The idea of shaving with a straight razor intrigues and intimidates me at the same time. (This coming from someone whose career involves knives.) I was hoping some of you gents would share your story as to when and why you switched to straight razors. How long had you been a double edge user (or did you jump from cartridges)? Are you exclusively using a straight razor to shave? What was your motivation for making the switch? Any other insight you might want to share? (and this might have been addressed earlier but my searches proved unfruitful) A sincere thank you in advance. -Will
Started with carts back in '74. Joined the Air Force in 1980 and had to shave every day for 20 years. Made the switch to DEs Feb of 2008 after reading about them on Fountain Pen Network. I was going to save money. HA! Found a shaving forum and saw many folks showing off their BEAUTIFUL straight razors and figured, why not me? After all, my ancestors used straights, why can't I? So in 2009 I picked up a few straights I found in antique shops and sent the Glen, gssixgun here at TSD, and had them professionally honed. I'm pretty coordinated so it didn't take too long to get the hang of it. That being said, I still only use my right hand (dominate) for the entire shave. Most folks will tell you to learn how to use both. I only use my straights on Saturdays, when I have the time to really relax, slow down, and pay attention to what I'm doing. We do have a Theme Week devoted to using straights all week starting Jan 6th. I'll probably give it a go. And just for the record, I've never cut myself so bad that a styptic pencil didn't do the trick of stopping the blood. My advice, start with a razor you know has been sharpened and made shave ready by a reputable person. Slow, pay attention, steady, pay attention, no pressure, pay attention, respect the blade, pay attention.
I learned to shave years ago (!) with a DE razor. In the early 70's, switched over to cartridge shaving (the new Trac II !) & used a cartridge razor until about 2 years ago when I finally switched back to DE with a Gillette SuperSpeed. Nope. I alternate between DE razors & straights. Since I'm a relative newbie to straight razors, I'm spending more time developing my SR skills. A progression towards a more aggressive, efficient shave. Explained more in depth here: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/safety-razors-my-trip-from-mild-to-aggressive.34763/ My only suggestion is to not RUSH into it. Pace yourself and ease on into the realm of SR shaving. The learning curve is greater than with a DE or SE razor, but you'll be rewarded with fantastic results (eventually!). I concur with Steve's comments above of 'Slow, Pay attention, steady, ...'
I learned to shave in the 70's also. I started out with the Schick Injector. Because I was young I loved the right of passage and the razors themselves. Some time after, I noticed carts becoming more popular and switched over to them. As carts progressed to more and more blades, I started to hate shaving. I don't remember what blog I was reading one night but they talked about wet shaving and I got intrigued. Searched and find this place and got seduced by all the beautiful razors and the support that was given so freely. I got the fever and bought a few DE razors until I found my natural fit, a Merkur Futur. That was back in May. Love that razor. I would look at the few guys who loved their straights and saw how many different straight razors there were and heard more than once how easy it is to learn once you've learned your face. I decided "why not?". Bought a razor on Ebay and sent it to Glenn to hone. Then I found a straight razor forum and again saw all the beautiful razors and bought one from the forum, pre-honed. Love that razor and the 11 more I would acquire while trying to find what I really like (I'm down to 7 that I will keep). It's no harder than DE shaving (to me). It requires the same level of patience and respect for your instrument. Once you have the muscle memory and a razor that fits your hand well it's quite relaxing and you can have very smooth shaves with little effort. It took this forum and the shared knowledge for me to finally love shaving and make it a ritual.
Switched to DE razor in May of 2010 and then to straights in May of 2011 and have used them predominantly since. I'd say about 95% of my shaves are with a straight. I didn't find it too difficult making the transition and the thought of not having to buy blades anymore sealed the deal. Don't listen to anyone that tells you that you have to buy a set of water stones or a coti and an expensive strop. I paid $13.00 for my strop and it works great, that and a Swaty Barber's Hone keeps my razor running perfectly.
I was hoping some of you gents would share your story as to when and why you switched to straight razors. I started out with a Gillette Sensor in the early to mid 1980's and used it and the Sensor Excel until around 1994. Some where soon after that time frame I started dabbling with a VDH brush with VDH soap while using my Sensor. This is also the time frame that my kids (MOM actually) bought me a Mach 3 for Christmas. But, I was still using the VDH soap and brush. Never even thought about DE's until my Grand Mother gave me a 1953 Gillette Super Speed that was my Grand Father's in 2001. I had no idea about straights still being used until I started researching razor blades for that DE. I was intrigued by the thought and started researching it as well around that time frame. But did not try it yet. How long had you been a double edge user (or did you jump from cartridges)? Before I actually made the try of a straight shave it was around 2009? So around 8 years? Sounds about right. Are you exclusively using a straight razor to shave? No Sir, I prefer an aggressive DE or SE with a straight on occasion. BTW, I've gotten rid of all my "traditional" straights and use the Dovo Shavette or Parker SR1. What was your motivation for making the switch? It's fun to change it up once in a while. Plus, it looks pretty manly while the wife watches me shave. Any other insight you might want to share? If you decide to make the transition, take your time...I mean really slow down and work the straight as intended. Be comfortable with a DE or SE shave first so that you know more about your own face before moving on. Happy Shaves my friend!
