Dry shave

So I've managed to spend the majority of my night reading about razors and getting to know my friend Silent Sam* a little better.

It must have been a combination of the two, but I started to look forward to my morning shave (it's been a few days). I decided on my 8/8 Friodur, it's not my best shaver but with a little work it could be. I've read most of the threads I care to, and the music that I've got playing is sounding pretty good so it seems to be a perfect time to bring that razor up to snuff.

Now this blade is already mowing though my arm and leg hair with no problem, but for some reason the shave just isnt there. I busted out the blade and my TM pasted paddle strop. Not long after I noticed a difference in stropping, just what I was looking for. But where's the proof?

In the shave.
No prep, no soap, I just dive into it face first. And you know what? It turned out not too bad. Sure it pulled like a bastard, and I'm not BBS after single WTG and ATG passes (I normally get BBS after only one pass ATG), but it's at least as good as I got from the old Mach3. Now I'm not totally out of it, I only did my cheeks and man am I going to look like a tool in the morning, but I think I've learned the value of proper prep as well as what the difference should feel like.

Some of you are no doubt wondering about razor burn, and really it's more of a tingle. I attribute this to my honing skills since it couldnt possibly have anything to do with Sam, though he did lend me the courage to shave mirror-less.

We'll see if I feel any different about it in the morning.

*my long time favourite brand of Vodka. ;)

Shur is drunk. That must be it.
I cannot under any circumstances recommend shaving dry.
Its a nice-razor-cut-waiting-to-happen away from the geat yummy shaves I/we all deserve.

Glad you got off lucky this time.

X

Is dry shaving with a straight really that bad? I'm curious because I've been dry shaving (with any disposable razor I can lay my hands on at the time) for the last fifteen years.

When I started shaving I tried different shaving creams and gels in a can, but all seemed to irritate my skin and clogged up the razor. So I stopped trying the creams and gels and started dry shaving and hey presto no more irritation. Another thing I like about dry shaving is that I'm not tied to a sink (I can shave anywhere) and to clean the razor I just tap it.

That said I'm eager to start using a straight, although have not been able to do so yet (still gathering the necessary gear).

As of now I have:

1x. 6/8 Invicta (hollow ground) "needs honing"
1x. 6/8 Gotta #120 (hollow ground) "needs honing"
1x. 4/8 Clauss (hollow ground?) "needs honing"
1x. Black Beauty Strop (double leather) "needs work"
1x. Shave Brush (boar) "cheapie"
1x. Shave Mug "cheapie"

I also have a eBay hone/stone coming next week, any thoughts on what it may be?

http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/93/9c/7489_1.JPG

Hopefully it will be okay for razor honing.

Back to my previous question, will dry shaving with a straight ruin your blade? or is it just considered uncomfortable?

I can understand doing this to check your edge. I usually do one cheak when I think I am close, just to see how close I am. I have always only done one pass on one cheak though. I find this gives me a good enough evaluation.

As for regular dry shaving, well I guess it's back to different strokes for different blokes. I am with X though, lubrication is really needed with a straight to help it glide smoothly.

Plus, I just enjoy my brush and soaps way to much to do anything but use them.

Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chopper

Is dry shaving with a straight really that bad?

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Don't get too curious or you'll find out. I did. I was just doing a water only touchup on my thin sideburns and let the right side dry out too much. The razor caught and gave me a nice little slice. I was lucky that it wasn't deep or bad and healed up without a scar, but that won't be the case for everyone. Why take the chance and end up with a permanent marker of how stupid you chose to be while shaving.

Take your time, do it right and enjoy yourself.

X

I shudder just thinking about it.. Especially when it comes to the razor burn that comes at the end.

Thank goodness that YOU didn't take a slice of face off. Let alone I am sure you ruined the edge of that razor you worked so hard on.

Phil

I have a 1 inch red line on my left cheek from fidling around with a strait that wasn't shave ready and dry face....

I don't think you really have to think too much about this --- might as well not put oil in your car while you're at it --- exposed blade on slippery film or on dry skin? I just don't know.

Justin

@Chopper, that looks to be an Arkansas oilstone and a used one at that. I bought one like it from ebay. They aren't measured in grits but hopefully that one will be equivalent to a 1000 grit. I think thats as highest they go and that will be the coarsest stone you can sharpen your razor with. It will help in getting a working edge on an old dull blade to begin the sharpening process but you'll never get a shave out of it. You can start with it then move up to a 4000/8000 grit stone. You should get a Norton 4000/8000 whetstone as soon as you can. It's a little pricey but it's money well spent.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by floridaboy

Thank goodness that YOU didn't take a slice of face off. Let alone I am sure you ruined the edge of that razor you worked so hard on.

Phil

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The blade's in great condition, ready to strop & go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I shudder just thinking about it.. Especially when it comes to the razor burn that comes at the end.

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It never did develop beyond a tingle. It's nothing like my first striaght shave, the burn from that lasted all day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaegerhund

exposed blade on slippery film or on dry skin? I just don't know.

Justin

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I'm sure it helped that it was at the end of a long day, and I have relatively oily skin. I probably wouldnt try this after just washing my face.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shur

I'm sure it helped that it was at the end of a long day, and I have relatively oily skin. I probably wouldnt try this after just washing my face.

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If it works for you --- then that's that ---don't think I could get by with it myself --maybe if I didn't wash my face for a couple of days --- but it's all you ;).


Justin

I dry-shaved with a cartridge once...I never want to do that again.

You can get by without much of the prep and all the fancy creams and soaps we use and just use cold water or maybe some hand soap but even I would never advocate or attempt to shave without some lubrication on my skin. I think thats a very foolhardy move. Your pushing your luck.

Confusious say: Man who shave dry with straight razor visit emergency room very quick.

The big problem I foresee is that with dry shaving with a straight that the smallest nick could be cut clean open.

I'm more concerned that he was shaving drunk! :eek:

I wouldnt say drunk. Innebriated yes, and I deffinately made it to a happy/melllo place, but well short of stumbling or slurring.

Keep in mind, a straight can be very dangerous. Using one when you are even slightly affected by alcohol is most unwise. Judgment, timing, motor control, all will be effected, at least slightly, and when shaving with a naked blade you need all of those skills at your disposal. The scariest part about it is, the first thing to go is your competency to judge how affected you are.

On the other hand, it is a lesson better learned by oneself with a knife than with others and a car.

Be careful,

Michael

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shur

...but well short of stumbling or slurring.

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I also sometimes (not often at all) have a drink or two before I shave, so I understand that it can enhance the experience.

Everybody has a personal alcohol tolerance, but obviously shaving when inebriated can be very dangerous, and if you get to shaving when you are stumbling or slurring - well, that's plain crazy.

I also use *some* lubrication all of the time, even if only water.

Bottom line: you're walking a more dangerous line than most. You *may* be fine - but is it really worth it?

Cheers
Ivo

A drink or two shouldn't hurt. If you are safe to drive, you are safe to shave. But it has been my observation that many are generous in their assessment of their abilities. :rant:

I do have to agree with the majority, though: Shaving without lubrication sounds like an excellent way to achieve an impressively manly scar, drunk or sober, or somewhere in-between. The hard part would be developing a believable back-story that doesn’t involve shaving. You could say a mugger came behind you and put a knife to your throat, and that you fought him off, but I don’t know who will believe you…:rolleyes:


Which brings me to the other point: Dry shaving would be most thoughtless if it causes someone to have to scratch their head about what they are going to put in your obituary or say at your funeral…:hmmm:

-Michael