Thread: Straight Razor Shaving as a means to Going Green

Over the past year or so four different people have asked me about taking up straight shaving as a means to going green. This is part of an effort on their part to give up plastic, to reuse more and to source local goods.

I have to admit that I was a bit caught off guard on each occasion, although the last time I got into a pretty detailed discussion because the guy had already started researching it.

It got me thinking. Can you help me be more prepared for the next time someone asks me about this and share your thoughts. I realise this might not be a current concern - but if it's a way of encouraging new straight shavers then surely it's a worthwhile topic.

Here are the general "rules" based on what people seemed to be concerned about.

1) Absolutely no plastic. Even if it's from a vintage razor, should the scales break, you are still putting plastic back into the ecosystem. Besides - there is a principle being stuck to here. That means no synthetic brushes, no lapping film, no plastic packaging.
2) No pollutants. I'm not sure where oil falls into this (opinions welcome) are there other substances we should be wary of? Is silicon carbine ok? inhalation can be dodgy, and depending on manufacture I understand there can be pollutant bi-products.
3) Domestically sourced where possible. The aim here is to cut down on aeroplane shipping. Same country or state is best - - ground transport. Preference would be same continent at worst. That means all these trans-global shipments should avoided - e.g. a Gold Dollar being shipped from China.

Razors:
Horn or wood scales. Avoid hard and exotic woods? E.g. stick to Olive, or locally sourced woods.
Continental Europe - Solingen, TI etc.
UK - There are a couple of bricks and mortar shops in the south east stocking Dovos. Otherwise UK custom makers?
US / Canada - custom razors only?

Locally found and restored vintage wooden handled razors.

I guess, when buying from a bricks and mortar shop or a local mail order, the stock has been supplied to them in bulk, which reduces individual air flights.

Honing:
A local honer.
UK - modern Welsh stones / possibly Coticules, depending on how they are shipped.
US - Arkansas stones
Continental Europe - Coticules
Medditeranean - Cretan / Vermio
Asia - Jnat / Cnat
Africa - Zulu grey

Brushes:
Badger / Boar / Horse only
Europe - Semogue or Omega? - is the boar hair locally sourced?

Soaps
Which soaps have no plastic packaging?
Which soaps are available locally?

Strops
Natural flax or linen rather than any synthetic fibre.