Thread: Dug This Up While Researching for a Paper

One thing the survey doesn't take into account is the enjoyment of shaving with a straight razor. I have to admit one of my best razors, as far as quality of the shave goes, is a Bengall I picked up for $2. Good on you MJC for getting your brother into it. I have gotten a lot of my family, and a couple of friends going with DE razors, none with straights though. I am building a garage for a local guy I know quite well. I asked him what he shaves with, and he uses the Gillette Fusion. I offered him a DE to try, told him how cheap the blades are, that he would get a better shave and save money. He flatly refused even though he admitted he uses the Fusion until they are blunt and uncomfortable. You can lead a horse to water...

Originally Posted by Grazor

...snip...You can lead a horse to water...

You can lead a man to nirvana, but you can't make him think.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Yes, that would be interesting to know. Years ago it was probably quite common for a man to use one razor for most of his life or at least until he passed it down to his son. These days, not so much, especially if all of us are any indication. Some collections are bigger than others but I think we're all collectors or hobbyists to one degree or another. I think back then since most people didn't live through years of crappy shaves and then discover the magic of straight razors, it was somehow more a simple function of hygiene than a hobby or an obsession. You're also right about the many cheaper ways to get started, some of my best flea market straight razors cost me less than ten bucks.

I actually have the Gillette Aristocrat the my Great Grandfather bought during WWII because he hated the issue razors. He used it 6 days a week and his straight, (A USMC issue from pre-1900) that he got from his father which now lives with my Uncle, on Sundays from the war until he died in the 1990's. Now it sits in a safety deposit box, waiting until I settle down and stop moving so often.