Shave with straight-razor?

S

sweetafton

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
6
Hi all,

Not sure if this is off-topic for the Blade Discussion forum, but:

I was wondering if a lot of people on BFC shave with a straight-razor? There is so much talk about the quality of steel, and I know most of you love to admire the actual blade quality. Good steel just feels so, I dunno, GOOD in my hands.

This is precisely why I shave with a straight-razor. Using any of the disposable blades is akin to taking a cheese grater to your face. I really do shudder at the thought. There's nothing like taking a high-quality, razor-sharp piece of steel to my throat and knowing this was how man was meant to shave. It just feels so...Right. Or Pure, I guess. I have a beautiful Theirs-Issard razor that I expect to be with me for many, many years.

I wish everyone would renounce the crap produced by Gillette, etc. and take their love of knives to their face. I can provide links to this if anyone's interested.

Peace,
-Willey.

ps. Oh, and chicks dig it, too. :eek:
 
I don't do it daily, but if I skip shaving for a few days I often catch up using a straight razor. I normally use an electric. When I travel I use a disposable. I try and avoid the multiblade systems since they give me ingrown whiskers. Sometimes I use a knife when I am experimenting with how well it takes an edge.
 
Never done it myself, but have had a few professional straight-razor shaves. There is absolutely nothing like it -- smooth as a baby's butt.

If you've got some good links to straight-razor shaving techniques -- let's see them. I can put a few of my antique razors on the strop and see if I convert.
 
Use a knife occasionally. Usually if I haven't shaved for a few days. Generally go with the machIII though, have enough scars on my face to begin with, without taking a bare blade to my face when I'm tired or in a hurry ;)
 
Never myself, but my barber does and man what an experience. He is a whiz and there is honestly no shave like it.

Thought of trying it some day. It doesn't seem that difficult if you are careful.
 
Sweet:

I'm old-fashioned and a traditionalist myself, so I appreciate your sentiments about straight razors.

I just do not think that I would trust myself to take a razor to my face, nor do I think I would trust anyone else.

:eek:

Maybe someday...
 
I've always had a facination with straight razors, tried shaving with one for a while in my early 20's, but as I normally shave when I'm tired enough to drop I stopped for safety reasons ;)

Unfortunately I'm cursed with incredably tough stubble and very soft neck skin, an electric razor doesn't come close to cutting it, and with any type of razor blade (even a new one) I end up with only moderately short stubble and a neck like a butchers aporon :eek:
The best compromise I have found between safety and cutting ability is the actual razor blades that get sandwiched between the two halves of the handle.
 
yog and others:

No offense, but are you sure you're shaving properly?

Try shaving in the (hot) shower, as your skin and beard will be softer.

Don't be afraid to use a TON of shave cream/gel. Have you tried the gels? They work a lot better than "regular" shaving creme for me. Perhaps even a high-quality, old-fashioned shaving soap would work better for you?

And maybe try shaving more than once a day to keep it really short.

A neat tip I learned that helps pretty much eliminate razor irritation on the neck is; when you are shaving at your sink, rinse your razor in COLD water instead of hot. For some reason, I don't get razorburn this way.

Hope this helps...
 
Trivia question: What is the technical/professional name for a barber who specializes in straight-razor shaves?.
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A tonsoralist.
 
Hmmm...I'm surprised more people on this forum aren't comfortable with handling a razor sharp blade.

I've been shaving with a straight razor for close to five years now (I'm 33). I will never go back to cheap steel. Here are some of my observations for those who are interested:

- Buy a quality razor. Can't recommend Theirs-Issard highly enough. You'll also need a good strop. KnifeCenter has a good selection, among others.

- Use a better shaving cream than the petroleum based crap most stores sell. One of the best is Musgo Real (made in Portugal; I buy it from a company called Barcklay Crocker).

- Use a shaving brush. This is the only way to really get the cream down into the hairs and ready them for shaving.

- Take your time. Albert Einstein allegedly had a note on his bathroom mirror that read: Shave Slowly. I'm pretty experienced now but I still take a moment and pause before shaving to ready myself.

- Will you cut yourself? Yes. But you are not about to slice your jugular open and bleed to death! Unless you were trying to, of course. The important thing to realize is that cuts made with a quality edge will heal much faster than cuts from a disposable. Simply because the straight edge has such a precision edge on it. With the disposables you are ripping the skin apart. But it's actually more difficult to cut yourself than you might think. In five years I've drawn blood maybe a dozen times, if that. Each time the wound closed itself by the time I'm putting on the aftershave. It's really NOT something to be unduly concerned about. How many people have cut themselves with their EDC? Does that scare you into no longer carrying?

