Straight Razor Proselytism

Do you sometimes feel like you are some sort of straight razor proselytizer, taking pleasure in gaining new converts?

I was chatting with one of my closest friends from Ottawa, he was my best man at my wedding.

I recently set him up with the proper tools and provided him with instruction. He sent me a message today, and I quote:

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It feels like I've been shaving with training wheels on, and I've finally grow up. Much better way of shaving.

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It sure feels good when they see the light!

Here's a tongue and cheek photo illustration, Priest Vallon from the movie Gangs of New York. ;)
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I proselytize... but my conversion rate is low :).

Good job on bringing another forth into the light. Awesome pictures!!

Nope.99.9% of the people I know have not a clue how I shave,never talk about it.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Nope.99.9% of the people I know have not a clue how I shave,never talk about it.

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I'd say the same except its more like 80% because I don't know that many people;)

I'd lend out my prayer book, but I won't go door to door looking to convert people:)

Of course, I've found straight razor shaving such a fantastic thing, that I have to talk about it anytime I get the oportunity. In so many aspects, environmentally conscious, edgy at the same time traditional, and of course, great fun.

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Originally Posted by Badgister

Do you sometimes feel like you are some sort of straight razor proselytizer, taking pleasure in gaining new converts?

I was chatting with one of my closest friends from Ottawa, he was my best man at my wedding.

I recently set him up with the proper tools and provided him with instruction. He sent me a message today, and I quote:



It sure feels good when they see the light!

Here's a tongue and cheek photo illustration, Priest Vallon from the movie Gangs of New York. ;)
Attachment 132589Attachment 132590Attachment 132591Attachment 132592

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I smell a rat... I mean, seriously, look at that blade angle. He's gonna have razor burn for sure...

All my friends think I'm nuts. Not because I shave with a straight, but because I talk about it so much.

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Originally Posted by crouton976

I smell a rat... I mean, seriously, look at that blade angle. He's gonna have razor burn for sure...

All my friends think I'm nuts. Not because I shave with a straight, but because I talk about it so much.

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Razor burn indeed, if it was actually sharp. I suspect a butter knife is sharper than this movie prop ;)

It is funny to see the reactions of people when they find out you are a straight razor shaver. (Why would you do that?, (look at you like you are so weird), Wow, that's so cool!, etc...)

Basically, I've learned to keep it fairly on the down low. It seems to resurrect all sorts of stereotypes in people. It's like they think you just came out of a time machine from the 1800's.

Proselytism.Have no clue what that word means,to lazy to look it up,the young will expound on the subject of straight shaving and become fanatical to all that will listen,is a right of passage.Sort of like big Harleys and giant ford F750 trucks.
Enjoy the ride,most of us old folks have been there,done that,enjoy the ride,glad to see yall having a good time:)

I mostly just keep it to myself, but every once in a while I'll mention it to co-workers or friends. Some think it's pretty cool and even express interest, but I think most folks regard it as a passing fad that I'll eventually get bored with. Whatever. I'm going to hook up one of my friends with a kit and let him try it out. That's probably the best way to bring someone into the fold.

Most people I tell think I am nuts and want nothing to do with it. Yeah, I get a kick out of spreading the word. Though I do so less often now.

I got my brother-in-law into straights, but he gave up already. My nephew has no desire for straights, but he is willing to consider a DE or SE. O for 2 so far. Male co-workers seem to be allergic to shaving as most of the time they show with 7 o'clock shadows at 8am. My only hope seems to be my toddler son. Fingers crossed. I've already discussed proper stropping technique, pressure, and blade angle.

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My only hope seems to be my toddler son. Fingers crossed. I've already discussed proper stropping technique, pressure, and blade angle.

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I'm glad I got a girl...

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Originally Posted by dudness

I'm glad I got a girl...

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She's got legs...:thinking:

I've converted one guy and gotten funny looks from a bunch of others.

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Originally Posted by crouton976

All my friends think I'm nuts. Not because I shave with a straight, but because I talk about it so much.

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I'd agree with them. consider what you'd think about a guy who spent every free moment talking about tooth brushes. Or lawn ornaments. Or compost. It's good to be enthusiastic about something, but don't expect others to share your passion at the same intensity.

