Thread: Straight Razor is curing me...

Hey guys, obviously I am new to straight razor shaving, and I am loving every minute of it. I also found it is helping me deter away from a certain disorder that I have... Here is my story:

Several years ago, I managed to manifest a certain disorder, Trichotillomania which is the compulsive urge to pull out ones own hair. It first manifested itself as pulling the hairs from my ankles when I was bored. Soon enough it became worse and worse. I would pull hairs from my ankles, beard/facial hair, and from the top of my head. That was when it was at its worst. I have gotten it under control now... it is only manifested around my facial hair, which is better than but it sucks because I want to be able to grow a full beard one day and fear I wont be able to as my ankles have lost the ability to grow the hairs back fully... This has been going on for around six years now. I have tried several times to stop but to no avail.

This past Christmas my girlfriend bought me a straight razor as well as the various accessories needed to start straight razor shaving. Since then I have fallen in love with it for several reasons. I do not need to buy any more disposable cartridges anymore (I used to keep one cartridge for months before finally purchasing another in an attempt of saving some money), the shaves are vastly superior, it is easier on my acne-ridden face, and it has gotten me to shave everyday (I just love shaving now) which is preventing me from doing a certain action: being able to grab the hairs and pulling them out. Since I shave everyday, the hairs do not get a chance to grow long enough for me to be able grab them and pull them out. This is such a relief! I havent pulled out any hairs as much as I nearly would have prior to doing this. Ive noticed that the stubble on my chin isnt patchy anymore, it's actually filling out. I feel so great about this. Before, my goatee stubble would be very thin and patchy. Now its actually full again for the first time in years. I am hoping that I can finally get rid of this compulsive disorder once and for all with the help of straight razor shaving.

All was going well until yesterday, I managed to dull the razor by stropping incorrectly (I found out I was not holding the strop taught enough)... I can not shave with it because it won't cut anymore hairs ... I have to find a place near my location that hones straight razors, and I haven't been able to find one. So now my beard is starting to come out now and so far I have managed to not pull any hairs out and I am hoping that stays that way until I can get my razor honed... It is easy for me to not pull hairs right now because I am relatively stress-free, but school is around the corner and that is usually stressful for me which worries me :/ ... I have managed to grow a goatee before without pulling hairs out so I am planning on growing it out and see if I can still keep myself under control seeing as I havent pulled any hairs since New Years (I know it has only been 11 days but that is a long time without pulling hairs, compared to several times a day). I want to buy a honing stone but I do not know how to hone a razor nor do I have the money to buy one. I plan on going to a barbershop that I went to before and see if they can hone my straight razor for me. Also any suggestions on where to go would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can get my razor honed soon and continue shaving daily so I can make sure I do not pull out any hairs so I can beat this horrible disorder once and for all...

Thank you for taking the time and reading my story

I have never heard of this disorder, sounds miserable.

Where do you live is the first thing on order. You can do a couple things. I recommend a second razor, so you have one on hand if it becomes dull or the edge is damaged. We have all rolled an edge, I'm surprised that this is your first. Send your razor to a pro-honer, if you live close to one (check the google maps under the community tab) you can arrange a meeting at their convenience. If you live close to me, PM me and we can get your razor honed up...

Ship it to Lynn 20 bucks and it comes back sharper than when you bought it! Check the classified section here under member services.

Disorders like this are most difficult. I suffered from severe drug addiction for years. Its one day at a time and in the beginning its was one minute at a time. I put 22 years clean that way. Try not to get discouraged as you are human and fallible.
I wish you all the best.

Yes it SUCKS!!!! It makes you self conscious that people can tell that something is wrong with your hair growth. I wish I could get a second razor but that is not a viable option right now, maybe in the near future... Yes I was doing fine stropping (stropped before and after shaving all the days that I shaved) but I was experimenting last night and got a little too comfortable stropping and that is where I managed to mess up, I shouldve just maintained the same form I had all the previous times, oh well you live and you learn. At least I know what to not do now haha. I live in El Paso, Tx. I have looked on google maps but not under the community tab, I will take a look right after I finish writing this post. Thanks a bunch!

Originally Posted by Tsunami

Ship it to Lynn 20 bucks and it comes back sharper than when you bought it! Check the classified section here under member services.

Disorders like this are most difficult. I suffered from severe drug addiction for years. Its one day at a time and in the beginning its was one minute at a time. I put 22 years clean that way. Try not to get discouraged as you are human and fallible.
I wish you all the best.

Thank you, I will check it out.

Firstly, welcome to SRP and secondly this is great news. It is excellent to here that you have been able to overcome, to some degree, this disorder you have. More power to you mate...

Stu

Congrats with your progress. I think eventually you might just trade your disorder for "honers mange" once you start honing your own razors.

Congrats with your progress...as was mentioned we have all rolled an edge (I've done more then one )

Learning to hone is a good skill to have, but a 2nd razor is always a good idea.

I know Money is tight for a lot of people these days, but if you can afford it go to Categories and check out his "Sight Unseen Razors" $24 bucks for a shave ready razor, it's not a shiny new razor but it is affordable enough to be able to keep a few in case your roll another edge while you either learn to hone or send yours out for honing...

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by ChitoBoy

Hey guys, obviously I am new to straight razor shaving,
...snip...
Here is my story:

Several years ago, I managed to manifest a certain disorder, Trichotillomania which is the compulsive urge...
...snip...

This past Christmas my girlfriend bought me a straight razor
....snip...
All was going well until yesterday, I managed to dull the razor by stropping incorrectly
....snip....

The easy bit has already been addressed -- send your razor to Lynn or one of the
hone masters listed in the Classified section of this forum. You may be lucky
and have one close to you.

The next bit gets interesting... What to do while the razor is getting serviced.
My standard solution is to recommend the yellow handled BiC razors for sensitive
skin. Since you mention acne this could be a good idea. These BiC razors
have a single blade and have a large easy to clean opening. As tossable razors go they
are smooth and tolerable. You will be counting the days and hours for your straight to get
home but you will be clean shaven.

The wet shaving process of lathering, pre and post shave prep, sanitation etc. all apply.

And they are inexpensive. A bag of six should bridge the gap.

Compulsive urges, hmm too much I do not know. Pay attention, enlist friends,
family and professionals as needed.

Hey guys, thanks for all the motivating words and help/suggestions. I appreciate it!