Anybody shave with a straight razor?

Thanks, it shaves really nice too. I lucked out, and it didn't have much rust on it when I found it. A few minutes cleaning it up and putting an edge back on it, and it's been great ever since. I'll have to find some more of these.
 
Here's a story. It relates to why straight razors were replaced by safety razors.

Bought myself a straight razor blank. Ordered out a catalog. I finish it out and sharpened it. Having used a straight razor before and having my neck shaved, during a haircut by a barber.

I decided to take the thing into the shower. I mean, why not? Keeps the bathroom sink clean. Had myself a mirror in the shower.


During my shave. I dropped the razor. Said razor landed perfectly between two toes. The bathtub turned red. All I felt was a thump on my foot. That razor cut me and cut me good. Last time I used a straight razor. In or out the shower.
 
Grasshopperglock said:
Here's a story. It relates to why straight razors were replaced by safety razors.

Bought myself a straight razor blank. Ordered out a catalog. I finish it out and sharpened it. Having used a straight razor before and having my neck shaved, during a haircut by a barber.

I decided to take the thing into the shower. I mean, why not? Keeps the bathroom sink clean. Had myself a mirror in the shower.


During my shave. I dropped the razor. Said razor landed perfectly between two toes. The bathtub turned red. All I felt was a thump on my foot. That razor cut me and cut me good. Last time I used a straight razor. In or out the shower.
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Straight razor shavers often quote one of the short list of rules for straight razor shaving: "Never shave naked."

Words to live by. Toes are...not the worst possible scenario.
 
Wait I've never heard this before... I shave naked sometimes, although I never take them into the shower because of rust. Then again, I'm mostly self-taught and do some odd things like shaving exclusively against the grain and not using foam.

I've focused my collection exclusively on custom straight razors (besides two Thiers Issards my dad gave me that got me into shaving with straights); the value you get for the amount of handcrafting is incredible. It's kind of the opposite of overhyped custom knives. It seems not a lot of people are interested in straight razors and they're tragically undervalued. So far I have Tim Zowada, Max Sprecher, Snail Forge, Rigarazor, Ali's Blade, Robert Williams, and J3.

razors.JPG
 
Grasshopperglock said:
Here's a story. It relates to why straight razors were replaced by safety razors.

Bought myself a straight razor blank. Ordered out a catalog. I finish it out and sharpened it. Having used a straight razor before and having my neck shaved, during a haircut by a barber.

I decided to take the thing into the shower. I mean, why not? Keeps the bathroom sink clean. Had myself a mirror in the shower.


During my shave. I dropped the razor. Said razor landed perfectly between two toes. The bathtub turned red. All I felt was a thump on my foot. That razor cut me and cut me good. Last time I used a straight razor. In or out the shower.
Click to expand...
Once bitten...twice shy...know the syndrome well.
My worst cuts were done on ham tins and a very sharp metal plug-hole; never got really cut with knives or straight razors - just nicks that didn`t need medical attention...yet!

I`m used to working with sharp dangerous things after not really sensible drinking I`m ashamed to say.

One should not use chain-saws or angle-grinders - or mig weld with no gloves on after 3 or 4 bottles of Shiraz.

Did it decades ago- not so much now.

What is health and safety again ?

This morning I had a shave in the bath with no mirror ( I can put contact lenses in without one ) using a two dollar Wilkinson Sword DE razor with a Feather blade in it.No foam, no soap - against the grain - no nicks no nowt - no pre-shave, no aftershave, no moisturiser.I don`t think I have sensitive skin but it`s not rough for my age - I`m nearly sixty.
I sunbathe with no suncream on - I love it.

I`m used to shaving in the desert using a pint of water - clean if I`m lucky !

I`ve not worn shoes or socks for over 25 years - got bad arthritis - can`t get `em on.

So I wore flip-flops on a building site in Egypt and flip-flops in the snow in Norway.

I`m half Russian / half Polish and I also lived in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne ( in North West England ) for years and people up there don`t wear coats - they`re Viking stock - They go out clubbing in the snow - with not much on.It has been known to snow in June there.
Thousands of "Geordies" ( people from there are called Novocastrians ) go out in sub zero weather sometimes in shorts or knickers and a bra - I`m not kidding - I lived there on and off since 1983.They`re like the Scots or Russians - tough but warm-hearted, funny people.
The nightlife in "The Toon" ( Newcastle ) is world famous - people get a ferry from Norway to go clubbing and pulling etc - like I did from Haugsund, Norway.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE_WINTER_CLUBBERS..jpg




I got a few broken toes that were untreated decades ago so they ain`t beautiful - but I`m not bothered about wonky toes - I`m not a foot model.

My feet are a bit dodgy because they`ve been outside since the late nineties.

LARGE_JETFLAME_BUTANE_TORCH.jpg


My nickname is Johnny-no-socks.
 
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Tsujigiri said:
Wait I've never heard this before... I shave naked sometimes, although I never take them into the shower because of rust. Then again, I'm mostly self-taught and do some odd things like shaving exclusively against the grain and not using foam.

