So, I was just wondering, what was it that made you all become interested in straight razors? Was it the closeness of the shave? The nostalgia? The reduction of irritation?

I'll personally admit that when others have asked me what caused me to become interested, I've pointed out all the benefits of straight razor shaving I've read about. Very few of them actually had any bearing on my interest, though. Mostly for me it was nostalgia. I'm a bit of a young fogey at heart. I've always had a bit of a nagging interest to try striaght shaving, but I was always under the impression it was no longer done because it was incredibly dangerous to do. When I discovered that it really wasn't, I immedietly started lurking forums and eventually ordered myself a starter razor that I am very excitedly waiting for.

There's just a whole lot about the concept that appeals to me. Like pipe smoking, it's a bit of a lost art. Something that very few people will ever enjoy again. A skill that the vast majority of people lack. Then you get in to the senses, I mean, a straight razor is a beautiful tool, and I literally can't wait to hear the sound of a straight razor running over a strop and eventually a hone.

So, what about you? Was it a practical decision, or a latent love that just had to be woken?