Thread: They Think I'm Nuts!

So I just recently got into straights and am loving how things are going thus far. SRP has been a major boon to my success and I can't thank guys like Lynn, Glen, Eric, and Ron enough (and several others...I would go on but then the orchestra would start playing over me!).

But I went to the barber shop yesterday to get my hair cut. This is only the second time I've been in this shop as I'm new to this town, but I asked the old guy cutting my hair how long he'd been cutting hair. "I don't," he says, "I'm retired!" Turned out he was in the shop yesterday filling in for the owner who is in the hospital.

As any guy who's been to a barber shop knows, conversations progress and the "old days" came up. So I asked him if he used to straight shave as a barber. "Oh yeah," he says, "Way back years before I retired. Billy here," pointing to the guy reading the paper in the next chair, "shaves guys necks, but nobody does face shaves anymore."

My mind went flying: These guys could really know a lot; honing, stropping, shaving. This could be really cool. "I just started using a straight a little over a week ago," I offered.



You'd think I'd just grown another head.
"You've got to be kidding!"
"No," I said. "I just got into it after years of trying regular razors and them constantly tearing my neck to shreds."
"You shave, and strop, and everything?"
"Yeah," I said, "Though I had my razor honed by a guy in MN. It's not like sharpening a pocket knife. But I'm working on that too."
After that they just shook their heads, and said "You be careful with those things!" I guess even they don't use them.

I haven't felt like a weird kid in years and years, but standing there with these octogenarians gaping at me was something else.

Maybe the next time I go in I can give them some pointers!

Expect to have a LOT of people give you the same reaction. My friends have generally accepted the fact that I straight shave, but to everyone it's definitely odd. It's just one of those hobbies you either have or you don't. I got it!

Keep on keepin' on! I actually managed to convert a buddy who ended up settling on DE shaving. Hey, at least it's better than using an electric or one of those multi-blade rakes!

That is awesome! The only place near me that actually does straight shaves is AOS, but I'm not sure about any other barbers in the springfield area that actually do shaves...

Was your family the same way when they found out you were shaving with a straight? I know mine was!

Don't worry, we think you're nuts too :-p

When I started straight shaving a while ago, I started getting messages like that as well, when people found out. Some 2-3 weeks ago, the first guy who told me that came knocking on my door. The thought had grown on him. He asked me if I had a straight razor to sell him. I took him in, showed him the works, and helped him with his first straight shave. He actually did a great job, he did not nick himself even once. He's a big guy, 6' tall, but started shaking some during his first ordeal so I had to help him a little on some areas. He was very pleased with his shave. He told me he had some soap and a brush already at home. I donated an old wedge to the cause and sent him on his way.

This little story goes to tell you never know what might happen. Those critics may just come around and see the light

A lot of folks react like that.

It's all good though, my brother has said the following to me ever since I started to shave with a straight:
"Bjoernar, you're just wanting to be eccentric, Gillette Fusion rules"
He now shaves with a DE, and are asking a lot of questions on straight razor shaving. I bet, if he only felt more comfortable in his English-skills, he would have joined up here by now

Give him time Birnando, he'll be among us soon

Originally Posted by str8fencer

Give him time Birnando, he'll be among us soon

You are correct I'm sure he will. He's thoroughly enjoying his DE shaves.

Well that reactions sounds familiar! The first time my dad saw me shaving with a straight he just shook his head - he's convinced one day I'm going to cut myself badly and get a scar. He won't even try a DE. That's really interesting about those old barbers, you'd think they would be one group that would welcome straight razor users. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back now, I saw a commercial the other day from Gillette I think for a 5 bladed cartridge razor with some vibrating hair-raising technology...it's just getting out of hand.

Originally Posted by con16721

That is awesome! ... Was your family the same way when they found out you were shaving with a straight? I know mine was!

So far the only family that knows has been supportive. My grandmother was the first I told, and sent me my first razor. My dad was second and sent me my second razor. So they've been supportive. They also know all the crap I've tried to get my neck to quit looking like a pimply teenager. My mom, wife and parents-in-law have been supportive too...at least over the phone. I'm sure some of my aunts/uncles/cousins will think I'm bat face crazy, but that's okay.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Don't worry, we think you're nuts too :-p

That made me laugh.

I really expected if any guys would get straight shaving it would be some old barbers in their 80's. I guess though, my grandpa would be in his 80's, my other in his 90's if either of them were still alive, and both used DE's and SE's most if not all of their adult lives.

Reviving a dying art, we are.

Peace,

EDIT: Sheesh! While typing up a reply I got two phone calls in a row and now there are a bunch more responses. I'm working on pulling my Dad over to the darkside of DE shaving. He's supposed to be checking out grandma's house to see if any of his dad's DE razors are floating around. If so I'll clean one up and get him to try it. We get along great, but we both have competitive streaks and I'm sure it won't be too long before he's trying out a straight just to say he's done it too. Of course then I know he'll love it like I do.