Thread: What is it that you like best about shaving with a straight razor??

I like the results, of course, the extremely close shave and great feeling skin that I have after a shave, but I don't think I'd have become so ... not obsessed, err, enthusiastic about straight shaving if it was only that. For me, the two things that really hooked me are
(1) the meditative, calming experience of the shave itself, when I'm forced to be completely focused and in-the-moment. It's meditation at knifepoint!
(2) mastering (and I'm not there yet by any means) a difficult beautiful tool, and the skills needed to maintain and get the most out of it. I've always liked beautiful, simple, functional equipment, and I prefer learning a skill to do a task properly, with simple tools, rather than buying a hi-tech gadget which de-skills the user (and usually compromises on performance, too). The fact that lots of people wouldn't dare try straight shaving and think I'm crazy to do it is just a bonus.

Edited to add: Thanks to all the people who so generously give their time and expertise on this forum, which has helped me immensely, and thanks especially to Lynn for setting it up. I assure you I'm having fun!

I love bringing old razors back to life and also not adding to the waste stream throwing disposables and blades away. And of course the much better quality shaves.

Great question, I like most of what you mentioned (although, now, as it's wet, cold and rainy in the mornings the prep time is getting a little sucky-ish) the thing I like BEST about straight razor shaving is simply the downright, undeniable COOLNESS of it. It is just so cool. It's like one should imagine James Dean sitting on a Harley in a white T shirt and black leather jacket, smoking an unfiltered Camel, with a Fender strapped to his back, shaving with a straight while sipping whisky...

I like the quality of the shave, the 'Green', less landfill aspect, and I believe it is a skill anyone who purports to be a man, should have in his repotoire of talents.


Mick

Shaving was a boring necessary chore that had to be done daily. The cost of the blades and canned shaving creme was getting out of hand. I could run through my shave in less than five minutes start to finish. No fun!
Now it's my daily ritual that I look forward to. Choosing which razor to use along with which soap starts on my way home from work. Stropping the blade till it's ready to perform and the execution of a three pass shave leaves me with a feeling of zen like bliss.
One half hour of me time and i'm good to go.

The fact that my razors will be mine for life is perfect.

I don't know about all the mystical stuff, but for me , I just love the results! Plus Carl is right about the cool factor...LOL. For years I could only shave every other day at most, or everyday with an electric which left me scruffy at 10 in the morning... So when I discovered this art, it evoked all the best things for I am an inveterate tinkerer! I like playing with all the brushes, sights, smells. Honing is an obvious bonus, it's just fun! Shave on Brothers!

I started shaving with a straight around 16 years ago because I have super-sensetive skin and disposable razors were tearing my face up. In the years since I started my journey with straights, the experiance has been painful at times, but the connection to the past and my love of shiny, sharp objects have been what keeps me coming back.

For me, it's all about the ritual: "Me" time in my shave den. Beard prep. Stropping. Building über lather in my Dirty Bird scuttle. A three-pass shave using a dangerous weapon that gives me the best results I've ever had in my life along with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment I've only felt when creating art. The follow up skin care. Care of my razors and other gear. Bringing back to life a long-neglected razor that may have been last used long before I was born using my own hones, skills and abilities. Shaving has become a most rewarding part of my life.

Thanks, Lynn, for SRP and thanks also to the rest of you.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Straights lead to a quality and close shave. It takes practice and patience to really master it.

I have yet to bring a person to the dark side ! It has been 3 years for me and every time we have some friends over and I show them WHAT I SHAVE WITH.... We all get the same response........ That's why I shave with a straight because you CAN'T.