What are you talking about? I love compost!

Of the people I've told, a few show an interest but most ask what I'd want to do that for and suggest that I just buy a normal razor like everyone else...

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Proselytism.Have no clue what that word means,to lazy to look it up,the young will expound on the subject of straight shaving and become fanatical to all that will listen,is a right of passage.Sort of like big Harleys and giant ford F750 trucks.
Enjoy the ride,most of us old folks have been there,done that,enjoy the ride,glad to see yall having a good time:)

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Wow....thanks so much!! I thought I was the only one that did not know what that work meant.

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Originally Posted by dudness

I'm glad I got a girl...

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Hopefully, she won't have t shave her face because:

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Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

She's got legs...:thinking:

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Girls now-a-days shave a lot more than their legs. I think their mothers teach them or they learn on their own. Either way my daughters "leg" shaving expenses have become a monthly expense.

One convert from work but he was already a DE guy. Everybody else just thinks I'm weird or crazy or both. I have hopes for when my son reaches shaving age though.

I have tried, and failed, feelin like a Jehovah's witness out here in the cold. Maybe if i didn't ride a Harley or drive a 5.7 litre Chevy V8 would help. Folk i know refuse to spend $100 to set up a lifetime of shaving with a cut-throat, but think nothing of spending $20 on four cartridges that last a month.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

I'd agree with them. consider what you'd think about a guy who spent every free moment talking about tooth brushes. Or lawn ornaments. Or compost.

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... or golf

... women, cars.... no, that's basic survival operation.

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Originally Posted by Grazor

I have tried, and failed, feelin like a Jehovah's witness out here in the cold. Maybe if i didn't ride a Harley or drive a 5.7 litre Chevy V8 would help.

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:D

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Originally Posted by Grazor

Folk i know refuse to spend $100 to set up a lifetime of shaving with a cut-throat, but think nothing of spending $20 on four cartridges that last a month.

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They probably had a chance to see Your bathroom and know the $100-story is a damn lie that only You and Your wife believe in ... naaa... she does not believe it either, but pretends, as she wants to keep on buying shoes and handbags.

I tend to keep it low profile, when they hear about it most guys give me the 'I hope he doesn't whip it out here' look. But then again, most of them apparently think that expensive suits and a 5 cent disposable bic and canned foam are a good combo. One exception is a colleague (couple of pay grades higher than yours truly) who gets his straight razor shave and face massage every morning at a barbershop that opens at 5:30.

Strangest thing I experienced was someone from the cleaning staff at a hotel where I was staying on business who had seen my kamisori in the bathroom and requested me to explain what it was and how I used it. He mailed me later to say he'd purchased one too. Call it a spontaneous conversion to the church of fine metal. But usually when away on business I shave with a DE.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

I'd agree with them. consider what you'd think about a guy who spent every free moment talking about tooth brushes. Or lawn ornaments. Or compost. It's good to be enthusiastic about something, but don't expect others to share your passion at the same intensity.

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Touche, good sir, but think about this...

If I were to talk incessantly about brushing my teeth with a lawn ornament made out of compost, surely one couldn't help but to smile and try to share my intensity.:rofl2::roflmao

Or maybe call the men in white coats. :(:(

In my line of work, all males shave daily, so the topic comes up from time to time. I've turned a couple people to DE with the help of my barber, but so far I'm batting .000 for straights. On the other hand, the very person who got me into wet shaving only does DE, and thinks that he would "hurt himself or get too much irritation" if he used straights. This is a dude who flies F-16's for a living and thinks he can't handle a little piece of sharp metal...:thinking:

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Originally Posted by RMarsh

In my line of work, all males shave daily, so the topic comes up from time to time. I've turned a couple people to DE with the help of my barber, but so far I'm batting .000 for straights. On the other hand, the very person who got me into wet shaving only does DE, and thinks that he would "hurt himself or get too much irritation" if he used straights. This is a dude who flies F-16's for a living and thinks he can't handle a little piece of sharp metal...:thinking:

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Yeah but he knows what tiny pieces of metal travelling at warp speed can do if you collide with them ;-)

In all seriousness, most guys whom I spoke to are just afraid of cutting themselves up (and of course, when starting out you'll catch some scrapes and nicks, comes with the territory) or play the 'no time' card. The former is imho an invalid argument, the latter I can understand to some extent as I get up at 4:00 am every day and start work at about 5:30 but fortunately require only 4 hours sleep/night. I understand that most people will be loth to get up 20 minutes earlier so they can prep well and shave at leisure. Shaving the previous night defeats the purpose, imho. And rushing throught a straight shave...well....

