I have posted this question on another forum but I would like to get members here take on this question: To what do you attribute the bad image that straight razors have? Members on that forum attributed the image laregely to the advertising of Proctor and Gamble's Gillette and Phizer Pharmecutical's Shick advertisting prior to 1971. What is your opinion?
Laziness of the users. A safety razor or cartridge razor is easier to handle for the beginner. And it's easier to handle if you had a short night
I would also imagine that the cartridge or safety might be easier to handle if you suffer from insomina, as I do. Nothing like having a bad night and working with an open blade.
Welcome to The Shave Den, bogartus. You're right about that. And now there'll be a Tim Burton version w/ Johnny Depp coming out soon.
Without conducting a proper research study I believe that with the development of the DE and disposable razor blades it became easier to shave. Not only it became easier but now you could shave at home. This meant that you no longer had to go to a barbershop to get a shave with a straight razor. Personally, I don't think the straight razor developed a bad image but like most tools it fell by the way side as new improvements to shaving implements by the likes of Gillette became available to the public in general. At the present time straight razors are gaining in popularity thanks to wetshaving forums. Individuals like Lynn Abrams has without a doubt brought the use of straight razors back to the mainstream. In fact you can see how popular it has become by the increase in traffic, sale and restoration of the blades. Vintage blades can be obtained at very reasonable prices and restored back to shaving condition easily. In addition, there are now several individuals that are making straight razors on their own for sale. I for one shave with a straight razor daily. I took the time to learn how to shave and hone because I now know that, in my opinion, the quality of the shave I get form a straight is far better than the shave I got from DE. Again, this is just my observations. Good question!! Raf
Don't think it's as much a question about a bad image as it is about safety. Straight razors can be the source of some pretty nasty wounds, especially if left where nosy little fingers can find them... Not to mention the mishaps from not paying attention to what you are doing during a shave. It's not advisable to use one if you are running a little late in the morning, eh? Straights are getting more popular. Originally, they were a necessity. Now, they are just traditionally nostalgic and give us a feeling of being a man. They have become a journey back to the roots of masculinity. I have been very busy with restorations since the early 90's, then selling hundreds of them on ebay starting in '98, by word of mouth, and on my web site thereafter. I wound up writing my first CD on restoration in Mar of 2001 because of the multitude of questions directed my way. It actually took a couple years of guys asking questions on how I did the work before I actually got off my duff to do the writing. There was a ton of interest being shown way back then and it continues to grow. The current CD is my third update.
Welcome to The Shave Den, bogartus! Straight razor bad image? Well, I'd guess it's because of the lack of any kind of safety feature. Just an open blade.
For those who have tried the double edge as well, do you think the straight gives a better shave then a double edge could? I once heard from a Navy Chief who had gotten himself in a lot of hot watter because his Gillette Mach 3 was not doing a praticularly good job of making him look good. He said that it was imparitive that he look like the best shaved man on the ship. After some talking with the members on the forum he came to conclusion that the straight would give him the best shave on the ship. The only thing he had to do is to be quite careful with the blade. "It's the best shave in the world" one forum member, who used a double edge, said to him. A few months later he wrote in and said that his straight had made him the talk of the ship. Now his fellow sailors were anxiously waiting to put into a city port of call so they could look for a straight of their own. Imagine approximatly one hundred and fifty sailors out around a city all looking for straights.
I would love to tell some of my Chiefs their shave is lousy. :rofl I have a feeling when they get liberty call they ain't jumping off the ship to look for razors. ::::::
Yes without a doubt. It will take practice but once you get comfortable the shaves will last longer and they will be much closer.YMMV Raf
Heck no. I'm strapping the str8s to my fingers and dousing myself with AV for Halloween dressed as you.
Personally I believe it's no bad thing that straights are generally viewed as being dangerous. It encourages the proper respect for them, and encourages people interested to seek out the knowledge and learn the skills required to use one properly. They *are* dangerous (if you don't know what you're doing) after all. James.
