Thread: Why Bother ????

Originally Posted by markdfhr

I don't know why I bother. I'm not very good at it almost three months in. There are places on my face that I still have never approached a BBS shave, namely around my chin and under it. I have thought to myself that maybe that's why some guys have goatees, because the hairs here are so hard.

I know I started straight razor shaving to save money. That's certainly backfired in a big way, what with hones and a loupe, a scuttle on the way, etc.

Yet I still try. Sunday evening I did maybe six passes on the especially difficult areas for me simply because I wanted to know what the heck I was doing wrong. I realized that I was using too much pressure and decided to just do what all the old hats say to do: use little pressure. I didn't realize I was using so much, and it seems counter-intuitive that less pressure can be better, which was why I was probably using a little too much in the first place.

I got better results when I did that. It's the little steps forward where I learn something new (or implement something correctly I should already have known) that is its own reward for me, I suppose.

I know straight razor shaving isn't for everyone, but it is for me. Shaving with a straight is something that's moderately difficult and takes some skill to perform well. The learning curve for me has been steep, and I don't see it shallowing out anytime soon (what with me venturing into honing now). However, the curve might have been a cliff had not SRP existed.

So why do I bother? I'm not sure, but I do love it.

It will get better as you go along, take your time and shoot for a good shave; not what some describe as BBS.
I only go WTG & do two complete passes. I am happy with my shave. I do find small differences with different types of razors.

I think a lot of the current surge is driven by fad - old school is now fashionable, and a lot from cost consideration. The cost reasons should be easily debunked - for over 99% of people DE shaving is cheaper especially if you strop the blades.
There is a lot of misconception out there, but there's no way around it in the american culture where there will always be vendors for whom the pursuit of profits comes before anything else and justifies misinformation.

I do it because for me it's the most enjoyable and comfortable way to shave and worth the investment of time and money.

'Cause chicks dig it.

I think that at the core of a man's being, there is an almost instinctual drive to work hard at things (whatever they may be), master these things, and stand back and look at what he has done with satisfaction. I enjoy doing this whether it's mowing the grass, playing the guitar, or shaving with a straight...

Additionally, life is too short NOT to pamper myself! I take bubble baths with lavender bath salts, and I shave to classical music and appreciate the masterful aromas of the products associated with shaving. I'm KING of my own little world... If I thought I could get away with it and afford it, I'd hire someone to feed me grapes and fan me with palm leaves while I surf the posts of SRP... Why not? And I don't care who knows it!

P.S. I'm happily heterosexual and happily married...

Reminds me of Grandpa and Dad on a Saturday enjoying a haircut and shave while I sat and watched.
30 Minutes of ME time a day.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I enjoy most of the process (stropping is the exception). Plus it's a hobby, and I can get shaves without irritation.

Dylan, I would digress! Collecting Straight Razors, Hones, Strops, Memorabilia etc would be a Hobby! Using a Straight Razor Day In and Day Out is a 'Way of Life'! That is the 'Life' I have chosen! My son also chose the same path about a year ago when he was just 17!

Smooth Shaving My Brothers In Blades!

I started because I was seriously annoyed with cartridges and shaving foam/gel. The frustration of cartridges getting plugged up or just being dull was also a driver. For me there is some serious satisfaction in eliminating a 10 day beard with a straight razor. It is quick (compared to a cartridge on a 10 day beard) and satisfying. There was also the learning experience and it caters to my inner gear whore (skis, bikes, climbing, boating... I do like gear). Then there is the tinkering aspect... and what one day I hope will be a shave with a straight razor that I have resurrected.

Now if only I could get good at it.

Because I have OCD ;-)

Why Bother?

Many reasons:
1) I like things that are old (except for cougars)
2) It's nice to relax and enjoy yourself
3) I have the O of OCD....(I maintain that I have no compulsions, but I'll be right back....I need to turn the lightswitch off three times before I can write the number 4).
4) Because anything worth doing, is worth doing right.
and
5) Because the best things in my world (maybe not yours....) take time....time to learn and time to master.

Excuse me, now I have to go open and lock the front door 12 times before I can go to sleep.

Originally Posted by Maxi

1) I like things that are old (except for cougars)

But cougars can teach you many things.