Thread: How I got to straight razor shaving.... it doesn't make sense

Well.. this is a little story of how I went from cardridge shaving with gel to straightrazor(well I'll get my razor this weekend) and soap.

I wasnt to happy with the shaving results with the gel so I decided to try shaving oil. This worked quite well except that the cardridges got clogged up after one or two shaves. I used wilkinsons quatro so I first tried another cardrigde with less blades but that didn't seem to do the job. I used double edge razor blades to clean the aquarium so I decided to get a safety razor at an online store.. I was a bit surprised I couldnt just buy one in the local stores.

So far so good.. after a couple of shaves with the double edge razors(and having fun with it) the results where better than the cardridge but I thought the results could even be better with a straight razor. but I would feel a bit safer with normal lather in stead of the oil.

I ordered a dovo shavette which I will get tomorow, Today I got a brush (never used one) and a bar of soap. I used the soap but I still need to work on my lather skills.

When I get the hang of the straight razor I will probably buy another one replace the brush with a badgerhair one. but I think this a nice set to start with..

It doesn't realy make sense but the thing I like about "old fashioned" shaving is that it takes a bit more time. It may sound pretty selfish but it is time that i dont spend on my family, work or the rest of the world. Just me, my razor, soap and some water.

Maarten

Many of us appreciate the extra time we can take to pamper ourselves with our grooming. Interestingly, after three years my entire shave ritual from stropping to clean up, now takes about ten minutes (shower not included) and I still feel like it's my time and I enjoy it immensely.

X

Welcome aboard the straight train.... Glad to have ya along for the ride!!!

Yeah as you get more experienced, you can get the shave time way down there, BUT I feel cheated if I do that.... I want the hot towels, the rich creamy lather, the wonderful scents, the feel of the silver tip brush, and that super comfortable feeling of a straight razor shave.... Heck if I wanna get up 45 min earlier, and get the whole experience it's my time after all

ENJOY !!!!!!

Welkom Maarten,

For me shaving with a straight razor turned a real chore and source of frustration into a fun hobby.
Before I picked up the straight, I wished my facial hair wouldn't grow so fast, now I can hardly wait for my beard to grow, so I can shave it off again. I thought my enthusiasm would dissipate eventually, but after more than a year, there's still no sign of that.
This may strike you as odd, but straight razors have their way of turning shaving into an addiction.
After that, honing can become just as bad...
Be warned.

Vriendelijke groeten,

Bart.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Welcome aboard the straight train.... Glad to have ya along for the ride!!!

Yeah as you get more experienced, you can get the shave time way down there, BUT I feel cheated if I do that.... I want the hot towels, the rich creamy lather, the wonderful scents, the feel of the silver tip brush, and that super comfortable feeling of a straight razor shave.... Heck if I wanna get up 45 min earlier, and get the whole experience it's my time after all

ENJOY !!!!!!

That's the same way I feel about it, except that I do not use the hot towels in the morning. I wake up early every day (between 4:45 and 5:30 depending on the day and how the baby sleeps. In the bathroom, after my shower, I enjoy using the scents I choose that day, the materials I am in the mood for, and the blade or DE razor that I feel like using. It is my retreat, my time to both relax and focus at the same time (better focus with that straight in your hand!). Then, I feel centered and ready to face the day.

Hmmm... cant wait till the dovo arrives.

I choose the sheavette so I don't have to learn how to hone and learn how to shave with a straight razor at the same time.

Originally Posted by mlangstr

Hmmm... cant wait till the dovo arrives.

I choose the sheavette so I don't have to learn how to hone and learn how to shave with a straight razor at the same time.

That's a valid logic. Learning to hone and to shave simultaneously is next to impossible.
There's a slight downside: a shavette doesn't entirely behave the same on the face as a real straight. Nothing to really worry about though. If you ever make the change to an old-style straight razor, enough members of SRP have walked that path before you to point out the minor pitfalls you can expect.

Bart.

Before I picked up the straight, I wished my facial hair wouldn't grow so fast, now I can hardly wait for my beard to grow, so I can shave it off again.
Vriendelijke groeten,

Bart.[/quote]

I never use to shave as often as I do now and I hate that I have to wait three days or so to really shave but now I'm clean shaven every day. I spend about thirty minutes at night before bed. I use to be borring to shave but now it's fun because you hone your own blade.

I just got my Shavette so tomorowmorning I will lock myself up in the bathroom and give it a gentle go.. with my DE as a backup..

The shavette does feel a bit flimsy but its not as scary as a real knife either.

This morning I also bought a real straight on "markplaats"(the local eBay) I was just looking around and saw an E.R.N. Crown and Sword that looked pretty descent almost for free. So I just bought it.. Now I'll also need to spend some time learning how to hone and get me the stuff to do that with.


First things first... learn how to shave with a straight...

Maarten

Welcome to SRP and to the wonderful world of the straight razor shave. The best thing a barber told me when I was starting out was to hold the razor lightly and if it pulled at all don't force it. I have avoided nicks and cuts by following that advice.

Also go to the "Help Files" at the top of the page and there is much information to get you started in the right direction.