Thread: Why do it and how long does it take?

I got into straight razor shaving via double-edge shaving. I've been wetshaving (using mug and brush) since college. I got into DE's as a cheaper way (that's what I thought until I learned about the various AD's...and I still wager that I would have spent more in Mach3 cartridges than I have shaving gear in the last 3 years) to shave, and most certainly a more environmentally friendly way to shave (no plastic!). I also like it because it is not just another mindless activity, but requires some skill. After nearly 3 years of shaving with DE razors, I got interested in taking the next step and gave straight razor shaving a try. Besides that, there is just something about shaving with an extremely sharp piece of steel without filleting my face that I find very satisfying!

With a DE, I can get a 3-pass shave done in under 10 minutes (around 3 if I take the chance for irritation). I'm shaving in about 10 minutes with a straight, but I expect that time to improve with practice.

Why? My turn.

I have always been into knives and sharpening them, always looking for better ways, a few months ago I seen a HHT YouTube video of someone with a straight razor. Yeah as much controversy there is with HHT it's what got me started. I wanted some of that action. And found this web site and the rest is history.

How long?
Usually about 10 minutes after my shower. I have light beard and it's been a breeze for me, I could probably shave with a dull butter knife. (all but my chin and neck)

This is the second really great title for a thread I have seen this week. It really begs for a "that's what she said."
Keep 'em coming!

OK my turn, why because I had learned with a DE, and found my grandfathers straight,I learned, bragged to my fathers barber who showed me a few tips,and when I was young 17-21 I was SOOOO conceited,that I was convinced. When I had a date I was the original Werewolf of London my hair was prefect,clothes cleaned and pressed car washed and waxed,so my facial hair had to be the same way,Goatee, moustache.all trimmed to perfection,the right cologne, I was leaving very little to chance. This was also the late seventies-early eighties,so the clubs had dress codes,and the right look could make or break you back then,and I loved the ladies so....when they touched my face,it had to be BB soft. I'm sure some of you guys remember how it was. That prep took at least an hour,nowadays,after 29 years of marrage and practice,about ten to fifteen minutes, Im in no hurry.

My wife asks me too. Why do you shave with a SR? Why do you carry a pocket watch? Why do you use a fountain pen? Why do you take that piece of equipment apart and fix it instead of buy a new $5 piece of equipment? Why do you want to become a Mason? She's getting used me doing "weird" stuff, but slowly. I'll get her trained eventually.

As for why do it? Well, history for one. I stopped collecting any razors made post 1850. (found a manhattan cutlery in real tortise shell the other day that almost made me change my mind) I love wondering where the razor has been and who shaved with it. I had a PRE-1800 razor for a while. That was cool! I also started wetshaving because off the irritation I got with my crappy cart razor. Straight shaving was an extension/progression of my single edge addiction.

When I had my goatee/Van Dyke, I could shave in 6:30, including stropping, lathering, getting out the supplies and cleaning up. Now that I sport a Fu Manchu, it takes a couple minutes longer, maybe. I haven't timed it lately. That's for a decent, what I call business level shave. Close to bbs, but not kissably smooth. For that, I take ten minutes. . Yesterday I did a bbs single edge safety razor shave in pretty close to the same time as a Mach 3 with canned goo.

And Jimbo: because it feels good, and it will take as long as it takes.

I started with it because I thought it was cool. My mother gave me a shavette for my 17th birthday.
I used that for a couple of years, but my technique sucked royally. I still had only fluff hair on my chin so I got a reasonable shave despite using wrong angles and wrong technique.

A couple of years later my girlfriend (now my wife) and I bought a real straight in a shop in the city that was run by a funny looking knife nut. It was the first time I found a real one. I bought it with a pasted strop, but had no real clue what I was doing. The shaves sucked, and after a while I gave up. I still used my shavette from time to time, but eventually switched to a mach3. I only used my shavette on holidays etc.

A couple of years later again, I found my straight after we moved, and I decided to have a go and see it through. I scraped the hairs from my face, and when I applied the AS, I think my neighbors heard my screams. I decided to sharpen it on my pasted strop and completely destroyed any edge that was left by holding it at a 45 degree angle.

I decided to use the internet for help, ended up here, and the rest is history. Since I honed my first razor I stumbled into restoration, and after a couple of years doing that I made a couple of new blades. I have now started forging and am in the process of buying a decent grinder.

My wife actually think this hobby is cool. This is my only hobby which lasted more than a year or 2. She also appreciates my restoration work, likes my clean shaven face, and the fact that it is cheaper than other means of shaving. I can show her my work in progress and she usually likes what I do. If I have the time, I take half an hour or so to get a nice shave in the evening. During the week I sometimes just use a feather razor and water.

Now, if you want to give your wife an answer, there are several to choose from:
- it is cheaper if you don't develop a hoarding disorder (which is nothing to brag about if you do). cartridges cost money every month.
- it is better for the environment. disposables create garbage, and also put a lot of trace metals in the environment.
- it improves hand - eye coordination.
- it is much better for the skin and prevents ingrown hairs.

But the real answer is simeply this: I just like it.

I prefer it as the best and most comfortable shave. I have pocketed skin and some DEs nick my face up. the Mach3 flops around too much and pulls too much.

For me the straight is the best blade option.

You sound like someone has cloned me and my son and melded us together. Your thoughts about how you approach life are very similar to mine; the stuff about post Apocalypse is exactly why my 20 year old son shaves with a straight now (and rather hilarious). You should read Henry Thoreau (Walden) if you haven't already...

If you're young, knowing that it's important to use your body to the max while you can is a great thing, if you're older (and haven't done so), it gets a bit depressing. I've used my body pretty well I think (10 years in the Army for instance; two years as a recruit instructor; I was FIT), but now I'm 50, with missing tendons, damaged knees, and no cartilage the thing I REALLY miss is running through forests, I think that's what I'll dream of when I'm 90, hooked up to the morphine and drips. I'm probably a bit disappointed I didn't take up straight razor shaving at 16. I realise now that it's only possible rather than likely that I'll have the 20th year of straight razor shaving, as it's plausible that at 70 I won't be as steady as I should be.

For me, I think Christopher Moss summed it up pretty much in The Straight Razor Shave (available on line); "...having pride in doing a difficult job really well..."

It's a bit like watching the woodchoppers at the yearly Agricultural show; you watch in awe; and wish you could do that, and walk away when the last log falls apart promising yourself to maybe go to the gym a bit more. With straight razor shaving it's like taking that axe and holding it to your neck and shaving, while the audience gasps...

Originally Posted by Jimbo7

This is the second really great title for a thread I have seen this week. It really begs for a "that's what she said."
Keep 'em coming!

What was the first?

Originally Posted by IcemanOkC

Straight razor shaving proves that I still enjoy being rough, tough, and hard to diaper.

My new sig line for a workout site I belong to!

Carl- I feel for you and all those injuries. I'm 55 with 30 years in martial arts, so I know injuries fairly well. Mine are not as bad as yours. I've done 14,700 burpees so far this year (you tube burpee if you don't know).