Thread: indifferent collector

Hiya,

So far it's been no problem resisting the jump from DE to straight. I get great shaves using various DE razors and it's pretty gratifying. I'm just not motivated enough to learn a new skill that will take many months to achieve consistantly excellent results.

Saying that, I do like the looks of many straights, although I know almost zero about em in general. I'll sometimes buy one if the price is right and the blade's in good shape. Over the course of a few years I've picked up maybe 9-10 straights. Never had em honed or cleaned up, but I have em just in case the urge to try a straight hits me. I'm hoping that at least 1-2 of these would be worth sending out for a tune up, but I'm not out much cash if they're junk. Heh, I also have one shave ready razor sent to me by a forum member, but haven't ever used that one either........

Here's a couple various things for your (hopeful) amusement. You members may be familiar with some if not all of these. Scales are good on some and not others, but the blades are for the most part rust and pitting free with minimal scratches. All these razors were extremely reasonably priced.

Hope you enjoy the pics, and I apologize for the quality. This picture takin stuff ain't my speciality.

Martin

Oh, I guess I should list what's there:

First is a Globusmen-Gold (6/8)
Next is a Francis Newton(Sheffield)
After that is a Henckels Platinum
Last one's a Puma(10 3/8)

Assuming no chips or cracks in blade or scales any of those pictured would make a good shaver once honed up IMO. There is a learning curve but since you've been shaving with a DE and have the preparation, lathering and possibly skin stretching learned that reduces the time considerably if you make the transition.

Aside from great shaves there is an intimacy with the razor that you cannot experience with a contraption that takes throw away blades. If you learn to hone your own the honing and the stropping become a part of the experience. The quality of the shave depends to an extent on your skill in all aspects of the process so it becomes a challenge as well as a ritual. I find it fascinating.

Please don't get me wrong when I call a DE a contraption. I love the things and have a collection of them that I used to shave with before I did straights. Some of them are quite attractive but to me it is still a contraption no matter how well it shaves.