Thread: Discouraged

Originally Posted by goaT

I was able to use the Mach 3 for about 5 shaves or so. I have very very light facial hair. Part of my frustration originated because of these forums. It seems like the majority has a snobbish attitude of "Oh, you shave with a Mach 3, you are inferior." I understand that many of you get razor burns and ingrown hairs from the Mach 3, but please know that this isn't the case for everyone, and acting so High-And-Mighty is kind of a turn-off. It's noone in particular, but it's certainly an environment that exists on this forum.

That being said, I still enjoy using the straight, and enjoy many of the posts I read.

PS -- The line about this being cheaper than Mach 3? I think that only applies if you buy one strop and one razor, and does anyone here really only have one?

It's not only having to pay for replacable cartrdiges, it's also the feeling of being dependent on some company whose products are specifically made to be disposable in order to force the customer to buy over and over again. also, straight razors are infintely more environment friendly.


/EDIT: this is just a speculation from my side it's difficult for me to imagine why people who know how to handle a straight razor would get irritation from a mach3.... i suspect this is due to the unhygienic nature of cartridge razors. they *are* unhygienic, no matter what. unless you keep them in alcohol or something. maybe some people's faces can deal with it, and some can't. maybe yours can. i know mine had a problem with these blades once the blades were being used for a couple of days.

Originally Posted by goaT

PS -- The line about this being cheaper than Mach 3? I think that only applies if you buy one strop and one razor, and does anyone here really only have one?

Yes, I did once!


Mick

Originally Posted by goaT

I was able to use the Mach 3 for about 5 shaves or so. I have very very light facial hair. Part of my frustration originated because of these forums. It seems like the majority has a snobbish attitude of "Oh, you shave with a Mach 3, you are inferior." I understand that many of you get razor burns and ingrown hairs from the Mach 3, but please know that this isn't the case for everyone, and acting so High-And-Mighty is kind of a turn-off. It's noone in particular, but it's certainly an environment that exists on this forum.

That being said, I still enjoy using the straight, and enjoy many of the posts I read.

PS -- The line about this being cheaper than Mach 3? I think that only applies if you buy one strop and one razor, and does anyone here really only have one?

I never got the feeling that anybody here had that attitude and if they did, I'm sure their comments were countered or a PM was sent. It's the cartridge razor that is inferior, not the person using it.

There have been folks in the beginner forum who expressed discouragement and defeat and felt that this wasn't a hobby for them, and the responses were generally "Well, it isn't for everybody and we appreciate you giving straights a try." For an extreme example, there's this ol' thread.

DEs are always a nice compromise for anyone who feels that straights just aren't for them, but hopefully that's not for you.

Nah, I still love the straight. I just love the feel of the blade running over the skin.

Originally Posted by goaT

PS -- The line about this being cheaper than Mach 3? I think that only applies if you buy one strop and one razor, and does anyone here really only have one?

Hey goaT,

That's the ironic thing about my straight shaving experience (and that of many others I'd imagine). ONE of the things that attracted me to straight shaving in the first place was the thought of saving money by not paying Gillette a fortune for cartridges. Right...

After 7 mos. of straight shaving I own 9, 10 or is it 11 straights??? With how much I've spent on razors, creams, soaps, strops, lathering bowls, and scuttles I'm reasonably certain I could have supplied myself in Gillette cartridges until I die. But what the heck, other than SWMBO who's counting?

Originally Posted by LinacMan

Hey goaT,

That's the ironic thing about my straight shaving experience (and that of many others I'd imagine). ONE of the things that attracted me to straight shaving in the first place was the thought of saving money by not paying Gillette a fortune for cartridges. Right...

After 7 mos. of straight shaving I own 9, 10 or is it 11 straights??? With how much I've spent on razors, creams, soaps, strops, lathering bowls, and scuttles I'm reasonably certain I could have supplied myself in Gillette cartridges until I die. But what the heck, other than SWMBO who's counting?

Yeah, but at least the money isn't going to King Gillette.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

Yeah, but at least the money isn't going to King Gillette.

Right on brother ! Lets stick it to the corporations!


Mick

I have a small pile of straights. (Literally, about a dozen that are waiting for new scales and honing.) I have 2 that are "up-and-going". I'll readily admit that MOST my shaving isn't done with a straight though.

Here's my go-to.


When I'm in a hurry, which is most of the time, an old DE still has the nostalgia, and just "fits" with the soap and brush. Plus you can still experiment with different blades.

The straight may not have my full devotion yet, but wet-shaving DOES. I'll truely won't ever go back to anything in a can.

With straight razors, you always have an outlet to recover some or most of your cost in the secondary market. In the beginning, I got excited, purchased more than I needed, figured out which ones I liked the most and settled down, and sold/bartered the rest.

Its a fun hobby with a great personal return!

Pabster

I have days like the OP - as a beginner, some days nothing goes right and the temptation is there to switch to the M3. I admit, there are days when I have managed to dull the blade with my stropping, that I think what is the point! But then, it only takes that 2 seconds of smooth cutting action when everthing is going right and then I remember why I am doing this.

I have lost count the amount of electric razors I have gone through - one of which developed a crack in the foil covering the razor blades - which I didnt notice at the time until it was too late - not a pleasant experience. Since then I would use M3's or the equivalent but would just end up with nasty razor burn.

So for me, although SR shaving is a steep learning curve, it will be worth it long term.

Dont give up.