Who uses a straight razor to shave?

WadeF

WadeF

Joined
Apr 12, 2000
Messages
2,116
I was in the bathroom today, hard at thought, and was thinking it would be fun to try shaving with a straight razor, the old fashion way. So who here uses a straight razor on a daily basis? My main question is how the shave job compares to a disposable razor? Are you more likely to get razor burn, nicks and cuts?

My next question is who makes a good straight razor, and who sells them? :) Do any of you also make up your own shaving cream in one of those cups with a fancy brush? Thought that might be fun too. :)
 
I have one but I'm a speed shaver and would end up losing an ear or something if I tried the straight razor. I did try an old double edge a few weeks ago and had forgotten that even those can be nasty. I'll take my sensor/excell anyday...I can fly with that blade:D
 
I bought a beautiful Dovo Solingen, but only have used it a few times. I never took the edge to a hone, and only stropped it on plain leather so I don't think it's as sharp as it should be. I just wimped out and went Gillette.

However, the best thing about this foray into mug shaving was the mug shaving part of it. There is really nothing like running a nice brush under scalding hot water, developing some foam in a nice quality shave soap and treating your face to that. Even if you stick with a regular razor, you won't go back to the stuff in a can.

check out wwww.shavecenter.com


Nitin
 
I've been using that Mach 3 razor. It works great, but I thought it would be fun to strop up a nice quality razor and go to work. Any excuse to hang a nice leather strop in the bathroom sounds good to me! :) There's another question, who makes a good strop for this purpose, and how should the strop be maintained? Are stropping compounds or whatever needed?
 
I took the plunge! I did some reading around the net and put together an order. A nice silver tipped badger brush (hope I'm not allergic to badger), a mug, a variety of soaps, after shave, and of course a nice looking DOVO razor. I wasn't really sure what to get for the razor. Part of me was saying "Wade, you might not stick with this, you might not like it, so buy a cheap razor for starters" but then I saw it wasn't THAT much more for a really snazzy razor, so I just went with the more expensive one. I hope to stick with this as it sounds like it has some advantages, and it should be a lot of fun. I should get my stuff Monday if all goes well!
 
Wade,

I just started a few months ago and it is nice to do. I just have a hard time with sharpening the razors. I need to spend more time on it and master it but that is the hardest. Also watch how you position the blade with every stroke until you get it down. NEVER SHAVE when you are in a hurry or have something on your mind. The fastest way to stitches or a missing ear, I am not kidding. Great site is http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/straightrazorplace/ if you don't know it.

Good luck,


Joe
 
I've got a folding holder that takes disposable blades, a bit like a Superknife for shaving I suppose. I find I need to shave less often and I get better results. It is well scary the first few times you shave with an open blade but the sense of accomplishment is tremendous.

I use a Wilkinson Sword brush and soap dish which I think is also a vast improvement over shaving gel or foam. I find you need to get the brush as wet as possible before you 'brush up' a lather otherwise it dries too quickly on your face. I actually feel safer doing my neck this way because I have exacting control over the cutting edge-with disposables I always seem to catch my Adam's Apple.

As fuji said, take your time and make sure EVERY SINGLE STROKE is a push, at right angles to the cutting edge, otherwise you'll slice yourself. Bizarrely, I found I was better at it after a few drinks. I still cut myself just as regularly but they seem far less painful and stop bleeding much quicker too.

Since the first time I shaved with an open blade, I haven't used a safety razor since. I just don't want to...

It impresses your mates and scares the ladies too!
 
scares the ladies too!
Click to expand...

You bet I was honing my razor and my wife was explaing to me how I was wasting my time. While holding the razor I turned to her and asked " how often do you shave your legs?" She ran out of the bathroom! She was a blur. Ha Ha

Joe
 
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