Thread: Relative newbie says thanks to SRP.

A friend of mine once asked me if it hurt to shave with a straight razor! My reply was simple - no, it doesn't. It would only hurt if it's not sharp.
I've been a member of this site for about 6 months now (but haven't up to now posted anything) and it's a constant source of really useful info for me as I've been SRS for about a year. The only thing I wish is that I found the site earlier!
Years ago I bought a brand new shiny razor, made of moulded plastic and rubber and even the case turned into a stand, that was so sharp that it had to be kept behind bars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????? What? I was so annoyed at it constantly getting clogged up and the fact that I had been conned into buying this crappy thing that I tried a straight razor (surely this scarily beautiful thing will be able to do what it was designed to do - to shave (well) unlike all those poncey new razors. I bought a brand new one but sadly I had no idea what i was doing and it was blunt so gave up on the idea for a while.
Last year I did a fair bit of research and bought myself a W&B razor and a basic kit. Haven't looked back!!! There's just something incredibly pure and satisfying about shaving with a straight razor and I believe that modern men have lost their way a bit (slowly turning into women?!) and if they tried this they'd walk just that little bit taller!! The way forwards is backwards!!!
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate all the info that's available, it's really helped me refine my skills.
Cheers!!!

good to see you are so satisfied with the ritual.

Granted I'm not one of these people that put down the disposable market. It's a trade off, disposables give a quick, less than satisfying shave while straight razors require more thought and give a better shave. I dunno if the men of today have lost their way as much as they've traded a quality ritual for a mindless chore. That would be like me looking down on someone for eating fast food while I'm going to a 5 star restaurant.

Although you will probably find more on this site that agree with you than agree with me.

Yes, Welcome. Shaving with a straight razor puts a whole new spin on shaving for you.
It turns a normally mundane ritual into something you actually look forward to doing. It turns into a hobby. Be advised, Addictions quickly take over if your like me. I have an addictive personallity. Bad for me, Good for vendors. There's always a new razor, or another hone I think I need. Let's not even get into the Shave Creams and Soaps.
I couldn't imagine using a can of anything. There's a "Zen" like quality that comes over you when your whipping up the lather and preparing for you shave. I still look forward to it each and every day, and always allow the time to do it. Never rush through it.
Enjoy it, and welcome to the forum.....

Rich

Welcome! I completely agree with you about the satisfaction gained by "the shaving ritual". My favorite part is the smell of sandalwood. Never knew there was a sandalwood. I've got to try tabac at some point. I hope it is the bottled essence of my humidors.

Cutter