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

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

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.

Well... I tend to think of shaving with a straight razor as hearkening back to the best of our aristocratic past. While I realize that this forum doesn't deal as much or as often with the brushes and creams and aftershaves as some other places, there is a definate air of luxury about it.

As for other interests... I happen to be interested in guns (I'm learning to shoot skeet. Very redneck.) and in blades (Fencing. Ditto.). Oh, yeah, and I'm a lawyer, which we all know has that cool factor just like being a cowboy.

Anyway... Who really cares what everybody else thinks? The girlfriend thinks its sexy, and I enjoy it. My family is mostly tolerant of my occasional esoteric hobbies. What else really matters?

-Keith

Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer

Well... I tend to think of shaving with a straight razor as hearkening back to the best of our aristocratic past.

Hardly, the aristocrats had it done by a barber. Self shaving was what the common man did most of the time. Of course, there must have been some who had a hobby, like us.

Anyway... Who really cares what everybody else thinks? The girlfriend thinks its sexy, and I enjoy it. My family is mostly tolerant of my occasional esoteric hobbies. What else really matters?

I didn't say I cared. I was just trying to understand it. I've given up trying to explain it to my wife. All she sees is the sharp blade at my neck. And she always pointed out nicks and irritation when I was first starting. She couldn't understand why I wasn't using an electric (I've used one sporadically and could never get it to work, so I've always been a wet shaver).

I also don't mention str8 shaving unless I get into a dicussion with someone who's really interested in shaving. For most men it still remains an uncomfortable chore that they really aren't interested in. The M3 is all they need.

Originally Posted by Joe Lerch

Hardly, the aristocrats had it done by a barber. Self shaving was what the common man did most of the time. Of course, there must have been some who had a hobby, like us.

Or their valet, or whomever, perhaps, and is something I'd have to look into to really comment.

Really, though, that wasn't the point - regardless of who was doing the shaving, using perfumed shaving creams, and a fine brush, and hot water, and a finely honed blade is a distinct pleasure that, then or now, most people didn't enjoy for whatever reason, be that reason pragmatic or economic. It seems to me very refined, rather than somehow barbaric.

-Keith