Thread: Why Shave Straight

Others may use different words or rearrange what you have already said, but none can say what you have written any better.

What you have penned is what I usually feel when I prepare to shave and if my mind should be preoccupied with thoughts of the world as I get into my ritual I will try to remember your equivalent writings here.

Thank you.

I copied your post into my typing tutor program. It's more interesting than the usual text I'm given to practice on!

1. I like the way it makes my face feel when I have finnished.

2. It reminds me of time spent with my Grandfather.

3. It is hard to have any kind of attachment to a cartridge razor.

4. It is a discipline. It keeps you sharp.

5. It takes me back to a more simpler time.

6. It is a quest.

7. I like the way it makes my face feel when I have finnished.

Very Well Stated!!!

Robert M Pirsig wrote- "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which I read when I was 17, (at my Father's recommendation). Didn't understand it, because I was to immature, and already did it, albeit unawares. Now, having 15 years of aircraft maintenance with the Forces, and almost as many with an airline under my much longer belt, I get it. To fully appreciate the experience though, one should be fully conscious of it, as I finally am. I have always resented people trying to rush me, and now that I have a relatively firm grasp of all this, I can choose to allow it or not, and be aware of making the choice.

What I have though come to resent even more, is people who see you in this state of pure concentration and take enjoyment from startling one out of it. Yes I work with some real winners.

Anyway, hats off to the author for elucidating the essence of our morning meditation in the mirror for us, and facilitating the greater enjoyment of our state of "no mind" when we are shaving.

Namaste

Lance

Nicely put - I guess we may have different reasons for getting into this (inc. saving money), but the whole meditative / personal time / skill development / art form seems to kick in and take over pretty quickly.

I get the look from my wife when I mention shaving - I'm still new to it, but I keep looking forward to trying something else to improve my experience. (I have to patiently wait 24hrs to have my next shave and tweak what I'm doing).

I compared straight shaving to the slow food movement (vs fast food) - it can be cheaper to cook at home, or more expensive if you get really carried away with tools and ingredients. But both take a bit more time and thought and give a lot more satisfaction. Cooking and shaving can be seen as chores or they can become a pleasurable and relaxing time of the day.

I'd like to point out that while I was reading it, all I could think about was, "My, what perfect grammar and punctuation!"

That's just my neurosis, I suppose.

Really, though, I must add to this. My experiences in life, albeit short, have shown me that it's the dangerous things in life that intrigue me. I can't help but feel that men as a culture have been emasculated over the past few generations; domesticated, more or less. We've traded the wild frontier for the safe cubicle farm. A house in the woods for a hollow abode in a gated community. I'm not one to speak out against feminism, but it's completely maimed chivalry. 'Bigger, better, stronger' has been replaced by All-Wheel-Drive and Airbags. The same reason why "The Deadliest Catch" is one of the most-watched shows in the history of Discovery Channel. The same reason that the only opposition I've encountered with Straight Shaving has been from women saying it's scary. Damn right, it's scary. It's scary for me, too - holding a blade sharper than a scalpel to my throat for mere GROOMING purposes.

It's the same reason that boys at a young age will take anything and make it into a weapon. Mere sticks become guns. Your backyard was transformed into a wonderland of mystery and adventure, with a maiden awaiting rescue. The same reason I've always held a bit of jealousy for those guys that have an entire show being filmed watching them hunt a moose. The same reason I watch UFC instead of tennis.

I recently went to the house of a friend who had agreed to watch my kids while the wife and I attended a wedding. Above his fireplace rested these ENORMOUS antlers.

"Those aren't real, are they?" I asked.
"Sure are."
"Where'd you buy 'em?"

He chuckled a bit and told me he didn't buy them. Instead, he removed them from the moose he killed in Canada about 15 years ago. My friend who works at the University of Chicago as a professor shot a moose? I couldn't believe it. It goes to show how unbelievable those exploits seem to be these days - almost unreal.

The last bit of masculinity afforded to men in a world filled with compromise and safety.

Just my rants and raves, I suppose.

-Derek

When I here the comment about shaving with a straight razor, I think of the story of the old Sheriff who carried his .45 Automatic pistol with the hammer back and the thumb safety on. Someone ask if that wasn't dangerous. His replay, "You Damn well better believe its dangerous".

Hunting is a great way to enjoy being a man.

No computers, no 4 star crash rating sedans, plenty of bacon, more booze, fire, guns, dirtbikes and fresh air.


And to add to that, next season I'll be bringing a straight to camp!


Thanks for the insight.

Yah. That was beautiful. *Standing and Applauding*

Just like everyone else said too.

Showers are suppose to be slow and relaxing, because of the hot water and the clean feeling afterwards. For me a shower is slow and relaxing, because it softens up the scruff more the longer you take. The fresh, clean feeling only comes after you strop up and shave. It's being able to take a cotton ball with aftershave and wipe it across your face without having any of the fibers get hung up on stubble that a cartridge missed.

Also it's a craftsmanship and pride point to. You don't see professional chef's use dull cutlery to prepare a world class meal, just like you don't see a long time straight user using a dull blade. Being a newbie, I know that my touch-up or honing jobs aren't the best or greatest now. Granted, I have a few minor scratches from my first couple of shaves (I think I'm up to three nicks in 5 shaves), but I'm just starting. I am willing to learn and grow to get better at it, both honing and shaving. Both are skills that you will need to be an all around shaver (just like a chef knows how to cook and bake to make good food). Right now my nicks are like battle scars that say "I'm learning, putting in my dues" but eventually they will heal over and my shaves will get better. All that will remain is a smooth face with a smile that says "Yah I straight shave.... and I want to look and feel my best." Who wants to see a guy with a five o'clock shadow at 1 o'clock? I like to show people that I think hygiene is important and that they don't have to look at a un-groomed guy; it's just the professional and polite thing to do.

Yah man...Yah.... Very Very inVigorating stuff