Advice in convincing the Mrs...

So, I am really wanting to take up this craft. My wife has always preferred that my face be clean-shaven, and I have always used some iteration of the Mach series for shaves. I am tired of it, and want to start having my shave be a more deliberate ritual that I am proud to have learned to do, instead of a nuisance. Why, then, would my wife care how I get my face to that point? She is very reluctant in being alright with me passing a razor such as this over my face, near my neck and all. I love her for the concern, but I would equate her nay-saying of the abundant evidence in favor of straight razor shaving that I have presented her with, to me telling her that I do not want her to using a curling iron because I am afraid that she will burn herself. What can I say to her? At some point, I'll just start learning to do it and let her get over it when she sees how much of a better shave I am getting once I have learned the art! Thanks for the advice!

Welcome to SRP. It is always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Check out the beginner's guide in the SRP library here.

go to you tube, search straight razor shaving, look at the videos and show her.
There are a few where some "tools" are pretending to shave that have some cuts here and there, avoid those.
Welcome to SRP, and have fun. Our WIKI is very good at getting new guys started, also feel free to ask any questions you might have.

I'm here to tell you, she will love the results. Do what you have to do to learn this skill and the results will speak for themselves. Isn't a dangerous as just driving in traffic.I know no one who has been hurt by a razor, how many people do you know who have been hurt by cars?

All the members who've accidentally killed themselves with a straight, say 'aye'

Welcome to SRP. My wife was concerned when I started a few years ago, but now she is fully onboard with my hobby. I got her to switch from cartridges to a Merkur DE, brush, and quality shave soap and she loves it. Just ask your wife how she thinks men shaved before Gillette made millions selling plastic crap.

Be sure to avoid the Cut of the Day thread when she is around.

Wellcome to the site,just do it.
After 35 years of marriage my wife never knows what I am doing or where I am 90% of the time:) create your own space,buy a straight,buy a strop,and never look back.Enjoy

Tell her Jimbo uses straight razors. She'll come around. :D

James.

Just remind her every 13 year old boy 100 years ago HAD to shave this way. If a child can do it so can you.:dropjaw:

Thank you all, some great advice. I had always heard that this forum was great for support, and it certainly is true. Looking forward to the months of beginning this art and asking more questions along the way. I'll be sure to chronicle the wife's change of heart on the matter as well: )

One way to get her on board quickly is to throw in something for her whenever you order something shave related. Ordering some soap and cream, throw in a lotion or body soap for her.

Just let her know if you do knick yourself, it'll be like a paper cut versus the chunk of skin missing from 3, 4, or 5 blades tearing into you. The worst cuts I've ever had came at the behest of a Fusion, and those took a week or more to heal instead of two days. Oh, yeah, and just let her know if you do put the cut throat into literal sense...just think of all the life insurance she'll get! :y

Are you a man or a mouse?

Just make her understand who the boss is-Har har

Seriously though, Like I've said many times the secret to a long marriage is you both have your own discretionary fund so you can buy what either of you want without getting "permission" from each other. Of course the fund is limited and based on your finances.

OR ... you could do like the rest of us and tell her how much money you will save !!!!

:rofl2:

:rofl2:

Mike

My wife was the same when I started. She said that she needed to be supervising when I shaved in case I was to bleed out. :rant: that lasted all of one shave.

You need permission from your wife to do something you really want to try? Where are your balls man? Harmony, unity and all that other crap is B.S.! Take the woman, throw her to the ground, mount her and show her who's the MAN! :w

Of course, if she is bigger and stronger than you, then go along to get along. You can always subscribe to the SRP underground movement designed especially for situations like yours. Brown paper wrapping and a fake return address. They'll even perfume the package so if the wife gets to it first, she'll think you bought a present for her and not wanting to spoil the surprise, will leave the package alone. :rofl2:

Of course, this advise is coming to you from a man twice divorced. I never could figure out what their problem was. Women? :banghead:

Randy

You just show her the pimp hand if she complains! If that doesn't work get P.O. Box and hae your stuf sent there.... An shave at night..

Start, she'll come around. I have all three of my kids, two boys and a girl on DE, brush and soap shaving. The oldest boy, is straight razor shaving now and my wife wants to learn, after she had her legs shaved with a straight by me. It is a better system, once you learn. Yes, there could be some cuts. Just stop the bleeding and keep on going. The cuts will come further and further in between, and the shaves better and better. Read, learn and practice. It is a lot of fun by the way. Double O

My wife was the same. I mentioned it once or twice and she didnt seem to approve so i just thought to hell with it... If she can have her interests i can have mine... And i bought my first one off the bay. When it arrived i pulled it out of the packaging and hid behind the razor just in the event of any wild attack off the wife but when she saw it she realised my mind was made up and well... With the exeption of interrupting a shave once or twice... Has left me to it. Ive even got my own shelf in the bathroom (its sacred ground in our house so for her to donate me my own space was like christmas had arrived).

Sell it to her... As someone else has mentioned tell her how much money you will save (we all know youre likely to remortgage your house and spend your life savings on this grand hobby but its worth it) and then slowly start to introduce more and more to your collection.

I'm still getting into the hobby but its slowly taking over. I love the ritual, the support from many great guys here and the chance to spend some money on myself.

Go for it. If your wife has any questions send here here and im sure we will all plead your case :D

This need to say no to all of your interests is buried deep in the DNA of a woman. My wife was no different she still rolls her eyes whenever I mention it. There is just something about seeing a man happy that they find intolerable. LOL. But trust me I doubt your marriage will come to its end over your shaving routine.

Get a DE razor and a bunch of blades.

Learn to lather and shave with the DE. You'll learn some stuff that will be useful for straight-razor shaving. Maybe you'll convince her that you have a steady hand and good judgement.

Then, try arguing again.

Or, set her up in this Forum, and let her see that we're not all crazy, and few of us are dead.

. Charles

Wow I got to tell you - I am kind of shocked at all the wife's out there giving their men attitude over using a straight razor. I am not sure why really when I think about it, as guy friends of mine gave me attitude when I told them I was thinking of moving to a straight.

But I can't figure out all this ney saying though... seriously? What do these people think? That the blade is going to suddenly jump out of my hand and slice me up - and then make me mysteriously go at them with it? Is there some kind of historical president of guys doing that in the 200 yrs when straights were the only way?

It's like people who are scared of guns! Why? Dumb people with guns sure...

So what are they saying? They don't trust you with a straight - or they wouldn't trust themselves with one? It confuses me... seriously.

I am glad to report that my wife was actually willing to buy me my first to get me started as I whaffled about thinking about it. Moreover, she has actually aided in my "hobby" in the past. I guess she doesn't question my sanity... though she should... hmmm, but then again I am insured... hmmmm

Just to keep everyone in the loop about this who has provided advice - it has worked fantastically, and better. I'll be getting a nice, shiny new straight razor for Christmas: ) Thank you again to everyone!

victory. Man 1 woman 0

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

OR ... you could do like the rest of us and tell her how much money you will save !!!!

:rofl2:

:rofl2:

Mike

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yeah that was my first excuse also ....and it is a funny one ...