Unintended Consequence of Straight Razor Shaving

I started straight razor shaving because I was tired of shaves from cartridge razors and also thought straight razor shaving would be cool. But after spending the time to strop shave lather and go through all the steps of attempting to get a great shave, I say attempt because I'm still not very good at it, I find myself with a much calmer state of mind throughout the whole day than I had before. Lynn mentions this in his straight razor video and I can't agree more. Even though at the moment I cut up my face and nearly go into shock when I splash on aftershave I still feel accomplished having tried something new and seeing improvements everyday.
I'm curious to know how you guys feel after you shave with a straight razor and whether it is anything like this.

Its simple! When you use a straight razor, to do it right, you are forced into a different way of thinking that is not too common in our "throw away" modern world! You can not shave with a straight razor thoughtlessly! You can not rush through it! Once your thinking shifts then you understand why us oldtimers stick with it and refuse to go back!! It is not the great shave it affords. That is a side benefit! It is the state of mind that we are required to be in to do it right!!!

:rock: I do believe "The JMS" nailed that one, Mark I really like that the great shave is actually a side benefit part, deep man, very deep :hmmm:

Not to diminish what Mark and Glen have said, but being no stranger to meditative action, although I appreciate the chance to focus myself, I'm just in in for the shaves myself. :D

X

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Originally Posted by xman

Not to diminish what Mark and Glen have said, but being no stranger to meditative action, although I appreciate the chance to focus myself, I'm just in in for the shaves myself. :D

X

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Slime ball!:D:roflmao

SWMBO has noticed a dramatic increase in my happiness factor since I've switched to straights. Perhaps the meditation thing is half the battle here.


As for the OP....here's a trick I found which has greatly increased my shave quality. Shave Oil.....there I said it, I use it, and I love it.:D

There is the satisfaction/accomplishtmenht part. It's something you have done. With an electric or any other method of shaving it's almost entirely a matter of buying the equipment. There there is the ritual, traditionional thing. And the whole mind relaxation thing. And then... you can't come close to sculpting a precision trimmed bieard with anything other than a straight.

and if you tack it even farther coustomise your razor make your shave soap mix your shav oil, make your shave brush ,make your strop. then when you finish your shave you can realy feel like you can do just about any thing.

I get a good feeling out of performing the ritual and feel better emotionally afterwards. I also have a shrinking bank balance and an expanding credit card debit but that is from the RAD and is optional I guess. :shrug: :D

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I also have a shrinking bank balance and an expanding credit card debit but that is from the RAD and is optional I guess. :shrug: :D

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Now prior to last month, I thought you would have said "HAD" instead of RAD, Jimmy. Have you kicked HAD and/or replaced it with RAD? Say it isn't so! Oh, wait a minute, one less person to bid against me for stones!;)

Chris L

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Originally Posted by Chris L

Now prior to last month, I thought you would have said "HAD" instead of RAD, Jimmy. Have you kicked HAD and/or replaced it with RAD? Say it isn't so! Oh, wait a minute, one less person to bid against me for stones!;)

Chris L

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To tell you the truth Chris I think I am done with buying stones. :shrug: At least the vintage variety. I have all of the coticules and Eschers I need or want. I still think about the Chosera 5 and 10K and the Shapton GlassStones but the Shapton Pros are serving me well. I am trying to get to know the stones I have. I got so many so quickly that it has taken awhile to sort out what I like. Believe it of not the Norton 4 and 8 are right up there with the coticules and Eschers as my favorites so far.

What's shave oil and what's the difference between it and regular soap?