It’s all been said before, but….

[Elnones]

…as someone very new to staight razor shaving, I am finding it an amazing daily routine. Unlike almost everything these days, there is nothing disposable. Because I use a vintage razor, I have a great sense of history. The razor requires maintenance, and using it demands focus and skill. What great way to start the day. If I do use one of my DEs from time to time, it will be out of pure nostalgia. I wonder if just for environmental reasons, whether straight razors are the way of the future.

[yondermountain91]

Really happy you are enjoying the process, it truly is an amazing experience. Let me know if I can be of any help. Cheers.
-Laramie-

[outback]

I've been using a straight for 37 years now. I still anticipate the next shave.

I went a step further than general maintenance, and started collecting and restoring them, as well as brushes and strops. I can now enjoy a shave with a different razor, from the late 1700s to the present.

I hope that it would make a big come back, but most of today's society is just plain lazy. To exert themselves would be too much, and immoral. But there's still that select few that will. Glad your with us.

[Elnones]

Really happy you are enjoying the process, it truly is an amazing experience. Let me know if I can be of any help. Cheers.
-Laramie-

Thanks. It occurs to me that the internet has made taking straight razor shaving up much easier than it must have beebpn in the past. I watched many videos on how to do it before I put razor to face. Here’s a question. Right now I have a really inexpensive strop. As I get into this, should I spend more on a better one?

[STF]

A nice strop is nice but save those pennies for when you know your not gonna cut it up.

I know that there is going to be some push back but I'm of the opinion that if you can strop well it really doesn't matter too much how much your strop cost.

[Tathra11]

Ahhhh...... I see the opening of a rabbit hole. Perhaps one of our many 'acquisition disorders'. But seriously, whilst my very expensive Kanoyama is a joy to use, it doesn't produce a better edge than my much less expensive strops followed by some palm stropping. High end strops are fine to use provided the stropping technique is sorted.

[outback]

I started with an old leather belt that I'd grown out of. Chopped that one up in short order, on to another, still got it.

Yeah....no internet back then. Self taught, till I found this place. I managed, but much more enlightened in the proper techniques, now.

[Elnones]

Ahhhh...... I see the opening of a rabbit hole. Perhaps one of our many 'acquisition disorders'. But seriously, whilst my very expensive Kanoyama is a joy to use, it doesn't produce a better edge than my much less expensive strops followed by some palm stropping. High end strops are fine to use provided the stropping technique is sorted.

Yes, I’ve been through that with DEs. I inherited the straights,and so far I spent only what it cost to have them honed and $20 for the strop. But it’s a slippery slope.

[Elnones]

Ahhhh...... I see the opening of a rabbit hole. Perhaps one of our many 'acquisition disorders'. But seriously, whilst my very expensive Kanoyama is a joy to use, it doesn't produce a better edge than my much less expensive strops followed by some palm stropping. High end strops are fine to use provided the stropping technique is sorted.

Palm stropping? Really?

[Tathra11]

Palm stropping? Really?

Yes absolutely. I picked it up from Alex Gilmour, well known Jnat seller. (TheJapanStone) utube. After leather, I strop on my firm palm. Adds keen to the edge. Old school and works a treat.