Thread: Straightshaving missionary.

Originally Posted by KristofferBodvin

Sounds like a great idea.Its deffenitly an enviormental argument,and a little "up yours" to the general idea in our society: buy,use throw away.I meen a straight can last for several generations.
Btw: where in in Canada do you live? I went the "west coast trail" this summer.I love your country!

ya i hate the "throw away mentality people get into. i'm definitely not perfect but if it is a matter of being lazy and getting something disposable or putting an effort into it i always choose the latter. i live in southwestern Ontario, Chatham to be exact. definitely not the West Coast, but i don't mind it too much. i usually go out to Salt Spring Island once a year for a couple weeks (my uncle lives there), it is inbetween the mainland and Victoria Island. if you get a chance that (or one of the other islands that are close to it) is the most relaxing place i have ever been. just amazing. next time i go i am checking out the Saturday market for straight razors for sure i'm sure the hippies there would be real into them.

I absolutely love Str8's. Shaving is without a doubt enjoyable. And I too share my enthusiasm with all that who will listen

It really IS true that the Fusion, Mach-whatever do indeed give a VERY GOOD shave. In fact in my case-the shave is too close-that cut and pull=close shave sales pitch is the cause of in grown hairs, and other complexion problems.

But to enter a "shave-off" you had better have good blade skills-those disposables have received alot of high tech research and have become practically idiot proof. And they really allow someone with little skill to get a passable shave.

MOST people don't want to be bothered-you simply can't be in a rush with a Str8. And until the "infidel" is willing to slow down and smell the roses-you won't get them converted.

3 conversions so far, I think its the appeal of the sharp blade in a hopefully steady hand, as well as the disposable catridge/disposable income phenomenom and the environment.

I only managed to convert my brother to DE and shavettes. To be honest though he is 17 and has hardly any hair to shave anyway. I'm sure he would be open to trying a straight if he had one. Maybe I should try giving him one next time I see him. Most other people just think I'm stupid so I don't bother trying to convert anybody.
My outlook on many things is the same - If somebody is intrigued they will ask, but as I have specific taste I usually don't talk about it.

heh ... I am reminded of my FIL who wanted to get set up with straight shaving gear so I did that for him on Father's Day a couple of years back. The fact that I told him to be careful and supplied him with much information and even offered to answer any question he had or demonstrate anything he found confusing didn't stop him from slicing one of his finger pads off at his first stropping.

He hasn't touched the stuff since.

X

i consider straight shaving a hobby and an enjoyable one at that, and most people today don't have hobbies beyond watching tv or their favorite sport (not that i don't watch tv or play and watch sports). i get the same reactions when i tell people that i use a straight razor as when i tell them that i bought an 8 inch reflector telescope (just in case 8" is the size of the mirror, the thing is about a 10" diameter tube that sits about 41/2' tall), they say "oh that sounds neat" but it always ends up that they think it is a bit boring. to me it has to do with the little to no attention span that people tend to have now-a-days. you really have to practice to get good at straight shaving, which takes time and effort and attention to detail. most people don't find that fulfilling, i know i do no matter if it is a great shave, getiing a great look at jupitor, fabricating a piece for a motorcycle or playing guitar, the concentration and sense of accomplishment is really why i do it. most people just don't give a crap about that anymore.
BTW, sorry about the rant.

P.S. maybe if someone encorporated straight shaving into the next grand theft auto game (not that i haven't had fun playing it here and there) people might get interested.

I managed to convert my business partner, but it wasn't any challenge! He was very excited by the idea. Had to buy him a cheap vintage razor & a 2nd hand strop to get him going though. When he's not using that he's using an old gillete de with feather blades that i gave him. No luck with my brother & my father just thinks i'm insane. Why would anyone go that far backwards?!

I thnk about the best way to convert anyone is to show just how good a shave can be. I am shaving more and doing a better job every time now. This is what people see- No cuts, scrapes, or missed spots! Always carry one or two razors in the pocket for show and tell. The razor gets the attention! The shave is secondary-but it must be perfect. So far, no convertees for me, but THE STORIES and history I am hearing! Straight razor shaving is definitely a link with the past. My banker is from Albania. She tells of her grandfather using a straight razor only. Maybe retro-shaving is making a comeback in the "Modern" World. People I witness to are not being bored by this hobby being showcased. Maybe they are just being polite; anyway, the idea is conveyed.

Nobody likes a proselytizer.

The guys in my unit have seen me sanding blades for resto projects during breaks and such, but no one seems to be interested beyond taking a look at the blade, so I don't bother.

My dad doesn't shave ever, and my brother is just getting to the age where he might need it. He's not the type of guy to spend the time to maintain the blade properly. I might get him using a shavette, though...
J.

I have a disciple to whom I have shown the straight path. He is thinking of buying a straight razor but not yet (but it will come). Anyway he bought a badger brush and T&H soap and oil, so soon he will take part in our sacred ritual and be one of us.

But the quest goes on to make the infidels come under the (razor) blade.