Thread: Why we do it?

Originally Posted by roughkype

I suspect there are people who spend years learning to meditate so they can experience the level of focus and clarity we achieve every time we shave with a straight.

It does give one a sense of clarity doesn't it?

Being the Man that I am, I don't answer 'why' to anyone.

Originally Posted by Mastershake

"It takes you longer to shave with a straight razor, why do you do it?".

It's one of a few things in life that shouldn't be rushed

Because I like shaving with piece of history and a work of art, because I enjoy the results of the shave, because I enjoy restoring and honing works of art, because I love the ritual of it and the zen of concentrating on something that isn't work for a bit, because I love the look of all the different bits of kit, because it's a rare bit of me time and because it's infinitely better than any of the alternatives!

Is that enough reasons?

I'm gonna give a +1 to Stubear's answer. There's something special about using a tool that's out lived several people for it's original purpose AND having that tool be a thing of beauty as well.
I have a personal "thing" about how as a race we have lost an enormous amount of technical knowledge to the mists of time. This is one little way we can stop another thing from vanishing. Sometimes the old ways are the right ways, even if it takes a lot of looking to work out why.

I have only just started to shave with a straight razor, but there are a few reasons. It is a toss up whether i appreciated the straight razor and maitenence of it( i have a soft spot for sharp tools) or being skilled in the use of a very sharp tool. That time in the mourning when i'm shaving helps focus my head for the day. The last reason would be I'm too cheap to keep buying cartridges, especially when i'm shaving my head.

Because it's a nifty trick, it feels good, and it's entertaining and relaxing.

During the week when I'm in a hurry, I shave in the shower WTG only with a multi blade disposable. It takes about 30 seconds, and it is the ONLY place that I can shave quickly and not get razor burn. In fact, I cannot shave ATG with anything and not have razorburn around my mouth and under my neck - no matter what, electric or not.

But on the weekends, I can go to *my* bathroom, strop my razor, take my time and enjoy the process. There are so many things we have to do every day just to be fit to go to work or be in public, it is sometimes nice to take the routine things that can be done faster elsewhere and make them part of the things you enjoy in the day instead of just what you have to do.

That and getting old razors (I have no new ones), old hones, etc. is a nice link to a period of time when it seemed that people and skill were the links in the chain that took raw materials and put a finished product in the consumer's hands. It's such a shame to see all of that go to whatever is faster and cheaper and creates a product where the main goal seems to be a minimum % of the good's price being the production of the good itself.

I know why I decided to shave with a straight and yes it is a combination of what everyone else so far on this tread as mentioned, but try explaining any of those reasons to my significant other and her reply will most likely be….. ‘Whatever’.

It’s a hard road finding the perfect women, but finding a perfect straight shaver….. Way easier.

Originally Posted by planetocean

I know why I decided to shave with a straight and yes it is a combination of what everyone else so far on this tread as mentioned, but try explaining any of those reasons to my significant other and her reply will most likely be….. ‘Whatever’.

It’s a hard road finding the perfect women, but finding a perfect straight shaver….. Way easier.

LOL

For me its the history. Some guys just like to do things the old way. They make bondo for cars but my buds still use lead on their jalopyes cuz thats haw it was done back in the day. leading is a skill that went away cuz something safer and easy came along. sound familiar? I'm drawn to lost arts. Thats why I love pinstriping and worked hard to get good at it. they make stickers now, but nothin beats real paint laid down by a guy with a tiny brush. also for me its the razor. Its classy and sexy and beautiful . no frills all bizz. Its perfect, and really hasnt changed since it was dreamed up. materials have improved but it was pretty much perfect out of the gate. Like another guy above said it makes a chore into something to enjoy.Old razors are super cool. I love to imagine who owned it befor, where it has been, were there times when it sat in a drawer and never saw the light of day for years. but here it is, it found its way to me, our paths crossed and my face is so smooth! lol! I could go on and on. but I wont ha ha.