- I've had two friends with ingrown hair and sensitive skin troubles. The guy's face would sport little blood spots all over after he shaved. The girl's leg hair would grow in painfully after shaving. Both cases were solved with using a straight razor.

- Who would you rather give your money to: large corporation or small quality knifemaker? (that answer should be easy!)

Ok, I guess I've rambled on enough about straight razors. I just wish more guys (and girls) would understand isn't as difficult or scary as they've been led to believe.

Here's my favorite link on the matter:

http://www.en.nassrasur.com/razorcentral/index.html

And a few others:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/straightrazorplace/

http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Premium_Knives_Help_How_to_Shave_with_a_Straight_Razor.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/sharpen/instrazor.html

Happy shaving!

-Willey.
 
Thak's a lot Willey for your informations, I started with straight-razor two weeks ago, especially about first link.

By Luca
 
Been doing it for awhile Have 6 st.razors I use(no not ALL at once)All of my razors are mint but old!Question for you all that use a st raz. Do you like the badger brushes or the softer brushes,or does it make any dif.??
Jim
 
I actually first learned to shave with a straight razor when I was in the sixth grade. (no kidding. I grew body and facial hair at a very early age) I still use it now and then when I let my beard get really long, or when I want to trim up my sideburns or ghotee. Disposables just get clogged up with all the long hair.

I guess the reasons I don't use it more often are kinda lame. One is, I usually don't have a lot of time to spend on this task. I'm always running late and shave quickly right after getting out of the shower. By the way- that's a good tip. Shave in the shower or immediately after without even drying off your face first. It softens the stubble and just makes things go more smoothly. Second, I don't have a good strop now. I used to use an antique one that belonged to my great grandfather, but despite my best efforts at preserving it, it's beginning to fall apart. I'd rather save it for posterity. I guess one of these days I'm just gonna have to go to a leather shop and pick out a nice piece. In the meantime though, improvised strops just don't get the edge fine enough, and the blade tends to really pull at the hairs.
 
I regularly shave with a straight razor. I learn it myself, and when I fist did it, the razorburn was unbearable. However, after months/years of doing it, no more razorburn. I honestly don't know if my technique has improved or my skin has been habituated with the razorburn. Cut myself ? Of course. Well, not really 'cut', but may be a little nick here and there.

The reason why I don't use a 'regular' shaving medium is unknown. I just feel that shaving with a straight razor feels better on my face and in my heart :D

May be that's the knut speaking ....
 
I did, for a while. I found out why the phrase "safety razor" exists. It takes sooo long, I don't have the patience. I think about it from time to time, but I think it's out of my system..--Joe
 
"Lead hardened and hand ground to a splendidly sharp edge ideal for the closest shave"

What is lead hardening? How does the process work? I would think that anything with lead would be hazardous to your health, am I totaly off base here? I would love a straight razor, but I want to learn more of this lead hardening...

Thanks

Edited to add this wonderful pic...

Thiers_Issard_Razor_188E_TORT_58.jpg
 
I've never used an electric and for years(biker yrs) didn't shave much at all. But when I did start shaving at about 14 yrs of age my father gave me a Gillete Aristocrat adjustable razor. I still use it to this day. Put platinum disposable blades in it and good to go for a couple of shaves. Shaves very well indeed. For yrs I used a mug with shaving soap and badger hair brushes. The only brush to use. Have been thinking of late of trying a straight razor though. There is a barber school not far from me that sells straight razors for 20-30 bucks along with Chicago razor strops. Can't remember the full name for the strops. These are about 30 bucks too.

I have also of late shaved with an EKI CQC7 that I had commercially sharpened. Kind of bummed when the old fella handed it back to me but I will say without a doubt in hindsight it is the best thing I ever did to an Emerson knife. Cuts like crazy with a true chizel edge. It is very very tough and now very easy to sharpen when it gets dull. It has a higly polished edge to it though so there is 0 drag on the blade. Hard to belive I know but trust me on this the thing is a lazer cutter now. Keep'em sharp
 
longbow, read your other CQC7 post as well. I'm curious, is your CQC7 a zero-grind now? can you post a picture?

"biker years"? - you were in a motorcycle gang like hell's angels/bandidos? (sorry, just curious...)

thanks,
spyken
 
Hi Willey,

Which model do you use? I have a pair of Thiers-Issard J86's that I have used for a long time and I like them very much.

Yes, I have nicked myself a few times, but it was no big deal. And in every case it was due to me just not paying attention.

I like the idea of never having to buy another razor as long as I live... :-)

--gordy
 
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