Thread: Why I am a straight razor shaver

Hello there...

It's been about half a year now, and I thought it'd be time to share a few thoughts. To cut to the chase: The benefits of straight razor shaving outweigh its downsides.

Why do I shave with a straight razor?

1) It saves me a serious amount of money.
2) It's the most ecological method of shaving.
3) It's better for my skin. Straight razor shaving is the first shaving method I've tried that allows me to shave daily. And I've tried pretty much everything, including DEs. That's progress.
4) It forced me to learn to shave properly (related to point number 3)
5) The shaves are just as good as with a fresh multi blade Gillette or whatever razor. I do not say better, either because I have not yet acquired the skill for that 'legendary' BBS or maybe Multi Blade razors are just as good (if they're unused...)
6) Mastering a 'bad-ass' skill is just great (related to point 5...)
7) Because I love the way my skin feels after a straight razor shave.


The downsides of straight razor shaving are (for me):

-initial high cost of acquiring the equipment (razor, brush, strop, hone etc.)
-it's not easy (at least during the first few months)
-taking proper care of the razor just takes its time (stropping, cleaning, honing)... but the shave themselves are just as quick as with any other 'shaving system' or God knows what.

Once again, I have to say 'thank you' to all you guys who have helped me during the past few months. Without this place I would have seriously gotten lost in all the finer points of straight razor shaving. Those finer points are not just details, they need to be taken seriously and given proper attention.

Thanks, and I'd like to encourage all the brand new newcomers!

Straight razor shaving is cool alright. Glad you're having fun!

You've got a great list there. I concur with all your points. But, for me the main reason is that straight razor shaving has taken a chore to be rushed through and turned it into a ritual to be enjoyed from the hot towel to the aftershave. The second reason is an introduction into a whole new (old?) world of technology.

Why? It's just great fun.

If you are saving money, you're not doing it like the rest of us! LOL

That's the selling point to my wife (saving money), but she sees thru my blatant lie...thank goodness she's tolerant

First of all great thread, and I agree most of what you say shiznix except for the saving money bit, where I have to agree with nun2sharp and shooter.
I dont think anyone who gets RAD ever finds straight shaving money saving, I know that I personally will never come close to breaking even, and I havent even considered buying a hone (yet)
But the pleasure of collecting and using razors outweight the cost for me (so far)

Well that's what I thought that with a straight, you're cheaper,
than with a disposable.
The only thing I do buy more razors, more soap, and brushes.
It is cheaper if you not do like the most of the people here.

For the rest from 2 to 7, I agree with you.

In any case it is better for the environment there is no longer thrown away razors. as with the disposable blades.