Thread: Shaving with a Straight... Art!?!?!

I was sitting here studying and got side tracked...

Many people have this theory that shaving with a blade is an art. I got to thinking, no it's not, it's just a way to get rid of whiskers for the lady!

But I thought a little more. Anything that you take pride in and do very well... so well that not a whisker is left on your face after harmoniously honing and stropping your blade till it glistens on the edge with delight... can certainly be an art. Like chopping wood, carpentry, laying brick or carpet these things can be mastered or masterpieces, much like shaving with a straight.

I'm glad to stumble onto this forum... it certainly has shed some light on shaving, among other things.

Thanks Men.

I'm happy to hear that you feel this way.

I certainly see it as an art. I think "an art" is anything that takes skill and patience to master. By that definition, using a straight razor well is definitely an art.

Great thread! I agree, very much an art. I almost feel sorry for those who get up in the morning, spread on some cold barbasol shaving foam and yank their whiskers out with a mach 3 as fast as they can so they can rid themselves of that daily chore quickly. Nothing like the art, nobility, thoughtfulness, time altering craft of lathering, stropping and shaving with a straight razor. Ah, it makes me want to go shave now! We are a lucky few who enjoy this wonderful art. Jeremy-

IT definitely is an art, especially when you consider all the factors you need to learn and develop to shave successfully. For example, honing, is something that is truly an art form and takes a ton of experience to master. It even spreads onto the side of personal preferences since there is no exact way to hone, everyone has their own methods.

I do not think that it is art, but it certainly takes skills, guts and discipline to become a good straight shaver. I am working on all three areas.

I work on a ship with a shared bathroom. The filipino crew that have seen me shave do not think of me as an artist. They just think Im a nutter. However, it is an art, very true! I' m still waiting for my "Sistine Chapel" shave though!

I think it's an art.

Originally Posted by gregs656

I think it's an art.

ditto I like to think of it as one anyways

I also like many above think it is an art as well.

I agree, wonderful thread- thanks for starting this one. For me, I have been shaving with a STR8 for almost a week now and I am LOVING it. I am not yet at the point that I can shave exclusively with the STR8, but I am getting marked improvement with my two blade Sensor Excel as a result of shaving with the STR8 as well. Shaving with a STR8 (for me) is a wonderful ritual which lets me escape from the unexciting or stressful parts of the day. When I have the blade on my skin, I dont think of anything else and it is almost like a meditation or relaxation exercise. I suppose that the ritual of sharpening the blade is also an art which allows great pride and care to be exercised. STR8 shaving, "I'm lov'n it."

-Thomas