Who shaves with a strait razor???

D

Dry Heat

Joined
Jul 4, 1999
Messages
100
So, all of us being serious knifeknuts, who among us shaves with a strait razor?

I was at my barber of 20 years today, and was asking him about his razor collection, how to use it, etc. He even offered some free lessons.

Then while, grocery shopping, I couldn't get my usual type AGAIN, and figured that was a sign.

Seems like a very cool, unique way to shave. Any suggestions on brands, types, stops, techniques, etc?

How about a custom, hand-made razor?! oh, yeh, baby!

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"A man has got to know his limitations." - Harry Calahan

John 14:6

 
Hey DH! My Bic has DUAL straight razors! Sorry, I'm a creature of comfort these days. I do have my Grandpas old razor but... no plastic safety for anti-FU?

jeff
 
I wear a short full beard but I use a straight razor to shave around the edges a couple of times a week. Straight razor is the best thing for edging a beard, you can see exactly what you are doing. I also use an old bristle shaving brush and cake shaving cream in a mug.

I don't know where the razor came from, I think it was my father's, and possibly his father's befor him. The blade was blued, and had/has faint etching on the master side. It has become a little pitted over the years but the edge is still right there.

Mike
 
Allright Mike, you're a braver man than I. And you get to use Heritage. Besides my g-pas razor that I don't use I have his tools that I do. I know it's a different feeling using his old tools than my newer ones. A good feeling. More power to you,

jeff
 
I confess, a straight razor gives the best shave, especially when trimming around a beard, but I'm too lazy to do it myself. Every once in a while I'll treat myself to a visit to the barber. You'd be surprised how few actually use a straight razor. I've had a few try to shave me with a safety blade! There's nothing quite as nice as a good shave. Well, almost nothing.
 
I was fired up a while back about shaving with my fathers strait razor, but never got around to ordering a strop for it yet. Some day I will, I guess it is kind of a sentimental goal in my life.

When I posted my thread, I had a good response from users, and sharpening tips.

Hang on and I am sure you should be getting some useful replys.

 
I did for many years but haven't for a long time since I've had a full beard. I never liked electric shavers and I disliked the idea of me leaving hundreds of stainless and plastic disposables on the earth for many years after I'm gone. The strait razor was a sensible for environmental and economic reasons. If I decide to go back to shaving I'll go back to the strait razor.
 
knzn--

Do you remember about when you posted your thread?

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"A man has got to know his limitations." - Harry Calahan

John 14:6

 
If you have never tried a straight razor you owe it to yourself. It isn't nearly as dangerous as it looks. I think after you try it for a week or so you will never go back.

That is what I was told about drinking coffee black. "Drink it black for a week and you will never go back" It took more like two years, but I am now happy drinking my coffee black.


Mike
 
Their is an article on just this topic in the September issue of Knife World Vol.25 No.9 1999. "The Art of Old Time Shaving".
Its a large article even showing a diagram of a face with a grid on it explaining the 14 differnet strokes barbers are taught to use in performing the perfect shave.




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~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"

 
Great topic. I hope that my mother saved a straight razor from my grand dad. Doing a search on straight razors came up with some pretty limited info.

Seems that most of the razors out there are pretty much on the upper end ($50+). But then again if I'm putting a blade to my face at 6:00 without coffe I may not want a POS razor.

Side note, do most barber shops in the US still offer straight edge razor shaves? With the concerns over bloodborne pathogens, how do they sanitize the razor between customers?



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-j-

How do I set my laser printer to stun?
 
If you want to find some good straight razors in the latest Professional Cutlery Direct (PCD.com) catalogue and Caswell and Massey has nice supplies. I have been considering getting one this may just push me over the edge!
 
coyote -

I went to PCD's web page, but could not find razors. Are you referring to their printed catalog?

Thanks much.

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-j-

How do I set my laser printer to stun?
 
Dry Heat tried a straight razor many years back didn't have much luck cut myself twice so since then I have been a confirmed safty razor man even with them I cut myself all the time but not as bad.
 
Closest Ive ever come was using a 4in skinning knife to shave.... tried it with my Ka-bar once, but it wasnt sharp enough....Ive been meaning to get a good razor for a while now, are the Dovo razors offered by knifecenter any good??
 
The Dovo razors are good. They also have some others on the Knifecenter site. If getting a strop, the ones with canvas on one side are the best.

I use a straight razor for shaving. It's a lot of fun. I love everythig about it - the feel, the shave, the look...also it makes no difference how long your stubble is - unlike with disposibles that clog up if your beard's grown out a little.

I have yet to learn how to hone them. There's been a good discussion going on at rec.knives about this subject recently. You should check out this site by Arthur Boon who writes the razor FAQ for rec.knives http://members.tripod.com/razorgate

I got mine partly from the market and partly from my grandfather.

Kallisti

[This message has been edited by Kallisti (edited 25 October 1999).]
 
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