One Year with Straight Razors

This week marks a full year since I got serious about going to the straight. For the first six months or so, I actually shaved twice a day just for extra practice. The evening shave was just a one-pass.

I can sincerely say I'm very happy with my shaves. It seems like each day I have a little "aha!" and something gets just a tad better.

I wish I could think of advice to give those who are starting out, but the advice is really all here already, especially the Wiki on starting out in straight shaving.

Some things I'm glad I did:

• I'm glad I learned to hone. Learning to hone made me much happier with my shaving experience. Learning to hone makes you understand what goes into a sharp, smooth edge that is a pleasure to use.
  
• I'm glad I started with a nice razor, professionally honed (after a catastrophic first effort with less!)
  
• I'm glad I've worked on using both hands. Saves on view angles, even wear on the blade, and it just feels right (now!)
  
• I'm glad I spent lots of time on this site READING and not just talking, though I talk a lot too. But I read posts ferociously, read the wiki devotedly, and it helped.
  
• I'm glad that I made the change "all the way." Threw away the canned cream and disposables, only straights, until recently. I now also have a nice Double Edge that I use on mornings when I need to shave quickly. Straights are fine wines. You don't guzzle them. But a nice DE with a good blade is still a fun step back into our fathers' times.
  
• I'm glad I got the encouragement I needed from this site. Thanks to all who advised and encouraged-you know who you are, and I know you'd be embarrassed to be singled out. That's what real men are like.
  
• I'm glad…I did it.

Congratulations Lawson on one year anniversary! or is that 1.5 years counting the twice a day shaves for the first six months. Anyway, I'm a few months behind you and will celebrate my first year in July. I've read many of your threads, post, questions and comments. I really studied the Wiki to learn the basics, but also gained much from your experiences and others comments on this forum. Thanks to you and all others who contributed to helping us all learn. I am very grateful. I too am devoted to the straight and shave everyday with it, but also recently added a DE and its fun to use once in a while if I need a little bit quicker shave. I like your I'm glad comments above also and I agree - I'm glad I did it.

Great post Lawson. I think you have listed some great points for new shavers to read and remember.

Thanks!
A very good post.
I have gone pretty much the same route, and as you, I feel the choices made was very right for me!

An extraordinarily eloquent and supremely helpful post. Thank you very much. I hope I can write that well after a year of straight shaving.

Congrats on the milestone! It seems like my year anniversary is never going to get here fast enough!

I am curious to read any tips you have on honing which you learned along your journey. Perhaps that is a topic for a separate post!

Well said my friend.


Mick

Congrats on your anniversary. Sounds like you've had a great journey. Enjoy!

Thank you for sharing your progress. Your tips are very helpful and I'll have to keep them in mind as I continue to learn to use a straight.

Happy Birthday! Many Thanks fellow Kentuckian and Everyone Else. The contributions of all members are truely priceless. What you gettin' for a birthday (Shaveday) Present?