Okay, so I’m about fed up with paying for disposable razor blades - I hate the waste, and the price has gotten rediculous. I used to use an electric razor, but I got tired of the lousy shave and irritated skin the electrics produce.
So, who here shaves with a straight razor? I’m thinking of making the switch, is it “worth it”? Is the shave really closer, with less irritation than your typical “Mach 100” that has more blades than a Cuisinart? How difficult is it to learn to shave will with a straight razor? Should I only attempt to learn in the bathroom at my local ER? How about the razors themselves, who are the good makers and suppliers here in the U.S.? I’ve seen some nice looking pieces in the new Dick Fine Tools catalog, but it seems foolish to order a French made straight razor from a company in Germany.
Anyone else recently made the switch? How many stitches did it cost you?
I used to work in a store that sold all kinds of knives, electric razors, and a couple of straight razors. I’ve never used one myself, having been to, er, scared of scaring myself.
I can’t make any reccomendations as that was nigh on 8 years ago since I quit that job. I suggest, however, you invest in a strop.
One drag about shaving with a straight razor: when you travel you can’t take your blade with you (at least if you’re flying on an airplane).
The Vermont Country Store sells an old-fashioned double-edged safety razor that’s a good compromise between a straight razor and the newfangled hyped jobs, and replacement blades are MUCH cheaper ($7 for 10 of them) than the prices that Gillette etc. charge for theirs. These blades last longer too so you don’t have to replace them as often.
If it’s been a while since you’ve used an electric razor, you might want to try again, though. The newer models from Braun etc. are really good. That’s what I use, although I have a beard so I’m really just shaving the non-hairy bits
I think it depends on the nature of your facial skin and curves on your face. I have shaved with 'em and its not that big of a deal. But they definitely can burn your skin (by taking too many layers) more than the various disposable ones.
I think its funny that the ol Saturday Night Live skit about three blades on a single shaver came true. They were cappin’ on the just-released Trac II razor and had a fake commercial with animation, etc. Damned if it didn’t come true when they came out with the Mach 3, or whatever its called.
Seeing as you are into fine sharpening these days, I guess you can get optimum performance from a straight razor, but if you have acne scars or something, watch out. I assume you have a steady hand too, from all that chop-socky. Frankly, I think they are better used in the hands of barbers on you, rather than relying on the ol’ mirror image, slippery hands self-treatment.
I do put in a vote for a brush and old-fashioned shaving soap. I have an old jar of Body Shop sandalwood shaving cream and its downright pleasant to use and smell afterwards all day. Makes my face feel as smooths as a baby’s… never mind.
Never tried to shave myself with a straight razor but, with others doing the job, they worked well. You need to be pretty trusting of course. (On this theme treat yourself to ‘The Man From Ironbark’ some time.)
What is it about modern disposables? Not only do the blades seem to breed as you watch them, they go blunt on the trip from shaving cup to face. Now I’m not a very hairy guy—I can grow a beard but it’s only slightly more convincing than Bob Dylan—but I go through these suckers faster than a traffic cop issues speeding tickets.
Well seriously, I’d be laughing too, except the latest “Mach whatever” I bought a few weeks ago is so damn wide now that I can’t get the bleedin’ thing under my nose. I mean how you gonna shave that bit of your upper lip right below the nose, when the razor you are using only cuts at one angle and the damn thing has so many blades, a “beard lifiting” strip at the bottom and a “lubricating” strip at the top? And by the way, why the hell is the lubricating strip mounted up there behind the blades anyway The only thing it’s going to lubricate in that position is all the blood as it flows from the umpteen cuts all the blades just inflicted while you were trying to find a way to position them under your nose.
Brad, it’s only been a few years since I quit using my Norelco. I’ve tried the the other style, like the Remington and Braun, and they worked even less well on my beard, such as it is. Besides, how you gonna shave with one of those things on a camping trip??? And besides, even if the batteries did last long enough, who the hell wants to lug the extra weight, plus listen to the infernal buzzing of an electric razor out in the wilderness? Electric razors are crap for the environment as well - more batteries to eventually be disposed of, as well as the rest of it.
You’re right though, can’t carry a straight razor on a plane any more.
Weeks, how steady my hands are depends entirely on how much coffee I’ve had in the morning Yeah, I woudn’t mind the sharpening, and there is the whole Zen thing to the concentration and skill aspect of it, that I find somewhat appealing. Or perhaps I’m just an adrenalin junkie in denial who’s just looking for his latest fix
Ain’t it the truth? The things are getting outrageously expensive and the seem to dull in the inverse proprotion I’m sick of wasting my money on the damn things, while making someone else rich and adding to our envirnmental problems at the same time: I shudder to think how much pollution - air, water, ground - is cause by the manufacture and disposal of something with such an insanely short lifespan. No sir, I don’t want to continue to be a part of that, certainly don’t want to support it.
Come on straight razor wielding C&F dudes, you’ve got to be out there some where, help us out here, give us the low down!
I’m pretty sure that the death toll from accidentally self inflicted razor wounds during the whole time they were the only tool available, is not nearly as large as your fears would indicate.
IOW… I bet you can handle it.
Just temember to keep it way out of reach of those who can’t!
Oh I can only dream of my housemate getting a hold of it (sigh)…
Good point though, especially when travelling and staying with others who have children. Hmm, that just gave me an idea for a custom (hand)made, locking straight razor case/box. Either using a Japanese style hidden combination/puzzle locking mechanism, or really small combination lock… Tim McCreight would be proud. Yes, adding to my list of fun things to make when I have time.
The only thing it’s going to lubricate in that position is all the blood as it flows from the umpteen cuts all the blades just inflicted while you were trying to find a way to position them under your nose.
I’m sick of wasting my money on the damn things, while making someone else rich and adding to our envirnmental problems at the same time: I shudder to think how much pollution - air, water, ground - is cause by the manufacture and disposal of something with such an insanely short lifespan. No sir, I don’t want to continue to be a part of that, certainly don’t want to support it.