Thread: I could never go back.

Only been straight razor shaving for two years but I don't ever see myself going back to a cartridge razor. I get way too much satisfaction out of a good three pass shave. I have a couple of safety razors as well but haven't touched them in six months. Also have a drawer full of premium soaps and creams that, if I quit buying today, would last probably five years. Also like the AS's and colognes with character. For example, I never would have discovered bay rum without this wet shaving habit. Anyway, just thought I would share. Had a great shave this morning and am already looking forward to tomorrow.

Sounds like you're saving money! Same goes for me, I threw the cartridge crappers in the bin and lent my DE to my stepfather, who is greatly enjoying it.

Have fun!

I haven't been using a straight for that long and many times I have wanted to throw the towel in and go back to my DE razor , but like you I couldn't go back, not to a DE let alone a cartridge…

One of my favourite things is the time it takes to shave. It has become a ritual of sorts, all the prep and the scents and finally the shave, its different each time. I get blown away with a DFS, and love it when I almost get a BBS ((except on my neck)still working on that) I love one pass lazy shaves, and I love the splash ons the balms and the colognes. Even my mrs says she loves the smell of the bathroom each day after I have finished.

Nope like you, I'm not going back, no not ever…..

Originally Posted by kevinred

I haven't been using a straight for that long and many times I have wanted to throw the towel in and go back to my DE razor , but like you I couldn't go back, not to a DE let alone a cartridge…

One of my favourite things is the time it takes to shave. It has become a ritual of sorts, all the prep and the scents and finally the shave, its different each time. I get blown away with a DFS, and love it when I almost get a BBS ((except on my neck)still working on that) I love one pass lazy shaves, and I love the splash ons the balms and the colognes. Even my mrs says she loves the smell of the bathroom each day after I have finished.

Nope like you, I'm not going back, no not ever…..

The time aspect of putting on all the bells and whistles, or the shave parade as I call it, with all the prep, hot shower, hot towels etc...got to be a bit much for me. Not that I don't mind it once in awhile, but when I saw str8 shaving becoming a chore, I knew I had to change things up.

That was when I gave the cold shave a shot. A simple splash of cold water on the face, lather up, and shave. Two passes for a DFS and done in about 10 minutes.

And if you read the 1905 Shaving book posted, cold water was actually advised, as it contracts the skin and makes the whiskers stand up, allowing the blade the cut better. The cold shave also took away much of the irritation I find hot water gave me.

It's not for everyone, and once in a while, when I have the time and the inclination, nothing's better than a shave with all the fixins', but for utilitarian shaving, I'll take the cold path any day.

Originally Posted by Phrank

The time aspect of putting on all the bells and whistles, or the shave parade as I call it, with all the prep, hot shower, hot towels etc...got to be a bit much for me. Not that I don't mind it once in awhile, but when I saw str8 shaving becoming a chore, I knew I had to change things up.

That was when I gave the cold shave a shot. A simple splash of cold water on the face, lather up, and shave. Two passes for a DFS and done in about 10 minutes.

I live in Queensland in Australia. This time of year, I run the air con for 10 mins then I cold shower and shave. After my cold shower I then lather on my face and mostly do a 3 pass shave. A hot towel or just standing with the window open would just cause me to run with sweat….No thanks….Cold lather on a hot day is dreamy, and the scent seems just as good with most soaps and creams I have tried. Also aftershave splash is very cooling too.

Yep loving the cold shaving….

I will have to look for the Article you mentioned….

Originally Posted by kevinred

I live in Queensland in Australia. This time of year, I run the air con for 10 mins then I cold shower and shave. After my cold shower I then lather on my face and mostly do a 3 pass shave. A hot towel or just standing with the window open would just cause me to run with sweat….No thanks….Cold lather on a hot day is dreamy, and the scent seems just as good with most soaps and creams I have tried. Also aftershave splash is very cooling too.

Yep loving the cold shaving….

I will have to look for the Article you mentioned….

Hahahaha...air conditioning...not for us for another 6 months at least, right now it's -18 Celcius, not counting in the wind chill which takes it down anywhere from -21 to -30, extreme cold alert here now!

Here's a link to the thread where the article is posted, interesting read:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...made-easy.html

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Phrank

Hahahaha...air conditioning...not for us for another 6 months at least, right now it's -18 Celcius, not counting in the wind chill which takes it down anywhere from -21 to -30, extreme cold alert here now!

Here's a link to the thread where the article is posted, interesting read:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...made-easy.html

Cheers!

Thanks Phrank… I'm going to give that a good read….

Originally Posted by Phrank

Hahahaha...air conditioning...not for us for another 6 months at least, right now it's -18 Celcius, not counting in the wind chill which takes it down anywhere from -21 to -30, extreme cold alert here now!

Here's a link to the thread where the article is posted, interesting read:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...made-easy.html

Cheers!

Phrank -- Thanks so much for the link. I wish I had seen this book when I first tried a SR, way back in the pre-internet era! Also, thank you for persisting in your support of the cold water shave. After resisting mightily based on the experience of shaving in an Army encampment in the mirror of a Jeep, I am going to give it a try on my next shave. I will report back and may withdraw my thanks for your persistence then, but NEVER for the link to the book. It is a gem!

I too am never going back. I have trashed all cartridge apparatus and canned foam, although I do use a DE when in a great rush.

Not really saving money. I have a minor addiction to vintage razors that has gotten kind of expensive, not to mention all of the ancillary stuff that goes along with it. I do enjoy it much more and look forward to shaving every day.

I just started, finally got my first good shave today! I hope I can really get the hang of stropping and honing so that I can keep this up.