Shaving with a straight razor?

Following with interest... hope other will join in and post.

I've been thinking about this for awhile now and think I might give it a go.  I am a total cheapskate so the cost is a great bennie, but not the main reason I'd switch.  For me its more about a good close shave w/o all the problems I have with the $10 a cartridge systems.

The break-even point is further out than what I'd like to totally justify the switch on finances alone, but the smooth shave is well worth it.

If you're interested, I can post some links to get you started on the education process.  Like anything else, you can get as simple or as complicated as you'd like, but it's far from rocket science.

twomarks

Bad problems with ingrown hairs using a razor.  I switched to an electric Norelco rotary and never went back.  I've been using it for over 3 years now so that would currently put me at around $0.12 per shave ($75 razor and 650 some-odd shaves).

And once I month I do a total manscape with a Phillips Body Groomer.  I don't body shave (I need to maintain my image and screen-name).  But every dude should get in some manscaping.  The wifey and everyone else at the pool is very appreciative for it. 

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/

I'm not sure we are using the same terminology, if you think these are the only choices. I rarely, if ever, use a cartridge type razor. I use what I call "real razor blades." They used to be called "safety razors" when my Dad was growing up. He's 65. You can buy real blades at most drug stores, Target, Wal-Mart. You still load it into a handle.

Now if you're talking about full-on straight razor, that's another matter. They are sharpened over and over, and the reason that the old-fashioned thing I use was once called "safety" even though most guys cut themselves with them first time out. Compared with a true straight razor, the home safety razors with rectangular blades are no big deal.

My Dad is a barber, and you can still get a true straight razor shave at his shop, which is rare these days. He used to have a big collection of straight razors displayed, as well as shaving mugs that his regular customers had. (late 60s, early 70s)

It's not too hard to learn to do yourself, but I often recount the time when my wife wanted to shave my face, and Dad put me in the chair and tried to talk her through it. He is a good barber, but not a great teacher, and for some reason used the phrase "a sawing motion." I slid out from under her before she sliced me open.

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Good observation Claaaw,

I'm using the actual straight razor, but have heard very good things about the safety razor as well.

twomarks

Ah, well in that case, you could end up going down an even more expensive route once you decide you need a cream warmer and dispenser like in my Dad's barbershop. Then you'll be up late on ebay bidding on ivory handled vintage razors.

This is a cautionary tale that works for just about anything.

Priceless!

Jeez, who would spend hours online talking about triathlon mustard?

From what I've read, and what I've been doing for the last month, it entails keeping the razor dry to prevent rust, and stropping the razor every time before you shave.  I also do this after I shave.  The whole stropping process takes about 3 minutes each time.

Done properly, this will allow the edge to remain for up to six months or so.  You can then send it off to be re-honed or do it yourself, but it's advised to have a professional do it on your everyday razor until you can get some practice in.

There's also something a little "zen" about it also.  You have to take your time and you need to pay attention.  Not that you can't carry on a conversation, but the first few times, I preferred to not be disturbed until I got the hang of things.  I'm still learning, but I've been surprised at how quickly I was able to achieve a close shave without cutting myself.

twomarks

oh yeah, if you're going the route of straight razor, you need a proper leather strop.

So here's an anecdote you may appreciate.....

My Dad cut my hair, since he was a barber. He did it at home, and in those years, didn't have a shop. (Closed it when I was a baby, took a job with health insurance, went back to barbering after being laid off 25 years later) So I wasn't in a proper barber shop until I was a teenager. Dad hurt his hand at work (rolled through a printing press) and I had to get my hair cut at his barber's shop until his hand healed. I asked about the two-piece strap hanging off the chair. "That's a razor strop Andy. You know what that is. I told you how my Dad used to use one for spankings when I was a kid."

I had a slow-burn not-quite A-ha! moment, more like - oooooohhhhh, duh moment. I had to confess to my Dad that all the years he told me that, I didn't know what the thing was, so in my head, I pictured a strap with razors on it. I had an even harsher image of my grandfather as a disciplinarian. My Dad was simultaneously amused and disturbed, and also wondered how exactly it was that I ended up in the gifted program at school with common sense skills like that.

Cost me about $300 to get a Straight razor set up with everything I needed and it was worth every penny.   I have been straight razor shaving for about 6 months now and can shave in about the same amount of time as before with far better results.  Make the switch once you get the feel of the shave you will never look back.

Luis