Why I Straight Shave...

Sorry about the rambling, just felt I had to share this. So many threads exist asking why, and today was a good example on my behalf.

So after the first 8 hour night I've had in a LONG while, at my first class I found out I got an A on a major Econ test (basically a midterm) so that was sweet, but then my day just turned downhill. It snowed (first snowfall of the year) and I have Seasonal Affective Disorder in a BAD way (moving from sunny, warm South Africa to gray, miserable NY was harsh...). SO I was pretty bummed. Practice turned out to be an epic 20km row through a sleet/rain mix which was very cold and very miserable. Right after practice I had to rush to a Thermodynamics test (also +/- midterm level) without even a shower, turns out the one and a half hour test was so hard they gave us an EXTRA HOUR and still no one finished, needless to say I feel like I completely bombed that **** even if the curve helps a little, it just never feels good to know that there is no way your raw score is above a 75. After completing my 2 hours of Diff-Eq hw, I went to shave.

I got out the MWF, the new Red Imp strop I got, and my trusty, never-fail Schmidt (6/8 singing round point). Needless to say I spent a 1/2 hour shaving, where my only concern was stropping, and making lather, and massaging my face with the brush full of fluffy goodness, and wiping the hair off with an amazing tool. That is why I straight shave. Cus when your day goes from great to bad to worse, it'll take your mind off of things, at least for a little while.

I find that my bad days are the days that I should avoid straight shaving. I know that if I shave on those days I will end up with some really nasty cuts.

Yep...shaving is therapy for me too. Glad it helped ya. :-)

Mac

Yep. The shave is me time. I'm not responsible for anyone else and all I have to do is concentrate on a good stropping and shave. I relax and focus on competing with myself only; I compare today's shave to yesterday's and see if I can figure out where the differences are so I can have an even better shave tomorrow. That, and I really like the idea of keeping the tradition alive and not having to constantly be laying money out for replacement this and that like with electrics and multi-blades.

You're right in that shaving is therapy. I know it is for me. Lather, blade, angle are the three most important things in the world at that point. And the patch of skin I'm denuding of beard the most important part of my body. Good post.

I shave at night before I go to bed. For me the time spent shaving with a straight is a punctuation mark on the day. Here is where today finishes and now it's time for bed before the next day starts.

I love straight shaving in the winter. Nothing like getting bare faced and stepping out into the cold after a BBS , man...........! Makes you feel alive with a purpose!:rock:


R

I agree with the therapy of SR shaving. When Armageddon comes I may very well be in my bathroom getting one last shave in while everything comes down around me. But for now, I just wish I had your problems. Wanna trade?

Unfortunately I really needed something exactly like this after today, but I have yet to receive my shave ready razor in the mail. I started the day by doing so poorly on a Diff-Eq test that I didn't even bother turning it in (we get our lowest test grade dropped). I then went to the local eatery and ordered a talapia salad (usually one of the best things on the menu) only to find that the talapia was VERY fishy tasting instead of the usual blackened delight that I have grown to expect. Then I went to a surveying lab that lasted about four hours. At this point I was very exhausted and wanted nothing more than to relax, but unfortunately I had to spend the rest of the day studying for a Calc 4 and a Statics test tomorrow. I am now sleepless from all the coffee and just waiting out the time until the caffeine wears off so I can fall asleep. Also my beard is getting quite scruffy; I certainly could use a relaxing straight shave.

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Originally Posted by bknesal

Unfortunately I really needed something exactly like this after today, but I have yet to receive my shave ready razor in the mail. I started the day by doing so poorly on a Diff-Eq test that I didn't even bother turning it in (we get our lowest test grade dropped). I then went to the local eatery and ordered a talapia salad (usually one of the best things on the menu) only to find that the talapia was VERY fishy tasting instead of the usual blackened delight that I have grown to expect. Then I went to a surveying lab that lasted about four hours. At this point I was very exhausted and wanted nothing more than to relax, but unfortunately I had to spend the rest of the day studying for a Calc 4 and a Statics test tomorrow. I am now sleepless from all the coffee and just waiting out the time until the caffeine wears off so I can fall asleep. Also my beard is getting quite scruffy; I certainly could use a relaxing straight shave.

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I completely feel you on this bro and I tell you, your first shaves you might nick yourself here and there, it'll be exciting and stuff, but as the excitement wheres off and it becomes a not new thing- it doesn't become boring. It instead becomes really really relaxing. And I dunno how other people feel, maybe its just from being an athlete, but when I do something that I love, and that either requires my full attention, or that I can focus in on, it just lets me zone everything else out and just forget for now.

Your story sounded so similar to mine I just couldn't not share. I'll be checking my mail every day hoping it will finally be the day my thirst for a straight shave will be quenched.

Also I don't care how good or bad the shave goes, you better believe it's going on the SOTD ;)

When I get right down to it, and with the exception of "good" attention from a beautiful woman, even a bad straight razor shave is still better for my state of mind than anything else I can think of.

One reason why I started shaving at night was the wind-down and the peace and quiet. It is a great way to start your day, but boy oh boy is it ever a wonderful way to end a day where nothing seemed to click.

Yes, this is why I straight razor shave.

Ditto what everyone else said.

I also love shaving because my five year old son loves watching me do it. I get to spend lots of great daddy-son time with him, and I'm pretty sure he will use a straight razor from the start. Instead of shaving being a hated necessity, it's an enjoyable experience.

It is kind of hard shaving sometimes though while trying to talk or not laugh!

Not to try to out do anybody's rough day(s) but here goes. I'm an insulin dependent diabetic, have been for 32yrs (diagnosed when I was 2). Never had any real healthcare untill almost 10 yrs ago when I began working at the University Hospital here in PDX. Because of the lack of health care I have other issues to deal with. Mostly my kidneys are shot and I now have to do home PD dialysis. I wear an insulin pump for the diabetes so if someone were to catch me in the evening you might mistake me for the BORG. Anyway. When I get home from work, have a little dinner then take a shower that's when things start getting better. The time I spend working up the lather. Lathering up. Then actually shaving is when all the rest of my issues, wether work, family, health, etc...go out the door. Even when my neighbor has his daughter and they're yelling and banging around none of it matters. Not to say that when I get done I don't want to go next door and throttle the both of 'em but hey. Anywho. That's it. My Nirvana.

You're not out doing anyone. I know it sounds whiny and I actually have life pretty good and that wasn't really my point. My point is something we share- that amazing sense of disconnect form our personal problems through shaving. Thanks for your contribution.

my reasons: not allowed to go to a real barber shop in korea....so i gotta learn to do for myself and yes it is relaxing because it has your FULL attention, as much as desert racing but the sr8 shave is def more relaxing and there are no deserts here thermodynamics and Diff of equations you working on an engineering degree of sorts Khaos?