Thread: What are your friends/familys reaction to you shaving w/straight rzrs

They all think I'm crazy, simple as that.

Reading all of these posts of the indifferent reactions to straight razor shaving started me thinking about my running. Yes running for exercise! A few years ago I went on a low cholesterol diet and began to exercise. I progressed to running as another tool to add to the routine; however I couldn't get but a mile and my knees would hurt or my shins would burn ect ect. In my research to find relief with this and running instead of quitting, I was directed to knee supports and custom made running shoes to compensate for my over pronation or over supination and so on...Then I found the book titled "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall which is a true story about long distance running and a special tribe in Mexico called the Tarahumara Indians. There are two major points to the story told in this book that caused the running world stop and look, and in addition created an industry for the Vibram Five finger shoes. Those are running barefoot and running after a night of drinking.

The drinking is funny. The Tarahumara Indians can run for over one hundred miles almost non stop. And the night before a long run they have a party where they drink a corn based alcohol drink. This form of carb loading also serves to retain H2O which serves to hydrate the cells further during the run. But that's not the big one.

The running barefoot is serious an dis the big one. Why?? Because it caused the running shoe industry to react. Independent studies found that running barefoot created less impact on contact. The reason-the foot is built like a natural shock absorber. And when one runs barefoot the natural step is for the ball of the foot to touch or land first. When one wears running shoes, the heel tends to strike first causing a violent impact to the leg.

My point is Nike produced the first running shoes for running as a form of exercise back in the 70's. Running was becoming popular and so the research and design of the shoes changed to encompass everyone. But those first shoes were modeled after track shoes; a flat soled shoe with no support that only served as a protection from the running surface. Modern running shoes have an elevated heel which forces heel striking. But now there are people running barefoot in marathons ect. I myself had switched running barefoot. My results were like night and day. No pain. No issues. I actually ran faster. I improved my 5k run time. I only ran faster because I was more relaxed.

So what does running barefoot have to do with straight razor shaving? I think shaving has a similar evolution in the senses of what once was and what it is today as sold and told to use by the shaving industry and the millions spent on adds selling the next great breakthrough in shaving technology. Yeah we can get there with the new products, but the old ones where only one single blade touches the face without research and development or improved this or that did just fine and even better.

I think most people react to straight razor shaving the same way as when barefoot running first made the mainstream. When people think of running they think of going to buy running shoes because that's what they are sold and told subliminally. Now when people think of shaving they think of the products available at the drug store or supermarket. Why? Because that's what were being sold and told subliminally.

I quit caring what other people thought about anything a long time ago.

A few of my knife friends are on the fringe. one co-worker is curious, but he is a beardo so wont shave a lot. Most every one else thinks I'm kinda weird.

The GF however just about ripped my cloths off after my first shave....so there is that at least.

all i can say is I'm happy so far.

My dad is pretty much couldn't care less about me using a straight razor. My cousin thinks it's pretty cool and might even give it a try himself. My fiancee however HATES it.

When I first started family and friends didn't pay much attention. It wasn't until I started restoring old blades that caught their eye. Now, I have gotten about 6 people on board shaving with a straight razor and I restore about one razor a week. I have really enjoyed it and friends and family both recognize it as a hobby.

Tall Guy

Different reactions all the time. Some have true interest. Some think you will cut yourself to bits. Some ask if it really is better than Mach 3 etc. many thoughts on it. Most of them fear of the unknown it seems.

When it comes up some comment about there Dads or grandfathers and how they remembered the smell. Folks my age think I am nuts but the younger ones think it is cool. I have converted three.....

I got justalex converted. Im sure I remember him saying he wouldn't like.

Wife thought it was strange when we met. But she likes the result. Little one found it very intrresting but then she got bored lol. Others find it strange.

Geek

People that know me (and have known me for any length of time) know my affinity for sharp things. These people react as if they didn't realize I straight shaved, but are not surprised at all.

People that have not known me for long generally have a respectful interest in it. Occasionally I'll hear statements like, "that's crazy", or "I'd cut my head off if I tried that"

Everyone else...doesn't have a clue that I straight shave because I don't talk about it much.

All my friends on Facebook either do not acknowledge my honing page and my photos, or they silently "like" my activity. Perhaps a few of them assume I collect but don't actually shave with them