Anybody else shave with a straight?

[t71ford]

I had always wanted to try this, and two years ago, my wife got me a Solingen made German straight razor, strop, and all the bits. After the steep and somewhat scary learning curve, I about have it handled to be as fast as with the Gillette, and can pull off a pretty smooth shave. Anyway, I always thought it was pretty cool, and was just wondering if there was anyone else that thought so too.

 

[voch]

always wanted to... problem is, i'm partial to the one piece-dedness of my jugular vein. lol

 

[t71ford]

Ha! I think my first shave took almost two hours, as my hand would start shaking uncontrollably whenever it came near my neck! It is said it takes 100 shaves to get good at it, and who knows how many cuts. At least the cuts are obviously straight line cuts, and you can tell people you cut yourself with your straight!

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

I have a few. And every time I buy a new one I feel compelled to use it. Though I shave regularly with a disposable.

 

[Big R]

My wife used to teach cosmotology, and one of the things that they had to learn was shaving with a straight razor (even though barbers use it, not cosmotologists). They inflate balloons and cover them in shaving cream.

Take it from me, don't ask a hair stylist to shave you. They generally suck at it.

 

[Basement rat]

The one I use/d had a replaceable blade so there was no use for the strop, but now I cant buy the blades locally any more...

The best way to get used to it is start with a little, flat part of your face like your cheeks/ side burns and as you get more comfortable work your way to your full face. I never got real comfortable with shaving my upper lip.

You want to hold it to around a 30 degree angle to shave. Obviously use a constant light pressure and just go. I dident have anyone to teach me when I started off. Oh yea, Keep your razor sharp! its much easier to use.

When I shaved would always work my way down my cheeks and chin. Then forward on the sides of my chin and up on the bottom. As for the stash, I would go down on a 45 angle towards the center of my lip. If any of that makes sense to you... but still learning I would finish off with my trusty Mach 3. (now an Censor Excel because the blades are cheaper)

Start small and go slowly.

I always and have used for since I started shaving a brush with foam. Nivea makes it now but it used to be a German company, just re-badged to Nivea. Then to finish it up some nice cheep Aqua Velva.

 

[Rocan]

ive been wanting to do it for a while.

I had shaved with a swiss army knife before, and didnt find it particularly hard. I have steady hands

 

[t71ford]

BR--that's pretty much the way I do it, too. It is infinitely harder to do the chin, since you can't get it all pulled tight. But I eventually learned how to do that as well. I had a barber instruct me that for the closest shave, you actually shave twice (or even three times if you have time). The first is with the direction of the hair. Then lather and strop, and shave against the grain. It works better than a disposable (like Mach 3), but takes a lot of time. Just going on a single, I am as fast as with the disposable, and haven't cut myself in quite awhile. It is definitely a practice thing. I had never heard about practicing on a baloon, though. That is a pretty good idea.

Oh, and a straight is nothing like shaving with a pocket/ hunting knife--I have done that too. The straight is beyond sharp, handles much differently, and will lay you open in a hurry! My hands are steady, too, until I got close to the ol' jug with that thing and nicked myself! ;D

 

[boingk]

Never used a straight, but I do have a small collection of vintage safety razors that I use in rotation:

1920's Gillete open-comb (made in Canada)
1930's Gillette Tech (made in England)
1950's White Handled (silo-door)
1960's Gillette Adjustable (silo-door)

I like Feather Platinum-coated blades as they're awesomely sharp and don't drag, they also work really well with mild razors like the Tech. If you want a hell of a shave then whack one in the Adjustable and turn that sucker up to 9 on the dial. Sharp, agressive and unforgiving... its something else. Not a straight by any means, but its still an experience.

Cheers - boingk

 

[Destruction Boy]

I have been shaving with mine for about 2 years now because it's a lot more comfortable than the modern razors and they keep for just about a lifetime.
I genuinly prefer shaving with them out of comfort and reliability then using them 'cause I'm full Kustom Kulture Rockabilliez ;D :

 

[JoeTee]

When I go to my barber, she (yes a woman) gives me a shave with a straight razor and some warm shaving cream. I was nervous the first time, crazy thoughts like she was gonna cut my throat or something. Too many movies... lol

 

[lingo]

To resurrect a an old thread, I have recent started using the old style shaving oil, soap w/ brush and after shaves like many of our father/grand fathers did. And I love it even with gillette proglide. So I decided to pick up a safety razor and give it a go.

old Gillette "new" in brass

Once it gets here I will see how awfully bad I cut myself up. Any tips?

 

[hillsy]

To resurrect a an old thread, I have recent started using the old style shaving oil, soap w/ brush and after shaves like many of our father/grand fathers did. And I love it even with gillette proglide. So I decided to pick up a safety razor and give it a go.

old Gillette "new" in brass

Once it gets here I will see how awfully bad I cut myself up. Any tips?

I remember my father teaching my older brother how to shave with one of those many years ago - the bathroom was like a crime scene sometimes :

He soon discovered a Phillishave

Personally I have just started using 3 blade disposables after many years of twin blade shaving.....and now they tell me you can get 5 blade ones....

 

[620dark]

Dollar Shave Club - they mail me a four pack of multi blade razors and a tube of shaving oil/lotion every month. Oh, and I rinse the blade with rubbing alcohol before I put it away. Whatever they put in their shaving lotion makes for a closer, smoother shave than I've ever had before.

It really comes down to me being lazy and now having one less thing I have to go to the store to buy.

 

[socalmike_cb72]

Since this topic came back up, anyone have a recommendation for a first straight razor? Been thinking of getting one.

 

[frogman]

Dollar Shave Club - they mail me a four pack of multi blade razors and a tube of shaving oil/lotion every month. Oh, and I rinse the blade with rubbing alcohol before I put it away. Whatever they put in their shaving lotion makes for a closer, smoother shave than I've ever had before.

It really comes down to me being lazy and now having one less thing I have to go to the store to buy.

Had to google it, best video I've seen all day ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZUG9qYTJMsI

Will be checking them out for sure.

 

[jrswanson1]

I picked up a straight razor at a gun show a few years ago. The guy had about 30 old razors out on the table. The one I picked up was supposedly made in the 1930s, I got it for $25. Still a lot of meat on the blade, but it needed sharpening and I haven't gotten the stones to do that yet.

 

[lingo]

I have used my safety razor a few times now and I have to say I am very pleased with it. I have nicked myself a few times but I knew that there was a learning curve to it. I stopped by and saw my folks today and my mom surprised me with my great grand father's straight razor. I am going to pick up a strop this week and give it a go as well.

 

[Kanticoy]

I don't shave. Just my neck line, and I use electric for that. Haven't been clean shaven in over a decade!

 

[teledan]

I've never shaved myself with a straight razor, I usually have a beard, but for father's day last year my wife got me a gift certificate for a hot shave and it was awesome.