Luxury of Straight Shaving Everyday

Just curious who else has this, (what most people would call), problem. I call it a luxury considering. I have very coarse facial hair that grows fast day by day and I have to shave everyday. Usually I do a 1 pass to the face and a 2 pass on the neck everyday. And quite often I do a 3 pass, approx 3-4 days a week.

I used to get irritated when I first merged into this daily process and had to wait a few days to heal, but at that point my whiskers were long and I looked scruffy and unpresentable. Now over 2 years into it, it is never irritated and it's become a an amusement each evening after a hard days work.

Can anyone here share their luxury of straight shaving? Just like to hear what others have to say about their experience.

Looks like we started about the same time.

With a DE I (now, since joining SRP) I get a fine shave but shadow appears by 10 hours and next morning I need a shave for sure. With a straight there's no shadow until at least 18 hours and by 24 hours I barely need a one-pass to OK for work; mostly alternate morning and evening shaves at 36- or 48 hour intervals. Not office-working now I still enjoy a daily, morning or night, just for the pleasure of the process.

From week one with a straight razor my skin never felt better, styptic and all; the hash I used to make in 45 minutes is now an easy nick-free14-minutes without hurrying and, yes, I'd call it a luxury since I got my technique, honing, stropping and refreshing houses in order. Maybe there is yet another plateau but I'm not looking for it - just small refinements on the drill.

Mrs. Moo picks out another aftershave whenever I get low. Round about birthdays and Christmas the kids buy me mustache wax, shaving soaps, a brush, a strop - stuff like that - when I "need" them. In some way that must mean they see me as seeing shaving as luxury. They sure don't get me neckties, oil or filters for the car.

Straight shaves give me the closest shaves but take me longer than other methods. So if I am able to use a straight I have the luxury of not being in rush and finish with a BBS face. And hours of very satisfactory faceturbations.

Yep! I'm spoiled!

I shaved with a Gillette Trac II for something like 35+ years and hated every single shave. Sometimes I would go an extra day or two without shaving because I hated it so much. Thank God the cartridges got so expensive I started looking for a cheaper way to shave about 6 1/2 years ago and switched to a DE for about 6 months. On a dare I tried a str8 razor and haven't looked back. I actually enjoy shaving with a str8 and the only time I skip shaving for a day or two is if I need to test shave a str8, having a fairly rough beard along with an extra day or two growth is a good test to see if the blade is keen or just sharp. To top it off I tried warm lather in a scuttle a couple years ago and that really added an extra level of 'luxury' to shaving. So I repeat......Yep! I'm spoiled!

I shave at night now so I can take my time and enjoy the process. Shaving with a straight has transformed shaving from a rush morning chore to a nighttime routine I love!

I also enjoy the luxury of straight shaving every morning. I take my time and thoroughly enjoy every last minute of it. What allows this to happen can be summed up in one word : Retirement! I could have never taken the time to enjoy the shaving like I do now back when I was working and in the daily grind. Most people shake their heads in disbelief when I tell them how long it takes me to shave. They haven't a clue to what a wonderful and rewarding experience straight shaving is. I would venture a guess and say that less than 1% of all men shave with a straight razor. So to all the friends in this elite group that also enjoy this luxury, Bravo!! Enjoy this hidden treasure!

Pete <:-}

I am an evening shaver and most nights I select a soap, a brush and strop and shave. It doesn't get any better as far as I can see. My face really likes the shave and I think it is very helpful in me maintaining a very youthful appearance.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I am an evening shaver and most nights I select a soap, a brush and strop and shave. It doesn't get any better as far as I can see. My face really likes the shave and I think it is very helpful in me maintaining a very youthful appearance.

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pictures Shaun or it's not true...the youthful part, that is.

The reason I started up with a str8 was because my hair is thick and slow growing and my skin is really sensitive. I will shave every second day at work as SWOMBO wakes me up at sparrows twitter and I get in really early. Two years ago the guys at work let me shave them and since then it has become a Christmas tradition, my boss now gets me to shave him when I get the chance at interstate functions. Shaving this way has really sorted out the sensitive skin and I have less zits now as well, not sure if it is the prep, exfoliation or the care I take with my face skin now but it has really cleared up.

I only shave at night due to the time being all mine and no rush. I'd probably slice myself up if I did it early in the morning since coffee is my #1 at that time. Without it I can't concentrate worth a damn.

Not me, I get a better shave every other day. But that's alright, a lot of the time LIFE takes over & there's not a lot of time or motivation there. I sure enjoy the peaceful weekend shaves though. ;)

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It's true!

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

pictures Shaun or it's not true...the youthful part, that is.

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I SR shave 6 days a week in the morning after my shower. The smell and feel of the lather, the glide of the SR on my face, and the nice smell and feel of some nice AS afterwards gives me a nice start on my day like a nice cup of coffee. Some Saturdays I take the day off from shaving unless there is some function to attend, then I will shave on Saturday; otherwise, I give the face a break on Saturdays. I do three passes, WTG, ATG, and XTG. I take it slow and easy using short strokes; why rush the luxury of a nice SR shave?

