My reason was that while serving in the National Guard I wanted to find a way to shave in the field that was easier than disposables or battery operated electrics. I read an article about str8s and so I bought a Fromm. It wasn't untill I transferred to a REMF (Rear Echelon Mother ) unit and later left the military that I got the waterstones and strops, etc. and learned to hone and shave with the str8. I still want to try shaving in the field, possibly if I ever go camping or backpacking again if I get time off from work and my feet recover.