Thread: Why a straight razor?

Hi chaps, I'm new here. I want to know if you are using these straight razors because you actually think they work better than a good old Gillette, or are you using them because of he Kudos associated with using them?

Be honest - I think it is quite something to say you use one and we're keeping the tradition alive, but lets be honest, they are a pain in the backside.

If by Gillette you mean their multi-blade cartridge razors, then yes, I think a straight razors works very differently and better in many ways.

Sorry, but the prices of cartridges may well be affordable, but they are taking their customers for a ride, the cost is unjustified.

Remember, Gilette's latest adverts state that one of the important steps of shaving is "refuelling" the skin.
If that isn't taking the mickey in it's level of condescension then I don't know what is.

If you don't like straights, use DE razors instead. Superior in every important way to cartridges.

i get razor burn from disposables of all kind, and electric, i dont get it from a straight,

i also find it relaxing to shave with one,

i shave every morning with a straight and it stops me stressing about any work or anything else for the time i shave,

i think its a personal thing, some ppl are for it, some are against, at the end of the day, whatever works for you is best

Part of what first attracted me to shaving with a straight was the idea of using a bare blade to do the job! When you see someone who's proficient with their blade, it just looks so cool.
I don't need to be clean shaven at work, so i can take time to relax & shave in the evening & really enjoy the whole thing.
Any other type of shaving results in far more ingrowns for me. Even DE. The straight will keep your skin in better condition too.
Finally, it's cool. Did i already say that?

In my opinion, the BBS lasts longer when I shave with a straight.

I find that if I start the day with a ritual which requires I slow down and concerntrate on what I'm doing I feel more relaxed and in control. Where as when I used to use the crappy M3 thingy I was rushed and got poor results. And so my day followed.
I also have a love of sharp shiny things (especially if I can use them and not get into trouble).

Welcome to the forum.

I try to be honest.

I shave with straights because they give me the best result and is more relaxing than other systems.
I don't want to eat fast food and don't want to do anything in my life faster, quicker, bigger and shinier like the world in these days want us to go. I enjoy that I have a problems to shave BBS with my straights, I even like to get a minor nicks sometimes and I love to see that my razor is not so sharp what I want and needs honing and stropping. They all tell me that I have something to develop and it keeps me alive.
My shaving life would be really boring without these problems. Spraying foam out of the can and trying to get "the best what a man can get" result.
Shaving with straights is not the whole life for me not either hanging around here. I have other great interest too and they are such a same kind of things where I can't find answers too easy.

I don't have any problems if somebody wants to shave with cartridges, DE's, electrics or anything what they like to find in the store. I'll respect that as long as they don't try to tell me what is best for me.

I have been shaving with DE razors for over six months now. I own quite a bunch of them. Fat boys, Slims, Merkur HD, Merkur Slant, and my baby a 1926 Gillette NEW open comb. I get amazing shaves with that 1926 gillette. But I was already interested in a straight razor, there was something about it I needed to try. After trying it for the first week, I can say I am honestly hooked. It takes such a long time to learn, I like all the things you need to know over a DE. Plus your straight can last your whole life if you care for it. I like the risk and having my hands shake like mad when I first tried to shave with it. It was a thrill ride.

I am actually going to sell my slant soon.

I used to get perfectly acceptable BBS with Muck 3s. And I agree with Dom that the BBS lasts longer with a straight razor.

But the main reason I shave with a straight is because it's fun. Kudos doesn't come into it because the enjoyment is purely selfish -- it's my time, for me, when I shave. I don't 'perform' it in front of people, and I don't brag about it. Most people I know don't know I use a straight razor. Those that do think it's funny in a quirky way, so hardly a case of kudos there!

It's just for the fun of it, and the results happen to justify the effort.

I also use a straight for both the feel of the shave once the learning curve has been passed and also because of the cost of the refill cartridges for the disposable. The refills when I used then did alright but would always tear up my skin on my neck I would have constant razor burn. Now after I got all the particulars down no more razor burn, they definitely have a better feel to them and most importantly they force you to take your time and relax.