Thread: beginners luck?

hello all,

I have now officially run the gamut from utterly un-godly ripping the hairs of my face shaves, to surprisingly enjoyable shaves (and everything in between), with my slightly warped Dovo. I bring this up now to because when I was younger and first thought straights were a good idea, I talked to a few neighborhood barbers about what they thought. And my lord... they made it seem like jumping into the lions den would leave me with a prettier face than straights (some maybe not quite so adamant, however still to the effect). But thus far, I have shed enough blood possibly to starve a mosquito.

So basically two questions...
1. Am I just lucky and one day I am going to eat my words and end up looking like the joker (i.e. people get cut by not paying attention, as opposed to lack of skill)

2. Why do barbers hate straights... and why so adamant about it too.

This may pass as a stupid post, but I'm interested in other newb's experiences, and how frequent other people are cutting themselves and why.

thanks
Alan

Hi Alan,

1) No, there is no reason why a razor should cut you. Most people are rather ignorant.
2) Stropping & honning (at least from the one barber I talked to), and perhaps lack of training and skill. I don't think all barbers hate straights though.

I think I am a self-pronounced newbie - I can't think of any serious cuts. The first one was probably few months after I started, just because I got distracted for a second. Every now and then I may get a small 1mm wide superficial cut when going ATG in a difficult area, and I'm not sure that most people would actually even call that a cut.

It's like the adage: guns don't kill, people kill.

Razors only cut you when YOU let them. It might be just a lack of skill,fear or a poor blade. But the razor is just a tool. Safety razors and the resultant development of the multi-BILLION dollar razor wars are a result of the SKILL required to use a Str8 to shave our facial hairs.

A pretty face will stay pretty if you use a Str8 with the skill it requires. The razor doesn't care if it cuts whisker's or your trachea for that matter.

It seems in today's world,there is a distinct lack of PATIENCE. Barbers's or "hair stylist's or whatever they call them have little need to master the Str8,like they did when our Grandfather's were in their prime. A simple "shave" is easily accomplished with a Fusion,Bic or an electric device with little or no skill.

How many men today have ever had a "barber" shave them? Today, if you desire to shave with a Str8, you have a desire to LEARN-to bring back the past and enjoy a long lost skill. This skill requires some study, some practice and some courage to some degree. No to mention learning the maintenance and care of the Str8 razor. It's all about the desire to pursue a lost art. It's very easy to ridicule a skill one doesn't have.

1) Dont think so, i say Read read read to newbs. I have mates that have given DEs a go with out reading and it frustrates me. Befor each stage of progression (using a DE, useing a straight, stropping, honeing) I read heaps. I believe for this reason i have had very little trouble at each stage.

+Buckler

The worst cut I've had, and a total newbie myself; was about half an inch across my cheek. I was getting a bit arrogant and was just going for it, no fear, and I nicked myself. No big deal, the alum block didn't do the trick I had to hold some tp on it. Although I will suggest you go at it no fear, just at the same time be careful, don't pull the blade lengthwise; or you will bleed enough to dye a shirt. I'm one of those people that likes to watch the needle go into the opposite side of my elbow when I give blood; so if you're not afraid of blood be cautious, but just go for it.

Although I think its going to be a rather intentional thing for yourself or another to turn you into a joker. I've had a dream that one of my college roommates scared my while I was shaving; I made a point of letting them know how sharp the things were.

Nothing has turned into a scar, such that nothing has been relatively deep, and all cuts are more than likely to be very straight. Although you said warped Dovo. I have no idea how that happened without extreme heat; but if that's factory fresh and you're sure it's warped I suggest you look into where ever you got it from about a replacement.

About the barber question; I don't think barbers generally shun the straight blade. I think they may draw a contrast between giving straight shaves to another, rather than to themselves. As far as I can tell, a lot of them straight shave themselves(the older ones anyways, from when it was still the barber thing to do.). I may be in the minority thinking this, because I'm basing this off one experience from a 50's style barber shop in my city. Sadly but understandably they use disposable straights; but when I told them I was trying to get into straights myself, they said its a long road and the angles are a lot harder on your own face than another.

Anyways Macdiarmid; your posting in the newbies section; no such thing as a dumb post here; and for that fact anywhere else. Many people here asked lots of questions; and this is one of those rare expenditures that there really isn't a handful of info on the net outside of forums. These forums are the most helpful I have found. Friendly people passionate about straights, and glad to help; how could you find something better.

Originally Posted by a_macdiarmid

hello all,
So basically two questions...
1. Am I just lucky and one day I am going to eat my words and end up looking like the joker (i.e. people get cut by not paying attention, as opposed to lack of skill)

2. Why do barbers hate straights... and why so adamant about it too.

This may pass as a stupid post, but I'm interested in other newb's experiences, and how frequent other people are cutting themselves and why.

thanks
Alan

I would not consider you necessarily lucky but just showing the proper respect and attention to detail. Congratulations on having some good shaves with little blood loss.

As far as the barber question, I think that these days this is more of a matter of training and the subject matter that is focused on in barber schools. If I were a barber and had little or no training in straight razor shaving then I would probably have bad things to say also. Although for the life of me, I cannot figure out how they cannot be intrigued about the art of straight razor shaving. It is part of the history of shaving that still lives on.

I could only wish that a barber around here would give you a shave. Not a single one will do it for fear of lawsuits. The barber where I go uses a straight on the back of the neck and around the ears for haircuts but that's it.. really a shame. wish I could experience it.. but unless I road trip, ain't gonna happen.

Paul...