One year anniversary of straight razor shaving

A year ago I tried shaving with a straight razor again. I'd tried many times over the past 30 years without success for even a single shave -- but last year I had the advantage of this site. After study of the basics as posted here, I had a reasonably successful shave and have kept at it for the past 12 months. During that interval I have used a safety razor no more than six times, when I was really in a hurry. What I noticed last time I used a safety razor was, what a less satisfactory shave I got from it. I had seen contributors to these pages say that very thing in the past and couldn't believe it but...I am now compelled to say "it's true."

The advantages: First, I really enjoy shaving! What used to always be a chore is now something I look forward to (still, after a year). I get better shaves. I slow down just a bit more. I have the satisfaction of using well-crafted tools (brush, razor, strop) that my forebears used for centuries, in one form or another.

The cons: I guess it takes a bit longer: 15 minutes to have a full, luxurious wet shave, give or take a couple of minutes instead of the 5 minutes a safety razor takes but that's if I used canned lather (gag me with a spoon! as they used to say) rather than freshly created lather. If the only thing I change is straight vs safety, I'd say I save 5 minutes max with the safety. Cuts? I have cut myself enough to require a styptic pencil or similar hemostatic agent fewer than six times in one year. And once was when the doorbell rang mid-stroke and surprised me. It just isn't an issue.

Another benefit is to the economy. I have contributed generously to the college funds of the kids of purveyors of shaving paraphernalia. We're all winners here!

So my personal thanks to all who contribute to SRP, moderators, vendors and posters alike. Thank you!

Congratulations! We all straight razor users know this simply is the very best you can get for shaving. Not just for the impeccable result you get, but also for other reasons and, last but not the least, for taking your time and slow a little bit down our hectic lives.

Congratulations too !
I have 1/2 year now. Do still improve your skills or have you settled?
Regards
Hajo

I have been shaving with straight for a while now also I find a great love for the whole experience. Straight razor shaving, that's what it is an experience. It isn't for every one though. Through this experience I cut the tip of my pointer finger through one layer of skin. Also I cut the tip of my thumb off through the nail also. I wouldnt trade it for anything though. It has been an incredible experience which only has one setback or stumbling block. Witch is that it is addictive. I find myself, who started out only wanting the basics, wanting more. I started with a dovo 5/8 best and a German cowhide leather strop. Now I have added a 3" wide hoarse leather strop, a Norton combo 4k-8k hone, a king combo 220grit-1k hone, a naniwa 1k hone, a naniwa 12k hone, a genco fluid steel 5/8, and I won a Geneva 6/8 Ontario here at SRP. Oh yes and I just purchased a Boker paddle strop with a hone on the back and I'm trying to purchase a Boker Eddleweise although I would love a silversteel razor by Boker but I do not have the funds for such a razor. But never the less I'm still trying to not feel the need to purchase a naniwa 10k and I don't even know why. I guess I'm thinking that it would be an easier transition from 8k to 12k. Anyway putting that aside I would close in saying this. Straight razor thaving has been and continues to be an astonishing experience with witch I'm overjoyed.
P.s. forgive me for not mentioning my brushes and mugs and such. Also I'm a Van Der Hagen man.

Swerve

1 year anniversary? It sounds like it's time for a new razor to celebrate.

That's what I'm sayin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

1 year anniversary? It sounds like it's time for a new razor to celebrate.

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I do agree 100%! :tu

My only question is: does anyone know where to get a new boker? I've triedvlooking and not even Boker USA has any in stock.

Bigspendur: I totally agree that a new, celebratory razor is warranted. I'm on the hunt.

Hajo: I'm still improving but at a much slower pace. Shaving with a straight seems to exemplify the classic, "sigmoid" learning curve. At first, learning seems pretty slow because everything is new. Then, learning really takes off as you master the new info. Finally, learning new info and tasks slows way down as there are just fewer things to learn. But...it stays fun!!

Happy Anniversary and many more! Glad you stuck with it and absolutely reward yourself with a new straight.

Congrats from down under!

I've been using straights for over 2 years now and I can definitely say that it's a process of continuous improvement, or "kaizen" as they say in Japan. The improvements are mainly small and incremental but they all add up to a better shave. I really admire your determination; I must admit I fall back on the DE with some regularity, both for speed and the ability to get to the hard-to-reach spots - particularly on the chin area :-)

I agree. My tough spot is my throat on the sides. My approach has been to do a second pass ATG just on each side and that provides adequate coverage. A third pass is even better but consumes more time for an everyday approach than I want. That's an example of the routine one gets into. Just knowing what I want to do next and what to expect speeds things up quite a bit.

On the suggestion of several of the posters here I have decided to celebrate my landmark with the purchase of not one but TWO fine straights from among our classified advertisers on SRD. I have had really good luck with these sellers in the past. Many thanks and my gratitude to all.

Ha I found a Boker 5/8 tree brand on Ebay for 98 bucks including S&H and tax n all. Brand spanking new and got it 2 days after my order. (I honed and shaved with it same day I got it) and I love it.