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Straight razor shaving...
Chasaway

Posted on 06/26/2014 12:28:00 PM PDT by Chasaway

I need some straight razor advice, from some straight razor veterans. I've been shaving with a safety razor, mug and brush for 12 years. I've moved to a shavette straight razor in the last 3 months.

It seems to me that moving to a pure straight razor will mean sending razors off to be honed 3-4 times per year @ around $30 per pop.

Besides the "romance" and general badass-ness of using a true straight razor, what would be the advantages/disadvantages of moving to a pure straight razor/throat cutter?


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: grooming; shaving; straightrazor
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I've gotten to where I can get as close with the shavette/straight razor as I could with my DE safety razor.

And that's CLOSE! Baby butt smooth close. I have a pretty heavy beard, but I can shave the night before and get through the next day without noticeable stubble.

I popped myself a couple of times (minor) when I first started with the shavette, but since then I can only tell when I rub the alum bar over my face or splash some Osage Orange AS on.

It takes a bit longer (being careful, you know), but with the DE or the shavette it's more of an experience than a chore.

What I'm looking for is some counsel. Besides the romance of a pure straight razor, what are the advantages of one over a shavette? Will it shave even closer? Is it enough value-added in the experience category to make up for the added effort/expense required?

Et cetera...

You probably know what I'm asking, because if you're a straight razor shaver you went through the same process.

Thanks!

C

1 posted on 06/26/2014 12:28:00 PM PDT by Chasaway
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To: Chasaway

I went down that route too.. I’m back on vibrating 16-blade razors now.

I have some thick hairs - I can kill 3 disposables in a morning. With the ridiculously expensive cartridges it costs me about $20 per season to shave.

And I’m sure that when there are 20 blades on the thing they’ll offer financing. :)


2 posted on 06/26/2014 12:31:02 PM PDT by Celerity
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To: Chasaway

If you’re going to be a real cut throat shaver you’ve got to get into the zen of doing your own stropping and honing.


3 posted on 06/26/2014 12:31:52 PM PDT by Paine in the Neck (Socialism consumes EVERYTHING)
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To: Paine in the Neck

Zen...

That’s what I feel like already.

I’m thinking I’m going down a rabbit hole into more Zen-ness.


4 posted on 06/26/2014 12:33:38 PM PDT by Chasaway (Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?)
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To: Chasaway

A little off the subject, but a note on sharpening.

I bought a cheap belt sander 30” belt 1” wide. I can now shave with all my good knives. A Canadian company sells all manner of Belts, 250 grit to 1200 grit to leather strop belts.

I have maybe $100 invested totally and after a little practice free-handing the edge angles is simple.


5 posted on 06/26/2014 12:34:03 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
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To: Chasaway
what would be the advantages/disadvantages of moving to a pure straight razor/throat cutter

Death?

Have you ever seen Sweeney Todd?

6 posted on 06/26/2014 12:36:08 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Told 'em not to science those burgers too hard. ~ Darksheare)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

What is the company?


7 posted on 06/26/2014 12:36:28 PM PDT by buffaloguy
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To: Celerity

http://www.artofmanliness.com/?s=straight+razor


8 posted on 06/26/2014 12:37:33 PM PDT by thorvaldr
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To: Tax-chick

No, seriously...

The first couple of times I even used a shavette my hand was shaking like I was an alky in recovery.

It was scary.

Now, not so bad.


9 posted on 06/26/2014 12:37:40 PM PDT by Chasaway (Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?)
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To: Chasaway
Baby butt smooth close.

This is off topic, but that reminded me of a funny story I read a number of years ago.

There was a debate between 2 candidates for some local office, and one of the candidates was completely bald. His opponent jokingly put his hand on the bald one's head and said, "That feels as smooth as my wife's bottom." The bald guy reached up, rubbed his own head and said, "You're right, it does."

10 posted on 06/26/2014 12:38:20 PM PDT by Ken H
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To: Chasaway

But seriously, I think it’s cool, and I wish you the best of luck.


11 posted on 06/26/2014 12:38:32 PM PDT by Tax-chick (Told 'em not to science those burgers too hard. ~ Darksheare)
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To: Chasaway

I just wanted to say that I am glad to hear that your razor is straight. Other orientations can create troublesome dilemmas...


12 posted on 06/26/2014 12:38:34 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: Ken H

LOL!!

We need more of that today.


13 posted on 06/26/2014 12:39:14 PM PDT by Chasaway (Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?)
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To: Chasaway

Can’t help on this one.

I’m leaving enough blood around already from somewhere (foot, leg, arm, hand, head) about every day just from normal work around the house and I get the “Where are you bleeding now?” from the wife...

I’ll stay away from the straight razors. No sense adding to the blood loss, carpet, sheet and furniture stains.


14 posted on 06/26/2014 12:39:26 PM PDT by maddog55 (A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.)
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To: Chasaway
Check out badgerandblade.com, they have the best advice. You will need to get a proper strop and hones.
15 posted on 06/26/2014 12:40:17 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)
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To: Celerity

I had difficulty shaving for years, wearing out blades and having difficulty getting the blade through the beard then I started shaving in the shower. Last thing I do before toweling off. The hot water and soaking makes all the difference. Beard comes off easily and the razors last much longer.


16 posted on 06/26/2014 12:41:05 PM PDT by dangerdoc ((this space for rent))
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To: Chasaway

You are correct about honing, but I bought the stones required and do the honing myself. There are a couple of dedicated forums for straight razor shaving and there will be a bunch of good information for you there. I took it up about 6 years ago, after inheriting my great grandfather’s shaving mug. Once you get the hang of it I guarantee you, nothing else shaves as close. But, there will likely be some bleeding involved to get to that point!


17 posted on 06/26/2014 12:41:18 PM PDT by cbvanb
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To: maddog55

Brother, you described me.

That’s one of the reasons I ask.

Somehow, I can cut myself with an anvil.

I’m amazed that I can get through as many shaves as I have without winding up anemic.


18 posted on 06/26/2014 12:41:42 PM PDT by Chasaway (Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket?)
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To: Celerity

Dollar shave club. Our razors are F***ing great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9fgI9FHs60#t=37


19 posted on 06/26/2014 12:42:20 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin.)
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To: Chasaway
One of my father's first memories is of watching his grandfather shave with a straight razor by kerosene lamp. He never cut himself and even did the back of his weathered wrinkled neck. Dad was in aw.
20 posted on 06/26/2014 12:42:37 PM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hoercraft accident.)
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