Thread: Wives and new straight razor users... The horror!!

In learning to use a straight, there's the obvious occasional cuts. My wife loses her s**t whenever I cut myself. Personally, I'm resigned to it. Part of the process and if it's sharp it's not like there's any pain involved. As a military guy, it's kind of funny - I've spent time in Afghanistan getting shot at and rocketed, yet me knicking myself with a straight freaks her out more than the fact of what happened downrange. Go figure. Straights are definitely a "guy thing" (in my opinion). Half the reason that I like straight razors is that I like knowing (learning) how to use a straight razor. But with knowledge comes a little blood. Same downrange, same here. I don't think many wives get that about guys.... we do things because we want to know/understand.

Well I will start by saying Thank You for your service.

While I do not have a wife, my friends and family find it a little crazy that I use a straight razor, well a Shavette with the long green insert and blade for now, and that I occasionally cut myself with it, much more then you would with a Mach 3 or Fusion, or whatever other crazy names they have, or with an electric. I keep telling them it is a better shave and that holding a straight razor to ones throat in the morning is the best way to wake yourself up. I love it though, turning the morning shave into an enjoyable experience rather then something to despise.

Side question, did you use a straight razor while on base in Afghanistan or just a traditional modern blade for the sake of convenience?

My wife had some concerns when I first started shaving straight, but she got over it in time as my proficiency increased. Now the only time I nick myself is if I rush a shave or lose focus for a moment. Besides tell her how much money you'll save in the long run.

yeah, my wife doesn't understand my interest in shaving with a straight either. she's even more disgusted with the time i spend on SRP.

Sometimes I think my wife roots for the blade.

I've never nicked, let alone cut myself, except for ONCE WHEN MY WIFE SNEAKED UP ON ME (she says she didn't), and didn't speak, thus announcing her presence, until she was in the open bathroom door, AND I JUMPED. Just a minor nick, and I got a lot of 'make-up sympathy'.

Tintin - yea, my wife thinks I'm crazy. I keep telling her, it's about knowing how to do it. I'm a military scientist - meaning I like both danger and new knowledge.

Major,

That cutting will soon diminish as you hone your skill with the straight razor. The best way to avoid it now is to take your time and shave slowly while paying strict attention to keeping the proper angle and applying no pressure.

Also, try not to choke the blade in your hands by holding an iron grip on it. Think of the razor as a bird: that if you squeeze it too hard, it will perish, and too light, it will fly away. This will also help you maneuver the blade better.

I dunno, never had too much blood letting learning to shave to give the wife something to be concerned about. She is ambivalent to me using a straight as she grew up watching her Grandfather and Father shave with one. It is nothing too out of the ordinary for her. She may not understand why I want to do it but it is no big deal.

I would follow Obie's suggestions if you are not already doing so.

Bob

Obie - tonight was the first time I cut myself in weeks. I find that as I get more confident/go quicker, I cut occasionally. It's a trade off. I didn't cut myself on my first shave, but as I use a straight for daily I try to get quicker so accidents happen and lessons learned. Funny that I can go for weeks with no cuts, but the first time I do, I get the *glare* when my wife sees blood. I feel like I'm trying to hide liquor when I hide that I knicked myself shaving.