Thread: Why don't more guys shave with a straight?

either lazy or scared. that's the only two reasons.

Originally Posted by speed_pigeon

either lazy or scared. that's the only two reasons.

Nah, some undustrious, brave men prefer the look of a full head of hair

I think we have to admit that shaving with a straight is not really a normal consumer option alongside DE's, cartridge razors and electrics. The time investment and learning curve is such that unless you have a passion for old things it doesn't really make sense. It's a hobby. I'm sure there are a few who do it for purely environmental reasons or because every other shaving option has failed them or whatever, but they'd be a tiny minority. If you don't have a passion either for old razors or for the ritual of shaving with them, then probably a DE is the most sensible way to shave.

A good question is why most guys don't use a badger brush and shaving soap, given that it doesn't take any longer, and given that a puck of soap will last a hell of a lot longer than a can of gel. Another good question is why guys don't ditch cartridges for DEs, given that you get the knack of the latter after about 4 shaves and it's a hell of a lot cheaper, the results are better, and it doesn't take any longer (you're doing exactly the same strokes). The answer to both questions is probably simply they've followed the dictates of advertising. But as to why most guys don't take up a straight, it's like asking why everyone doesn't surf or ski or hunt. The answer isn't simply advertising or consumer culture or the like. The answer is that presumably they have other hobbies or passions.

I don't think time itself is so much a deterent as straight razor shaving takes very little time once you are proficient at it. Of course it does take time to get to that point. And during the process there is the false perception that it will always take a long time to shave this way.

For some fear may be a real deterent. Understandable.

Bottom line, I think, is for most guys a shave is just a shave. Doesn't matter how it's done as long as it gets done. And for most the quickest, easiest, most effective way is the best for them. Plus, many just do what is popular in culture. When's the last time you saw a Dovo commercial? Never? How about Gillette multi-blade xxxx? Twice a day on TV and more on billboards? Yep.

For a man to be drawn to, and stick with a straight razor, there must be some internal drive for it. Whether it's a nostalgia thing, a challenge, something their grandfather did, etc. Without that I can see why many would not choose a straight.


Scott

I think that there has been a negative portrayal of shaving with a straight by TV and the movies. For one thing, they are always used as a weapon instead of a great tool. I believe that this scares people away from the great experience.

I got into it because it was an alternative to the disposable lifestyle that I was tired of living. Living on a boat and sailing puts me more in touch with my natural surroundings, and I enjoy the water way too much to see floating disposable blades floating by. I also enjoy doing things the way of old.

very true on the "do it to get it done". shaving was a chore and straights are a way of turning something i really hated, into a passion. it's a lot more than just shaving. i admit i didn't think the question through. what really draws me is not so much the act, but the entire process. honing, stropping, searching for just the right one to buy. also being able to do something that most people find amazing! even though it's not. the whole package is why i do it. most people just choose other things to care about i guess.

The general consensus here points to convenience. I have shaved with soaps and brush for over 20 years and been through the whole multi-blade thing, then I switched to a DE with good results, however, after a year or so I realised that I was still getting some irritation in the form of an occasional ingrowing hair so I switched to a straight about a year ago and barring a month when I went back to DE's (which reminded me why I went to a straight) have been using one since. I tried the honing thing but decided that I prefer shaving so I leave that to someone else and just keep the edge in order with a pasted strop. I don't know about anyone else but I often find myself looking at other guys faces and trying to guess how much they must hate shaving by the amount of irritation they have - for the first time the other day whilst enjoying a pint in the 19th hole I got into a discussion about shaving and it transpired that several people avoided shaving because it was an unpleasant experience. When I mentioned how much I enjoyed it and that I used a straight I think I confirmed to my golfing buddies that I am some kind of eccentric, I did try to convince them that it was a far superior method and at the same time enjoyable, two of the older guys seemed to approve, the younger ones thought I was a looney. I did try, but clearly it was falling on deaf ears so I gave up safe in the knowledge that they are still having an unpleasant shaving experience whilst I bathe in the luxury of my lather and shiny blade!

My initial choice to go straight started with a passion for anything sharp, I've always loved edged weapons, why not shave with one...
It quickly became a way to save money in harder times, If Im not buying razors my shaving cost is zero...
It also saves me from the irritation and cuts I was getting from a Mach 3, or the pulling and scruff left by an electric.
In my youth I tried everything out there, but all caused irritation. When i got my first straight, it was like embracing an old friend. I'll never look back. it felt natural in my hand, it didn't pull or irritate, it didn't tear my face up, and it left a smooth clean finish. even my very first straight shave was better than anything I ever got from an electric or disposable.

One thing I don't understand, though, is how closed most people are to the idea. I give ideas to my friends often about how they could improve some aspect of the technology in their lives, and they're open even to pretty unusual ideas. For example, in a few years I'll get together with one of my friends and we'll build an open-frame dune buggy, no walls or ceilings or floors, windows, doors, etc. The idea being that it's safer than a motorcycle but still has that perfectly open feeling. They're even open to artistic stuff, like steampunk mod projects. But for some reason, no matter how weird the ideas are that they accept, everyone is just closed to the idea of straight razor shaving.
I can talk about how it's just a plain old better shave, I can talk about how it's much more enjoyable, I can talk about how they won't hate shaving, I can talk about how razors are beautiful, but even if they'll accept weird ideas about the workings of the universe, no-one seems to believe that straight razors could be better in any way. They're open to other things that were better in the past than the present, but straight razor shaving seems to be the one thing they won't open up to. They believe it's dangerous and gives an inferior shave, and nothing seems to shake that belief.

Why is straight razor shaving so impossible for them to open up to, no matter what else they'll listen to?

Originally Posted by Infectious

Why is straight razor shaving so impossible for them to open up to, no matter what else they'll listen to?

For the same reason that
a) you don't mow your lawn with an old mechanical push mower
b) you don't bake your own bread
c) you don't butcher your own cows.
d) you use screws / nails / glue to fix 2 pieces of wood together, instead of chiseling dovetails.

Of course I don't know you so you might do one or more of the above, but I don't, and while I could believe anyone who says that
a) it would be better for my lawn
b) you can customize bread to your taste, and enjoy fresh bread every day
c) the meat is much better
d) chisels are beautiful sharp things, and the construction is sturdier

My answer to all 4 would be:
a) it takes too much time
b) whatever.

For me, razors are a hobby I enjoy.
Some people are willing to try and live with the drawbacks. Others couldn't care less, but they have their own things about which they are enthusiatic.