Getting it straight-- the razor obsessed shaving megathread

Ya know, those FF's at Gillette can give us 2 blades, then 3 blades and now 4 blades but do you think they can make a razor that lasts more than two or three shaves?

Frigg'n engineered obselesance I tell ya. Another grubby hand in my pocket sucking my $$$ away.

So what's the skill required for a straight razor?

Anyone here slit themselves open?

How much toilet paper does it take to stop a bleeder?



DW

The sharper it is, the safer it will be.

For shaving or murder?

Nah, just a bad case of nosehairitis

DW

Cue the theme for West Side Story...

Keep it in your shoe

You could visit this link

http://www.cutthroatrazor.com/guide.html

just don't pay attention to the "cut throat" part but there is some good advice there, I think.

I shave with one when I have the time. The best shave for me is to first use a mach3 and then make another pass with the straight razor. It doesn't knock down stubble very well. You better like blades to use one.

Do Barbers still do facial shaving? I remember as a kid watching them run the razor back and forth on the leather to sharpen it for the man next to me. I always wanted to go to a barber for a hair cut and shave but all I can find is barbers that cut hair. Is this a lost art ? I don't dare try it myself with a straight razor. :eek1

I've always wanted to try a straight razor, but I'm so clumsy.

Your state sets the law on this I believe. Consult your local barber shop and inquire the hairy-knuckled older gentleman.

I've shaven with an old straight razor of my grandpa's a few times...keep it sharp, make gradual adjustments until you find the right angle, and ALWAYS move in a perpendictular direction to the edge of the blade.

Anything else is suicide.

Down, not across.

You mean like this?

I use a Gilette Sensor Excel (two blades, no waiting) and shave in the shower every morning, using a shower mirror:





I change my blade about once every four to six weeks.

not slicing yer fucking throat; that's the trick.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StraightRazors/

this group is kinda funny, a lot of internal politics and an arch nemesis of sorts who used to be the site manager, but who now has another site. I have several razors, but I prefer a big, heavy blade, the kind referred to as a "chopper". It is great if I haven't shaved for a while, it just shaves all that hair off in one pass that would take a long time with any other razor.
The biggest secret of the process is to really warm up your face and let your facial hair soften up. Using a brush, and good shaving soap also make a big difference, and YES, keep that razor super fucking sharp... and invest in styptic pencils. The first time I shaved with a straight razor was just about the most frightening thing I have ever done. And don't worry, you will know when you are cutting yourself, it kind of feels like lightning running across your face where it is slicing.
It is a great hobby, especially if you like routines and acoutrements, and if you have a great big pair of ganads (or want people to think you do). Enjoy, and PM me if you have any questions

Winston

oh yah, I think it is pretty much not legal in most states for barbers to shave you with one. If they do, it is a disposable straight razor blade, which, frankly, would scare the hell out of me.

It might be fun every now and then, but I doubt you'd want to go through all this every morning. Closest shave I've found? Mach 3 Power. Believe it or that little thing works.

Exchange Barber Shop - Financial District of San Francisco. Ask for Victor Espinosa.

The barber shop I went to as a kid back in KS sure did. They sold 'em too, and that's what I learned to shave on in the first place. When I moved to the south, I lost my straight blade and couldn't find one around here, so I went with a Mach 3 for a while, and it just doesn't work. You need two or three passes with those things and they scratch your face up compared to a good steady hand and a straight razor. I'm sure they're fine, if that's what you're used to, but it's apples and oranges.

I finally found one again, and I ain't givin' it up.