Any Straight Razor Users?

[tops]

I had rather carry an ice pick. Larry

 

[therevjay]

I was a barber at one time. (late 60's early 70's) Shaving someone else with a straight razor is really quite easy. Shaving yourself isn't. It's awkward to stretch the skin properly, and use the razor at the same time. I used to be able to shave with one and not cut myself. But it was alot easier and quicker to use a safety razor.

If I tried it today I'd probably bleed to death.

 

[msinc]

For those of you that have never shaved with a straight razor...you truly dont know what you are missing. I have been doing it for about 4 years now. I dont have a particularly tough beard but the one I do have is one of those that dulls a razor very quickly. It is also the kind that grows fast and as soon as the razor gets slightly dull it hurts to shave. I tried everything and about the best I could do was those 5 bladed things that cost about $14.00 each. I would get 2 shaves out of one and it was costing too much. I bought a couple nice straights, a good strop and a Norton water stone. Haven't looked back since. Very comfortable, very close and once you get the three main things you need...very cheap. I use all the money I save to buy more S&W's. It is kinda fun to not just learn how {super easy} to sharpen and maintain your own razor but to also get a first rate shave as well. If there is one important piece of advice I would say to anyone contemplating straight shaves...do not move the razor sideways when its on your face. Always move it straight down against the edge. The slightest sideways slide and you are cut.

 

[george minze]

NOT ANY MORE AT MY AGE BLOOD GETTING THIN AND BAND AIDS LOOK LIKE HELL ALL OVER THE FACE

 

[wuluf]

i use a safety razor and a brush, and the same Art of Shaving cream as the OP. Mach 3 Cartridges were costing almost $4.00 each, blades are about 35 cents..

 

[jspick]

Back in the early 70's when I had a face full of peach fuzz my dad got out my great grandpa's straight razor and took it off cleanly. I used my great grandpa's straight razor until I hit 40 back in '97 when I was doing two family estates at the same time and I didn't have time to deal with a straight razor. I cut myself so many times with those saftey razors. It took a while to learn how to use those "new fangled things"!! ha ha

Now that is all I use is the three bladed disposables. They cut closer and are easier to use. Just pick it up and you are ready to go. So being one that started with a straight and went to a saftey razor. I will say the saftey razor is better, once you learn how to use them!! ha ha ha

John

 

[Old TexMex]

Only by my barber while in Mexico. The rest of the time I use a #2 Wahl clipper. I've had enough close shaves.

 

[mkk41]

Growing up with a overpowering interest in Mountain Man/Civil War/Old West nostalgia. I could wait till I had to shave and by golly I was gonna learn to do it with a straight razor.

Had a full beard now for most of my life!

 

[rcnixon]

I shave about once a week, basically because I don't care what I look like at work. I use the cheap blue plastic razors WITHOUT the gooey white strip.

Be mindful that the shaving brush is a wonderful place for bacteria to grow; the real reason that the old-timers had beards is because you could catch your death at the barber shop or in the bath. In this day and age of MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant organisms, I'll stick to the can of shave creme.

Russ

 

[willy]

Been using straights for about 3 years now.
Main thing to using a straight is how to strop.And getting a shave ready razor to start with!!!
I bought a new DOVO razor that was shave ready for around $70 3 years ago.
Then I started getting the e-bay deals.
Stick with American, German(sologien) and English(sheffield) razors and you can't go wrong.
A good site for information is Straight Razor Place - Welcome to Straight Razor Place

 

[SmokewagonSD]

I bought a couple of nice straight razors at yard sales for a few bucks each. I use vintage double edges I buy the same way and Mama Bear's shaving soaps. I will never go backed to canned lather, the brush is so much more civilized.

 

[4SEVEN3]

I uses 1940's Gillette safety with Merkur blades. I have a small collection of safety's including a actual single edge and a adjustable. I have a straight edge but it needs work and I don't know if its worth putting the money into it.


Sent from my iPhone using X-ray radiation

 

[imjin138]

Never used one myself, however while I was in Korea the female barbers used them all the time. I had one ask me if I liked Korea while she was holding it under my chin. Can you guess what my answer was?