Thread: Knife sharpener turned straight razor guy

Hi, I've fallen deep, DEEP down the rabbit hole of Japanese knives and whetstones over the course of the last few years, and it seems to me that straight razors are a logical next step. So, on a whim, I bought an antique Spike razor, refurbished it a bit (there's another thread about that in the Workshop,) got a badger hair brush and some Williams soap, and have been having at it. I've slowly progressed to doing my entire face, other than right around the mouth, and really enjoy the calm of straight razor shaving. Plus, well, it's cool as hell, and gives me more things to sharpen. I'm looking forward to growing in this hobby, and despite having only had a handful of shaves, so far, I'm pretty happy with the closeness of the shave, in some spots anyway. Obviously, there's a lot of learning still to be done.

Hi Gregory,

Sounds very similar to the way I got here. I was researching sharpening stones for knife sharpening an came across straight razor sites. I tell my knife sharpening friends "You know how satisfying it is to experience a fine edge on a knife....well, straight razors are that, times ten, every morning". Shaving with a straight has to be the most intimate connection to your edges as you can have.

Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of us that also really like sharp objects. There is a learning curve for sure. None of it is rocket science, but practice and form are important.

Welcome! The hole is deep and comforting....

Originally Posted by jfk742

Welcome! The hole is deep and comforting....

and lined with the fur of many of us who have gone down it before you!

Welcome to SRP. Sure it takes practice to hone but after you get it down it can become another big pit trying other stones. Enjoy the shaves. It is so much more fun than the dredge of scrapping the cartrage razor across the face and going on with life. Enjoy it and take your time is what makes it fun.
Ask questions as we are here to help.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

frame of reference with a truly shave ready razor is how you will find out if yours are there, but first you need to learn how to shave well with a straight. as to sharpening a knife not so tough, never heard a dead deer or a tomato complaining about the edge being rough. i used to think it was the same but no.. as to just needing something to sharpen, must be a lonely life if thats what your looking forward to. enjoy the hole, some fall into it, some dont, but its a great way to shave,

No, I look forward to sharpening because its therapeutic. It's a moment of Zen simplicity. Honestly, for me, sharpening has a "slow things down and focus" effect, and I'm finding using a straight razor has something similar. Lonely? No. Frankly, if I could kick my two five year olds out of the house more often, I'd appreciate a few moments of loneliness.