Thread: Are we in the "Golden Age" of the straight razor?

In an age of smart phones, which I don't understand how to use,,, car so complicated under the hood , I can't find the alternator,,,,, rifles that look like they belong in Star Wars,,,,,, a da&n thermostat on my house heater that requires a college degree to operate, don't have one ,,,,,,,,,, these crap inventions make me long for the simplicity of a single blade of steel to shave with.

This kind of discussion always makes me wonder why in so many historical photos there is so much facial hair....was that a fad or a fashion trend...or was it a reaction to shaving being time consuming and "in the way" of getting to work?

We are in some kind of age (can't quite put a finger on it). but the straights down here do not last long in the shops. I'm always a couple of days short, "You should have been here last week I had 6 of them). nice ones too!. I have had to hit E-Bay for mine. amazing what kind of history people don't realize they are selling.

I think it's a large combination of factors that make wetshaving more popular.

The flourishing tide that is e-commerce is definitely reaching a golden age or even just becoming the norm. As after a "golden age", those usually die out or are replaced by something else. It's hard to see the internet become completely replaced or die out. This, coupled with the simplicity of ebay has produced a new popularity in selling of grandma's attic clutter. When the current millenial generation, whilst perusing random garbage on ebay, stumble across a straight, it's is placed in the forefront. I have few friends I can actually talk to for a stretch that don't look at their phones every few minutes or constantly. Where google/youtube comes in handy to see how difficult it is, it's a fast and easy (not best) modern learning method, maybe purchase new or develop a skill to remove an issue with current shaving technology (closeness, irritation, cost). I think Hirlau also illustrates this well, many people do still long for older technologies. I can relate, simply because I'm a luddite that has been forced into new technologies because of my occupation.

The prevalence of wetshaving soaps etc., I attribute to the rise of homemade goods and the burgeoning "shop-small mentality." Coupled with the pintrest/etsy, one realizes how you can make some money mixes relatively cheap products at a mark-up and you don't have to advertise to too many people to get a flood of customers. That's what social media and "shares" are for. I believe these are more of the reason custom razor are being produced, not to meet a demand (because they haven't, too high of a cost and low volume) so to speak, but to satisfy bills and creationist urges that are being born in this age. With the dying production arts over the years, people are becoming more independent just to work with their hands. Simply because you can't count on a job for 40 years and retire anymore. It's easier to attempt that on your own.

As a little aside, I never saw my Dad use a straight razor, but perhaps he did. All I remember are the old Gilette DE's from the 1950's and 60's. He used an electric for a while when they were popular.
My Father in law, a prince of a guy passed on 15 years ago. Last year, my Mother in law joined him. While cleaning out the old house, what turns up? A Fromm straight razor in as new condition. I doubt it was ever used ... my Father in law had very little facial hair due to genetics, so I'm quite sure it sat idle.
Anyway, I claimed it, and it's a great little shaver...

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

This kind of discussion always makes me wonder why in so many historical photos there is so much facial hair....was that a fad or a fashion trend...or was it a reaction to shaving being time consuming and "in the way" of getting to work?

I don't think most guys had good razor hones back then. My ancestors all had heavy beards and were clean shaven in family pictures, except for their moustaches. BUT, when they left Europe they brought the coticule along. That old thing was passed around every year, family to family, for razor maintenance until I got it with five of their razors. The tradition is important to me, I use all five razors, the coticule, and keep my moustache.

I'd be reluctant to say it's is a golden Era for the wet shave but I have run into people who know what a straight razor is and are vaguely interested.

Sadly everything is so geared towards instant gratification that something that requires precision, time, prep, and effort like a proper straight razor shave is just to much inconvenience for some people.

However I think the community is being seen more through social media so I think numbers will pick up. How many people will stay with it I don't know but that's just my humble opinion.

I'm more inclined to think of the current interest in straight razor shaving as an enthusiastically followed hobby rather than the necessity it was in the past.
Our ability/ease in researching any interest we decide on has vastly improved and with it, complexity in the chosen subject. Forums and other Web based content has become substitute for the one on one mentoring of the past.
In conclusion, I think this is the age of over complication [emoji28]

I don't think it is the golden age but there definitely is a resurgence of alternative ways to shave besides the over priced cartridges that the big companies insist are the latest and greatest and cost a half million to develop.
Sure, straight razors are simplistic, just a sharp chunk of steel. Learning to shave with them and getting a good result is something you have to stick at. I get the feeling a lot of men think it is a great idea, but don't stick with it long enough to get the results that only time and patience can give. Sadly, shaving isn't something that a father teaches his son any more. What's to learn? Squirt some goo from a can on your face, wipe off with a plastic handled 5 blade vibrating pivoting head throw away item.
I missed on teaching my boys, never even crossed my mind. Probably because I hated shaving so much. I will be teaching my grandsons.