Why do you ask?
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Why do you ask?
After 22 years in the military having to shave every morning and hating it because of razor burn I discovered an enjoyable way to get that daunting task accomplished and have my face feel healthy afterwards.......oh yeah also because of ninjas.
I love knives and was on the Internet looking at sharpening techniques. One of the sites recommended a strop for your knife, so I started researching strops and came across straight razors. I thought it would be nostalgic to shave with a straight razor and I was right! I sold myself on the saving money aspect but that didn't really work out when the RAD kicked in. I love my job but it is the type of job where every minute of every day is accounted for and there is always more that needs to be done than time allows. So every minute, driving etc is used for work. When I used to shave I would be planning out my day in my head. I don't do that when I use a straight. I am just shaving and only thinking about getting the best possible shave and not cutting myself. I can't tell you how relaxing it is to turn work off and just concentrate on shaving!
I have always wanted one. I also can't shave more than once every 4 days with a multi-blade cartridge. my favourite quote about straight razor shaving was from my electric guitar player who upon seeing my blade said " Seaton likes everything analog over digital" also even on your worst shave with a SR its hard not to feel manly!
When I was growing up, my father was a collector/appraiser/dealer of anything with a sharp edge, so straights and DE were always around, along with tons and tons of pocket knives. Neither of us shaved with them, but he did leave all of them to me when he died. Sadly, I didn't start using them until years after he passed so we never got to share it.
I told SWMBO that it was going to be a cost cutting measure. Can't hide the fact that it wet shaving totally failed in that respect.. three cabinets full of shave kit are hard to hide.
DE's were my start and after years of buying, selling and using many different ones I found the Weber line and my shaves went on full automatic. As good as the shaves were, it got boring again.
Enter the straights. As it turns out, stropping, cleaning and maintaining were the things I said I wanted to avoid while I was using DE's and now, I love the entire process. My shaves don't yet come close to what a Weber DE can give me, but I'm patient.
A shorter story... I love old things made new, and new things made to look old....
I bought a straight razor so I could ween myself off disposable blade and save money. Because I thought $22 dollars was to much for 5 cartridges. I did it to save money and stick it to the man.......save money......? I have over twenty razors, 6 strops, mugs and scuttles, 4 brushes more soaps then I can count and a list of hones that I can't even remember that I have. So much for the saving money :banghead:
For no good reason, the decision does not actually stand up to any logical scrutiny. However, I have learnt in life that as long as it's legal, I should do as I please.
The multi-blade cartridge razors don't stand a chance against my beard. I also have sensitive skin, so it was a natural progression to DE then to straight razors.
-Dan
I think the question here should be 'why doesn't everyone else?'
It's awesome!
I like the whole zen of shaving thing. For that 20 minutes I'm prepping, shaving then cleaning up my mind is at rest. I don't use my straight every day because it's not something I want to rush. I use a DE when I'm in a hurry, but even then I still pull out the brush and scuttle.
Well, I shave with a Parker SR2 Shavette, so I don't know how much clout that I'd have in this conversation, but for me it was a cost issue at first. I used to shave with a Gillette Fusion 5 blade razor system. If anyone else here used to shave with them, you'll feel my pain. A pack of 8 normally runs about 20 bucks; a pack of Shark DE's run 10 bucks for 100. I got sick of throwing my money away on carts. That was the original turn-on.
As I've been going on, it's actually quite a relaxing and challenging process to master. All the different grips/angles are neat to learn and make me feel like a bad*** when I'm using it. The futher along that I get in my skills, I've found out that I can beat the snot out of the job that my old 5-blader used to. Take that, King Gillette!
Finally, it's very nostalgic for me to look at the blade against my face and think to myself, "This is the way my great-grandpa used to shave."
Nostalgia, Comfort, and a time to just think for a while (but enough of an activity to not think to much).
Because it was less wieldy than the bowie knife I was using before...Edge quality is about the same though. I like 'em all sharp!Quote:
Originally Posted by Machete
In truth though, I got sick of throwing money into the bin in the form of cartridge blades.
