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

A friend of mine is into DE shaving and kept telling me I should start doing that. I told him I was cool with what I have, I'll spend the cash on something else. I started getting into knives last summer and have acquired some sharpening stones, and the like. I decided I needed some more uses for them since they were kinda pricey, so I googled straight razor forums. Lead me here, read the wiki, asked a few questions, and purchased. I hadn't thought about how I would be reduceing waste, but that is a bonus for me. Now I am going to make some soaps and creams at home, does anyone else pick up a hobby that leads to another one? Straight shaving is relaxing and a much better experience. Less cuts, less burn, and more fun.

I work in a technical field and have always liked simpler technologies (also into sailboats, canoes, fixed gear bikes and old tube guitar amps). Someone once said a good engineer can do for 10 cents what anyone can do for 10 dollars. Straight razors certainly fit that philosophy! I had used a mug and brush with disposable double edged and triple edged blades for years. Once my son found out that you could still get/fix/use/buy straights, he knew it would appeal and he told me.

Gentlemen,

For me, the romance of shaving with a straight razor is just as important as the pleasure I get from the art itself.

The ritual also transports me to the 19th century, where I feel I belong, anyway, living next door to Dickens, Chopin and all the rest of the good guys.

Regards,

Obie

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.