Thread: why did you take up the straight shave?

Many of the reasons listed are the same ones that prompted me to start shaving with a DE. I suppose the motivating factors that are encouraging me to take the next step are:

• A desire to experience the purity of straight razor shaving.
• A need to conquer this method of shaving.
• A dare from a good friend.

I was tired of making Gillette richer. Prices for their disposable blades and shaving systems are out of control. I am really please with the quality of shave a straight gives. I like the way my face feels afterward as well. Plus, switching to straight razors introduced me to a whole new line of products, mainly soaps & creams. I've shared the benefits of brush shaving with a couple of friends, and one has my el-cheapo shavette-type razor on permanent loan.

Mainly because a topic on another forum reminded me how enjoyable a str8 shave was, especially compared to the lousy two-minute electric shave that was my daily at the time.




Wayne

I'm a slippery slope straight shaver. I'd used electrics for years, and then happened onto an article on wetshaving somewhere (not Corey Greenberg's). It made sense--I've got very sensitive skin, and the electrics always hurt me if I tried to shave closely.

So I started using an M3. Problem is, I've got a whole bunch of moles on my face, and the spring loading on the M3 destroys your ability to control the blade angles. Ironically, the feature designed to make it hard to cut yourself made me cut myself more.

Picked up a DE (and then another DE, and then some more), a good brush, and some soaps in early January, and haven't looked back. I love the way my face feels. Very occasionally I'll still use the electric, such as when visiting friends where there isn't time to shave properly, but I use the electric with vastly decreasing frequency.

But as for a straight--well, I never thought I'd try it. Too dangerous. But at first I was terrified by my DE, because of its extremely sharp blade touching my face. And after a while, we made friends. I can now get a BBS shave reliably with no irritation--and I started wondering about the straight.

I have a certain personal investment in earning skills. It's important to me. I absolutely adore possessing skills that are unusual. Shall we say that sharpening, maintaining, and using murderously sharp blades to shave fits a certain masculine need.

Also, clearly it's a good way to put my bank account on a diet.

An unexpected plus, however: wetshaving has really improved my flute playing. Why, you ask? I think it's because I now spend 20 minutes extra each day doing facial exercises when I'm moving my face around to shave it. Musicians have long theorized that multiple short practice sessions are better than a single long one, and athletics coaches have agreed. Essentially, I'm getting an extra facial strength workout each morning. Fantastic!

I started, quite simply, because I am a late 1800's man trapped in the 21st century. This is yet another in a long list of "useless" skills that will eventually pay off when the world goes mad max and I'm trying to avoid being fed to the pigs by Tina Turner.

-- Gary F.

I used Gillette disposables for 20 years, and gradually began to suspect I was being taken advantage of. Replacement blades are now kept behind the camera counter, because shoplifting of the blades is such a problem (evidently other shoppers feel the blades cost too much!).

I think I came upon info on straights quite accidentally while browsing around the 'net. I got started with some basic equipment, but would certainly have quit in frustration by now if I hadn't discovered this forum.

Why do I keep at it? I like the results, I like simple machines/tools, and I like doing things that call for some know-how.

I had my barber shave me with a razor and from there on I was hooked.

I'm an eccentric. I've always been interested in how things were done in the past. Then after receiving my great grandfathers blade I decided to try this and got hooked. If anyone else is interested in eccentricities of the past check out http://www.lindsaybks.com .

Originally Posted by bbqncigars

Mainly because a topic on another forum reminded me how enjoyable a str8 shave was, especially compared to the lousy two-minute electric shave that was my daily at the time.

Was it the "Naked Blade" series of threads on Herfers Paradise?

For me it started about 30 years ago. I have always used a safety razor because of the close shave as compared to an electric. My wife was aware of my desire to try a straight and bought me a 6/8 Thiers-Issard Spartacus. I thought I could get it sharp with my Norton tri-stone (fine India being the highest grit). It would not shave for me no matter what. Our daughter felt the need to "practice stropping" one day while I was at work. Nicked up the strop but no harm to her or the razor. I put it away for a 30 year hiatus.
I read an article in Backwoods Home on straight razor shaving around 2002 or 2003 and that re-kindled my interest. Bought a C-Mon Cadillac in 6/8 from Bowman Beauty. Searched for info on line and found Yahoo group straightrazorplace. Digested all I could. Bought a Norton 4K/8K and began the long journey. Still have the Spartacus and the C-Mon. Sharp now!
The basic reasons though are:
1. They (S.Razors) are the ultimate form of the function they were made to do. They are beautiful instruments.
2. I love perfection in things I am interested in.
3. It requires study, practice and research by me to perfect the technique.
4. The rewards are simple yet complex. I love it!

Monte