Mick
Purely economics,is very simple math.ballpark I think I have spent at least 15K on all shaving related stuff, that encludes Hones.
Running the numbers,in 27.3 yrs I will be even if I buy no more stuff.
I will be 92.8 yrs old at that time,I intend to break even.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
I've probably spent approx. $1200 on Cut-Throat/DE razors and accessories over the past 18 years, most of that in the last three years or so. A good chunk of that would have been re-couped on the making and selling of strops in my spare time. I would have spent around $3000 on cartridge blades since I bought my first cut-throat and failed to successfully shave with it (No one told me it wouldn't be shave ready, or that I needed to get through a learning curve steeper than the north face of Mt Everest!). I think I am already well and truly ahead of the game right now. I don't collect like some here though. I have enough for a bit more than a weeks rotation...More than I need.
Mick
I have decided that holding something in hand which is special and tight. Something which may have belonged to a rich man, a farmer, a genious, from several past generations the world over makes me feel exclusive and rich. Especially having the resources and abilities to make them perform as-new or better. Lovely hobby, historically fun, and enjoyable shaves! Not to mention some fine razor buddies! :D Sweet! Oh, and no ingrown hairs nor irritation either!
Catfish Belly Smooth! :y
Say! In case you don't realize it, your cabinet is BEGGING for shelves in between those shelves! Just saying! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Tarkus
I'm seeing a scary domino effect if someone treads too hard near those razors.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Naaaa. He's a batchin! Nobudy there to make waves! ('cept him!)
Lord knows he is bad enough, those basement stairs and all! ;)
Quite honestly for all the reasons said above, but for me it is a nice way to slow down and do something not everyone else can do. It is definitely a skill which is another benefit for me. For me it turned the daily shave into something I look forward.
Naah All the razors are resting on there own wire stand. But your original thought would be true. I walk like Godzilla. "Oh No There Goes Tokyo Here Comes Tarkus"Quote:
Originally Posted by onimaru55
I started straight shaving because I was fed up with everything about cartridge razors. I continued because I find beauty in tools that are perfectly designed to do one thing excellently, and because I like getting slowly better at a hard skill. (And because I like the smooth, clean feel after a shave. And, and, and...) :)
For the same reason that I drive a standard transmission (not an automatic), and fish primarily with baitcast reels (not spincast), and wear a mechanical self winding watch (not a quartz). There are easier alternatives out there but not necessarily better. The standard transmission and baitcast reels give me more control as does a straight razor. My mechanical watch will last many generations, as will my straight razor. I more often than not take the narrow, less traveled road...
My reasons are the same as those posted above. I'm new to single blade shaving (either DE or SR [been using a shavette to work on technique and not worry about maintenance]), but I started "wet" shaving a while back using the multi-blade cartridges. Ranging from the pretty much typical Mach3 up to a free sample of a Schick Hydro 5, which is akin to dragging a cheese grater across your face.
I am not a prolific shaver; at times, when I was younger, resembling Jesus. But my lifestyle and direction now requires me to shave more regularly, and with that wanted to try to reduce the amount of waste I would be creating, and make shaving more interesting, more fun. So now about all I generate for waste is either washed down the sink and the occasion blade/half blade in the trash.
I did get a good shave from the Mach3s, but as mentioned above, if you're going to shave daily or some other schedule depending on your face, you're quickly going to blast through cartridges. So I was also looking for a more economical way. Economical is, of course, absolutely arbitrary based on the epidemic like onset of ADs. I, myself, have bought a shavette, 2 straights, a strop, and 2 DEs (a Gillette New Improved and a Fat-Tech) as well as a few different soaps to try out. All in all, it's about $150 I've spent, but that money is going to be stretched over a long period, rather than dropping $20/month or more. I mean think about it. A shavette has got to be one of the most economical ways to shave. Shavettes are available on eBay for less than $10 shipped, and usually come with 5-10 blades. 10 blades split in half is 20 blades. Roughly 3 shaves per blade, shaving every other day is going to give you about 20 weeks of shaves or 5months. Cheap blades like Derby and Lord can be purchased on eBay for $10 for a lot of 100 blades. So doing the math is 200 blades (split) so 200 weeks or 50 months of shaves and it costs $0.05/week (not accounting for soaps, creams, ASB, cologne, preshave oils, brushes, etc). The same idea works for SR, once you get set up (razor and strop) you can pretty much shave indefinitely at no extra cost. And while I haven't explored the scented world of shave soaps yet, that is also enjoyable.
