I just put a post in the “Intro” section, but figured a little background was relevant here to this post.


I have been a DE shaver for a few years, and recently just took the plunge into a straight by ordering one from SRD (haven’t even received it yet)


I got interested in DE because I got sick of the cost of cartridges, the razors themselves changing often and the whole process seemed such a waste. When I found out how much better the shave was, it was the right thing to do. It seems only natural that I finally get to a straight razor.


Just getting into this, I have an odd observation (it may be true, or it may be just my current perception) but I would like some feedback from you guys here.


To take my attraction to the DE one step further, the thing that attracts me to the straight razor is not having to rely on a supply chain. Self reliance, doing things yourself. One tool, maintained yourself, capable of serving you for the rest of your life. It will keep working without having to buy things for it, throw things away, and buy more things. I am attracted to simplicity it a lot of different things.


The straight razor seems to be a simple tool that at one point in time probably every man owned. Whether he was darn near poor, or considered wealthy. It just had to be something that was available to the common man and probably almost taken for granted.


The places around me that actually carrying straight razors and supplies are all marketed towards the very wealthy. Extremely expensive stuff. Even though it is obvious that they are overpriced, stuff for using a straight razor is still quite expensive.


I have seen the guides about “buying on a budget” and all that. But, consider this. When you get into something, you would like to think that you could afford the “mid-grade” version of something. If you take a look at Simpson brushes, even a mid-grade brush will cost $150. Sure you can buy the cheapest, and I have beyond the cheapest when it comes to the brush. But, I can’t help but think about what I am missing, and would strive to at least get something mid-grade. Even though I would like one, I couldn’t possibly see my self spending $150 for a brush! My kids don’t want for anything, but if I were to do that, I couldn’t help but look at them and think about there is some way I should have spent the money on them instead


I guess my whole point or observation here is this: Does it not seem odd that something that was available to the “common man” now seems only available to those with lots of disposable cash?