Getting it straight-- the razor obsessed shaving megathread - Page 2

wintonio · 02-13-2007, 09:38 PM

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

wintonio · 02-13-2007, 09:41 PM

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.

Xeraux · 02-13-2007, 09:45 PM

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.

eradock · 02-13-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkmagnet

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.

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

crevans · 02-13-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkmagnet

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.

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.

Uncle Pollo · 02-13-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintonio

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

I need to get another razor ... and another honing stone ... and so on and so forth.

ps:

from houston

Keith · 02-13-2007, 10:20 PM

Now where would one buy a good quality straight razor?

Uncle Pollo · 02-13-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DS7

Now where would one buy a good quality straight razor?

Barber's supply store.

Commuter Boy · 02-13-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintonio

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.

There's a good barber in Vancouver BC who still does this, Farzhad's Barber Shop. Good guy, he usually has a Ducati on loan from a local dealer in his shop window.

Well worth the money for a treat, he does the hot towels, lotion, the whole bit.

kamanya · 02-14-2007, 01:04 AM

Best shave I ever had was in Turkey.

I was travelling as a backpacker and in some small village was persuaded to have my whiskers hacked off.

He didn't speak English and my Turkish only stretched as far as beer so it was hand motions the whole way.

I was a bit nervous to begin with as, well, you know, nobody knew where I was and maybe he was the local butcher.

It started with very hot wet towels wound around my face. Then after repeating this, he got out a brush and lathered up my face useing his hands too, almost like a massage.

Then out came the scary bit and I could not believe how fast he was. I was sure he was just showing off, but to who, as it certainly wasn't having the desired effect on me. But after one side I calmed down a bit and got into it. It was fascinating at how quick and smooth it came off.

Once he had finished up and I thought that was it, out came the towels again and the whole process was repeated!

When he had finished that, I thought that he must have given me the super dooper version to try milk me of my precious beer money. But no, he had more.

He waved a very large overgrown ear bud looking thing in front of my face obviously asking me for my consent. Well, he'd been around my neck with a very sharp blade, really, what could be more dangerous than that?

Ok I nodded and he poured something on to it and then set it alight?!!!

Jeez, If you had asked a panel of trivial pursuit experts of all the possible options that an overgrown ear bud could be put to in a Turkish barber, I doubt setting it on fire would have come up.

Well, I had consented so he got to it.

It turns out that the fine hair on your cheeks and ears can easily be removed by a kind of facial slash and burn procedure. He flicks the bud onto the offending patch and then the excess alcohol lands on the hairs and for a brief instant is allowed to burn before he puts this facial bush fire out with his hand.

All I felt was a very slight heat, the towels had been warmer. Seconds later the bud was extinguished and I was devoid of any hair, or so I thought.

Out came the fine nose scissors and any offending bits were very gently trimmed.

Out came the lotion/aftershave and I was gently slapped about a bit and it was very refreshing.

Then my hair line at the back of my neck was cleaned up.

Not yet done, he then gave me a short head, neck and hand massage!

Well! On standing up I was prepared to hand over more than a nights worth of beer for that performance but all he charged me was the equivalent of about 80 pence or $1.40

Just to check I went back to another barber in another town a week later (the shave was so close it took 3 days to look unshaven) and a youngster who could not have been more than about 13 or 14 and certainly didn't shave yet repeated the performance and I dare say even better!

Some years later, I visited a barber in my home town and was bitterly dissapointed with the experience, it didn't have a patch on the Turks.

I have yet to have a better shave than those times in Turkey.

Flash412 · 02-14-2007, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkmagnet

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.

The barber shop across from the Monteleon Hotel (or something like that) in the French Quarter in N'awlins will certainly provide you with a FINE shave using a straight razor.

blackbirdzach · 02-14-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerinmaine

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.

I need to get one of those. I hate shaving in front of the sink where all the run off hits the floor, but I carve myself up good when I shave in teh shower because I can't see what I'm doing.

RumRunner · 02-14-2007, 07:34 AM

Lot's of good advice here. I'm gonna give it a try. I already use a brush and good quality soap so this blade is the next logical step.

I will just need to keep it away from the wife, if she see's me with a nice smooth face, she's gonna try and shave her beaver pelt and cut her moose knuckle off

And that means no beaver for the RumRunner till things heal up.

DW

blackbirdzach · 02-14-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RumRunner

Lot's of good advice here. I'm gonna give it a try. I already use a brush and good quality soap so this blade is the next logical step.

