Thread: Why Do You Shave With a Straight Razor?

It brings back fond memories of when I was at barber. The scent of Jeris Musk, awesome cooling effects of Osage as well as application of Clubman Talc. When the cut was finished it's often followed up with straight shave to the sideburns and nape. My barber also gave me some Cracked and MAD mags here and there.

Originally Posted by deusseteh

I really believe that I was somehow tricked into it because I really cant remember why I started searching for a straight razor I was just doing it one day.

I was doing the same thing. Except I truly was looking for straight razor.

I started using a straight razor as I was fed up of having my other half blunt my MIII on her legs and also my electric shaver was on its way out.
Also I now look forward to having a shave, being able to lock myself away for a half hour or so to enjoy the ritual that goes with it. I get a better sense of achievement from using a bare blade, sharpened to the point where you have to give it respect and acquiring the skill to use it.
Keeping the simple traditions alive in a world of hi tech marketing, and making a better job than any fancy multi-bladed throw away piece of plastic could ever do.

I started because I was tired of using overpriced cartridge razors that clogged and didn't give a decent shave, or an electric razor that left a worse shave and had heads that have to be replaced at least once a year (or every 6 months) that cost as much as a new electric razor. I have a very thick, dark beard (light brown skin) that makes it look as though I have a five o'clock shadow even if I'm "clean shaven" (if you can call it that with those mass marketed plastic pieces of garbage). Even with a straight, BBS still admits a shadow on my face due to my dark facial hair. I attended a school where being clean shaven was a requirement for men, and I got asked if I "had shaved today" so many occasions, many times my response was "Yeah, an hour ago," which was the truth. Needless to say, I didn't stay there for long.

I started with a shavette (Monsieur Charles) a couple years ago, and would alternate between that, disposables, and a rotary electric. I started using the electric exclusively (tired of nicking myself with the shavette, and tired of clogged disposables) until the heads dulled and just pulled. I decided to get back with the shavette, but first went and bought the Van Der Hagen brush and soap set. I also bought the Parker SRW shavette, as I liked the style of the blades better (and the holder doesn't rub on your face like the Monsieur Charles does). Proper beard prep made a HUGE difference.

I got reasonably good with the shavette, but still nicked myself with a sharp blade, and could only get about two shaves out of a blade before it was too dull to use (two passes per shave). So I'd get one shave where I had to be really really careful, and still got nicked, and a second shave where I could be less careful, but still got nicked (just a lot less). I've been using the Parker exclusively for three months, but only every two or three days to let the nicks heal.

I finally bought a real straight razor, an 11/16 Townsend Special full hollow square point from the classifieds on this site, and a Fromm strop from Amazon. They arrived yesterday, and my first REAL straight shave was this morning...what a difference from the shavette. I barely nicked myself once, and was able to make three full passes (with the shavette, two was the limit before I either got bad razor burn or severe nicks). Stropping is one more skill to learn, but the lack of nicks just amazes me. After looking online and stumbling across SRP, I knew that this was the place to learn to shave.

I started to use a straight razor because I figured it was the only way I was ever going to get a decent shave. I've continued from shavette to real straight due to reading the difficulty of using a shavette without nicks, as well as the fact that this way, I never have to buy new blades. I like anachronisms, which also attracts me to straight razors, as I wear a mechanical wristwatch, and use a mechanical pencil that looks like a fountain pen (specifically, a Pentel Kerry, first made in 1971). I like the looks of vintage suits (thought I don't own one...yet), and the idea of shaving with a straight razor seems to fit nicely into such a persona. The fact that it gives me a superior shave to every other method I've tried is a double bonus.

Thank you, SRP, and thanks for this thread. It's so good to know that others have a keen interest in shaving the "old-fashioned" way (really, the only way for me).

I use a straight razor because I have one razor for the rest of my life , I dont have to go to the pharmacy for buy a cartriges pack for $15 . I was spend $380.00 or more in a year for shave my head and face with gellette match 3 cartrige , now I only buy one aftershave and one soap a year , that is if you no have a acquisition disorder .
A straight razor shave is the most close shave you may have who can compete with that .

why? cause it's my time, we as people tend to do so much for other people, work, friends, family, not that this is a bad thing, but one needs to spend time on him/herself. and damn it it's fun!

i started because my grandfather/uncles all used to use them, and i wanted to be like them, thought how hard could it be after all it's just shaving, boy was i wrong! but the skill that is needed hooked me!

Hi Obie!

Looking at the date of your original post, I guess you finished writing the article some time ago--if it's available online, I'd like to read it!

But assuming you're still looking in on this thread from time to time, here's my 2 cents:

I shave with a straight razor because:
--I got tired of flaking that gooey strip of crap off of twin-blade cartridges, and at the same time that I hit the wall on that, I found a piece online about shaving with a straight (not your article, though) that led me to SRP; and
--(more importantly) I derive a deep sense of pleasure from learning skills/activities that give me a tangible or palpable sense of connection with the past. My mother recently told me that she has her grandfather's or great-grandfather's (she's not sure which) straight razor and strop, and wants me to have them. I don't know what condition they're in, but hope the razor is salvageable. To be shaving with my GGF's or GGGF's razor--talk about a tangible connection with the past! and,
--I like having the choice to do this, and love the equipment--the razors we have to choose from are just beautiful to look at and a pleasure to hold and use--and not being confined to what the modern companies choose to make available; and
--I really enjoy shaving this way; and
--SWMBO really likes the results, and says it's far superior to anything ever done with a cartridge.

Hope all is well with you.

Hello, Durhampiper:

Thank you for your interested in the article. Yes, I did finish it and it was published in the Shepherd Express, an alternative newspaper in Milwaukee. Here is the link to the article.

Straight Razors: Bringing Joy to Shaving

Regards,
Obie

Good read there obie.

Nice piece, Obie! Thanks for posting the link!

Found another nice article by Obie at that same newspaper; enjoy!

A Cut and a Shave at Your Father’s Mustache