I've focused my collection exclusively on custom straight razors (besides two Thiers Issards my dad gave me that got me into shaving with straights); the value you get for the amount of handcrafting is incredible. It's kind of the opposite of overhyped custom knives. It seems not a lot of people are interested in straight razors and they're tragically undervalued. So far I have Tim Zowada, Max Sprecher, Snail Forge, Rigarazor, Ali's Blade, Robert Williams, and J3.
View attachment 2326769
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I have seen you have some very good razors which I also have ( thiers,Issard, Sprecher, ). Others I don't appreciate . Anyway I don't understand why you think there are few lovers of straight razors. If you go on the web also on you tube it is full of fans of straight razors even à lot,are fans with bad skills!,Still this hobby is relevant! If you want to share your hobby feel free to write to me! I am a veteran Bye
 
I’ve got a very very old straight razor in my posession, was my grandfather’s that he picked up in Germany, probably in the 1910’s. Original box and all.

The scales are brittle and have cracked. Does anyone know if there are places that will restore that type of thing…
 
RubiSoHo said:
I’ve got a very very old straight razor in my posession, was my grandfather’s that he picked up in Germany, probably in the 1910’s. Original box and all.

The scales are brittle and have cracked. Does anyone know if there are places that will restore that type of thing…
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Try Griffith Shaving Goods or Razor Emporium.
 
RubiSoHo said:
I’ve got a very very old straight razor in my posession, was my grandfather’s that he picked up in Germany, probably in the 1910’s. Original box and all.

The scales are brittle and have cracked. Does anyone know if there are places that will restore that type of thing…
Click to expand...
I would recommend Alfredo. I've purchased razors and have sent him razors to hone. Very reputable. I used to contact him by email. Now i guess he has a webpage.

Doc226.com
 
I was at Tractor Supply today, and had to do a double take when I saw this Uncle Henry straight razor, and kit for $19.99. I didn't have my phone along, so I didn't get a pic of the actual kit. The razor they have pictured here isn't the one in the kit. That one has a disposable blade. I didn't get one. I just didn't expect to see it at TS.
Image.jpg
 
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I shave with a straight razor that uses disposable blades. I've been thinking about getting the real thing lately
 
I used to several years ago. I had trouble getting them sharp enough and my hair is very wiry, but skin is sensitive, so I was getting really bad razor rash no matter what I did. I went to the Double Edge and I was getting shaving soap from my barbershop which worked nicely, but they relocated several states away, so I started using an electric razor again since I can't get their soap anymore and it's much faster. I sold like 30 or 40 straights, including a couple Kamisori, but kept a few straights; Iwasaki, Ralf Aust and some other of the nicer ones. Gotta dig them up again!
 
Taz said:
… I had trouble getting them sharp enough
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Sharp enough is the challenge in the beginning. Producing a smooth shaving sharp edge is far, far more challenging than sharpening a knife. They are world’s apart.
Taz said:
……and my hair is very wiry, but skin is sensitive, so I was getting really bad razor rash no matter what I did.
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A great edge on a straight razor is smooth and the best and easiest shave on the skin of any razor, but achieving that edge takes a lot of practice and some investment in stones, some experimentation and then experience learning to use the strop to smooth it too.

A great edge on a straight feels like wiping off the lather without any resistance.

I tried a lot of combinations of stones, finishes, and razors. The Wacker French point finished on a Dan’s Translucent Arkansas then stropped on horsehide with 0.25 micron diamond spray is the combination that produced the magic edge for me. There were some really rough edges along the way.

There is a steep learning curve. Hang in there, perseverance and patience yield results.
 
Yeah, I have diamond compounds up to .25 micron, green chromium oxide, 2 different leather strops, water stones up to 12K and JNats finer than that. I never could get an edge that felt smooth to my skin.

I could tree top arm hair, but the blades still felt rough on my face. Used the magnified eye loupes to verify I was at the apex and it was smooth, no burr and it was still harsh feeling!

The diamond compounds were especially harsh feeling on the skin. An Ozuka Asagi J Nat with slurry on it was the smoothest I got on an Iwasaki blade, but the Gillette 7 O'clock black platinums and the barbershop shaving soap was the smoothest I ever got.

One of these days I will give it another go!
 
The difference in face feel from the different stones surprised me.

The translucent Arkansas is my favorite and feels noticeably sharper and smoother to me than other stones.

Synthetic waterstones are easy to use and fast, but the edges definitely feel harsh.

Coticules edges feel smooth, but not sharp feeling to me at all.

Never went down the JNat rabbit hole.

Razorock soaps are my favorites.

Safety razors scare me, yet a straight razor is totally comfortable to me. Makes no sense, but is the result of life’s journey I guess.
 
I have an old marine buddy who restores and hones all my razors. Once they get kindof tuggy I just use my blue black arkansas stone and bring them back to smooth shavers
 
I respect anyone who uses a straight on a regular basis. I've tried on two occasions to switch. I guess I don't have the steadiness to pull it off. I'm ok with shaving being a masochistic rite but draw the line at life threatening. I've wondered if my poor eyesight may have something to do with it. I can see why DE razors became so popular so fast. And that is my compromise with tradition: I use a 20's Gillette Aristocrat DE razor.
 
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