Thread: A Great Read

How to Use a Straight Razor - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

From a long time ago but relevant, Take a close read and enjoy.

Thanks for the link. I like that article; it's info may not be as sophisticated as one might find nowadays on the 'net but it's also not as pretentious. And for me, it's also nostalgic... not really so long ago. :-)

Interesting read. I wonder how widely accepted his technique was back then? Mostly, I'm referring to his advice to always shave against the grain. Curious how someone can get a safety razor stuck in his cheek but be fine shaving with a straight against the grain using a rear view mirror and hand soap. Pretty impressive. Also, his comment about avoiding stainless steel blades? I'm new to straights, so I really don't know, but there seemed to be a few things that contradicted most of what I've read so far.

I suppose we need to bear in mind that the author was rediscovering straight razors, presumably in a fairly isolated way (by the sounds of it he took a few trips to old barbers for advice etc) and was still what you might call fairly new to it. So it's not too unexpected that a couple of things he writes about don't quite gel with some of the things we write about. But that is to be expected - he probably ran across a few stainless blades that were rubbish, or were difficult to hone or whatever. We all can only go on our experiences, it's just that the more experienced of us learn not to generalise from them too much

Hats off to him I say - an early explorer and pioneer in the world of straights. And IMO he pretty much nailed it. It isn't rocket science, it's shaving. Not only that, it is simple shaving - a blade and your face, what's more simple than that?

I am very appreciative of that link - thank you to the OP for it. It is good to be reminded sometimes of the reason why I got into this whole thing in the first place - simplicity and enjoyment: one little uncluttered corner of life.

James.

Originally Posted by Gonzo4str8rzrs

How to Use a Straight Razor - DIY - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

From a long time ago but relevant, Take a close read and enjoy.

Great read...was in a bit of shock for awhile there, $2 for a straight, any more and you're getting ripped off, $2 - $10 for a stone, a buck or two for an old strop...sheesh, I was thinking for awhile there was this article written in the 1930's!!!

But the 1970's, guess the prices make sense, just goes to show how huge inflation has been in the last 40 years....gotta love it...drop by the barber, he's probably got a few lying around he'll give to you...great read!

Wish I could find some of those $2 finds, but am very excited to have such great new friends and such from just starting to use and learn straight razor shaving and upkeep. Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts.

Yea, I agree that's a guy who on his own with no help ventured into the straight shaving world and pretty much made his own rules as he progressed. The 1970s were a really good time because there were still plenty of old time straight trained barbers most of whom either ditched the straight or only used it for minor trim work. Also because there was no interest in straights then there were loads of them lying around and folks were practically giving them away. That also goes for the brushes and strops and hones. There was no demand and that's why it was all so inexpensive.

I take for granted how much information is right at our fingertips nowadays. I don't know what I would have done fourty years ago if I had wanted to get in to something like this. In a matter of minutes I was able to join a community of people with hundreds of years of combined experience.

Originally Posted by MCSheets

I take for granted how much information is right at our fingertips nowadays. I don't know what I would have done fourty years ago if I had wanted to get in to something like this. In a matter of minutes I was able to join a community of people with hundreds of years of combined experience.

I don't.

I started with a straight probably 13 years ago and nothing was available even then. I think the old SRP site started around then but I didn't know about it.

I learned the hard and painful way.