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Straight Razor Shaving

post #1 of 26
7/1/11 at 8:37am
Thread Starter 
Just checking to see if anyone else on here is a straight razor shaver? I'm currently shaving with a 1800's Wade/butcher, torrey and no name razor.

For those of you that don't it is by far the best shave of your life. Seems also like it would fit with people that are in to the finer things in life as there are a host of brushes, creams and aftershaves. Its very zen like and a fantastic way to start the day.
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post #2 of 26
7/1/11 at 10:51am
Been shaving with a straight since '07.
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post #3 of 26
7/1/11 at 10:55am
I want to start soon, I've been shaving with a DE for two and a half years and its kind of boring, is the transition that hard?
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post #4 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:01am
It depends. When I started, I cut myself for every one of the first 30 days. Sometimes, as many as 5 cuts, but fortunately nothing serious. After that, it settled down and these days I hardly nick myself at all.

You will want to pay special attention to sharpening, get a rotation going, and you'll likely get really picky about what soap or cream you use (if you're not already picky).

Sharpening is probably the big hurdle - if your razor isn't quite there, it will pull which is most noticeable on the upper lip and is excruciating to me. Then there's the minor detail of bringing a bare blade to your face, which induced a bad case of the shakes for a couple of days. After that things got easier.
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post #5 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fuji View Post
I want to start soon, I've been shaving with a DE for two and a half years and its kind of boring, is the transition that hard?


I didn't find it that hard at all. Just doooon't go sideways with the razor. And make sure that your Razor is super sharp....believe it or not the sharper the razor the easier it is not to cut yourself.

If you get a razor get it professionally honed off of one of the straight razor forum members.
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post #6 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:03am
meh, I've settled halfway with a DE and even that's proved to be more work than it's worth but I've stuck with it because of the investment. The brush and soap were worth it though.
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post #7 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master-Classter View Post
meh, I've settled halfway with a DE and even that's proved to be more work than it's worth .


Aaack....saaaaacriliiiiidge....off with your head....that's it buster I'll have to confiscate all of your shaving supplies...PM me for the address.
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post #8 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:51am
shipping's going to be expensive... lol, I think I have 6-7 tubs of shaving cream alone and taht's only because I barely escaped badgerandblade before being sucked in fully ;-)
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post #9 of 26
7/1/11 at 11:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master-Classter View Post
shipping's going to be expensive... lol, I think I have 6-7 tubs of shaving cream alone and taht's only because I barely escaped badgerandblade before being sucked in fully ;-)

Ha ha....Badgerandblade will suck the ole wallet dry no doubt. I've got enough shaving cream I can keep a couple of generations behind me groomed to perfection.
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post #10 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:10pm
the hair at the base of my neck grows in at different angles, causing irritation with a safety (regular) razor. i use the mach3 turbo is with art of shaving brush, cream and after shave. will a straight razor be better on the neck? does it take longer than normal to shave?
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post #11 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sneakyfast View Post
Ha ha....Badgerandblade will suck the ole wallet dry no doubt. I've got enough shaving cream I can keep a couple of generations behind me groomed to perfection.

heh, I got out for a different reason but still have a drawer of soaps and creams waiting their turns.

Quote:
Originally Posted by marg View Post
the hair at the base of my neck grows in at different angles, causing irritation with a safety (regular) razor. i use the mach3 turbo is with art of shaving brush, cream and after shave. will a straight razor be better on the neck? does it take longer than normal to shave?

...will it be better? in some cases, yes. If you're doing it right, the blade will generally be sharper (particularly after a few shaves), leading to less pulling and blade flex. You'll have to get good at stretching your skin, as well, in order to effectively shave with the straight. On me it cuts significantly closer than a mach 3, and the difference is obvious around lunchtime.

Does it take longer? Yes, particularly at the beginning. Although...not necessarily a lot longer: after years of practice and streamlining my routine I can shave (2 passes) in 7 minutes - from wetting the brush to aftershave.
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post #12 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marg View Post
the hair at the base of my neck grows in at different angles, causing irritation with a safety (regular) razor. i use the mach3 turbo is with art of shaving brush, cream and after shave. will a straight razor be better on the neck? does it take longer than normal to shave?

Depends on where on your neck....if your neck is like mine it may be difficult to get at with a straight as the blade is a lot longer than say a Mach 3. If you can get it then no doubt it will be closer...just remember if you're not bleeding you're not shaving close enough.

It does take longer but depends on how close a shave you want. I can do 1 pass in like 5 minutes and get about as close as a Mach 3. I normally do 3-4 passes which takes me probably closer to 20 minutes as when you go against the grain it really slows down to get properely. Well worth the time and gives you something to enjoy rather than dread.
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post #13 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:44pm
i'm very meticulous about getting rid of all the stubble so it takes me longer to shave now than most. the woman appreciates this tremendously, but it can sometimes be a real drag to realize i got some blood on an expensive white shirt collar...
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post #14 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marg View Post
...but it can sometimes be a real drag to realize i got some blood on an expensive white shirt collar...

Shave before you put a shirt on?
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post #15 of 26
7/1/11 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by marg View Post
i'm very meticulous about getting rid of all the stubble so it takes me longer to shave now than most. the woman appreciates this tremendously, but it can sometimes be a real drag to realize i got some blood on an expensive white shirt collar...
+1...I learned to shave without a shirt...but definitely with pants on (in case I drop the razor)...
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