Cost, less waste (being greener), more fun, more nostalgic, and the sheer badassery of dragging a sharp blade across your throat are a few of my reasons.
Yeah exactly,...well put my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Azhrei
I was actually researching Japanese chef's knives on the internet and somehow came upon straight and DE razors shaving sites. I didn't even know anyone still used them. I was intrigued by the thought of using straights and after researching and reading about them I decided I want to try them for the nostalgia, potential cost savings (notice I said potential because once you're hooked I don't think there's a lot of savings because you want more razors, hones, soaps, mugs, etc. etc), eliminating waste, and it's just badass to use a straight and know I'm in a select group of men who use them. I would rather spend my money on razors and equipment that exhibit quality and craftsmanship than crappy plastic cartridges.
Because I have found the Bent ones don't work so well :gaah:
So I noticed a personal pattern. I'm a busy man and when I get stressed one of the first things to go was the shave for some reason. The busier I got the hairier I got. This followed with skipping shaving my head which I've done weeklyish for years followed by bothering to cook my own meals. So on and so on.
I took up the straight razor shaving or maybe kept it up because it's a reminder to and indulgence in taking care of myself. It's actually helped me be more aware of my stress levels because it's something I look forward to, something I miss when I 'don't have time'.
I'm also very happy about the green aspect. Anything with that short a useful lifespan that will still be in the landfill when I'm dead seems s waste.
When I used cartridges I had horrific ingrown hairs and electrics used to leave my skin red n patchy, I went looking for a way to stop the ingrowns and found DE razors which helped, but then I wanted to stop the few still left and realised I was saving a fortune already going from cartridge to DE so decided to try straights to "save cash" and get rid of the last ingrowns..
I achieved one of those goals, can anyone guess which????? :hmmm:
Geek
Great thread!
For me it was mostly to save money :gaah: I also like to explore things that are different to the norm.
I stick with it mainly for the calming effect the ritual has - my days are rather busy and stressful otherwise.
What originally got me into it was probably the nostalgia of the straight blades and frustration with multi-blade razors. I'll be honest, part of it really was James Bond too...I think we all know the part. I was becoming fairly fed up with multi-blade razors and every time I went to the store, I would get just a little bit more angry with the prices on blades. Furthermore, as much as I travel, I keep on running into places that don't stock the particular brand or model that I have...and are the blades cross-compatible? Noooooo. So I would end up buying a new razor...and the associated blades, only to find out that my next location didn't stock those blades. At any rate, as I began learning how to shave with a straight razor, a couple of other bonuses appeared:
- no more ingrown hairs. I don't know the mechanics of it, but I would always get ingrown hairs along the jawline with my multi-blade. No more!
- like others on the boards, I LOVE tinkering, and this gives me a great excuse to work with, possibly, 100 year old pieces of art
- it truly is fun to shave in public bathrooms with them (it really turns heads), or bust out the strop in the tent with all your buds. Usually, lots of questions follow.
- despite the fact that she vehemently refuses to let me teach her how to shave me with the blade (she's scared of it), my wife really does like the closeness of the shave
- with a 2-year old in the house (and another on the way), this gives me a reason to shut the door and have some calm time to myself. Nice shower, turn on some tunes, get the blade ready, lather up, and shave away.
