Thread: Looking for info about straight razor users

Greeting all!

I am a graphic design student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and my class is doing a project based on packaging design. Since I'm posting this here we can only assume that I have chosen the straight razor as my product to re-package

What I'm specifically trying to do with my packaging is to bring straight razors back into the public eye and market them towards younger generations. I'm looking at a demographic of 17-25 year old males - trying to break them from the bonds of the gillette corporation before it is too late. I'm shooting for this market since I've never known of one of my peers using a straight razor and it may be something some would be interested in if they desire a better shaving experience.

I'm trying to market straight razors to what could be considered a very masculine crowd - men who like to hunt, fish, work on cars, etc ... manly men.

If you could answer the following questions I'd appreciate it tremendously!

1. How old are you?

2. When did you start using a straight razor?

3. Why do you use a straight razor?

4. Where do you live? What type of area is it?(urban, country?)

5. What sort of hobbies to you enjoy outside of sharpening razors ?

6. If you are older, do you have a son that may have interest in using a straight razor? if so how old is he?

7. Why did you start using a straight razor? Were you dissatisfied with other types of razors? Tradition?

8. Where did you buy your razor?

9. Do you feel that shaving with a straight is worth any additional time it may take you to complete your shave?

(also if you happen to know, where might I find a fairly cheap straight razor, for visual reference purposes only... you guys have balls I don't have )

That should do it, I greatly appreciate your responses! Hopefully we can get straight razors back on the shelfs next to those snooty mach 3's

Jeremy

Excuse my cynicism Jeremy, but how did you happen upon straight razors, their users, and this group? According to your first paragraph, we are all to make an assumption about you and your motives. I make no such assumptions.

Regards

Originally Posted by senorjerm

Greeting all!

I am a graphic design student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and my class is doing a project based on packaging design. Since I'm posting this here we can only assume that I have chosen the straight razor as my product to re-package

What I'm specifically trying to do with my packaging is to bring straight razors back into the public eye and market them towards younger generations. I'm looking at a demographic of 17-25 year old males - trying to break them from the bonds of the gillette corporation before it is too late. I'm shooting for this market since I've never known of one of my peers using a straight razor and it may be something some would be interested in if they desire a better shaving experience.

I'm trying to market straight razors to what could be considered a very masculine crowd - men who like to hunt, fish, work on cars, etc ... manly men.

If you could answer the following questions I'd appreciate it tremendously!

1. How old are you?

2. When did you start using a straight razor?

3. Why do you use a straight razor?

4. Where do you live? What type of area is it?(urban, country?)

5. What sort of hobbies to you enjoy outside of sharpening razors ?

6. If you are older, do you have a son that may have interest in using a straight razor? if so how old is he?

7. Why did you start using a straight razor? Were you dissatisfied with other types of razors? Tradition?

8. Where did you buy your razor?

9. Do you feel that shaving with a straight is worth any additional time it may take you to complete your shave?

(also if you happen to know, where might I find a fairly cheap straight razor, for visual reference purposes only... you guys have balls I don't have )

That should do it, I greatly appreciate your responses! Hopefully we can get straight razors back on the shelfs next to those snooty mach 3's

Jeremy

1. 56
2. age 54
3. Sense of family ties, all the men in my family have used a straight razor at some time in their life.
Now that I am using a straight razor I feel a kinship with them, the men that I have respected and admired. A continuation of a ritual that only the men have performed.

There is also the element of danger. This is a wickedly sharp edge, sharper than most razor blades,
that will cut you in a heart beat if you are not paying attention at all times. It is a set of skills that most people do not have anymore and now I do!

The ritual of shaving is also very relaxing and invigorating. Relaxing because of the hot, moist towels that you apply to soften your beard, the satisfaction and scent of the warm shaving soap as you work it into a lather with your brush and apply to your beard.
Invigorating because of the increased adreneline you generate when you start stroping the razor in preperation for the shave and then the first touch of that wickedly sharp steel gliding over your face, smoothly and effortlessly, removing the beard with no effort at all. Then the heightened awareness as you start on your neck, the most vulnerable part of your body, its almost an instinctual fear and you have to control it and then you realize that you can and have, everyday.

4. Twin Cities, Urban ( St. Paul, Minnesota )
5. Computers, fly rod building, gardening,
6. N/A
7. Tradition,. A sense of connecting with the past. Risk, its not exactly the safest way to shave. Definition of self, sets me apart from the unisex mentality, homogenous milk culture, instant gratification ( McDonalds mentality) culture that I find so unsatisfying at this time.
8. Ebay
9. Definitely YES!!!!!!

This is a mans activity. Women just don't do this. Its one of the few things that a guy can do that definitely says "I AM A MALE, I AM A MAN, do not confuse me with being anything else" .

