Thread: "Modern" SR shaver?

Interesting and thought-provoking post!

I think you've 'curated' the very best of efficient modern technology with a traditional feel.

I'm a huge fan of Feather blades-I've shaved with their DE blades since they were released into the US market as well as the Artist Club in SE razors (also the FHS for the OneBlade). Phenomenal blades.

A synthetic brush? As much as I hate to admit it, the modern ones can just conquer any soap no matter how finicky.

And a good cream is a joy.

Having said all of that, there are so many ways to enjoy this hobby. I sometimes LIKE the challenge of a dense badger brush and a triple-milled soap. I think it's very cool that I shaved this morning with a blade that was in use during Civil War times. I've come to enjoy the various rituals like stropping. I enjoy the challenge of honing, although I've only begun acquiring skills in that area.

All of that takes time and attention, of course-luxuries in this day and age. Great fun, too.

You've winnowed it down to gear that takes little to no maintenance (synthetics dry so quickly, no honing or stropping of a Feather AC, etc.) while keeping the aesthetic, if you will, of a traditional straight razor shave. Very cool merging of the old and new.

Originally Posted by MichaelPz

Interesting and thought-provoking post!

I think you've 'curated' the very best of efficient modern technology with a traditional feel.

I'm a huge fan of Feather blades-I've shaved with their DE blades since they were released into the US market as well as the Artist Club in SE razors (also the FHS for the OneBlade). Phenomenal blades.

A synthetic brush? As much as I hate to admit it, the modern ones can just conquer any soap no matter how finicky.

And a good cream is a joy.

Having said all of that, there are so many ways to enjoy this hobby. I sometimes LIKE the challenge of a dense badger brush and a triple-milled soap. I think it's very cool that I shaved this morning with a blade that was in use during Civil War times. I've come to enjoy the various rituals like stropping. I enjoy the challenge of honing, although I've only begun acquiring skills in that area.

All of that takes time and attention, of course-luxuries in this day and age. Great fun, too.

You've winnowed it down to gear that takes little to no maintenance (synthetics dry so quickly, no honing or stropping of a Feather AC, etc.) while keeping the aesthetic, if you will, of a traditional straight razor shave. Very cool merging of the old and new.

I do enjoy the history and tradition as well, and when I have the time, I really enjoy busting out my Vintage Straights, badger brush, soap puck and mug. A big part of trying to minimize maintenance is a time issue: I'm a new dad, and due to a odd set of circumstances, am also basically working 2 full-time jobs at the moment. So if I want to keep SR at all, I needed to find the least time-consuming way to do it;-)

I prefer using a straight to a DE but often I use a DE when I lack the time or am just not feeling fully able to appreciate the straight, poor attention and straight shaving are a bad combination.
As to bowl or face lather it depends on so much, what soap/cream I am using, how much time I have, is it raining? evening/daytime, moon phase etc etc.
I only have a boar and a couple of badger brushes. The boar I keep in my Dopp bag and the other two I use depending on which one I happen to grab first. I cant claim to notice any real differences between them. Actually come to think of it I do have a synthetic that I dont use but that is because it is HUGE! I mean this thig was made for Andre the giants hands. It is rather unweildy in my human sized paws so it sits on the shelf like a pagan idol and keeping the other brushes from getting out of line

I have a friend that can shave with a straight razor in 10 minutes or less before going to work.

It takes me about an hour to shave though as I am very meticulous.

Originally Posted by AnglesMatter

I have a friend that can shave with a straight razor in 10 minutes or less before going to work.

It takes me about an hour to shave though as I am very meticulous.

That's about right, if I'm in a hurry, face lather, quick strop and I can be perfectly shaved and out the door in 10 minutes....I find now using a DE makes more mess and take more time for me to shave...LOL.

But I shave at night, so I can chillax, take my time and pick the razor I want, the soap I want, and get a nice warm scuttle so the lather is nice and warm.

Works out well in my family, after dinner, wife grabs her bath, I do my shave, having said that, she can have a bath and be sitting back downstairs in like 5 minutes...I like to take my time a bit more, but lately I've been getting, "Hurry up, or I'll turn the show on without you....!" lol

"Hurry up, or I'll turn the show on without you....!" lol

That sounds fun! You should shave slower next time to see if she keeps her word.

Gentlemen,

The Feather Artist Club is a marvelous razor. I use it from time to time, not because I don't like stropping, or find maintaining my traditional straight razors a chore; rather, I use it because it is a superb shaver. What's more, after using top line badger brushes for years (Wiborg, Thater, Simpson, etc.), I use strictly synthetic brushes.

As for shaving fast because we're short on time, no, not me. NO! I get up a little early, in that case, to have the time to fully enjoy my shave. That means creating lather in my scuttle, spending time lathering, because I find it the best part of the shave, and then taking my sweet time with my razor, whether a straight, AC or safety.

For me, traditional shaving, and seven days a week, is one of life's greatest joys. I am not about to rush it. I prefer to savor it, as I would a great meal and a bottle of wine.

I fade away in the shave den for about an hour every day. For me, everything stops in that hour except for my shave and my thoughts. That's what's so sweet about traditional shaving and taking your time with it.

Obie,

That was very enjoyable to read. I am up for a shave myself today and I am looking forward to it.

I use both modern and old technology in straight razors. I have one Dovo in the rotation (modern day) and the rest are from the early 20th and late 19th Century. I try to get as close to what "they would have done" in those days, but unfortunately it's not always possible. I do enjoy a nice hot lather straight razor shave. I don't shave every day, but about every two days. I often find myself wondering what and how many hones the barbers had and used in the early 20th century to get keen edges? I like being tied to the past in this fashion but with the modern day conveniences.

It looks like I'll be doing the same thing. My Dovo is from 2009 and unless I buy that Dovo "En Vogue" I probably won't buy any newly-made straight razors.