Thread: My heretical rules for enjoying str8s

hi all, been a while since i was here

mostly because i have discovered, through trial and error, a set of guidelines that have allowed me to enjoy effective straight razor shaving. i label them "heretical" because they go against most of the advice given here.

1. HONE BEFORE EVERY SHAVE. this is probably the big one people will find issue with. my biggest shaving gripe was ineffective edges. now that i have mastered honing (at least to my satisfaction), i figure i deserve that newly-honed shave every time. not much mind you, just a couple of strokes on an old oilstone (between 3k and 5k grit) and then a few on the swaty, followed by some stropping. total time - about five minutes work. i put a little pressure on the blade and i also double or triple tape the spine, whatever i have to do to get the edge in a short period of time. the result is a blade that will cut three days worth of mountain-man stuble with one pass. why not get this every time? i have to say i find the prevailing wisdom here of infrequent honing to not match reality and seems focused more on keeping the blade pretty instead of effective.

2. NO EXPENSIVE RAZORS. since i want a "HHT" keen edge on *every* shave, my heavy honing regimen will likely limit the life of the razor. since i only buy used or even left-for-dead razors off the web, i don't feel bad about an approach to honing that limits their effective life. also anecdotally i suspect that these cheaper razors have lower quality metal than new expensive razors, which is good, because i want them to hone quickly. why do people want steel so hard they can't quickly sharpen it?

3. GET THE CHEAPEST LEATHER STROP POSSIBLE. the $39 illinois special will strop your razor. when you nick it (you will), just toss it.

4. GET THE CHEAPEST REAL BADGER BRUSH. you're only using it to put foam on your face, not paint the mona lisa.

5. CHEAP SHAVE SOAP. and use A LOT of it. since i use william's mug soap at 99 cents a bar, i don't worry about wasting it.

6. GENERIC JOJOBA OIL. this is the effective ingredient in other aftershave moisturizers, just buy it on its own for $2 a bottle and use sparingly.

7. SHAVE MUG == OLD COFFEE MUG. who is paying $20 for a shave mug????

8. ITS OK TO USE A MACH3 ON SOME PARTS. i realize i will never get the steady hands needed to do just underneath my bottom lip.

9. NORTON8k == USELESS. COTICULE == EXPENSIVE USELESS. PASTES == MESSY USELESS. with the norton 4k, my old oilstone, and the swaty, i can put a "HHT" edge on anything i get from ebay.

10. THE RAZOR IS A TOOL, NOT AN HEIRLOOM. obsession with pretty things is the domain of the small-minded.

11. SMELLY STUFF IS FOR WOMEN. when you put on your fave aftershave/cologne, the rest of us on the bus, subway, or office meeting room are gagging.

in conclusion - use cheap stuff, heap whatever abuse you have to on it to get it working, and throw it away when it fails or wears out.