I will just need to keep it away from the wife, if she see's me with a nice smooth face, she's gonna try and shave her beaver pelt and cut her moose knuckle off

And that means no beaver for the RumRunner till things heal up.

DW

I've got a great pair of tube socks I can mail `ya...ya know, just in case. They're best of you throw them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

HD · 02-14-2007, 07:42 AM

Don't do it. You'll be sorry.

Sounds great, macho and individualistic.

You'll hurt yourself over and over.

02-13-2007, 09:38 PM	#16
wintonio last of the Dum Dum Daze Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 1,650	good web group 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

02-13-2007, 09:45 PM	#18
Xeraux Archvillain Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Oddometer: 30,420	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. __________________ Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. If, after I depart this vale, you ever remember me and have thought to please my ghost, forgive some sinner and wink your eye at some homely girl.

02-14-2007, 01:04 AM	#25
kamanya Andrew to most Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Southern Tip of Africa Oddometer: 1,111	Best shave I ever had was in Turkey. I was travelling as a backpacker and in some small village was persuaded to have my whiskers hacked off. He didn't speak English and my Turkish only stretched as far as beer so it was hand motions the whole way. I was a bit nervous to begin with as, well, you know, nobody knew where I was and maybe he was the local butcher. It started with very hot wet towels wound around my face. Then after repeating this, he got out a brush and lathered up my face useing his hands too, almost like a massage. Then out came the scary bit and I could not believe how fast he was. I was sure he was just showing off, but to who, as it certainly wasn't having the desired effect on me. But after one side I calmed down a bit and got into it. It was fascinating at how quick and smooth it came off. Once he had finished up and I thought that was it, out came the towels again and the whole process was repeated! When he had finished that, I thought that he must have given me the super dooper version to try milk me of my precious beer money. But no, he had more. He waved a very large overgrown ear bud looking thing in front of my face obviously asking me for my consent. Well, he'd been around my neck with a very sharp blade, really, what could be more dangerous than that? Ok I nodded and he poured something on to it and then set it alight?!!! Jeez, If you had asked a panel of trivial pursuit experts of all the possible options that an overgrown ear bud could be put to in a Turkish barber, I doubt setting it on fire would have come up. Well, I had consented so he got to it. It turns out that the fine hair on your cheeks and ears can easily be removed by a kind of facial slash and burn procedure. He flicks the bud onto the offending patch and then the excess alcohol lands on the hairs and for a brief instant is allowed to burn before he puts this facial bush fire out with his hand. All I felt was a very slight heat, the towels had been warmer. Seconds later the bud was extinguished and I was devoid of any hair, or so I thought. Out came the fine nose scissors and any offending bits were very gently trimmed. Out came the lotion/aftershave and I was gently slapped about a bit and it was very refreshing. Then my hair line at the back of my neck was cleaned up. Not yet done, he then gave me a short head, neck and hand massage! Well! On standing up I was prepared to hand over more than a nights worth of beer for that performance but all he charged me was the equivalent of about 80 pence or $1.40 Just to check I went back to another barber in another town a week later (the shave was so close it took 3 days to look unshaven) and a youngster who could not have been more than about 13 or 14 and certainly didn't shave yet repeated the performance and I dare say even better! Some years later, I visited a barber in my home town and was bitterly dissapointed with the experience, it didn't have a patch on the Turks. I have yet to have a better shave than those times in Turkey. __________________ I often wonder where that road goes? And that, has usually made all the difference. Appologies to Mr Frost

02-14-2007, 07:34 AM	#28
RumRunner ^OP Sit there, turn that Joined: Aug 2001 Location: Great White North Oddometer: 4,039	Lot's of good advice here. I'm gonna give it a try. I already use a brush and good quality soap so this blade is the next logical step. I will just need to keep it away from the wife, if she see's me with a nice smooth face, she's gonna try and shave her beaver pelt and cut her moose knuckle off And that means no beaver for the RumRunner till things heal up. DW __________________ http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...lies-shirt.jpg I became friends with someone just because they rode motorcycles from no-place to no-where. Canada eh...http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l7...nadabikini.gif

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

02-13-2007, 09:41 PM	#17
wintonio last of the Dum Dum Daze Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 1,650	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.

02-13-2007, 10:20 PM	#22
Keith Slabbing it Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Mefis Oddometer: 788	Now where would one buy a good quality straight razor?

02-14-2007, 07:42 AM	#30
HD Neighborhood Threat Joined: May 2006 Location: California Central Valley - Giant Sequoias Oddometer: 13,888	Don't do it. You'll be sorry. Sounds great, macho and individualistic. You'll hurt yourself over and over.