Thread: I need convincing

I think every single person to start to new habit he/she has to be ready for it?
Doesn't matter how many of us will try to help you if you are not ready for it you will not be successful.
I would say take time and ask yourself are you ready for straight razor?
if yes then everyone can help you .
No then sorry.
GL

gsurko,

I am going to echo many of the others here and say only you can decide on if straight shaving is for you.

But, I am going to throw a few things out there for you that helped me. I too have a very angleur face, granted with onlyfew wrinkles, but I do have corse hair and a sentive face that gets irriated and can be easliy cut. I also purchased a Filly strop and GD from rupprazor, which I am still very happy with.

Now some things I learned about my face/shaving.

I need a smaller razor than the GD, It is the only way I can get around my nose, chin, and have better control. I am currently using a 4/8 vintage BJ eyre Barbers notch and am looking to get a 5/8 soon. I picked up the razor for $33 honed and ready to shave.

Preshave face beard prep helped a lot. I do not preshave creams, oils ect. As they tend to irriate my skin and makes the shave hell. I take a hot shower, wash my face with either a mild face wash (my girl has something from the salon) or use a glycern soap. I also will lather my face let it sit, while I strop then rinse it off and relather. Seems to give my face the needed prep.

The lather, I am doing a kinda similar thing to the uber lather, I am mixing shave soap and a shave cream. I am currently using Taylor of old bond street. Which I am loving.

Stropping, as I continue to learn how to strop...the shaves are better. Watch the video's practace a lot on this.

And just plain practace and take it slow, start with your cheaks, and finish up with your old shaving method. then next time do a little more. This also helps you practace and enjoy shaving rather than thinking it is a chore.

When I shave with a straight now it can take me an hour or more from start to finish, and I really enjoy the alone time doing something that is just for me. I live with 2 women...things get crazy.

PM me and I would be happy to talk to you more, share where I purchased things, my mishaps as I am a new shaver as well.

And I hope you find what works for you, no matter what it is, and you take shaving as something to enjoy for yourself and not something you have to do.

-Jeremy

My dear gsurko:

I recommend you abandon the straight razor: that is, if you need to be convinced why you should continue with it.

The art of straight razor shaving is like any other art: The artist needs no convincing. The writer picks up the pen and the painter the brush. You pick up the straight razor.

I have a big bank of notches on my age as you on yours. I wanted to shave with a straight razor since my twenties, but life got in the way. Decades later, I finally picked up the straight razor. I was the only person who convinced me, no one else, and the pleasure of straight razor shaving makes me happy with my decision. I am ecstatic. I am also proud of my accomplishment.

Like any art and craft, anything worthwhile, that is, the art of straight razor shaving takes time and effort. It requires dedication, discipline, tenacity and patience. Those are a must. If you do not have them, or are not willing to employ them in your task, then you should not choose the straight razor.

Should you choose to shave with the straight razor, however, the rewards are worth the initial trials and frustrations. Any art takes time. Any craft. But you must want them. And you must want the straight razor.

I no longer have the strong hands I once did. Now and then I even must revert to the double edge for a few days to rest my hands, especially my thumbs. Then one day I pick up my beloved straight razor, strop it and begin: slowly, methodically and carefully, even after all years of shaving with a straight razor.

What's more, I continue to hone my skills. I continue to perfect my art of straight razor shaving.

I shave with a straight razor, because I want to. I am good at what I do, but by no means am I a master of what I do. Is it important for me to someday become a master of the straight razor? Yes, it is. In the meantime I love every moment of my journey.

Do you need convincing to shave with a straight razor?

I don't know.

Do you?

Regards,
Obie

I'm with my friend Obie on this one. Considering no one coaxed you to come to SRP, I'm assuming this is something that you have an interest in, but I don't think this is something that we need to, or can, sell people on. Either it's something that appeals to you, and is worth it to learn, or it's not.

You are the only one that can answer those questions and doubts.

Considering the large membership that we have, I'd say there is sufficient "evidence" that we think it's "worth it". Only you can determine if it is for you.

All the best in your decision, and subsequent journey as you attempt to master the skill

Obie is the man, and he totally answered the question with class and style.

It's like they say about jazz, if you have to ask...

Yes, Obie stated this correctly. The reason why most of us are still in this is largely because it is who we are. Growing and maintaining a Bonsai Tree is damn difficult. Why not just buy a plastic one and stick it in a pot?

Because we are attracted to the difficulty of the task. We like cool equipment that is difficult to master. We don't care if somebody thinks we are insane - we probably are.

If this is for you, it is because it is just another thing that only you can judge the value of that takes time - a lot of time.

If you are the kind fo person that will sit and polish his shoes instead of watch TV, iron your own shirts because you like crisp lines, learn how to cook a pork shoulder that takes 14 hours over hickory charcoal and mix your own spice rub to boot, I would say this is for you as well.

If not, then Obie is probably correct.

David

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear gsurko:

I recommend you abandon the straight razor: that is, if you need to be convinced why you should continue with it.

The art of straight razor shaving is like any other art: The artist needs no convincing. The writer picks up the pen and the painter the brush. You pick up the straight razor.

I have a big bank of notches on my age as you on yours. I wanted to shave with a straight razor since my twenties, but life got in the way. Decades later, I finally picked up the straight razor. I was the only person who convinced me, no one else, and the pleasure of straight razor shaving makes me happy with my decision. I am ecstatic. I am also proud of my accomplishment.

Like any art and craft, anything worthwhile, that is, the art of straight razor shaving takes time and effort. It requires dedication, discipline, tenacity and patience. Those are a must. If you do not have them, or are not willing to employ them in your task, then you should not choose the straight razor.

Should you choose to shave with the straight razor, however, the rewards are worth the initial trials and frustrations. Any art takes time. Any craft. But you must want them. And you must want the straight razor.

I no longer have the strong hands I once did. Now and then I even must revert to the double edge for a few days to rest my hands, especially my thumbs. Then one day I pick up my beloved straight razor, strop it and begin: slowly, methodically and carefully, even after all years of shaving with a straight razor.

What's more, I continue to hone my skills. I continue to perfect my art of straight razor shaving.

I shave with a straight razor, because I want to. I am good at what I do, but by no means am I a master of what I do. Is it important for me to someday become a master of the straight razor? Yes, it is. In the meantime I love every moment of my journey.

Do you need convincing to shave with a straight razor?

I don't know.

Do you?

Regards,
Obie

Awesome post,well said.Thanks.Don.

Like Malacoda said. Buy from the Classified section. Not only will you get a great shaver for a decent price, but concider that there is no value depreciation on a used, restored, shave ready razor. As long as you take care of it.

So if you decide it isn't for you, then you have lost next to nothing.

yes until I saw Obie's post I was going to say the same as he said.

If you need to be convinced straight shaving is not for you.

It's just something you need to have a desire to do and it's a skillset you must acquire.

So look in the mirror to get an answer to your question. It does not lie with others.

I would suggest that he has the desire. He's read through the forum, bought the DVD's and watched all of the videos.

You are obviously interested and are motivated to learn Given the effort you have put in to this point.

I would suggest you pick yourself up a razor that you respect, and trust. One that you know should be and will be a good shaver. You will eliminate some unknowns. It will be a confidence builder. You can then focus on your technique.