Thread: Using a Straight

I use a str8 just about every day. Some weekends I might pass a day to let the beard grow a little longer. 2 passes a day 20 minutes.

Every day for me too. On those occasions that I have to fly out of the house (rare), its a quick one pass. Typically I use two passes, when I have lots of time I go for the 'glass' with three passes and a touch up.

I am still in that phase where I find it easy to get out of bed in the morning because after I feed and walk the dogs, I get to s___, s____, and SHAVE!

Life is good, and it keeps getting better,
Ed

I use a straight every day. I have to admit that a couple days a week I'll shave at night as well - just because I feel like it. Nothing wipes away a stressful day better than a good shave! Well I can think of one, but I won't go there.

I just started shaving with a straight but have used it exclusively. I have skipped shaving some days. Only time will tell if the enthusiasm lasts, but so far shaving with a straight has been awesome.

I shave every day with a straight. I have five razors that I use in sequence. Two that my father gave me (which he got from an even older source... one of the razors has real tortoise shell and '92 stamped on the blade) and three modern ones -- two purchased from Art of Shaving and one from Classicshaving.com. In fact, Lynn sharpened my latest acquisition, the black art deco model.

I began shaving with a straight razor over 30 years ago, stopped when I got married and had kids then picked it up again (off and on) after my divorce. It has only been the last year or two that I resumed shaving with a straight on a daily basis.

I go for the glass smooth shave every time. I usually start with a hot shower then soak my brush in hot water in a special cup. I heat the cup with soap by turning it up-side-down and letting the hot water from the tap run on it. Then I let the brush gravity drain before I put it to the soap. Good lather, hot water and a close barber shop shave. Great way to start the day.

I had to vote other. I don't shave EVERY day...because the native american background in my family causes me to grow a stray hair or two on my cheeks and only a very light goatee. The growth is very slow and what I would consider very thin or sparse. Also, I just got into straight razors, and haven't had to money to put together a collection of high quality pieces to the process. I have an ebay special razor, and an heirloom razor that has to date only succeeded in giving me hellacious razor burn without actually taking the hair off.

For honing I use a Sharpmaker, and for stropping i only have a sample of canvas. I use a cheap bowl and brush from Walgreen's that while disturbingly cheapo has actually been the best part of shaving since I started getting into this. I'm going to be sending off my razors to Lynn for sharpening as soon as possible, and in the meantime I do most of my shaving with my straight but have to use my old Mach3 occasionally because my lack of experience/tools/techniques won't allow me to get a perfect shave...but give me time and I'll get rid of that Mach3 for good. I'm a knife nut and a razor is just another sharp thing for me to play with

I had to vote "other" because I only shave every other day. That's all that's necessary since I get such a good shave with my str8. I shave at night because I'm not very fast and want to take time to savor the experience.

I have to vote other because about 1 shave out of 10 I use a disposable. This always has to do with time. If I have plenty of time the str8 wins out every time.