Thread: Dug This Up While Researching for a Paper

This is definitely the most empirical data I've seen to date on what we do and why we do it. I was very excited to see that SRP (our own little corner of heaven) was the highest rated wetshaving site among the respondents to the survey.
http://tohserver.com/~robin/2013%20W...20Magazine.pdf

Is it really cheaper? Another research gold mine from the Godfather himself, Mantic59:
Shaving For Life: A Face Off Between Razor Costs - Sharpologist

I guess you missed this ? >>> http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ng-survey.html

Surprised the disposables worked out the most expensive. The cost of the straight razor shaving set-up could be done for less if you bought a good vintage razor and strop. It would be interesting to know how many members actually only have one razor. I remember hearing about a local elderly gent who had one puma razor, and a strop, and that he had shaved with just them for 20 years, part of the reason I got interested in learning.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I guess you missed this ? >>> http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ng-survey.html

Same survey!
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Same survey!
~Richard

Yep the invite to participate in it :<0)

Originally Posted by Grazor

It would be interesting to know how many members actually only have one razor. I remember hearing about a local elderly gent who had one puma razor, and a strop, and that he had shaved with just them for 20 years, part of the reason I got interested in learning.

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.

Originally Posted by Grazor

The cost of the straight razor shaving set-up could be done for less if you bought a good vintage razor and strop. It would be interesting to know how many members actually only have one razor.

I was thinking the same thing.
Recently got by younger brother on path with three basic razors - and the two best shavers of the three cost less than $70 combined, one pro honed and one honed by moi.
My "Rich Man's" Whipped dog strop with - pre-nicked thank you very much and of course soap samples and my Tweezerman starter brush.
Earlier in the year I had given him the brush, shaving creams and his birth year SuperSpeed DE and blades - the Straights and strop came recently.
Larry sells the replacement leather for the strop so it can be re-built for $20 or so.

And we often mention in threads the mythical "Two Razor Bob" (Two razors, strop, barbers hone, pasted strop, Williams Soap, Boar Brush)

And lets admit it. If you had to you could pare your kit down to "Two Razor Bob" size...I would probably have to spring for a kilo of Cella in lieu of the Williams...Arko and I did not get along, I looked like I had been bobbing for french fries...

What they don't talk about is quality of the shave and the positive mental state that comes from turning a three minute chore in to a 15 minute mental health break with little lifts to your spirits throughout the day as you randomly touch you jaw...what is that worth?

Smooth Shaving...

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

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.

The only razor above the "10 local currency" in my collection is a larger W&B wedge, and I didn't pay much more. Even taking the silly amounts of soaps/creams in the shave den, I have spent less on shaving in the last 10 years than I would have spent on canned goo and cartridges.

Originally Posted by MichaelP

The only razor above the "10 local currency" in my collection is a larger W&B wedge, and I didn't pay much more. Even taking the silly amounts of soaps/creams in the shave den, I have spent less on shaving in the last 10 years than I would have spent on canned goo and cartridges.

I would imagine that you are doing much better than most.
The cost per year noted make no mention of cream/soap - just razors/blades/cartridges - so on that basis you are probably much better than the $5/year for 70 years $350 in current costs used in the example.

I salute you Sir!

And the cost per shaver of soap/cream would be a whole other thread...

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!