Thread: Closeness of shave

Glad to hear it is all working out for you. Give yourself 3 months and you'll really be in the grove.

Bob

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I never recommend straight razor shaving to anyone. It's not because it isn't the best shave. It is. But it comes with a lot of learning and maintenance. If you are truly happy with a disposable razor shave, do it. There is a reason why most people don't use straight razor much anymore. Performance is not the issue. It's the learning curve and upkeep that are.

We live in an instant gratification, disposable society. Anything that gives instant results is better than learning a skill, no matter how wasteful and expensive it may be.

Originally Posted by KYMotorcycleShaver

We live in an instant gratification, disposable society. Anything that gives instant results is better than learning a skill, no matter how wasteful and expensive it may be.

I'd go along with that. Mind you it has been going that way a long time. The use of straight razors started to really decline with King Gillette's introduction of the his safety razor in 1901. Not much wrong with a DE/SE either.

Bob

I always find it amusing when people compare the shave from a Mach 9 to a Single blade (straight OR safety)

Always, without fail, basic facts are completely overlooked. Give it a thought for a moment.... if you have 5 blades scraping your face, and you make 2 passes with it (and dont tell me people dont make 2 passes with them!) thats 10 times a blade has scraped across your skin. and if you perform an overlap moving from one section of your face to the next, you might have shaved that one spot 15 or 20 times! Sure, a single pass with a single edge might not get you a "closer" shave, but the shave you DO get is less smooth and comfortable. Its less irritating, and less likely to cause ingrown hairs, razor bumps and that unpleasant burning sensation.
I'm glad the OriginalPoster found Whipped Dog and got himself a good shaver. At least Larry is a known vendor with a good rep.

Remember folks, ENJOY the shave! its one of the few times in todays society men get to treat themselves to fancy grooming habits!

Originally Posted by KYMotorcycleShaver

We live in an instant gratification, disposable society. Anything that gives instant results is better than learning a skill, no matter how wasteful and expensive it may be.

That's true but even back in the day a lot of men chose to go to the barber for a shave instead of doing it themselves. Probably for the same reasons. So when the DE razor showed up on the scene, straights went into decline. You have to the kind of person that finds gratification through this sort of thing. It's not a shot against those that don't get it. They simply have other areas of interest and priority. A good brush and soap is what I usually suggest since anyone who shaves will benefit from that.

How did the honing of the Gold Dollar go? I can't recall reading anything.

I've honed a few and never was happy with a "regular" stone. I have to use a DMT to set the bevel and progress on lapping film from there. My Belgian Hone is too soft to do anything to a GD. Brand razors, like my Aust, are easy to hone on a Belgian Hone.

Originally Posted by KYMotorcycleShaver

These things need to come with warning labels. Not because they are sharp, but because the "sport" is so stupidly addicting. I have despised shaving my whole life and now I actually look forward to it.

That is most definitely true!!

I've been using straights for 18 months (the first 3 were with a shavette to test the waters before investing in a razor and strop) and I am the same way. I actually enjoy the morning shave. Prior to that, I had been using Mach 3s, Fusions, and off brand triples. Over time, I noticed they were getting less sharp fresh out of the box. I was going to go the DE route, but decided to go all the way into straights for the craft of it. I'm glad I did.

I only had one minor issue when first starting out with a straight. It was a new Ralf Aust and it did not cut worth a darn one day. Turns out that it was bad stropping. A little chromium oxide and it was good to go.