Thread: Does a straight razor make a man appear more debonair or classy?

Originally Posted by BobH

Most people, including some women, who know I shave with a straight think I am NUTS not classy or are just plain ambivalent to that fact.

Bob

Yup... +1 to Bob...pretty much my entire family thinks I'm completely nuts! Both my brother-in-laws actually shuddered when they started asking questions. Others just think you're eccentric, or at the worst, "putting on airs".

The only nod of acceptance I get is that it's better for MY skin...less razor bumps and irritation.

Main reaction is why? The cartridge razors work absolutely fine, give a great shave, and you won't slice yourself open, so what's the point? Remember I came in with a small nick on my face once and a couple of buddies immediately started laughing and saying, "so how's that straight shaving working out for you!?!" When I told them it was my cat, no-one believed me!!

I've found, as mentioned here quite a bit, it's not exactly a conversation starter or topic to bring up...most people just think you're nuts and why would you bring up how you shave??

Sigh, as I sit here writing this, wearing my Classic Edge t-shirt with a straight razor on the front and a large W&B logo on the back....



Or the short answer to your question: No.

That's like asking if smoking cigarettes will make you look cool.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

That's like asking if smoking cigarettes will make you look cool.

What!?! Smoking doesn't make you look cool? Darn...time to quit smoking then...sheesh....this is a tough place!

The ladies will not know you shave with a straight unless you go around gushing like a geek and tell them. They will not then be impressed. Sorry.

My sister actually thinks it's a more masculine way to shave but my mother thinks it's ok and that's all, my dad on the other hand looks at it like something snob, but as Wayne say my sister knows that I shave with a straight because she has seen me not because I was asking her, if I did that with every lady friend I think they will look at it as weird

Considering EVERY man trashy to classy used a straight razor 120 years ago, I don't think it does.

Now if the razor had gold scales and it was stored in a teak wood box or something and your butler got it for you maybe!! lol!

I was meaning more on an intimate level.. not like running around telling every lady friend how you shave. That would be just plain weird.
Shoulda specified

I get a decent shave with cartridge razors. The mach3 isnt bad, but im still sandpaper rough afterwords. + i cannot afford to keep buying new cartridges, i have been unemployed for quite some time.

I am kinda dreading carving my face like the thanksgiving turkey, right before church. That would be kinda fun to explain, i think id go with some crazy story just for a good laugh. Knife fighting and what not.
Think i should go and get one of those styptic pen things before i try this out...

I dont know, i guess i have always looked on it as more manly. Seeing as you have to really care for the quality of your appearance, and take the time to do it properly. Where as with an electric shaver its done just like that, and not half as well either.
So i guess its the fact that you have to care more, be more dedicated, that i look at it as more of a manly option. Not that your using a blade and thats cooler, but that you have to really care about your appearance.

Originally Posted by DualNature

I was meaning more on an intimate level.. not like running around telling every lady friend how you shave. That would be just plain weird.
Shoulda specified

I get a decent shave with cartridge razors. The mach3 isnt bad, but im still sandpaper rough afterwords. + i cannot afford to keep buying new cartridges, i have been unemployed for quite some time.

I am kinda dreading carving my face like the thanksgiving turkey, right before church. That would be kinda fun to explain, i think id go with some crazy story just for a good laugh. Knife fighting and what not.
Think i should go and get one of those styptic pen things before i try this out...

I dont know, i guess i have always looked on it as more manly. Seeing as you have to really care for the quality of your appearance, and take the time to do it properly. Where as with an electric shaver its done just like that, and not half as well either.
So i guess its the fact that you have to care more, be more dedicated, that i look at it as more of a manly option. Not that your using a blade and thats cooler, but that you have to really care about your appearance.

See where you're going with that.

But as they teach you when studying different periods in history, it's important not to transport a modern day sentiment to another era.

When straight razors were the cartridge shavers of their day, shaving was looked upon much the same way as it is today - a daily chore that must be done.

It's only us that ascribe / impose our perceived values on this era of shaving. 100 years from now, when you may use some laser across your face in the morning, that instantly shaves your face, will people then be on a forum discussing the Mach 3's and Fusion 5's and applying the same values...more manly way of shaving, more traditional, learning how to use a tool our grandfathers used.

I like it, and frankly don't really discuss it unless somehow it comes up, and I don't really care what others think...

^ well said.. i guess i have never really thought of it that way
Its kinda like the cars i suppose. Back then the business split window coupes where an every day working mans car, that nobody really coveted.
Now there one of the most expensive collectors cars out there, for their sentimentality.

Well.. that kinda puts a whole new perspective on things.
I still aspire for my great grandfathers generation, but id bet that his generation aspired for their grandparents generation. So, i would be in the same boat i am now. Just without internet to connect with you gents.
I guess a Mach3 would be really old school compared to a laser, and a straight razor would probably be seen as just plain barbaric.
Well, i guess its just something im going to have to pass down to my children, and then to their children. Keep it going, start a tradition

Well, I thank you all for the input.
I never imagined id get such a wealth of information and insightful opinion on this
My question has been answered,
Its not how or with what you do something. its how you look at doing it, and why you do it how you do it.