Thread: Cut Throat Razor, Really ?!?!

Doesn't bother me...makes it sound even cooler that I shave with one

Sounds much better if you tell people you shave with a cut throat, it has some heroism in it, don't you think?

In Frensch they are called coupe choux: meanig cabbage cutter. How about that?

Well, it makes you look tough, and i think that it is the british way of saying straight razor.

The term "cutthroat razor" earns me a little respect from the better half. Of course that's still not very much, but I'll take what little I can get.

When I first started shaving with a cut throat I told my father about it. He said "We don't have a good family history with those. Do you realise that your great grandfather and one of your great uncles cut their throats with one of those?"

Not exactly the most encouraging start to a new hobby ever. It was the same razor so that's one family heirloom I am happy to never track down.

I'd prefer the name "enviro-clean reusable". That way everyone could know what I'm about.

You know - like driving a prius lets everyone know I want people to think I care about the environment, and am absolutely willing sacrifice style and practicality in order to maintain this perception.


...nah, couldn't care less. My only annoyance is that I have to run two eBay searches when looking for razors to buy. One with the terms "straight razor" and the other with the terms "cut throat razor"

The New Shorter OED (1993 edition) lists the term cutthroat razor as of mid 20th cent. origin and gives no date of origin for the term, straight razor. Interestingly, or not, as the case may be, it doesn't even reference the term open razor which I have seen preferred by some British English speakers. The reason that I don't get too hung up on the terminology is (as may have already been noted above, sorry, I only skimmed) that, until the turn of the century (19th-20th) the only term for a straight would have been, a razor. There simply was no alternative.

Originally Posted by AlanII

Interestingly, or not, as the case may be, it doesn't even reference the term open razor which I have seen preferred by some British English speakers.

I don't think the OED gives two-word terms their own listings. Did you look at the "razor" entry?

It's a real term, however, in most of the world! You can see the ebay offerings in "cut throat razor" and will see lots of listings from outside the U.S. (and Texas) !

Straight razor, open razor, cutthroat razor...just a traditional names we use of some certain thing we shave with.

Well probably we'll see a day where razor (formerly known as cutthroat) comes with a 300 page instructions manual with basic & advanced shaving techniques and of course the famous quote: "Razor is a dangerous object. Improper or careless handling, unauthorized modification might cause serious risks to your health".