Thread: Straight Razor Shaving Reality

When I get in to a new endeavor, I'm likely to research the heck outta it. I love the concept of straight razor shaving. Straight razors are pleasing to the eye. They conjure up thoughts of days long ago, buried in history, days of men's men and hearty women who've made this country great.

I've been reading all that I can about shaving with straight razors. I've bought three Boker straight razors dropping at least 5 bills. I've ordered a Tony Miller strop that went a buck fifteen. I've picked up a Boker 8000 grit Belgian Coticule whetstone that set me back another "C" note plus a few more bucks. All I have left to add to my repertoire is a silvertip badger brush, a lathering bowel, lathering soap, and a straight razor & brush stand. By the time I'm done, I'll have about a grand wrapped up in straight razor shaving.

From my research, there is no closer shave than with a straight razor. And therein lies conflict. How close a shave is close enough? Is straight razor shaving worth the time and effort? I can't say for sure because I've yet to straight razor shave. I do know that I can whip out my Fusion and Shave Butter or Neutrogena shave cream and be good-to-go in two minutes. In fact, my girlfriend wants no part of straight razor shaving because of effort required. Like me, she can shave what needs to be shaved in about three minutes, maybe less.

My dad used to routinely tell me to buy it right the first time & I'll not have to buy again. Usually when I buy something that is essential, I'll buy the best I can afford. Lest you get the wrong idea, I'm not rich. More importantly, I'm not good buying the right equipment the second time when I would've saved money by buying right the first time.

Part of my straight razor research, besides reading, is watching youtube videos of straight razor shaving. Here's straight razor shaving in process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvKoDXbGDsw

This video is 16+ minutes long. Who would want to spend 16 minutes straight razor shaving when Fusion takes about two minutes?

The other conflict I'm confronting is I love straight razors. I love the whole process of straight razor shaving. But I won't like spending 16 minutes shaving. So far, I have zero buyers remorse. However, I do have a feeling that I'll buy a straight razor display case and decorate my bathroom with straight razor paraphernalia. I'm not sure that I'm going to retire my Fusion even though it does leave stubble under my chin.

And then there's Angie Dickinson (Feathers) straight razor shaving Dean Martin (Dude) in Rio Bravo.

Yea well if you don't want to spend the time don't take up shaving with a straight razor is all.

Bob

It is one of those things. It is kind of like cars. They all go from point A to point B, but they are not all the same ride, there are many many differences to the different levels of cars. Similar things can be said about shaving. Honestly if you don't have an issues with the quality and comfort of your multi blade, then I say keep going. I started with straights because I was fed up with the cost and quality of the multi's and the lack quality of shave. I can get a very close and very comfortable shave with my straight, and it would not matter how long I spent with a multi I could not ever achieve those two things. For me that is it, two items that separate everything for me. Yes it does take me 20 minutes to shave, stropping lathering shaving, stropping and a little wipe up in the bathroom. I don't think I ever timed how long it took with a multi but I'm certain it as not two minutes. Personally I can't see trying to convince someone that they should learn to shave with a straight razor. If you are happy with your shaving experience up to this point, then just buy the nice display case. If you want to learn to do it old school, let me know, I'm happy to help with anything I can.

yeah, it's not about speed it's about enjoying the ride. i went from hating to shave, to actually enjoying it. now instead of hearing "aren't you going to shave?" i hear, "are you shaving again?" makes a chore into a relaxing pleasure.

20 minutes of pure self indulgence is about right. For me it has been as much about learning to shave as learning to shave with a straight. I also don't shave every day, sometimes not for a week. A straight just wipes it off. Something a cart nor a DE can do. A grand is a lot to drop on something you are not sure about. It can be done for much much less.

ive been straight shaving for a little over a year now its absolutely more about the journey than the destination. it definitely takes more time but im finding the focus and ritual very relaxing (i shave at night AFTER a long day at work).

but as far as a cost savings... ha! i have more razors than fingers or toes, four strops with a 5th on the way, three brushes and at least 20 good quality soaps. and i wont even go into all the honing equipment both synthetic and natural.

i regret none of it. but if i added all the expenses up im sure i could be shaving with a new mach-3 razor every day for years. =P

Spend less time watching videos and more time learning to use your tools. I could take 16 minutes to shave if I dicked around, but I routinely take less than half that without rushing at all. OTOH, if speed matters, you're probably best off displaying your straight razors and paraphernalia and sticking with your cartridges. Rushing a straight razor shave will only lead to scars. It's all a matter of priorities.

The main time difference for me in my everyday shave is stropping and I don't do 100 on linen and 200 on leather.

I have had a shave by a barber twice. Nothing that I couldn't do myself, but I went to be pampered not speed.

Well you've put together a good kit to do the deed. When I first began straight razor shaving it took me so long to shave one side of my face/neck, that the lather dried on the other side before I got to it. I would have to re-lather. IIRC my first few shaves took 45 minutes. Of course I got faster as time went on.

It may have taken me 6 months to a year to equal the closeness of DE shaving. Something like that. I just got done shaving a 3 day growth. I didn't time it, but I can shave (straight) in maybe 7 minutes for one pass and call it good. I usually do two passes, so maybe 15 minutes. Today’s shave is as close (2 pass) as any I've had with any shaving instrument.

Aside from appreciating the history, doing something the way our forefathers did, it is nice to lather up a high quality shaving brush with high quality soap or cream. Feel the sensation of lathering and then take the freshly stropped blade, not only admiring the beauty, but putting it to work.

Anyway, if you approach this wanting to shave fast and close you'll probably be disappointed. I have a few DE razors that I can use if I'm running late for church, or whatever. I reserve the straight for an enjoyable time of pampering myself. Try that approach, until you master it, and I think you'll find you've made a good investment.

I'm not rich either BTW. I drive a 2005 Ford Focus, and haven't eaten in a restaurant in a dog's age. Shaving with quality kit is one of the few extravagances I allow myself, along with smoking quality tobacco in a quality briar pipe.

+1 to near everything mentioned above.
The heritage, the lineage, the beautiful simplicity of the razors edge in keen state of readiness, the soaps, the brush, the rigorous diligence to avoid mishaps by following a specific regimen. Cannot rush that experience, nor should one try.
The resulting quality of shave, and longevity of same makes it all worth it if the above reasons do not.