Thread: Still on the fence....

Originally Posted by ursus

Would you kindly quote what are you basing this statement to, please?

It's from science... I think this is the one:
"population estimates suggest that anywhere from 60 to 70% of straight razor users would test positive for HIV/AIDS... This is likely to be a slight underestimate of the actual prevalence within the SRP sample" (Science, 2008).

Now, that is an old figure, but it probably paints a fairly generalizable picture.

Meh. I think you're just trying to scare a newbie. Prove me wrong by providing a link to the article.

If you are concerned, there's a article on the wiki about sterilising razors. You could also search the site for some threads about the issues and/or ask how the razors are disinfected from the buyer.

Originally Posted by ursus

Meh. I think you're just trying to scare a newbie. Prove me wrong by providing a link to the article.

If you are concerned, there's a article on the wiki about sterilising razors. You could also search the site for some threads about the issues and/or ask how the razors are disinfected from the buyer.

It's a joke brother!

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

It's from science... I think this is the one:
"population estimates suggest that anywhere from 60 to 70% of straight razor users would test positive for HIV/AIDS... This is likely to be a slight underestimate of the actual prevalence within the SRP sample" (Science, 2008).

Now, that is an old figure, but it probably paints a fairly generalizable picture.

This really seems like a way high estimate for infected straight razor users. It's even gotta be way high for gay razor users.

Now I'm wondering if there could even be a gay straight razor user. Talk about sleepless nights.

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

It's a joke brother!

Yeah. Figured as much from your post. However, I couldn't be positive that our newbie got it, the silent communication is lost over the internet. A smiley at the end helps to clear it's a joke and lets the newbie to concentrate on choosing a shaving soap =).

No hard feelings, mate.

dovo is always a good choice for a first razor , I was going to suggest looking at you're local antique store I'v picked up 3 razors one for $8 one for $20 and one for $40 two out of the tree are great shavers , well maybe for you're second razor haha R.A.D is gunna kick in soon !!

Yeah, I went with a Dovo.

Dovo Arigato, Mr. Roboto.

Bad joke. Nevermind.

Originally Posted by YMS1975

I've done a search online for local resellers and I just can't seem to find any. Maybe my search terms are incorrect or something but nothing turns up. I just keep hitting the same website; Fendrihan, Classic Wet Shaving Supplies.

As for why I wish to buy new, I considered buying used (even responded to one of the classifieds on this site) but to be perfectly honest, in todays day and age of HIV/AIDS the idea of sharing a tool that is known to inflict cuts and pierce the skin and expose itself to blood does irk me some. Enough so that I want to buy new.

Welcome fellow newbie and Caunck.

Barbicide will take care of any and all possible infections. I am in the same boat as you (laid off) so I know, it's hard to start out, but it's way better to start out with a good used blade. A lot of the guys here sell great razors, that are shave ready, and sometimes a better quality than a new razor. Dip it in some barbicide, and combined with a good used strop, or DIY ( I used an old pair of jeans and some newspaper as my strops) and you have the basics. You will also know whether or not SR shaving is for you or not, without risking a whole bunch of cash upfront.


EDIT: Posted a response before reading the entire thread and seeing that you bought new. Enjoy.

Originally Posted by YMS1975

Regardless...it's just an e-mail away. I'll ask them if "Pre-Sharpened" is the same as "Shave Ready".

Yes, that's the only way to find the correct answer.
You should probably strop it too. Whoever honed it may or may not have stropped it (classicshaving should know), but if it's been few months since the razor was stropped and you receive it the edge is probably deteriorated enough to benefit quite a bit from stropping.

I don't know if you've considered that any straight razor which can shave you has been hand honed at the factory and then hopefully sent again for hand honing by the vendor. Many of the honers would also strop the razor and may be do a shave test. If you are concerned about pathogens you should understand that this is very far from the fully automated process of gillette and schick, so a bit of a common sense is a good thing.

Originally Posted by Bruce

This really seems like a way high estimate for infected straight razor users. It's even gotta be way high for gay razor users.

Now I'm wondering if there could even be a gay straight razor user.

You tell us, Bruce. *Snickering*