Thread: Str8 shaving, an elite fraternity????

I am with Randy on that one, get another razor. It won't talk back or piss you off

Oh ya. I am gonna have to side with Randy here.

My ex-gf thought my shaving habit was a little odd until I showed her how to .... oppppps. Sorry, I thought I was in a different forum.

Get into an expensive hobby like collecting 6 or 8 hundred dollar Sig Sauers, or custom made Colts at $1,600 a pop. Then, bringing home a $149.00 Henckels from Nordstorm's and that doesn't seem as bad [but NOT at the same time, mind you].

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Forget dating, save money and spend it on a another razor!
Lasts forever, always there when you want it and NEVER! talks back.

Welcome to the group,

Most people think I'm weirder than they first suspected if I mention the straight razor so I generally don't bother most of the time. My girl seems genuinely supportive though. Some of us got it good.

X

I suppose being married and in a relatively stable career position the topic actually rarely comes up. The reaction is as other have said "you're wierd" "Why?!" "Wow really?" etc.

One jerk off I worked with came to the brilliant conclusion that that made me some kind of in-bred redneck. I'm from Texas, live here, and love it. However, contrary to the norm I've worked most of my life not to have an accent, to reach a level of education above the norm for my background, and a few other steps towards bettering myself in general. If you're a redneck and you know it...that's ok. I've probably got more of 'em falling out of my family tree than Joe Dirt, but that's not me.

Thankfully said co-worker is no longer with our department, having gone on to bigger and better people to irritate I'm sure.

Originally Posted by Gawker

One jerk off I worked with came to the brilliant conclusion that that made me some kind of in-bred redneck.

It wasn't long ago that kind of roughneck impression of us came up on another shaving board from people who have been here. I became very defensive about it, but it made me think why others so interested in shaving would get that impression of us.

I'm not sure of the reason for it, but some seemed to have had a bad experience with the way they were treated here (or at the Yahoo site). I've never seen it. In fact from what I've seen there are a lot more frays on other boards than here.

I'm thinking it has to be a prejudice based on the image of str8s and so many guys here being interested in other things like motorcycles, knives and guns. As a group, I see us as diverse as any others in geographic location (maybe more) and social and political issues (which shouldn't matter anyway, unless you go off topic) and other interests. And we're at least as welcoming and friendly.

Any thoughts?

Joe, I think people are threatened by others who are non-conformists. I'm not suggesting that str8 users are rebels - that's a bit strong. In our society, if someone dares not to walk with the rest of the ducks by doing something unconventional, others' defense mechanisms kick in because they don't understand their "differences." It's kind of like the way Harley riders were viewed - they weren't understood and thus became the "undesirables" of society. That's all changed once the yuppies started riding them too. I can't believe the negativity I get from such a benign activity such as shaving. They don't get it. It's like trying to explain to someone who's never ridden a motorcycle why it is so exhilarating and enjoyable. They won't get it unless they experience it for themselves.

-Rob

Originally Posted by robertlampo

Joe, I think people are threatened by others who are non-conformists.

The people on the other site are also non-conformists. They're all wet shavers, mostly DE and some str8s.

There certainly is truth to what you're saying about the reaction of people to what they view as strange. It's complicated by our enthusiasm for str8 shaving and our desire to spread the good word.

Like I said there are people out there, many women among them, who never get past the gleaming blade. It's so intimidating for them that you can't discuss it with them rationally. No matter how much you would like them to understand or discuss it with them, it's not likel to happen. In those cases you might best off just not pursuing the issue.

Most replies to the fact that I str8 shave are also mixed. Mody people think it is weird and the creams, brushes and aftershaves put them over the edge. They think it is not necessary. I can explain that with time it becomes second nature etc, but they don't understand. My brother and father both seemed a bit weary. My dad just tried to use the blade the other day after I coached him for a while. As he brought the blade to his face his hand started to shake and as soon as it touched his cheek he shot his hand out in the air and said he couldn't do it. I laughed so hard I cried, and I think I earned a little respect.

My brother on the other hand shaved his face and thought it was awesome. I have an old W&B I am fixing for him. I think he will be happy....

And my girl likes it...thank god!

I dont get this at all in the UK. People I meet have a sort of quiet awe if the topic of shaving comes up and I tell them my particular method. I think the general assumption is that straight shaving is on a danger level on a par with base jumping. They just want to ask questions like "Is it closer than a mach 3?", "have you ever sliced your face off?", that kind of thing.

Originally Posted by robertlampo

Gentlemen, I tried to prove a point to her with the following argument (can JerseyLawyer help here? come on counselor!!): Isn't a bikini wax archaic? Getting the hairs "down there" ripped out, by another person I might add, is barbaric and too close for comfort, in my opinion. We, as men like the results of that particular wax just as a woman likes a well-shaved man. Do we act as indignantly towards women with their waxing, manicures, pedicures, facials, exfoliations, shoe-shopping, etc, etc, etc?

My SO and I went away for about a week. I think there was a competition between the two of us for who had the most "product". Sufficed to say, the common shaving bag is rapidly becoming too small (and can't fit even a paddle strop).

As far as your argument goes... I wouldn't know, I've never had a bikini wax! However, I do own quite a few shoes, shaving with a brush is exfoliating, and, yes, I will admit, I once had a manicure - though a manly one! (If you haven't had one, they really are great. And they just buff your nails, not polish, in case anyone is getting any ideas.)

I have heard (Yes, this is hearsay!) that the bikini wax is intensely painful. Certainly much less painful to use a razor.

-Keith