I'm going straight

[kenny]

I've decided to buy one of those dangerous-looking straight razors and learn to sharpen and use it.
I just don't like the idea of throwing away razors.
Seems so non-green, expensive too.

I found 2 websites.

http://straightrazorplace.com/
http://badgerandblade.com/

Do any of you use a straight razor?

 

[CUSO]

Wow. I don't think you understand how much of an undertaking this will be. It is kore artistry than practical now. I think you need to look up "properly honing a razor" on line. Books have been written about it. Just know this. The time it takes to shave, multiply it by 5 just for the maintenance between shaves.

 

[kenny]

Wow. I don't think you understand how much of an undertaking this will be. It is kore artistry than practical now. I think you need to look up "properly honing a razor" on line. Books have been written about it. Just know this. The time it takes to shave, multiply it by 5 just for the maintenance between shaves.

That is one reason I'm attracted to it.
I love things that sort of celebrate the mundane.

I am the most not-in-a-hurry person I know.
I love doing things the old-fashioned slow way.

 

[Echidna]

Not where I thought you were going with that

No advice, but have a great time learning!

 

[somethingshiny]

lol. DH calls straight razors murder weapons! He's seen too many movies.

Good luck with it!

 

[perry]

Kenny:

I wish you well - and hope you have both patience and detail skills.

Learning how to put a true razor sharp edge on a blade is a lot closer to an art than a skill. I can do it - but I had years of learning how to do it when I was a young-un... (and the older generation all learned the long hard way too).

For the person who has the touch (on resharpening and establishing a razor edge) - straight razor shaving is only slightly more time consuming than modern razors. However - without that touch... you will spend hours and butcher your face at the same time...

I do note that my barber uses a straight razor for cleanup on haircuts... He buys disposable blades.

Perry

 

[AGBF]

I think this will be an adventure, Kenny. I would be really surprised if anyone else here routinely used a straight razor. It seems far more esoteric an art than baking bread by hand or starting a sourdough culture, although it brings those things (which I have done) to mind! Please keep us informed about your progress!

Deb/AGBF

 

[Jennifer W]

My husband had a straight razor, and my grandfather used one every day. There's quite an art to it, as you know.

Before you start, in the interests of preserving your good looks, you could maybe find an old fashioned barber that uses them well, and get a masterclass, because from what I've seen, it isn't intuitive (and just a little bit scary).BTW, I recognise that shaving advice from a woman is probably on a par with childbirth advice from a man, so feel free to ignore me.

Don't know if it's any use to you, but check out the link below:
http://www.trumpers.com/

 

[yennyfire]

More advice from a woman, but I'd second what Jennifer said about seeing if you can get a lesson or two from an expert. A straight edge is no joke, especially on your neck/face. I love that you like to do things the old fashioned way...and kudos to you for wanting to help the environment!

 

[dragonfly411]

Kenny - I hope you do it and love it! Isn't it interesting that a straight edge was once the only way to shave... and it is considered an art.... a learned skill these days... yet so few undertake it. I feel like there are so many things that are like this.

 

[movie zombie]

kenny, i think it is an adventure you owe yourself. i remember my father using his leather strop {spelling?} and i knew he was preparing to shave. now mind you, dad was much younger than you when he started shaving with a straight razor and had experience at it prior to training as a barber after WWII.......it is indeed a traditional, core skill that has died. good luck and go slow and easy with this one.

MoZo

ps it is indeed a very manly skill and certainly less wasteful as you noted.

 

[Imdanny]

Send me an email in a couple months and let me know how that goes. I've thought for years about this. It seems that disposable razors are a scam.

 

[JewelFreak]

Oh, Kenny, you scared me! From your subject line I thought you were going to stop buying gems! Whew!

--- Laurie

 

[tyty333]

Yikes! Be careful...I hate to have to take up a collection for band-aids for you!

Can we get some pics??? (I'm begining to sound like DF ).

 

[kenny]

Oh, Kenny, you scared me! From your subject line I thought you were going to stop buying gems! Whew!

--- Laurie

Hehehe!!!

Yeah I'll get some pics up of my new (old actually) straight razor.
It's German, from Soligen.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Wow. I don't think you understand how much of an undertaking this will be. It is kore artistry than practical now. I think you need to look up "properly honing a razor" on line. Books have been written about it. Just know this. The time it takes to shave, multiply it by 5 just for the maintenance between shaves.

That is one reason I'm attracted to it.
I love things that sort of celebrate the mundane.

I am the most not-in-a-hurry person I know.
I love doing things the old-fashioned slow way.

I'm glad I read ahead because I was just about to say - that's what makes him (you) like it lol

 

[IdLikeToBuyAVal]

Very cool! My husband recently switched to an old-fashioned safety razor (he has a Merkur) and he loves it! After using the 5 blade disposable razors and getting terrible razor burn, he now has very close shaves with no bumps at all! Our mall has a store called "The Art of Shaving" that has the shaving oil, fancy soaps, nice brushes and stands etc and they also do straight razor shaves/demonstrations. We buy a lot of his supplies there and he also orders at several websites online. Good luck with your new hobby!