Thread: The Straight Razor's Future

Gentlemen,

In recent years, we all have seen measured growth in straight razor shaving among the young and the not so young. The factors contributing to this growth include a hankering for tradition, movies, expensive cartridge razors and blades, and for some, the "cool" element, among others.

From what I understand, manufacturers are unable to keep up with demand. I have heard Dovo has a three-year backlog. Granted, the straight razor world does not produce enough new and qualified grinder to satisfy the high demand. Perhaps that is the reason for overwhelming the production, but I am only assuming since I am far from an expert on manufacturing straight razors.

Regardless of the current demand for straight razors, I believe the art will always be a small niche in men's shaving. That is unfortunate for society, and those of us who embrace straight razor shaving can attest to that, but reality is reality and demand for straight razors will always remain relatively small.

What are your thoughts on the direction straight razor shaving is taking worldwide? Do you perceive the art and craft surprising us and becoming more popular than we predict? What a sweet thought. How do you see straight razor shaving advancing, if it is advancing in the first place, and inviting more users into its ranks?

Let's hear your thoughts.

Without knowing how many new razors are produced annually its difficult to say but I would agree that it won't be mainstream again.

I've spoken to quite a few blokes now about shaving with a straight and not a single one has been interested in giving it a go

Let's face it (bubum tish) the likes of Gillette have done one hell of a marketing job selling cartridge razors with a zillion blades to the masses. I know I'll be strung up for saying this but ignoring the expense they do work well, if they didn't people wouldn't buy them......would they ?

I think while there will always be a market for new straights it will remain a neich market in real terms.

I'm with you on this one Obie.

We see all the folks wanting to start and certainly the shortage of stock is another indicator however what we don't see are the folks who start and quit. That is the unknown. I have a feeling the number is very high.

Then let us hope that for some unknown reason Gillette doesn't suddenly sees an opportunity to expand into the straight razor market and develops a throw-a-way straight that they can capitalize on. And I don't mean shavettes or you would be seeing Gillette blades competing with Feather. Or the little cheap kamis that you can get out of Thailand for a couple of bucks for three or four of them (tried those when I first started straight shaving, weren't too bad).

Yes Obie,
In today's fast paced, I want everything immediately world, learning straight razors is too demanding for most. The other day I saw an advertisement for personal home use depilatory lasers.

However, yes there will always be a small following at least.

What i see from the Portuguese wet shaving forum is that despite of the availability of straight razors, it´s too expensive and it takes too much work to use this kind of razors. In the Spanish, Italian and German forums the use of straight razors is farmer frequent, due to the easiness to get all the stuff you need in a decent price without shipping costs and with people talking the same language willing to share knowledge.

Hard to say really, clearly men are becoming pretty disillusioned with the ridiculous cost of catridegs and the cheesy "innovations" that are thrust upon us every passing year. I was very surprised to see commericals for DE razors recently and even VDH and the guy from Pawn Stars getting on the bandwagon. Interest in DE razors is clearly on the upswing.

I'm always happy to see new converts to the straight razor especially the young guys it would be a shame for such a wonderful indulgence to die because of a century or so of marketing propoganda. The fact is that many of today's men have been well indoctrinated in the notion that straight razors are extremely dangerous. If you shave with a straight razor and have shared your new hobby with the guys at work, you know what I mean. You know, "the look" like you're either criminally insane, suicidal or have a leg growing from your arse.

As for the future of the straight razor, I think that like smoking a pipe it will remain a very niche market, a wonderful relic of a bygone era kept alive by a small but very committed and passionate following.

While I still consider myself a newbie to wet shaving. I do see encouraging things happening, I see new members joining this great forum almost everyday. Some are changing because of the cost, others because of someone in their family id it, and yet others for the historical aspect. We are are fighting an up hill battle with the instant world we live in, but all it is not hopeless. With the founding of this forum, and the wealth of knowledge the member of this great forum have, and are very willing to share with all. There is hope!!
This forum and the members have taught me to share this art with others, although I am still new at this, and I dont answer a lot of technical questions on stopping, honing, etc.. because I'm still learning myself. I do see myself doing so in the future, because of the continual contributions of the more experienced members of this forum!!

Thank you all !!
Gene.

I tend to agree with 1OldGI. I first bought a straight about 30 years ago at a cutlery store (Hoffritz) because I have always been fascinated with "tools", especially sharp ones, and it seemed cool to a then 35 year old. I gave it up because it was too hard to learn with no mentor (or internet).

I think it will remain like pipes...a niche for those who enjoy 'the slower, finer things'. However, I expect DE might take off because Gillette and others can make renewable income from it and it will still be cheaper for the consumer, and a better shave than cartridges or electrics. I have a 25 year old son who is in love with DE because he had a skin sensitivity problem, is military and has to shave every day, and I set him on to it.

We'll see, but I'd expect SR demand and price to level off like high capacity handguns and 'assault' rifles have.

While I can see the DE market continuing to expand, both with new current production and the allure of the vintage Gillette type shavers, and the simple fact, it simply makes more sense in every manner to use DE's.

Two friends who I given Merkur DE starter shaving kits to swear by it, and have in turn convinced a bunch of their friends and colleagues. At what, $1.50-$3.00 for a ten pack of blades (approx 80 shaves), you're ahead of the game vs cartridges right there. Impact on the environment is another, "feel good" reason, not throwing cartridges away.

The other benefits they've noticed?

Good quality soap like Proraso (I gave each a tub of Proraso) absolutely blew them away. It was a pleasure to use, and the brush and soap was superb for their skin. That was the next thing they noticed, aside from the soap being a higher quality and cheaper than a can of chemical goo, their complexion and skin improved dramatically. They also noticed their shaves being closer and lasting longer. Finally, it was something they looked forward to doing. As I've said, one of the big attractions to shaving with a straight for me is turning a mundane task, into an experience to enjoy - it can set the whole tone of the day for me.

So in terms of wet-shaving, I see the DE market continuing to grow.

I think from this small group of expanding DE shavers, we'll see a small portion that will want to try the straight, and make the leap to straight shaving. How many will stick with it, probably even a smaller percentage.

In the end, I think we'll see the straight razor community growing in relation to the growth of the DE community primarily. And then of course, you'll get the ones, like myself, that just want to learn how to shave with a straight and jump right in, and having done so, enjoy many of the other aspects associated with it.

That's my take anyway...