Thread: Women and Straight Razors

This is a French Ladies Razor. It is 2/8. I shaved with it once. They are rare and can go for major bucks.

My wife uses Arko in a dispenser and a Merkur Slant. She is very happy with both.

If you are buying your girl a straight, I would recommend a stainless steel model especially if she wants to shave in the tub. I don't think a normal high carbon straight will last long when exposed to bath water on a routine basis.

Originally Posted by rolodave

This is a French Ladies Razor. It is 2/8. I shaved with it once. They are rare and can go for major bucks.

My wife uses Arko in a dispenser and a Merkur Slant. She is very happy with both.

If you are buying your girl a straight, I would recommend a stainless steel model especially if she wants to shave in the tub. I don't think a normal high carbon straight will last long when exposed to bath water on a routine basis.

I'd like to find a 'stubby' version of that to trim around my goat-t and 'stash.

I have a mint Japanese French point in 2/8. It is also a ladies razor.

Originally Posted by mglindo

You make a very good point that I had not thought of, area of a face versus a woman's calf. In saying that, I forgot that you were talking about your using a safety razor. A few shaves and out they go. I can use a straight razor for a month or two or three with only having to strop the blade a bit before having to touch up the edge with CrOx on a felt strop. Yup, a straight razor is the way to go for legs in my opinion.


Mike

Actually, talking about BOTH safety and straight. hence why I mentioned needing to stop and strop =)

oh, and when I say "safety razor" I mean a DE

Originally Posted by AcesandEights

I'd like to find a 'stubby' version of that to trim around my goat-t and 'stash.

I currently have a "The Mab" razor in 5/8 which is considered a dwarf razor or sometimes a "mustache" razor. It is slightly smaller than a standard razor and is supposed to be easier to maneuver. May be just the ticket for using in closer quarters. I just purchased an old James Crawshaw mustache razor but I haven't received it yet so I can't compare the two as yet.


Mike

Here's where I am: my girlfriend is committed to convenience. She does acknowledge aesthetic appeal of straight razors. She is more opposed than acquiescent to the process of shaving with a straight razor. She shaves because she has to as opposed to wanting to shave. I'm the same way. She does keep herself clean and groomed, although she will skip shaving for a while if she can get away with it (pants in winter). We recently took a moderate-length road trip for a few days. While she showered every day, she didn't shave. She rarely takes baths. As far as I know, she shaves only while showering. She is not afflicted with trichophobia. She knows that men and women grow hair.

As I see it now, I'll buy her what a woman would call a pretty straight razor for Christmas. I'll spend more to get quality. I'll try to find one with antique appeal as long as it's made in Solingen, Germany. She can use a standard size straight razor. She doesn't need one modified for women. She has used my Fusion. She is 5'4" and normal weight.

My thinking is were she to try a straight razor that results in a closer shave, she might be inclined to stick with it. However, I don't think a close shave is appealing to her. Convenience is. Besides big bucks for waxing, one of the reasons she doesn't wax is due to convenience.

The right shaving soap with an appealing fragrance would probably entice her. As it is now, she uses shower soap to shave.

I will strop and sharpen her razor for her.

I'm leaning towards a Boker King Cutter: https://www.boker.de/us/straight-razor/140521.html

If she never uses it, she can display it with her collection of antiques.

I know Safety razors have already been recommended. But nobody posted a picture of a Gillette Ladies "Starburst" razor. They are not heavily collected so prices are still more than reasonable, and they are FUN to collect as they came in a variety of colors and subtle changes over the history of manufacture. I believe early 60s to mid 70s.



Certainly, if a woman is looking for a tool with ease of use, but still an air of "femininity" this would fit the bill.

And again, if SHE doesnt use it, YOU can!

You need to stick with the DE for her, especially since she shaves in the shower, and more than likely the novelty of the straight will wear off, not to mention the learning curve of keeping it shave ready, as a new guy you will more than likely give her some razor rash because of poor edges. The DE will give her all the nostalgia and antique personna that is needed, they have been around a hundred or more years,,

Set her up for success. Tc

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, guys. I really appreciate it.

In all honesty, I can't see her jettisoning Fusion convenience for straight razor shaving. However, I can see her loving an antique straight razor. She loves collecting antiques. Were I to get her an antique straight razor, she'd have the best of both of her worlds: an antique to display and a Fusion in her shower.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, guys. I really appreciate it.

In all honesty, I can't see her jettisoning Fusion convenience for straight razor shaving. However, I can see her loving an antique straight razor. She loves collecting antiques. Were I to get her an antique straight razor, she'd have the best of both of her worlds: an antique to display and a Fusion in her shower.

This is not, of course, necessarily an either-or question. If you feel that she would like a straight for collecting purposes regardless of whether she chooses to use it to shave, then by all means go for it! (BTW: Boker King Cutter is a fine razor). But at the same time, you can also go the practical route and get her a DE for daily use. They don't have to be at all pricey and they work wonderfully well.