I started using straight razor more than a year ago, I shave every day and enjoy every minute of it. I usually wake up an hour ahead of everyone else so enjoy my shave without anyone disturbing me. I usually take half an hour, I could finish it in less time when in a rush but I like to take my time and enjoy it. When I started straight razor I was planning using my DE every once in a while but after a week of SR I wasn't going back to DE, just too much fun.

To me, this is the idea as to why I'm into this at all. I know a lot of our friends here love the honing and restoration aspect of it and that's all great. But to me it's about the luxury of the shave. I was actually happy to see this thread. This is what the SOTD threads are all about too. It's all about enjoying the ritual. And in a time when masculine rituals are often reduced to the likes of an Axe commercial, it's great to slow down and partake in something that seems real, authentic.

I've been shaving for over 50 years having started with a Gillette Super Speed DE and have traveled the road of every new razor to come on the market. I've been retired for 6 years and about 3 years ago I returned to DE, and for the first time of my shaving life learned to take my time and really enjoy my daily shave.. About a year ago I tried shavettes and came to really enjoying that experience. A few weeks ago I completed my quest for the luxury shave and began with a full straight razor. AH! Warm lather, soft brush, sharp straight razor, bay rum, etc. No rush, just enjoyment... one of the blessings of retirement. I could go a day or two without shaving, but why! I enjoy the experience too much. And now with the straight... NO WAY!

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Originally Posted by WindsorRaz

I've been shaving for over 50 years having started with a Gillette Super Speed DE and have traveled the road of every new razor to come on the market. I've been retired for 6 years and about 3 years ago I returned to DE, and for the first time of my shaving life learned to take my time and really enjoy my daily shave.. About a year ago I tried shavettes and came to really enjoying that experience. A few weeks ago I completed my quest for the luxury shave and began with a full straight razor. AH! Warm lather, soft brush, sharp straight razor, bay rum, etc. No rush, just enjoyment... one of the blessings of retirement. I could go a day or two without shaving, but why! I enjoy the experience too much. And now with the straight... NO WAY!

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Amen to that!

I have very coarse and dark hair that requires a daily shave. I typically do a three pass every day. Sunday is always a W-X-A. I pastor and that third pass against really helps through the evening service. Other days I will drop the against and do another across the grain. My skin just seems to take it better.

It is a real pleasure to just enjoy the process...choosing my razor, soap and brush...enjoying the prep while the Jazz floats through the room. Great way to start the day! My wife has taken the kids to daycare and I am the last one using the facilities and leaving the house. I have cherished the seclusion. However everything changes in August. New school for the kids in the opposite direction of where my wife teaches. I am wondering how to occupy the munchkins time so I can still enjoy my shave...that or wait until I drop them off.

I am on active duty. I shave every morning with a straight razor (usually 2 pass). I enjoy it. If I ever get behind in my morning I use a DE. Maybe once every 3 or 4 months I will go on a week straight of DE use. I strop and pick all my items the night before.

I shave every day with a straight or on occasion a shavettes. I have lately taken to shaving in the evening.this is just to give me extra time to enjoy the experience.
My beard grows fast so if I really need to look clean all day I will on occasion shave morning &evening though if I do this for more than 4 shaves the quality of the shave suffers.
Cheers Paul

All my life I hated shaving. I used to be on active duty in the army and I hated the very thought of waking up and shaving. I use a straight razor for two months now and I shave every day just because I love the process itself. Bottom line - shaving with a straight razor is a huge game changer.

A year into straight shaving and I can now say I can do 2 passes with a BBS. Got my technique in shaving and honing down and found the right directions to shave that offers less irritation and is faster. Took awhile to find the right razors, pre-shave, creams, soaps and after shave balm but it is now fun and relaxing.

My luxury is the chance to focus on starting my day off on positive footing. My occupation is quite stressful and part of combating that for me is time blocking my day so I can focus on the one task I have to accomplish during that specific block of time. I use my shave time to focus and visualize how I want not only my shave to go but how I want my whole day to go. Visualize my shave as a success and my daily activities as successes and voila! A beautiful start to the day. Especially when I end up with a BBS shave.

Not to mention shaving with a straight is cool.

I have just kept shaving every day, despite razor burn that has stuck around from the day before. Although I'm just 6 shaves in, I can tell that the burn area is smaller each day, and I really suspect that the only reason I have any today is because I haven't let my face rest.

I too find the whole process luxurious, from the scents to the feeling of the soft brush on my skin to the end result. Having a fine looking razor also helps. :)

I wish I had time to use my str8 every day. im active duty and most days I get a minute or two to shave so I end up using my electric 5-6 days a week only on my days off can I treat my self to a nice str8 shave