Thanks for posting this. I had been curious about straights, but never thought I'd have the time. If I can do it on Saturdays (and still honor the learning curve) that would be ideal.
I am younger than most of the members here (22), so I haven't been shaving that long (maybe 4 years of regular shaving.) I started out with a DE a couple years ago, but didn't start using one consistently until a year ago. I used a straight razor for the first time in October of last year, bought my first one in January, and have had maybe 30 shaves with a straight. I started because it looked cool and I wanted to be different than most other males my age. It also works incredibly well for me. Using a straight and a DE are two different things. Probably the only lesson I carried over from DE shaving is to use no pressure and to go slowly.
Once you know what your doing a straight shave is faster than a DE. It's just the pre and post razor care that takes eats up the time.
If you do anything enough times with frequency, you'll develop muscle memory and be proficient. Practice makes perfect... well almost.
I can get by on just two passes to get near-BBS. With the right DE razor, I can move quite quickly and mow through a 2-day growth in 2 passes in less than 5 minutes. Simple prep & post. Two passes take me a good deal longer with the straight razor, but this is due to my own inexperience and a steeper learning curve. I agree about the additional attention required for the pre/post care. For me, however, speed really doesn't play an important role in my morning routine. I enjoy my 'shave time' and honestly, before I start my day, I take my sweet time and pace myself accordingly. Most 'shave' mornings will take about 15-20 minutes (up to 30 on weekends), as I'm in no hurry. Shave time for me is to simply gather my thoughts, prep mentally for the day ahead, and just enjoy my daily 'quiet' time.
I really appreciate all your replies. I've been a double edge user for about three months. I've re-embraced an enjoyment of shaving along the way. Still learning the subtleties of my face, and still working out my "ritual". Progression to a straight seems inevitable. In time.
I've been using a DE for about 3 1/2 months, mostly electric before that. As soon a I got my first DE, I knew I wanted to at least try a SR. My first SR should be back from getting honed very soon, as with the strop I ordered. I should be able to get my first SR shave in in time for the straight theme week
I grew up wet shaving with a DE, boar brush and Williams. Then started messing around with Straights in 1973 after I got out of the service. I never liked electrics because it felt like I shaved with a belt sander, Trac II's always plugged up and I spent more time unplugging them than shaving with them. I can't really put my finger on when I started shaving exclusively with straights but I missed the new multiblade revolution. It was slow process and I just gravitated towards them using them more and more. I like the self reliant aspect of straight shaving.
I've always shaved wet. Started out with cartridges but since 2 1/2 years I'm hooked on DE and SE shaving. Last summer I bought me a hone and a NOS strop. I already had a blunt straight. Honed it and have used it regularly in the weekends. It still is a bit awkward, but I'm sure I'll get there. So will you. Listen to Steve's excellent advice and you'd be allright! Happy Shavings!
I'm 34 and have been shaving since I was about 17. I have a fast growing and coarse beard so it was really a chore. When I first started I was simply handed a cart razor and goo and told to go for it. I had a horrid time and my face and neck were constantly irritated and raw. Seeing my problems my Granddad bought me an electric and I stayed with that until about a year and a half ago. My neck and face had been constantly irritated and I had begun to develop more issues with breaking out. I started researching methods and/or products to help and came across an article about the resurgence of wet-shaving and the benefits that come with a more gentle and better prepared shave. I must say that I was a bit daunted at first but, after some research and reading on some forums like this one I took the plunge. Let me say that I'm not one to go into something half way, I jump in with both feet and usually do my best swan dive or cannonball . I purchased a really nice collection of products and a new razor and got to work. Being the methodical and engineering minded person that I am I started by practicing making lather. I convinced myself that I was not wasting my cream because I was breaking in my brush at the same time that I was learning proper lathering techniques. I must have watched every video on the web that I could get my hands on that had any amount of how-to involved as well. After, I thought that I had sufficiently mastered lathering I proceeded to take on the shave with the knowledge from the research that I had done. It's been awesome!!! I switched about 6 or 7 months ago to a re-plated Gillette Slim Adjustable and have had fun figuring out the best setting/combo of settings for me. I have also noticed a drastic improvement in my complexion and skin health. There have been setbacks as I found out a few months ago that I have a significant allergy to Methylisothiazolineone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and their derivatives. Once, I cleared those things from my products I have once again seen a marked improvement in my skin health. As for Straight Shaving, I am still waiting on my first two Straights to come back from restoration and honing. I have heard that after the long process of mastering the techniques that straights are even more gentle than DEs and that in and of itself makes me want to switch. I am happy that I have already made the transition to wet-shaving so that I can concentrate on my SR techniques and stropping techniques and I don't have to worry about prep and lather making. All of that being said, there is one more aspect of this for me. I'm a bit of an "old soul" if you will. I guess this is primarily due to the fact that my Granddad was really the closest thing to a father figure that I had in my life and I was raised in a traditional old-fashioned way by my family. I found myself to enjoy the company of older people more than my peers and to this day enjoy things like antiquing on the weekends. So, the nostalgic aspect of this is a great pull as well. Sorry for the rambling but, it's been fun to think about and share... Jonathan