Just my two cents,

Excuse my cynicism Jeremy, but how did you happen upon straight razors, their users, and this group? According to your first paragraph, we are all to make an assumption about you and your motives. I make no such assumptions.

I found interest in straight razors a few years ago when I was doing some 3d modeling. I was looking for a kind of unusual weapon to be used in a game. I did some reasearch into how straight razors were used at that time and thought it would be something interesting to continue to explore for this project.

How did I end up here? it happened to be one of the first things that popped up when I searched for straight razors. This appeared to be a knowledgeable group which might provide me more of a picture of who is using these things.

I also get my hair cut by my mom's friend who is a classically trained barber and opperates out of a business that has 2 men that perform straight razor shaves. I've have witnessed only one person ever getting a shave there and I've been going there for several years.

If you could answer the following questions I'd appreciate it tremendously!

1. How old are you?
48

2. When did you start using a straight razor?
age 10

3. Why do you use a straight razor?
best shave a man can get!

4. Where do you live? What type of area is it?(urban, country?)
Ontario, Cda... country

5. What sort of hobbies to you enjoy outside of sharpening razors ?
hunting, fishing, working on cars, LOL

6. If you are older, do you have a son that may have interest in using a straight razor? if so how old is he?
son-in-law... 23 yrs... is scared sh*tless

7. Why did you start using a straight razor? Were you dissatisfied with other types of razors? Tradition?
it's what I was taught as a kid. Also use an old Gillette adjustable DE

8. Where did you buy your razor?
first razor was a gift

9. Do you feel that shaving with a straight is worth any additional time it may take you to complete your shave?
most definitely. It doesn't take as long as a non-user thinks. But it is most relaxing, sets you up for the whole day. It connects me to history (and personal memories) and, like the rest of the guys here, str8 razor shaving is not something "everyone else does" anymore. It allows me, or forces me, to slow down my life a bit. One has to be a metallurgist, a master honer, a first aid expert (LOL) and a dermatologist sometimes. It is more than putting a bare blade to your skin.
Good luck with your quest....

I'm 58. Using a straight razor forces me to slow down, reflect, and put a hectic world in perspective.

found interest in straight razors a few years ago when I was doing some 3d modeling. I was looking for a kind of unusual weapon to be used in a game.

a weapon? a game?

1. 27
2. 27
3. been wanting to use one for some years but when i was younger, i didn't have the beard growth to justify it, then i had trouble finding information on straight razor shaving and then i needed the money to buy a razor and all associated ancillary equipment. i have only had 3 shaves with a straight and feel that it is something i can do and keep up forever. it is relaxing and gives time to reflect while spending time on yourself.
4. i live in suburbia but it's almost countryside.
5. i read, restore old cars, play sports, get tattooed.
6. i have a younger brother who i bought a razor for around 2 1/2 years ago who is scared to use it.
7. i started because after learning about shaving properly i thought it was very sad that this art may become extinct. i also thought i would enjoy it. a lot!
8. tobacconists.
9. i have found that it doesn't take that much longer. you need to spend a bit of time caring for your razor though.

good luck with your project and please let us see the results.

GO TO THE BARBERS AND GET A SHAVE - YOU ARE VERY LUCKY HAVING ONE SO CLOSE BY!

Jeremy,

Thankyou. You definitely found the right place. Although there are other groups out there, this is the original of it's kind and was founded 5 years ago. Between the Yahoo Group and Here, there not only are some of the nicest people around, but they are also very knowledgable regarding straight razors and their use. Our links and files sections are jam packed with information. I'll complete the survey when I get home this evening. Your approach is super. Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Lynn

1. How old are you?
35

2. When did you start using a straight razor?
About a year ago

3. Why do you use a straight razor?
Quality of the shave

4. Where do you live? What type of area is it?(urban, country?)
Oklahoma City. Urban.

5. What sort of hobbies to you enjoy outside of sharpening razors ?
Martial Arts, cooking, camping, hunting, relaxing with friends

6. If you are older, do you have a son that may have interest in using a straight razor? if so how old is he?
No kids

7. Why did you start using a straight razor? Were you dissatisfied with other types of razors? Tradition?
I was tired of a mediocre shave all while lining the pockets of Gillette. Blades are too expensive, don't last long enough.

8. Where did you buy your razor?
First razor was purchased from Lee, a member here. Additional razors purchased from Lynn, the founder of the group. I've picked up a couple on eBay, but have not finished restoring them yet.

9. Do you feel that shaving with a straight is worth any additional time it may take you to complete your shave?
An emphatic yes. It does take a little longer, but it's an investment in myself.

Originally Posted by senorjerm

I found interest in straight razors a few years ago when I was doing some 3d modeling. I was looking for a kind of unusual weapon to be used in a game. I did some reasearch into how straight razors were used at that time and thought it would be something interesting to continue to explore for this project.

Interesting.