Thread: 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!


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.

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.

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.