Thread: What made you guys want to shave with a straight.

Electrics and cartridge razors never shaved as well as I would have liked. Last year I became interested in straight shaving. I like history and old things in general, and I'm kind of old-school anyway.

Earlier this year I found my Dad's safety razors and my Grandfather's straight razor. The straight may be just a keepsake at this point, but I have been shaving with the DEs since then.

Last month Larry's dog whipped up a couple of straights for me, and I have been alternating with a straight and a DE. Once I settle on the DE blade that works best, I'll focus on straight shaving, and occasionally use my Dad's razors just because I can. I'm really thankful to have that option.

There is a lot of great information here, and I appreciate all the time and effort that you folks put into this site! Thanks again!

I was bored. I got a Dovo Bismarck and all the accoutrements, and life became interesting again. A hundred razors, maybe thirty hones, a couple dozen soaps, and a dozen brushes later, and I am happy and fulfilled. Don't begin to know why. I just accept it.

I started off cause i read about how the costs of cartridge razors per year was almost 600 dollars,so i figure id invest my money in a SR because the long term costs of maintenance is less then buying razors. The luxury factor as well played into my purchasing a few SR's

I am 43, and a product of the 80's. Through out High School I was part of the "preppy" group of kids. Bass Weejuns, Top Siders, button downs and anything else that was classic and timeless. I think I was in grade 12 before I owned a pair of jeans. Well anyway I started shaving using Mug and Soap and Brush back then. Still using a cartridge razor though. After Marriage and kids I reverted to dry shaving. Step out of shower and rake the POS disposable over my face no soap no cream no nothing and out the door. I had it down to I could be starting my car 10 minutes after my alarm went off with a shower, shave and teeth brushed in that time. Mind you I did show up to work once with a brown shoe and a black one on. Shaving had become a necessary chore.

2-3 years ago I was looking to get a good close shave for a function we were attending so off to buy brush and soap again. The whole process has evolved to now I am after my first straight.

Originally Posted by 15straightrazor

So yea, basically (sorry if this has been posted before) But what made you guys start shaving with a straight razor? I'm sure some people here are older folk and were taught by parents and never stopped, but alot of younger people shave with straights, so what inspired you to do so. I know with me, I really have a thing for knives, and that grew to when I had to start shaving (not that I have to shave at all but with a straight its rather fun) to shave with straight razors. I was never nessisarily the normal one of the kids my age, not one of the ones who went with the crowd and that may have contributed to it, but I love it and I'm so happy I decided to try it!
So what inspired you to try straight razor shaving?

I'm pretty close to yourself in personality and reasons. I also one of those nostalgic people who wish for simpler times and a slower pace of life. When quality was the norm, and the 'Rat race' was something held behind the local pub for the punters to lay bets on.


Mick

my grandpas straight an old "tückmar" made me started shaving with a straight. I remembered, that i played with it when i was a child. it was not sharp anymore. Than i found it and thought: why not shaving with it. i removed the rust, polished a bit and sharpened it on my kitchenknifestones (king 1k/6k and bbw). After that i done some laps on a strop with green paste and some laps on my leatherbelt. Shave wasnt that smooth but than my sbad, had, and rad started.

Hello!
I just joined this site today. It looks great!
I am 63 years old and can remember sitting in my first barber shop reading a comic book while waiting for my turn to get a haircut along with all the other kids. The barber took us one at a time and we got bubble gum after he finished with us. The cost was $1.00 for a haircut. Finally, when I was in my teens I expressed an interest to my family about a straight razor. I got one for Christmas. I don't even know if it was pre-honed or not. I cut my self over and over. No one taught me how to use it. It ended up with a nick in the cutting side. Somehow it got lost or the person who gave it to me retrieved it. This was before the internet. I didn't think to ask my barber to give me tips on how to shave with it. Years past and here I am feeling very disgusted about the amount of money I have to give, each month, to a popular (here not named) company for four disposable 5-edge cartridges. I have always been fascinated with straight razors and have a strong interest in honing. Working with my hands has always given me peace. I'm learning on line and will eventually purchase a good used one and try it again. I also discovered that I have a life long interest in becoming a Master Barber. I was told by one the other day that it's not too late. I just have to come up with at least $5000 in tuition.
Thanks to you guys for being there.
Phil

Hello,
I never liked the Electric and cartridge razors. I shaved most of my adult life with an injector SE. The Atra was ok and then they started adding more edges of less and less quality. And the simpler razor blades were no longer easily available in local stores. Memories of straight razor shaves in Japan and some shops in the US made me a bit...no, a lot!, nostalgic for a good shave.

I am 70 and started with a straight about a year ago. A friend started with straights a bit before then and I became curious. I am retired and I started hitting the antique shops to find blades for him. Then my son became interested and then, and then, I decided to find blades for myself. Another friend was found to be a honing expert, and so I learned to restore and sharpen. So now I shave a few days a week with my own straight razors and enjoy the process. I am continuing to learn about the shave and all the processes that go into a good shave from the steel to the final splash.

This hobby is a good way for me to avoid the doldrums that sometimes come with geezerhood.
Respectfully
~Richard

I have always been fascinated by straight razors so that's what peaked my initial interest. The next motivator was realizing how much I have been spending over the years on Gillette's products. It was worth it!

I'm 27. When I was 12, my father told me some wise words, "No son of mine will shave with one of those plastic cheese graters!" It just seemed normal to me. He shaves with straights, and so did my grandfather. To be honest, I have never actually held a disposable razor. I do see the prices of them whenever I buy deodorant and toothpaste, how people can afford them is beyond me.

I do have a friend that was excited about his new Schick 5 blade somethingorother. He showed me how "cool" it was that it had gel lubricating strips. Once wet, this razor turned into a mucus producing apparatus that left his skin stringy with goo. Reasons like that, that I am very satisfied with my choice of hair removal, haha.