Thread: Best part of shaving with a straight razor

Now, I know we all love taking the time to relax, and shave with a straight.
Rather it's taking the extra for the relaxing prep, or slowing down in life for the shave, but I thought I would say what my favorite part about it all is.

To me, the best thing is when you tell people you shave with a straight.
That one moment when they are picking their jaw up in disbelief over it.
It just never get's old.

What's your favorite part?

My favorite part is the great, relaxing, meditative shaves

I'm with both of you... My favorite part of using a straight razor is the shaves, but the reactions are priceless. Even better when you're a freshman in college and it's a communal bathroom... First day on campus and you walk into the bathroom to see someone with a big 'ol wedge at their throat... It's great.

Knowing that I'm shaving in the way of the men of centuries past. That, in this small way, I am shunning modern society.


Mick

It's definitely the history behind it, the heritage. No, wait. It's the thick creamy lather. Wait a minute. It's the zing of the blade on the strop. Yeah, that's it. Well, except for the feel of BBS skin right after the shave. Or the the smell of the soap lathering in the dish. Oh hell, I can't decide!

I like the way people react as well. It's like they don't even have a category for people who do things like that.

Also, as a history junky, I like the history. For example, in 1305 B.C. or so (yes, that's 3305 years ago, give or take) two diplomats were traveling from Cypress to Mycene (the pre-Greek name for the Greek sphere of influence). These to diplomats were traveling on a 45 foot cargo vessel bearing many tons of copper and tin ingots (highly valued metals then) and many other luxury items to serve as diplomatic "greeting gifts" from another country (maybe Cyprus).

The ship hit a storm and sank, likely the crew and diplomats swam to shore which was pretty close. The wreck sat on the bottom of the Mediterranean until the 1980's when undersea archaeologists started studying it.

Among the remains of the wreck were found…5 shaving razors. The archaeologists noted that these were "very sharp" razors.

that was 3340 years ago…and here we are today!

Thank you for that bit of history

Originally Posted by LawsonStone

I like the way people react as well. It's like they don't even have a category for people who do things like that.

Also, as a history junky, I like the history. For example, in 1340 B.C. or so (yes, that's 3340 years ago, give or take) two diplomats were traveling from Cypress to Mycene (the pre-Greek name for the Greek sphere of influence). These to diplomats were traveling on a 45 foot cargo vessel bearing many tons of copper and tin ingots (highly valued metals then) and many other luxury items to serve as diplomatic "greeting gifts" from another country (maybe Cyprus).

The ship hit a storm and sank, likely the crew and diplomats swam to shore which was pretty close. The wreck sat on the bottom of the Mediterranean until the 1980's when undersea archaeologists started studying it.

Among the remains of the wreck were found…5 shaving razors. The archaeologists noted that these were "very sharp" razors.

that was 3340 years ago…and here we are today!

Gentlemen:

The best part of shaving with the straight razor, for me, also covers the preparation and the post shave experience.

I embrace the entire experience, from the time I soak the brush in warm water on my way to the shower, to lathering, stropping, shaving and finally applying the aftershave.

The best part for me, therefore, is the daily experience of wet shaving with the straight razor — the entire ritual.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by ShavedZombie

I'm with both of you... My favorite part of using a straight razor is the shaves, but the reactions are priceless. Even better when you're a freshman in college and it's a communal bathroom... First day on campus and you walk into the bathroom to see someone with a big 'ol wedge at their throat... It's great.

I haven't really noticed people acting shocked or by my straight use, maybe it's our different age group, maybe it's people around here aren't so surprised by a man doing what men have done successfully for countless generations. If anything, I have found people want to know more about the reasoning behind my chosen method of whisker reduction.

My favorite part of straight razor shaving is how it makes me feel about myself. I love every facet of it and shaving as a whole, but the way I feel about myself NOW is its greatest reward.
Namaste,
Morty -_-