Thread: Quitting after two weeks in.

Just a sec. Where are we at? I'm confused. Have you quit or are you buying a new razor for each new day?

When I first started it took me an HOUR to shave. Now I don't even notice the slight extra time it takes (above the crass, base, absurdity of using the plastic, throwaway rubbish). I even timed myself stropping one day, and decided of COURSE I have the time to strop 30/70 before each shave. I love the time it takes, I love the ritual, I love everything about it, choosing the cream, the soap, the razor, whether to do one pass, two passes, one and a bit, etc. Of course you have time. We all have time. Consider this, which I read yesterday:

"...All you have got to do is pause for a moment in your work and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? What is it all for? Did I come into the world, supplied with a soul which may very likely be immortal, for the sole purpose of sitting every day at this desk? Ask yourself these questions thoughtfully, seriously. Reflect even for a moment on their significance - and I can guarantee that, firmly though you may be seated in your hard or padded chair, you will feel all at once that the void has opened beneath you, that you are sliding headlong, fast and faster, into nothingness...."

And this, from the same book..

"...The jolly, optimistic fellows who assure us that humanity is all right, because mothers love their children, poor folk pity and help one another, and soldiers die for a flag, are comforting us on the grounds that we resemble the whales, the elephants and the bees..."

The simple ritualistic act of shaving, raised to the level of an art form, raises the self to be above the mundane, doesn't it?

Then again, to quote whomever, 'diff'rent strokes, for diff'rent folks'... :-)

Quotes from 'Those Barren Leaves', by Aldous Huxley (the guy who wrote Brave New World, etc)...

I offer one suggestion, and I'm fairly new to straight razors myself, so take it for what it is worth. I would pick two razors; hopefully, both are shave ready. Use one on a regular basis and use the other as a sharpness reference. While it's great to have a different razor for everyday of the week, I think we need to learn the in's and out's of one or two razors until we get comfortable with shaving. Switching to a different razor everyday introduces too many variables - blade width, blade grind, blade flex, blade shape, razor weight, blade edge, etc. - you get the picture. Like I said, just a suggestion.

Originally Posted by jerrybyers

I offer one suggestion, and I'm fairly new to straight razors myself, so take it for what it is worth. I would pick two razors; hopefully, both are shave ready. Use one on a regular basis and use the other as a sharpness reference. While it's great to have a different razor for everyday of the week, I think we need to learn the in's and out's of one or two razors until we get comfortable with shaving. Switching to a different razor everyday introduces too many variables - blade width, blade grind, bl
Man, I hear you. I'm thinking of buying five more of the cheap blond Dovos to keep a consistent bladeade flex, blade shape, razor weight, blade edge, etc. - you get the picture. Like I said, just a suggestion.

Man, I hear you. I'm thinking of buying five more of the cheap blond Dovos to keep a consistent blade. So far I am loving these shave ready blond dovos.

I'm still looking to buy a 12K stone to get my dulled blades back to life....

Originally Posted by planetocean

Well I do have to set my morning wake up alarm 30 minutes earlier now as a result of taking up straight razor shaving so that doubles my usual DE shaving time and I still find me running late for work.

So as a beginner I must admit it takes time to do my daily straight razor shave, admittedly that is not just the shave that takes the time but the preparation, stropping, cleaning, oiling etc. But I vow not to give up and looking forward to the day when I can race the whole performance and still have a BBS face and not run late for work.

I could shave at night but I want to start the day with a smooth as face which makes up for time lost.

Liking to shave everyday, my solution to the everyday quick straight shave is a 7 day set of modern grind wedges scaled in vintage bone, with reinforced, tight, top pins., I have a great shave to 15 minutes, altho I sometimes strop before bed! Williams and glycerine drops in a mug, and tap water as hot as I can get it. Followed with Afta and out the door! Yes, there is a reason they made this design toward the end of the last of the vintage razor productions. They shave fast and furious and are easy to maintain. Average width of 5/8. Not all the same brand, but in the same size/grind. Letsee, Double Duck Satinwedge, Red Imp Wedge, Genco Wedge, Cmon Wedge, Engel's Wedge, DD special wedge, annnnd.......(whats that other one?) Oh Yeah! A Morris prosperity wedge! They just fly! Granted, it takes me a few weeks to go through the rotation with them, but they always perform most excellent! These razors can be had cheap! After a proper edge has been applied, they go forever with good stropping! I save my Good stuff for when I am not pressed for time! Soaps and special blades, eh? Most enjoyable! JMHO.....get it on.....Tom

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

Man, I hear you. I'm thinking of buying five more of the cheap blond Dovos to keep a consistent blade. So far I am loving these shave ready blond dovos.

I'm still looking to buy a 12K stone to get my dulled blades back to life....

Whoa whoa whoa! Buzzkill Boy here... you've got a heap of new razors now. If you're going to stay with it (and it sounds like you are; I'm glad), get the 12k hone (Naniwa) and touch up the ones you've got. Put the money you don't spend on razors into the bank for your son's education.

Moderation in all things.

Originally Posted by roughkype

Whoa whoa whoa! Buzzkill Boy here... you've got a heap of new razors now. If you're going to stay with it (and it sounds like you are; I'm glad), get the 12k hone (Naniwa) and touch up the ones you've got. Put the money you don't spend on razors into the bank for your son's education.

Moderation in all things.

It was hard to find, but I placed an order for the Naniwa 12 and flattening stone (as well as a flattening stone for my Norton.) I am really hoping I can keep my blades sharp with a little practice.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

It was hard to find, but I placed an order for the Naniwa 12 and flattening stone (as well as a flattening stone for my Norton.)

Are you saying you bought two flattening stones, or that you bought one that you can use for all your hones??

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Are you saying you bought two flattening stones, or that you bought one that you can use for all your hones??

I was under the impression that there were different flattening stones for each of the hones, so yes, I bought two. They were not expensive.

Are you saying I only need one? Cant hurt to have an extra I guess.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

Are you saying I only need one?

Yes, and it's called DMT D8C.

I was impressed with the video and your first 'attempt' with the straight. Looks like you have the technique down pretty good. I had a lot of trouble with the angle of the razor when I started, but it looked like you were doin' great with it. A lot better than my first try. It does get a lot easier as you go, and you will get more comfortable with it.
As far as keeping the razor sharp, it is just a technique that requires practice. Hang in there and you'll learn stropping techniques and will need to have the razor stone sharpened less and less. I sharpen my razor about every 6-8 weeks.