I'm happy to keep myself and my obsessions more or less to myself, although when it does come up and someone shows any curiosity I'm more than happy to talk about it. Most think I'm nuts but a few have been intrigued enough to let me set them up with some gear to try out. So far two have stuck with it. and a couple of others have got into wet shaving with DEs.

I have no interest in actively trying to convert anyone to anything, but if they have questions I'm more than happy to answer and advise as best I can. But ultimately we go back to most thinking I'm nuts. :)

Pretty much keep this to myself, at least until I can do a good demonstration shave! But I expect guests will start to notice The Kit on display and begin to ask questions, it's a subtle approach :)

I think you'd need a pretty rare combination of circumstance and person to do a disposable to straight direct conversion:

- Willingness and confidence to learn a skill
- Can take a bit of pain and doesn't mind the embarrassment (told you so!) of a face slice
- Ok with the outlay
- Thinks they can find the time
- Actually cares about a better shave...

There're not many out there...

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Originally Posted by xenophon

Yeah but he knows what tiny pieces of metal travelling at warp speed can do if you collide with them ;-)

In all seriousness, most guys whom I spoke to are just afraid of cutting themselves up (and of course, when starting out you'll catch some scrapes and nicks, comes with the territory) or play the 'no time' card. The former is imho an invalid argument, the latter I can understand to some extent as I get up at 4:00 am every day and start work at about 5:30 but fortunately require only 4 hours sleep/night. I understand that most people will be loth to get up 20 minutes earlier so they can prep well and shave at leisure. Shaving the previous night defeats the purpose, imho. And rushing throught a straight shave...well....

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I am awake a 4am as well and start work at 5. I agree with your assessment about waking up 20 minutes early to shave. I always shower and shave in the evening. Makes for a relaxing time at the end of the day. Oh, I require more than 4 hours sleep. I envy your ability to function after a 4 hour nap. Years ago I could function after 4 hours. Today, that does not work for me.

The only people who know about how I shave think its weird, a fad or too time consuming. However most people who know me think I am a bit odd anyway, I.e. I think I am the only man in the pilbara who owns and uses boot polish, and am in the minority of people who use an iron.

I think for people who know me and hear about it, it just confirms their general impression that I am a weirdo, so I don't really attempt to convert them much.

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Originally Posted by crouton976

I smell a rat... I mean, seriously, look at that blade angle. He's gonna have razor burn for sure...

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Me too. Angle + no lather + no stubble in front of the blade = more likely a torture device than a hair remover

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Originally Posted by vicmaldo

Of course, I've found straight razor shaving such a fantastic thing, that I have to talk about it anytime I get the oportunity. In so many aspects, environmentally conscious, edgy at the same time traditional, and of course, great fun.

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I'm the same way, but have yet to convert anybody. Frankly, I'm just glad that the problems I had for so many years with the convoluted crap the stores sell today are over.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Nope.99.9% of the people I know have not a clue how I shave,never talk about it.

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I told two or three friends when I first started but now never mention the habit. Is shaving a habit? Is shaving with a straight a REAL habit?

Or, is the end result all that counts to friends.

Dave

rolodave--Really like your sig line!

I must be an exception, because everyone I've told about has been genuinely interested in hearing about it. I even had a friend of mine order a razor just last week because of our talk just a few days before! :beer1:

The younger folks I know cringe like they've just witnessed a horror scene
The people my age just roll their eyes like they've always known there was something wrong with my melon
The older folks just think its nostalgic and cool
I love it but ultimately its just how i shave :)
Mike