Thread: Get a Grip

Well, I thought it was time for another one of thebigspendurs pearls of wisdom about shaving and this is addressed not only to newbees but seasoned veterans too.

All of us here to some extent or another have taken up this noble thing called straight razor shaving and to many of us it has become a hobby and there are many discussions about out vast collections of fancy razors and strops and hones and fancy english soaps and aftershaves and restorations and expensive brushes and what not.

I would like to remind everyone here to look back to a time when straight shaving was the only way to shave and it was a cursed thing by many men. Think of the averge working stiff in his flat using a second hand razor which was probably improperly honed and stropped on his leather belt. He probably shaved using the same bar of soap he used to wash his hands and if he was lucky he had the cheapest brush manufactured. He may have even shaved with just water (yes you can shave with just water and get the same quality shave as with the best of creme's and soaps, try it some day but just keep you skin well wetted). He probably finished his shave with a splash of cold water and that was it. With the exception of the paper over the cuts in his face from all of the microchips in his blade.

And so the is the history from which we have taken this simple daily routine and elevated it to a highfalutin procedure that will drive many of us to financial ruin.

So as we continue our discussions here and buy our luxury products think back about that poor guy in the 1800s and what he would think if he knew about us and this forum. Probably just a bunch of spoiled rich guys. I'd write more but I have to tend to some snipping on Eboy!

The good 'ol days eh ?.

In the army I've shaved with a Bic and cold water, that was enough. Now where's the steam, hot towels, Trumpers' etc.. Aaaahhh luxury.

Gary

Yes, we are spoiled rotten. We can select from the very best razors made within the last 150 years, use the finest honing stones (plural mind you!), strop our razors on a multitude of expertly finished leathers, lather up with the best soaps and creams and the softest brushes.

I feel sorry for the old timers

NOT!

The old timers are probably looking down
right now and saying " Those damn people
have way too much time on their hands "

We can talk all we want about how rushed life
is this day and time. A rushed life would have
been walking 2 miles to a coal mine, handloading
coal for 12 hours and walking home. Then bathing
in a Number 3 wash tub. Then there were chores
that needed done around the house.


We just think that we are rushed, compared to these guys
and those in countless other vocations a century ago,
we are weenies. And to be honest with you, I'm glad
that we are weenies with too much time on our hands.



Terry

This really comes back to the basic "wants and needs" situation. They HAD to shave with a straight, we want to shave with a straight. In a way, it's a way of rebelling against modern things. I'm glad I live in a modern world where I can pick and choose when I decide to be old fashioned. One thing that will never change...no electric ice cream makers for me. The old crank tubs turn out the best!

RT

Come on guys its all about cash and always was.

That guy back then, well lets make him rich, he hires someone to hone his razor and someone to shave him then pamper his face with the best money has to offer. Nothing has changed.

There are even statas here, I buy razors but right now can't afford a TI or a Maestro's razor. The same time I hear people mention they have several of each. Then there are guys who can't afford a Dorko I bought.

It's all about the money or lack thereof.

I think the Olde Timers would be proud of us. We are keeping a long neglected art alive and spreading the word. Affluent Olde Timers had fancy ivory carved razors with their names on them and sterling pins and sets. Some guys kept their stuff at Barber Shops and some guys just shaved at home. Tis all very cool. Just think about how far this environment has come in closing in on 6 years. When I first started SRP, you couldn't find any straight razor forums or one place with as much information as we have today. You guys continue to make this world grow and although it may never be more than a limited audience, it is a great audience.

Lynn

My grandpa Bias ( 1893 - 1973 ) shaved with a straight.
And did so well into his years. Failing eyesight at somepoint
in his 70's ended that. I think he would be proud that
I'm shaving with a straight. Unfortunately I was only
8 years old when he passed away. At that age you don't
ask a lot of inquiring questions.


Terry

Just another dissenting opinion from cyrano138:

Some of us, though still quite new to it, have no problems keeping it simple and well in hand. I use one $65 dovo and only reluctantly bought a second--a honed $30 torrey from a forum member to have a honing standard. I will keep it, thuogh; i can use it as a travel razor since it wasn't expensive and i wouldn't be too upset if anything happened to it.
I use only one $35 hanging dovo strop and a norton 4/8 waterstone (just broke it in last night!).
To shave, I use a $6 boar brush and $4 unscented soap i got from classicshaving, then a splash of cold water. That's it.

Still quite a bit more luxurious than your average coal miner, but all in all, pretty simple, and i'm hoping the high initial investment will be offset by the extremely low recurrent costs. The only additional purchases i plan to make will be a much smaller hone (any suggestions?) for travel, and sturdier scales for the dovo so it will last the rest of my life.

Someday, if i'm bored, i might consider buying a meat chopper just to try it.

Originally Posted by cyrano138

Just another dissenting opinion from cyrano138:

Some of us, though still quite new to it, have no problems keeping it simple and well in hand.
[...]

<setting the alarm> Let's talk again in 6 months