Thread: I need convincing

Alright here goes. Why do I want to use a STR8? I've been reading all the forums, watched all the videos, bought Lynn's DVD and committed the ultimate sin and bought a Gold Dollar razor and Philly strop from Rup Razor and gave it a go a few (Maybe 3) times. I'm willing to admit that perhaps the Gold Dollar is junk but the act of STR8 shaving is an effort in futility for me. My hands don't know where to go or what to do, I look at that razor up against my neck in the mirror and I want to poop my pants. I don't have one of those round faces that everybody on the videos has, I'm more sculptured with sharp corners and pronounced bones and ridges. Let's not even talk about the fact that I have a number of birthdays under my belt and I'm wearing a few well earned wrinkles. I'm looking at the razor and strop sets at SRD. and before I pull the trigger on a nearly $200.00 purchase, is it worth it? I get real good shaves with a DE. HELP!

Do you remember back when very first started shaving? I do, less than 25 years ago and it was awkward then and I cut myself... a lot.

I have shaved less than 10 times with my GD from Kenrup but I'm not going to give up on it. I think it just comes with practice.

It is your money so you have to decide for yourself.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you want to learn a new skill?
Do you have the money?

Only you can decide if you think it might be right for you and worth giving a longer chance. The first few months for me we're a little challenging but, tough to reach places (I have an sharp,angular, Clint Eastwood-like jawline), I always found myself looking forward to the challenge. Unlike cartridge, or DE shaving which I found to be little more than a chore, having now feels like a luxurious treat to me that I enjoy and look foward to (My wife is amazed as it is the first time in the 10 years she's known me that I'll shave more frequently than every other day).

Also, why throw a ton of money at it - e.g. buy a $100-200 razor - if you're still unsure if it's right for you? You've already got a usable strop and you can get some fantastic, shave-ready razors in the classifieds for $30-$60 that will shave just as well as a new Dovo.

Save your $ for now - because, believe me, if you do stick with it and really come to enjoy it, razor acquisition disorder will set in and you'll be buying/trying new straights every chance you get...

To be fair, asking a straight razor forum if you should continue straight shaving is along the lines of a recovering alcoholic walking into a bar and asking if it's ok to have a drink.

You have to decide what's best for you, but we'd all love to see you keep at it until you get it.

This is a skill you can learn. It does take time and patience, but ultimately it's something that you should want to do, not be forced to do it. Everyone has some hesitation the first time they learn to swim, but most learn. I was intent on learning to shave with a str8 and it took some time. The end result is well worth your effort. You will get the best, longest lasting shaves you ever got. I just had a major back surgery. For several weeks, I was unable to shave with a straight razor. The shaves I got were horrible, lasted only a few hours, and then I had stubble. Start slow, keep watching videos, Check out Mantic59 on Youtube. He has excellent lather building vids and shaving, and of course our WIKI, If you need some specific help, Drop me a PM.....

Rich

I got the idea from a documentary I watched called "no impact man" about a guy shooting for a zero impact/100% sustainable way of existing.

So my original motivation was being "green" - but I must admit, the allure has more to do with it just being plain old bad-ass. How often do we get to be green AND bad-ass at the same time? Almost never. I had to jump on this rare opportunity!

I'm also the kind of guy that has to do nearly everything for himself. Poured my own concrete counters, made a knife out of a file, installed my bamboo floors, completely gutted and renovated my own kitchen, do 99% of my own auto/motorbike repairs up to and including engine/transmission swaps, have been cutting my own hair since I was about 15 years old (25 years ago), made my own beer and wine for years, maintain a large vegetable garden, etc.

I just love doing things for myself, and straight razor shaving fits right in with that, not to mention crafting my own customized shaving soap, making brushes, restoring, honing, and rescaling razors.

So yes, it's more work, takes more time, and for me will probably end up costing more, but for some reason (I'd have to consult a psychiatrist to find out why), things like this give me great satisfaction.

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