Thread: If you're not looking for a hobby ...

I gotta disagree, Although it is without a doubt a hobby now... it wasn't for many, many years...

I started in 1981 with a finishing stone $105
two razors $50
one #805 Illinois strop $20
I had a Burma shave brush, and a puck of Williams, or Old spice can't remember

I still have the stone, the strop, and the brush... I dropped the two razors by 1999 or I would still have them...
So it does not have to be expensive at all, it can just be shaving...

I could careless about close either, for me it is about comfort...

I would disagree. The hobby for me is talking about it. The shaves though are simple and carefree. It remains an interesting way to shave though.

It took years to get simple BBS shaves, but I'm there. The cost of purchasing DE blades is not the problem for me. Its the silliness of it. To get the blades that I like I order them off the internet and then they get shipped to me. They last about a week. Seems inconvienent and silly to me. Particularly if prices and access vary. I have one blade that I like to buy at the BX on base, but they run out a lot. It seems like a silly waste of good steel, steel that should just be left for other purposes. Its the disposable society that I dislike. You can't be against a disposable society and continue shaving with a DE. I can justify the idea of disposable stuff, but shaving just isn't important enough to me to be selfish about it.

My straight razor is simple and easy to sharpen. Takes a few passes on a stone and I'm good for about a month. It couldn't be any easier. A DE blade does not shave anywhere near as smooth or close. Big problem with a DE for me are the nicks. If I get blood on a $60 work shirt that ****es me off.

I can't even say anymore that a DE is faster. Since my level of demand on closeness has gone up a DE takes just as long. In the end, it NEVER achieves a finished shave. So, in my book, never takes longer than a straight razor.

I never got HAD, RAD, SAD, NAD or whatever. I haven't bought a razor in about 2 years, and I don't shave with the razors I've bought in the last 5 years. I figured out years ago that if you really want to get good, stick with one blade, one stone, and one strop.

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

It's a hobby. If you just want a close shave without spending time and money on a hobby, straight razor shaving doesn't make sense.

Do you agree with this?

Not really - it's what you make of it. Using a straight razor in a repetitive, boring routine to keep one's face clean is still an effective and viable method of shaving. Time and energy spent learning the skills is up to the individual

For me it is not a hobby but just a best way to shave. Before straights i used DE's for years (still do when at work), and i can get a good shave with straights and DE's with 2 passes. Some DE blades are better than others, and you can get a ok (but not perfect) shave with a straight razor that isn't scary sharp.
Nowadays i use only straight razor when at home. I've learned how to make it sharp enough to make a good shave.

any daily activity can be made into a hobby if one feels like it. I am trying to resist that aspect, but with little success. My thought is that if you are here reading about it, writing about it, discussing it, then you are treating it like a hobby. For all we know, there are toothbrushing forums and rump-wiping forums and hairgrooming forums too. Me, I'm not going exploring....

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I never got HAD, RAD, SAD, NAD or whatever. I haven't bought a razor in about 2 years, and I don't shave with the razors I've bought in the last 5 years. I figured out years ago that if you really want to get good, stick with one blade, one stone, and one strop.

Did you try different razors before you settled on one favourite blade?

I suppose I could call it a hobby. If by definition a hobby is something you enjoy and strive to perfect and learn more about, yes.


I just wish my shaves would be closer. I still get better shaves with a DE.

I agree with AFDavis11. The "hobby" for me is discussing it. I shave with both DE and a straight. Which one I use on a given day is dependant upon my mood at the time. I took my first shave years ago with my grandad's DE but used cartridges until late last year. They always ate my neck up but I don't have that problem with either my Gillette Tech or my Dovo Ebony. I used to hate shaving, but now I enjoy it and like the idea of shaving the way my grandad did. I must admit to having a very mild case of acquisition disorder when it comes to soaps and creams though. I currently have 2 soaps and 2 creams and only want to add 2 more soaps...Tabac and MWF. Once those are by the sink I'll be through acquiring...maybe

Let's face it - if you are reading this, then it's more of a hobby than a necessity ( shaving I mean ! ). Some people enjoy trying all the different products available ( to the extent that their finances allow !! ) while others are less obssed. To each their own ( myself, I am somewhat obssed and have the bank acount to prove it !!! ). Either way, there is no right or wrong as long as you are enjoying what your're doing.

Ken

I think it's six and half dozen of the other, sure DE shaving can be quicker, but I'm only a year and half into straight razor shaving, not 10+ years like some guys so I can get a BBS each time, but it takes me 15-20 minutes to shave.

I started with DE's about 4 years ago, and I still have my Merkur Futur, but I have used it maybe 3 times since getting into straight razor shaving. The closeness is outstanding with a straight when it's done right with a DE it takes no skill and you can do it in under 5 minutes, but it's boring to me, honestly, there's no skill involved or art, it's plain jane.

Straight razors are for those who want to live life without a safety net, for those who want to challenge their own skills and improve upon them.

When I shave with a DE, I feel nutered, like I'm petting a lion with no teeth or claws, totally boring.

Cheer
David