All excellent reasons. I often cite the last reason to people who don't understand how there can be a website frequented by men who are passionate about... SHAVING! It's because we live in a world that doesn't easily allow meditation, contemplativeness, and that offers so many ways to fill our days with false accomplishments (higher scores on video games, updates to Facebook, etc.) This is real, it affords privacy we can otherwise not seize from our days, it's calming.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalloran
About the ingrowns... they're favored by multiblade and electric razors because of the touted "lift-and-cut" effect. One blade snags and pulls the barb out a little bit, then the next blade snicks it off so short that the cut end disappears below the skin's surface. The tiny wound heals over and the hair, with nowhere to go, curls up inside, inflames, all that fun stuff. With a single blade that just cannot happen. If you pressed really, really hard you could maybe get close, but by that time you'd be filleting your face anyway and you'd get an ingrown jawbone.
Sweet dreams!
That was a complete surprise to me, that there were shaving communities out there that discussed, exchanged ideas, provided instructional videos, and helped new converts learn the ropes of traditional wet shaving.Quote:
Originally Posted by roughkype
Aloha!
Old thread but I thought I'd toss my razor in the ring.
I witnessed with eyes as big as saucers my Grandfather straight shaving as a child. I'd sit with him at his kitchen table with basin and mirror and watch him meticulously lather and strop the razor and then artfully shave his beard with his classic Solingen. He passed when I was about 8 years old. I inherited his Solingen when I was 18 and started shaving with it as soon as I got it honed. I couldn't wait. I had a cousin that was 20 years my senior that was a Barber that shaved. He took me under his wing and taught me to strop and use a straight razor.
I retired his razor when I was about 28 and could afford my own straight razors. His old Solingen now it sits in a showcase with my grandfather's gold pocket watch.
This is why I shave with a straight. Watching my Grandfather wield a straight razor when I was a child set the wheels in motion. Smooth and amazing shaves continued my passion for straight razor shaving since then.
-Zip
Why do I use a straight razor? Simple: I use a straight razor to save money. :rofl2: Plus the fact that it is old school and very cool. (I always wanted to be cool).
I had been looking for a new stone to sharpen my hunting knives and found SRD. I bought a Dovo Best and a week or month later I shaved with it. That was the start of my wet shaving and I have not looked back (nor saved any money)
I use one because the whole process is “me” time. I know thats not in style right now, or maybe ever was, but in my life i need some time that is only mine. Stropping, lathering, shaving 2 or 3 passes, and then touching up, followed by the cold rinse and aftershave splash is just all mine.
I would love to have lived in the slower time when SRs were the way you did it...and i can when im shaving with one,
Short, succinct and to the point, pretty much sums it up for me perfectly.....:)Quote:
Originally Posted by PLJ
Aloha!
Yes, that's a great list by PLJ Phrank.
#1 - I agree 100 percent and have since I was 18
#2 - Restoration and honing and stroping to shave ready is really awesome indeed.
#3 - Lotions, soaps and shaving supplies are part of the enjoyment, that's for sure.
#4 - Reminded me of when I shaved at my health club with a straight about 10 years ago. Within about 2 minutes I had about 8 guys around me at the shaving counter. I'd been straight razor shaving for a very long time, but when you suddenly have an audience watching every single wisker sliced by your straight edge, it can be a little unnerving. And the barrage of questions and wise cracks. "What happens if you cut your jugular?" "Can you slice tomatos with that thing?" "I didn't know they still made those things" "How do you keep from cutting yourself?" and so on. I switched to a DE at my health club after that. And I still get comments about using a DE.
#5? I suppose SWMBO finds it a bit "Manly" but not HOT or SEXY. She certainly does appricate a BBS face after shaving with my straight.
-Zip
Aloha!Quote:
Originally Posted by Haroldg48
I agree my good man. And I often pine for what it might have been like living in a slower time - like the gay 90s. The 1890s. Yet, I more than appreciate the antiseptics and antibiotics we have today, and the lack of Anthrax and Lockjaw and Sepsis and other diseases our forefathers could get from shaving. So I'm glad I live when I do, but I retreat to the shave den to "pretend" it's 1890.
-Zip
