Thread: Straight Shaving, Part of a Larger Movement?

There were a variety of reasons I got involved with straight shaving. Firstly I hate buying stuff that breaks, or is throwaway.

Secondly I like the manliness aspect of straight razor shaving.

Thirdly growing up in London, I was always fascinated to walk past shops like Trumpers or Trufitt and Hill on rare family forays into Jermyn Street, and thus in my early 20's began to frequent those places for a haircut or a straight shave whenever my meagre funds would allow.

Finally I'm ornery, and very anti consumer society, so anything that means that I can strike a blow, even in the smallest way is great with me.

Are we part of a "movement" ? Possibly , I think more people are becoming aware of just how big corporations manipulate via the media and advertising. Hopefully the trend towards straights will continue.

I just do it to get funny looks from friends and family.

Really, I take great pleasure in finding the sublime in the mundane. Shaving. Before I started turning away from "conventional" modern shaving, what could be more mundane? Then, through the DE, and the scents, and the time spent to do a job well, it became fun and enjkoyable. Then, with a straight, and honing it myself, and using a quality tool that should last for many more generations, it became an art. Is this too high-faluten? To grandiose for what is, really, just a morning grooming task? Perhaps. But it is MINE. I OWN IT. And as MY time, and MY task, I am free to enjoy it as much as I possibly can. And I do.

Originally Posted by Englishgent

There were a variety of reasons I got involved with straight shaving. Firstly I hate buying stuff that breaks, or is throwaway.

Secondly I like the manliness aspect of straight razor shaving.

Thirdly growing up in London, I was always fascinated to walk past shops like Trumpers or Trufitt and Hill on rare family forays into Jermyn Street, and thus in my early 20's began to frequent those places for a haircut or a straight shave whenever my meagre funds would allow.

Finally I'm ornery, and very anti consumer society, so anything that means that I can strike a blow, even in the smallest way is great with me.

Are we part of a "movement" ? Possibly , I think more people are becoming aware of just how big corporations manipulate via the media and advertising. Hopefully the trend towards straights will continue.

I am glad people from other parts can see this manipulation of media, although you ended up in my state!! The more you look into this the obvious it is. Want to have fun follow the GE road and see what they are up to. I do buy DMTs and I think they make the monocrystal diamonds, Somehow you can't get away. Straight Shavers Unite!!!!LOL Almost an oxymoron cause I suppose the lot of us a more individualists than LEMMINGS. (love that Rob! lemmings heheheheh)
M

Mike

Well, I don't see it as a movement. Over here on SRP we're in a bottle looking out and because we see our membership growing we think we're at the forefront of a Tsunami but that is not the case. Our straight thing is at best a tiny blip in the market and always will be.

As far as the conversion to disposables I don't think it was just marketing that did it. The simple truth of the matter is using a straight and all the maintainance and associated requirements might be a quaint hobby loved by us but to the general population it was a curse and it was good riddence once it was gone.

When my father was growing up his dad used a straight and he still talks about how when his dad was shaving all you could hear was cursing coming from the bathroom. It was enough to guarantee he would never use a straight. He thinks I'm crazy for using one.

I am happy to announce that as a treasurer of the movement I am now able to get the ball rolling and start collecting the dues from all participants.

For your convenience we accept cash, paypal, cashiers checks, money orders, bank transfers, visa, master card, american express, and discover.
For those short on liquidity and long on stock assets please send a shave-ready razor in excellent condition.

Yes it's a movement, so get moving!

Gugi,
The check is in the mail!LOL

Can I be the musical director for special events?
NO REQUESTS! and as Duke Ellington once said, "M'am, this band doesn't play waltzes."

I started down this road I'm on long ago, in small steps. At the time I didn't even know I was going down this path. I was sick of commercialism and the attitude of cut cost mass production. Making items that where designed to fall apart after a few uses, just to save money, was insane to me. My mother still lives in this mind set and shakes her head at my "excessive spending", she doesn't see that I don't have to buy the same items (most times) ever again.

I'm still a slave to buying a new computer every 5 or 6 years, or longer if I can push it. But for the most part as the years have passed I find new ways to rid myself of this "Disposable" lifestyle.

Heck I even got back into canning, my daughter wanted a different jam and jelly. I now read labels almost every time I pick up a processed food item, and was shocked at what these items have in them, So now I start making my own...

Ok off the soap box for me...

Originally Posted by Kingfish

Gugi,
The check is in the mail!LOL

Excellent, it better clears you know...

Originally Posted by bassguy

Can I be the musical director for special events?
NO REQUESTS! and as Duke Ellington once said, "M'am, this band doesn't play waltzes."

Absolutely, the spot it still open and I'm soliciting bids. The customary selection process applies, i.e. the largest 'application fee' wins.

Originally Posted by gugi

Excellent, it better clears you know...


.

It will clear like thin air!!