was willing to replace it as often as needed. I traded a little less than four Washingtons to get mine. Note that I traveled with the first one for over a year before the TSA agent decided he didn't like it. If you're only traveling with carry-on luggage and want to shave with a straightedge, I'd say this is by far the best way to go.