Thread: I got a question on youtube

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

When I read the OP he joined here in Sept. 2011 so I'm assuming that's when he started with a straight. He has 6 he bought from SRD, so I don't know why he would need to use stones at all at this point. I use one razor and I have no desire to purchase stones at all, as I don't need them. My maintenance is with a barber's hone once a month that takes about 2 minutes to use, and I use a CROX pasted balsa once a week and that is about 5 minutes of my time. With stropping pre and post shave that adds about 5-10 minutes to my daily routine, so long story short maintaining a razor takes all of 20-30 minutes a week. You seriously need to cut back on some other stuff in your life if that is too much time for you. I think the word "novelty" is key in the post, as he was just trying it out of curiosity instead of making a commitment to master the shave with the blade.

I used a DE for a year and a half before I made the jump to straights and it took less than 20 shaves to end up with closer and smoother shaves than I ever got with the safety razor. The actual shave time is shorter for me with a straight also.

It's a perfectly logical perspective, until they discontinue the Mach 3. Then what? For me it was the two bladed Sensor. That was the near perfect shave for me (from Gillette). But, eventually they decided they weren't making enough money and needed to charge more for each blade. How do you charge more for each blade and also ensure that the blades don't last any longer? That's right, you put them all in order behind the first.

What I really like is that single blade they put on the back side of some of those cartridges. Now, the floppy handle thing has me a little confused, but if you were marketing razors to a group of people that didn't have wrists, those would be perfect.

Wouldn't it be intersting though if the key to all of this happiness you get from a Mach 3 wasnt' the floppy head, or the multiple blades, but as you suspect just the sharpness? Wouldn't it also be cool if the sharpness were just a simple problem or oversight in your blade preparation? Wouldn't it be funny if I showed up at your house, rubbed my hand along your strop and said "Oh, no, that isn't right, that will never work your blade".

To me it sounds like the whole problem is rooted in producing the ultimate in sharpness and the problem is hovering somewhere over your strop . . . but that is just me.

Just my two cents,

I've been straight razor shaving for about four months now and I'm pretty much at the point that compared to disposables its almost indistinguishable the amount of time I spend shaving. Probably a one and a half multiplier as compared to disposable. I strop as I watch tv.

For me (my frequency) I did a quick calc and in fifty years if disposable prices stay constant and they won't, I will have spent five thousand dollars in disposables compared to say five hundred on my straight setup. And I get a better shave. Yeah I think its worth it.

Originally Posted by Knife

For me (my frequency) I did a quick calc and in fifty years if disposable prices stay constant and they won't, I will have spent five thousand dollars in disposables compared to say five hundred on my straight setup. And I get a better shave. Yeah I think its worth it.

Why did you have to say that? I thought I was splurging when I got a couple of Harts and Revisors. Now that I know it was just a drop in the bucket I'll have to fight my RAD hard, knowing that I can spend another $4000 and still break even!
The Horror!

I fail to see the point of this thread at all. "Use a mach 3, they are better than a straight" - on a forum dedicated to straight razors? Sorry, I forgot the last part: "unless you have the time to commit to learning the art". You mean, like pretty much everyone on this forum has or is doing?

So what you are actually saying is that straights are better, but hey, if you can't be bothered just settle for second best? What a tremendous message.

James.