Thread: I got a question on youtube

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

20-30 minutes? Wow you are slow!!! LOL

One of these days I need to do a vid but Willi Hauser beats me, so I havent done it yet.

I like to run the water, strop the razor, dunk the towell, do 3 over lather, shave slowly and enjoyably! Light a candle, some music is preferred! Maybe thats why I seem to get 4 shaves a week! I truly enjoy a good shave more than anything. Sometimes, I think I make it last as long as I can, when I can! Fun!

If a Mach 3 is your game, then that's your option, of course. However, I have to admit, that I have only been at it with a straight for only a few months now, and I love it. Sure it's more work and might be a bit on the pricey side when just getting started, but when your paying up to $30.00 or more for just a few blades, that might last for only a few shaves, then the striaght will eventually be cheaper in the long run. Also, I've now turned, what use to be a mundane task of shaving every morning, into a work of art. Straight razor shaving is an art that not everyone enjoys or can master. I'm not a master yet, but I'm working on it and enjoying the ride at the same time.

Oh, and I forgot to add one last thing in my last post. When I read that shaving with a striaght razor would last longer throughout the day, they were right. Shaves much closer than a standard razor and I don't get that 5 oclock shadow anymore. In fact, since I started with a striaght, I barely have any wiskers at bedtime.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

A beginner asked me the question."Should I replace my Mach 3 with a Straight"----
...I'd think twice about tossing a Mach 3 away for a Straight. UNLESS YOU HAVE TIME FOR ANOTHER HOBBY !!!! A mach 3 is no hobby at all.

That assumes that the only objective is to remove hair from the face.
In that regard you are correct.

But... you are overlooking MANY other reasons that people shave with straight razors.

Consider a straight if you want to:
*Save money
*Have less waste
*Get a more comfortable shave
*Have a connection to the past
*Be self reliant
*Avoid skin irritation
*Etc...

Keep using your Mach III if you don't give a hoot about any of the above and just want the whiskers off your face.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

I enjoy an occasional shave with my straights, but after time the "novelty" has worn off.

I think this statement is the key. My brother-in-law tried his hand at straight shaving after learning I use a straight. He tried for a few weeks, maybe a month or two, but alas, the novelty wore off for him and now his TI has rust on it and sits unused. Straights are not for everyone and it does take some time to become proficient. Now that I have been enjoying this hobby for a few years, I can get a DFS with prep inside of 15 minutes, and damn near BBS in about 20. I will admit lately due to time/child constraints I use my DE more and more and save my straights shaves for the weekend when I have the time to relax and enjoy the "me" time. Personally, I never found the Mach 3 to give a good shave, I preferred the Sensor and Sensor Excel blades, but those became harder and harder to find and the price kept going up. Then I learned to straights and haven't looked back. So, if you can still find blades and don't need to convert to the Fusion, more power to you.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

My latest question was, would you recommend Straights as a replacement for a Mach 3.

I would if you are motivated to LEARN how to use a straight. You obviously aren't motivated.

Originally Posted by yohimnbe2

I think I Mach 3 blows every straight razor away. (in ease of use) Seriously. Lets be real.

I get a much better shave from any and all of my straights (and my DE) than I ever did from the moch 3 (that is in a landfill near Dublin now.) But one has to have the willingness to learn the skill set that goes with a straight.

I can see the point of the Mach 3. I still have mine and have used it only a few times since going straight. I have been wet-shaving since 14 years old (except a few months with an electric - which was horrible), with a Mach 3 and canned goo. I could get a decent shave in less than five minutes. I shaved most everyday and could keep my cartridges for a month or better (I believe by keeping the stubble short). I did not get irritation nor ingrown hairs and I only did one ATG pass. I did try to even the score one time with a full prep and 3-4 pass shave with the Mach 3 and it didn't get near as close as my straight or DE. I also kept it around for a touch up on my neck since the hair grow east to west and I can not get the straight to get BBS smooth. I haven't used it since getting my DE but I keep it around in a cupboard somewhere. However, I can understand that it is faster than a DE or Straight and can give a presentable shave, albeit not nearly as close and doesn't last as long. But, this is now a hobby that I quite enjoy, and some day I might come out ahead financially if I can avoid too many ADs.

To each his own, and your opinion is valid as is mine and everyone elses. Personally I don't think a beginner at open razor shaving has the experience to tell another beginner it isn't worth the change. That's just my opinion though.
For me shaving is shaving. I don't consider it a 'hobby' or a 'sport', I even get a little offended by those terms, but each man has his own, valid, thoughts on just what shaving means to him.
I can't say I find it easy to put aside time to touch up my razors...That's 10 minutes I could use for sitting on my arse in front of a computer reading the pages on SRP...I can't say I like to molly coddle my razor by having to wipe it dry and oil it...I can't say I like standing there using a brush to put lather on my face...It's just shaving.
What I can say is that I like quality, and I believe the motto "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". I never knew what a quality shave was until I spent the time learning how to do I right. The time taken to learn a whole new skill set for a task I had been doing for years has been well worth it, though gods know, I've been in the place you are right now. I think if you were to give it a fair go, you might find that your answer to that question put to you would be different.
I have a mate, who handed me a razor the other day. It belonged to his grandfather. I spent almost an entire day working on that thing to clean it up and hone it for him. I have never come across such a bitch of a razor to hone. And you know something, I don't even think this mate of mine will have the patience to learn the skill required to use it, but it is his history, a family heirloom, that if he does nothing but look after it by keeping it clean and oiled, can be passed onto his son. Do that with that grotty old mach 3 of yours, I don't think your son will be so grateful to you.
I have gone back to my own mach 3 on the odd occassion (well, did anyway. Gave up that for a joke sometime back.) and each time I have, the shave results left much to be desired. My face felt dirty, like I needed a shave. And that was with a fresh new blade on the thing the last time I did this.
But anyway, each to his own. I go for quality. I shave every second day, because in all honesty I don't need to shave anymore than that using an open razor. I get no more irritation. I create less waste, I'm one of the few here who has not suffered terribly from AD's, but I still have more than I need...Still saved money too though. I am doing something that my forefathers did, in the same way they did it.


Mick

Well said Mick.

Something else that I thought I'd mention. I'm not sure if we actually "cut" the hairs differently with a straight, as compared to a Mach 3. But what I can tell you, is that the rare time I've used a cartridge razor (staying overnight at at buddy's house), it's just plain "hurt". I mean, it hasn't felt good at all.

I think this thread is a good one, because we get to discuss our personal opinions about shaving and cartridge razors, etc. but I'm also sensing (is someone else too?) that this thread may degenerate soon? Personal opinions are after all, the things that become instantly loaded with emotion.

I've said all I need to say, about our hobby/sport/shaving and how I feel about it vs. the mass produced cartridge razors. To each his own.

"Unsubscribed."

I think you have a point Maxi...

"unsubcribed"


Mick