Straight Razor Shaving

[Rau Le Creuset]

Last year I asked for a straight razor for my Birthday. Fortunately I actually got one. Obviously the biggest inspiration for doing so was the Chronicles, but Sweeney Todd, James Bond and a few other things were part of it as well. I was wondering if any of the other guys on here had ever picked it up? Personally I find it great, I don't find it as clean a shave as I could get with a regular razor, but the whole process to using the straight razor makes me feel super focused and somehow, at the same time, relaxed. Obviously the charm to using one of these lies in the skill and deftness gained from practice, some sort of sense of accomplishment when the shave is complete, The nostalgia, How badass you are for using one, and taking care of a pricey thing that isn't just disposable. I'm almost 72% sure that using a straight razor has made me a better person. I would recommend this method to any other guy out there, usually shaving is not supposed to be enjoyable, but somehow the straight razor makes me enjoy shaving

All of a sudden I think this is becomming a sales pitch or something and I don't know why.. How did anyone read this far? are you still listening? why?

Anyways, If you are going to buy a straight Razor, many expenses are required.

1. The razor. Your gonna need one of these.. Please don't use a hunting or kitchen knife. trust me, I've tried. A good/proper straight razor could cost $80 or more.

2. Brush.. these things cost a stupid ammount of money because of the ridiculous animals they stick on the end of them. You can buy cheap ones though. I've seen high end ones go for 70$ and cheep ones for around 10$

3. Bowl... bowl.

4. Towel, shame on you if you don't have one.

5. Strop. Basically a leather belt used to keep the edge of the straight Razor so you don't have to constantly re-hone it. These cost upwards of $40 for a highclass legit leather one

Thats all you need really.. I know that's a lot of money spent on shaving, but maybe.. just maybe It'll save you 15 dollars by the time your 90 years old, because you don't really need disposables anymore (still keep them around). I really didn't want this to turn into a sales pitch, but it's to late now, and you have to live with it and my awful writing.

In conclusion:Straight shaving is at least 96% cooler than shaving with a normal razor, so you should totally join me and pick this old tradition up. Not just because it's 96% cooler, but it's also 300% better for the environment than a disposable.

[Avatar]

Who has the time?

--A

[Hashi Lebwohl]

My grandfather shaved only with a straight razor. Currently, I do use disposable but you make an excellent point that straight razor is less wasteful; that alone is sufficient to make me seriously consider upgrading to one. Now I have to look into it.

[Vraith]

I did it for a while. But it became too inconvenient space and time-wise.

With the exception that last few years I've taken to going full-beard in the winter, and I use the straight for my first spring shave down to goatee [technically a Van Dyke, I think, cuz I keep the 'stache part, too]. Direct from full hair to smooth bare cheeks and neck in one relatively easy step...quicker and less muss and mess than other methods.

[Zarathustra]

I shave my entire head. There's no freakin way I'm using a straight razor. I'd just as soon use my katana. I'm 95% sure that massive chunks of flesh taken out of the back of my head would not make me one iota cooler.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

shave down to goatee [technically a Van Dyke, I think, cuz I keep the 'stache part, too]

That is definitely the correct term. Back when I kept facial hair on a regular basis that is the style I wore, as well, because it is a classy look.

Z, the idea is not to shave your own head by yourself. Rather, sit there calmly while your wife, who will ideally be scantily clad, shaves your head for you. Of course, I say this even though I don't let my wife shave me so take it with a grain of salt.

[Avatar]

I try not to let the GF near me with anything sharp, pointed, or heavy and blunt. She tends toward the exuberant.

--A

[Zarathustra]

Jokes aside, my father inherited a bunch of antique straight razors from my great-grandfather (I believe--damn, I should know that), and he gave me one in turn. They're pretty scary, honestly. And I have a lot of scary-sharp knives ... my sashimi knife being my current favorite. I think it's because they swing open so easily, and they're unconventional in terms of how you hold them, compared to other blades. For several reasons, I can see why it would focus one's attention, like a ritual.

Hell, with a disposable, I can shave my head in the tub while reading a book.

[Cail]

I did it a few years ago. Gave it up due to the time factor.

There's definitely cool points to be gained by doing it, but I can think of many other ways I'd rather spend that time doing something other than shaving.

[Avatar]

Hell, with a disposable, I can shave my head in the tub while reading a book.

I just use clippers on 0 (no guard) and shave it once a week. Maybe every two weeks depending on how lazy I am.

--A