Thread: Seriously thinking about giving up straight razor shaving.

I acquired my first shave ready razor back in July off of SRP, shaved with it a few times but it became dull, due to newby stropping and shaving technique. Back in September I quit shaving with it as it became too dull. I then put it away for when the day came when I had the $$$ to send it in to get honed.

Since then I have been shaving with my Merkur 34c and I am not sure if I can really get better shaves with a straight razor Then on top of that is the cost of getting that razor touched up, and getting the edge of another razor restored, AND the cost of maintaining them for life, lol. I'm tempted to keep them and get them restored, but at the same time I am not sure if its worth it. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

Basically I have 1 restored razor, 1 who's edges need to be restored and a Philly strop.

Ultimately, it's a question of what makes you happy, and I hope you find what ever that is. There is a learning curve and some investment for straights, which is an added challenge. Straight are not for everyone, neither are DEs nor SEs nor cartridges etc.

My advice would be: if you want to give up - give up. But do it after you have learnt to use a straight properly and can maintain it yourself, not because you don't know how to.

As others have said, if you know what you're doing you can get better shaves with a straight razor. If you don't know what you're doing you won't.

Another point is that for most of us the razor is probably the least important thing in the process, first comes learning how to do something which is difficult, learning how to prepare, execute and follow through, to be consistent, to give a simple chore more significance, to own and care for something, and finally to use the razor which can really be a thing of beauty.

But of course if you don't find them very interesting now would be the best time to stop.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Ultimately, it's a question of what makes you happy, and I hope you find what ever that is. There is a learning curve and some investment for straights, which is an added challenge. Straight are not for everyone, neither are DEs nor SEs nor cartridges etc.

There is wisdom in this and I agree with it.

Chris L

I gave them up in '85 for the same reasons. I came back to them in '06 and this time learned to hone them myself. Makes a big difference. I had to really become obsessed with it to get that far into it and to succeed. YMMV. For me it has been well worth it but that is just me. Best of luck whatever way you go.

As others have said, ultimately you gotta do what makes you happy. If the interest has faded, stop. But I don't really think you'd be posting if that were the case.

Straights take longer to learn because they are a totally different configuration than a DE, which is a bit more familiar to us from the somewhat similarly designed cartridge razor. They also take longer to learn because there are more variables with a simple open razor you maintain yourself than with a razor secured in a frame that can be thrown away when dull.

You don't really know if you get better shaves with a straight or not, since it takes more than a couple months to learn how to use them.

Lord knows I'm nowhere near proficient at it. And all my stumbles and mis-steps are catalogued on this site. Stropping my razor to death on bad material, rusting one of my razors by using the wrong oils... you get the point.

At first, I wasn't getting better shaves than I did with my cartridge razor. Now I'm about a month on, and sometimes I still don't, but once in a while, when my stropping is spot-on, and my prep is right, and my focus is there, I get an AWESOME shave. And of course, the more I practice, the more this happens.

Maintaining a straight razor is dirt cheap, once you get what you need, and you only need one of each pretty much forever - a razor, a strop, and a fine hone to maintain the edge. Put together, it need not cost more than maybe $150. And you're set for life if you play your cards right.

Sure, you can spend thousands - lots of guys here do. But you don't *need* to.

But of course, maybe it's not for you. Maybe the process doesn't do it for you. Maybe you just don't like how long it can takes. Maybe the benefit isn't worth the learning curve

Those are all very valid things. And honestly, I am beginning to think I should get a DE for those days when I just can't be bothered to focus so much or spend so much time. Nothing wrong with that.

But don't throw up obstacles for yourself. The problem, really, is that it takes time. Everything about it.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Ultimately, it's a question of what makes you happy, and I hope you find what ever that is.

+1 I'm only about 5 months in with straights, haven't had a true BBS yet, and am still hit or miss when it comes to getting a shave without a little neck irritation now and then...

...and yet I'm finding that I don't really care if I get BBS or a few minutes worth of pink on the neck. For some reason I just find shaving with a straight far more enjoyable and satisfying than a with a DE. And, while I keep my DE on hand for days when I just don't have time for a straight, I find myself reaching for it as little as possible.

You can bet your bottom dollar though, that, if I got more enjoyment and fulfillment out of the DE than the straights, my straights would be collecting dust or in the classifieds.

Why? Well, let's just say that, death and I had a pretty close chat one time, and I quickly realized two important things about life:

1. Enjoy it!
2. Don't sweat the small stuff, 'cause in the grand scheme of things, they don't really make much difference

So, if DEs are what make you happy, forget the opinion of the masses, just do it. You'll be glad you did. If straights make you happier, stick with 'em...

If you're just not sure yet. It's not like there's any kind of rush - take some more time to play with both and see which one wins you over.

Straight razor shaving isn't for everyone . If you're not ready to make the commitment to learn the skills , you will be better off sticking with what you've been shaving with .

Hello, BYUtexan:

Thus far you have heard many nuggets of wisdom, and I concur with everyone's thoughts.

I want to suggest, if I may, to put the straight razor away for a while and continue shaving with your Merkur 34C DE, which, by the way, is a great little razor.

Put it away until you're ready for it next month, next year, or 10 years from now. When you feel you're ready to re-introduce yourself to the straight razor, try it again.

By then your perspective might have changed in either direction: for the straight razor or against it. You can't force the straight razor on yourself. Shaving with or without it is your choice — and both are right decisions.

Regards,

Obie
obieyadgar.com

You just need to do what makes you happiest.

But consider this. Back in the day straights were the only ticket. Everyone used them or they grew a full beard. So if hundreds of millions of men and women could use one with good effect are you saying you can't do what they did? That would be a challenge I could never walk away from.