Thread: Maybe a Good Use for Gold Dollars?

How do you know you are holding and moving it correctly if it has no edge?

Yea, i would think that a dull one would just start bad habits...It's better to learn with a sharp one and learn by your mistakes...It's not like people carve off their nose or anything....I never could understand why people worry so much about str8s? if it nicks, you pullit away just like a regular raazor that nicks you...It's not like you cut yourself and keep carving like a turkey...

Lawson,

Lynn filed down an inexpensive razor for me to give to my 12 year old son. He (my son, not Lynn I hope) is anxiously awaiting the signs of manhood, but much to his chagrin those pesky facial hairs are slow to come in. He has practice shaved multiple times using the razor Lynn filed down for him. Lynn thought that it would be a great safe way to introduce him to handling a razor without any of the risks. As you know, an important part of learning to straight shave is just getting comfortable holding the razor.

I'm so thankful to Lynn for suggesting this as it has been fantastic. This is not "little boy mimicking dad", this is real preparation for the not-so-distant future. He's stoked about using a real razor when his hair comes in.

Practice session #1:

Straight Razor Place Forums » The Gallery » Shave Of The Day » SOTD - Sun June 06th - Sat June 12th

(see page 23)

I'll have to admit, it would have been nice to have before my first real str8 shave. Ask Obie, I was nervous about putting that wicked sharp blade to my face the first time out. Obie recommended practicing with 2 butter knives taped together, but let's face it - that doesn't quite have the same "balance" as a real razor.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

How do you know you are holding and moving it correctly if it has no edge?

Ben,

It's not like the edge is totally smooth. I'd imagine that if one tried hard enough with a slicing motion a wound could be inflicted. However, you can feel the blade on your face. As many people recommend to beginners with a real str8 "just try to wipe the lather off your face with the blade". This equally applies to the dull razor.

Obviously, you don't feel the sensation of hairs being cut.

Originally Posted by Wintchase

YIt's not like you cut yourself and keep carving like a turkey...

And why not?

Actually a GD would be great for dulling for practise.
It usualy needs straightening up anyway

Then when you start itching to learn restorative honing you have a blade that will take an edge.
And you dont need to risk an old blade that might have been good untill you ruined it

This is exactly what I"m talking about. Just a chance to practice the basic hand-eye stuff without the risk. People starting out as adults, as I did, have a higher since of "what can go wrong" than a young person.

And...would you pull out your Filarmonica or Dubl Duck Goldedge for this purpose? Nope.

That's why God made Gold Dollars!

Originally Posted by LinacMan

Lawson,

Lynn filed down an inexpensive razor for me to give to my 12 year old son. He (my son, not Lynn I hope) is anxiously awaiting the signs of manhood, but much to his chagrin those pesky facial hairs are slow to come in. He has practice shaved multiple times using the razor Lynn filed down for him. Lynn thought that it would be a great safe way to introduce him to handling a razor without any of the risks. As you know, an important part of learning to straight shave is just getting comfortable holding the razor.

I'm so thankful to Lynn for suggesting this as it has been fantastic. This is not "little boy mimicking dad", this is real preparation for the not-so-distant future. He's stoked about using a real razor when his hair comes in.

Practice session #1:

Straight Razor Place Forums » The Gallery » Shave Of The Day » SOTD - Sun June 06th - Sat June 12th

(see page 23)

I'll have to admit, it would have been nice to have before my first real str8 shave. Ask Obie, I was nervous about putting that wicked sharp blade to my face the first time out. Obie recommended practicing with 2 butter knives taped together, but let's face it - that doesn't quite have the same "balance" as a real razor.

There is still a fat edge and a skinny edge.

That's not complicated.

Learning to hold the thing at a 30 degree angle, how to slip it over the curves of the face, under the nose, strong hand and off hand...that can be complicated.

As a professor, I guess I'm more sympathetic with new learners and their uneasiness with new, threatening things than some of you are, and I like to remove as many unnecessary barriers as I can for someone starting out.

When I teach people how to shoot, our basic gun-handling starts with a rubber pistol. Then we move to dry-fire practice with a crippled "real" gun. Then we go to the range and go through the whole shooting cycle with snap-caps. When they are comfortable, we start with live ammo. I've seen a lot of young people learn to shoot safely and enjoyably this way. I was thinking an "unloaded" straight-razor might be a helpful learning tool.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

How do you know you are holding and moving it correctly if it has no edge?

But things like 30 degrees are just guidelines; a dull razor doesn't give the feedback that says you are using it correctly or incorrectly. If we're talking professors, a blunted edge is like a mute lecturer.

I kinda' agree with both sides of this argument. For someone learning to shave, there is no better way to do it than by actually shaving. With an 8 year old wanting to hang out with dad, a blunted razor is ideal. Part of learning to shave is watching and immitating dad. And for an adult thinking about taking the plunge, I can imagine it might be reassuring to use a blunted razor just to see how it feels in their hand.

I have a razor that takes half of a DE blade. I take the blade out and it looks enough like a real straight that my son can pretend to shave with it. But when he's old enough to actually shave, he'll be using a real razor.

I guess we're just talking past each other. I think there are a great many basic hand-eye things that are worth learning without a sharp edge on one's face. Grips, strokes, the look etc.

I can see you basically think this is a dumb idea, and that's great too. Everyone thinking the same would be boring.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

But things like 30 degrees are just guidelines; a dull razor doesn't give the feedback that says you are using it correctly or incorrectly. If we're talking professors, a blunted edge is like a mute lecturer.