Why do you chose a Straight over a double Edge?

I shave with a straight because I have always had an interest in them ,but the main reason is ,put simply ,because I can !
Kind regards Peter
PS Wishing you all a Merry Christmass and a safe and happy new year , and a special thanks to every one that has helped with advice and encouragement,it certainly is appreciated

 

The reason why I'm moving onto straights? Personalization. While the wetshavers kit that most of us tout are already highly personal, I believe short of making your own items that the straight is the pinnacle of customization. The honing, stropping, everything is done to the users specifications. While you can argue that DE is also pretty personal, it is, the difference (in terms of customization) is solely in the blade.

 

I thought I'd add my 2 cents in here even though I've been shaving with a straight for a while now.

I moved right from disposable cartridges to a straight versus a DE razor for a couple of reasons.

1) The DE blades where I shopped were 6 bucks per 10 pack, not much difference versus cartridges
2) I felt a few razors would last me a life time and the cost was worth it. I have a rotation of 5 blades. One was a gift, (thanks Bill), the rest were low cost blades. My rotation stock cost me less than 40 bucks. I made my own strop and was able to get my hones at cut throat prices (no pun intended). I effectively saved money the first year I shaved with a straight.
3) I don't have rad so I won't go in hock on razors. All I still want is a 1 inch wide blade or wider and then any other decent blade in order to have a 7 day rotation. I've been looking for those for a year now so I'm not in a hurry for that. Available funds and ebay (or flea markets) will dictate when I get those.

I couldn't do any of this with the DE. I did spend a good chunk of change on a gift for my oldest son a while back; a set of 2 straights with eagles etched onto the blade, scaled with deer antler and the spines of the blades worked into a nice design. My wife and I made the cherry wood box they rest in, with the help of a neighbor.

Cost was a big factor in switching and I felt that the straight razor offered a better savings over a longer period of time.

A smaller, not quite as important factor is that frequently I end up so busy that I can go a week or two without shaving. I don't have to worry about the straight clogging up on me

 

How about an Iwasaki?? Okay, maybe that's a form of straight but I think of it differently....

Ken

 

Ken... this place is about razors, not motorcycles...:rofl

 

Oh yeah, Ken...I forgot to warn you about Bill. Sorry.

 

No worries. There's one in every crowd.
::
Ken

 

The Japanese razors are kinda cool. I like them.....but there are two makers....and the Ikasawa or however you spell it are on the lower line

 

Are you sure? It's been toted that Iwasaki was the higher quality maker versus Tosuke. Average price for a Tosuke is under 200$ whereas a Iwasaki will run you close to 400...

 

DUMB DORA!!!!!

Yeah.i was getting the two confused. But here is one kicker. I heard that Tosuke maker had died recently. So there will be no more blades made. The Iwasaki is the better quality. Sorry about the mistake.

 

You're forgiven

Ken

 

So...

Are they chain drive or belt drive? :rofl .:rofl

 

Shaft drive, of course. ZERO moving parts, eh?

Ken

 

Something has to move. Either your hand or your face. It don't shave by itself.

 

They lied??? I guess I should be used to it by now.

Oh well.

Ken

 

According to Dr. House, "Everyone Lies."

 

House is "da man"

Raf

 

I have a problem with watching House, all I see is a bitter and twisted Bertie Wooster on painkillers...

 

Stewart Little's dad has gone mad!

 

Believe it or not, me too!!!