Thread: what age did you start shaving with a straight?

Originally Posted by iJstCantGetEnuf

Just started SR shaving at 24...

24 is a great age to start. There are more Scots on here than I expected. Where are you from? I was originally from Edinburgh, then Glasgow for a little bit. Ended up in Chicago about 13 years ago when my family hopped across the pond.

Originally Posted by donjcschilde

I started at 50 a couple of months ago. I always liked knives, but couldn't use them enough to justify my desire to sharpen them as often as I'd like to. Found out about straight shaving right here at SRP and now I can play with my blades to one degree or another every day. I'm in heaven!

+1 I'm in the exact same situation!!

Originally Posted by Arbroath

24 is a great age to start. There are more Scots on here than I expected. Where are you from? I was originally from Edinburgh, then Glasgow for a little bit. Ended up in Chicago about 13 years ago when my family hopped across the pond.

Im from Cumnock in Ayrshire- South West, yip Ive noticed a few Scottish people on here, not been on that long though.

In my early 20's I had a job that required me to be clean shaven. I used a Gillette adjustable DE and was generally happy with the shaves, even though the lather came from a can. In my late 20's I left that job and grew my hair long and had a beard. I kept my hair long and usually had a beard until I turned 50. During that time I did shave from time to time and would use disposables or inexpensive electrics. When I decided to cut my hair at 50 I also decided to remain clean shaven. I remembered fondly the shaves that I got with the Gillette and explored the world of wet shaving. I now have three DE razors, and three straights, and have been using them for almost a year now.

A straight is the primary tool, but there are parts of the area under my chin and on my neck that I just can't get the right angle on with a straight, so I happily use a DE on those areas. I do this on every shave when I have the time. If it is a quick shave with only one or two passes the DE usually does not come out.

I have spent more than 300 nights on the road each year for the last 15+ years. I now take 2 straights, 2 DE's, 2 brushes, and at least 2 soap or cream choices with me on the road. I often wonder what the maids must think when they see all that gear in the hotel bathroom.

I have a normal to heavy beard, and nothing can compare to the shaves I get now. It is not uncommon for my face to stay baby butt smooth until 3 in the afternoon from a 7 AM shave. When I am forced by time to use a two bladed disposable and foam from a can I can feel the stubble in less than an hour, even when I do quick three pass shaves.

For all the years that I had a beard I was content, but now that I am shaving every day I am so happy that I took the time to discover and learn about straight razors. The shave is without question superior, but it does take longer. I now live by the axiom that "traditional" shaving is better, "modern" shaving is faster.

I will turn 51 soon and expect that I will continue shaving with a straight razor for many years to come.

I tried it at 18 (1981) with a straight I bought at an antique show at the local mall. I didn't know I needed to strop it, hone it, or anything. It pulled, I got scared, and stopped. I picked it up again at age 45 and never looked back.

a few months ago, 35 yrs old.

Originally Posted by Deerhunter1995

Nope im the youngest guy in here for now, i started when i was 14 because i found straight razors cool and now im just about to turn 16 and im still amazed by them and i love being a minority in the shaving world.

nope, I'm the youngest ^__^

may i ask how old you are there dear friend, just curious.

well its official we have a new youngest member, you are about 8 months behind me lol, good to have you aboard.

Sheesh, you guys who started shaving at 12 years old, did you use a different calendar? I only had fuzz until I was 18, then it began to thicken up. I know I was a "late bloomer". I was 5'10" when I graduated high school and 6'4" by the time I graduated college. There were a few guys in HS who could truly shave, but not many (in a HS of 2500 students).

Good for you though that you get to start on straights from the beginning. If I had only known!

Peace,