Shaved with a straight razor for about 30 years, ever since I was a freshman in college. I thought I was cool.
My last shave with a straight razor was in Yemen — I had to leave in a hurry and left razor and supporting equipment, strap, stone and a lot of other paraphernalia.
When I look back at those 30 years I realize that I was not cool but just vain and stupid. During those 30 years I spent more time honing that f’n razor than shaving with it.
I had one of those fancy, Spanish, gold-inlaid razors that scared the hell out of my wife just looking at it. She always begged me to put the thing where the kids couldn’t find it.
That’s funny!
I wish I had that razor.
And (don’t take this wrong) vain is exactly what I’m doing it for.
I’m going to shave anyway. I just want to make it as luxurious and as “cool” as I can.
The fact that I’m shaving the way my ancestors did, with a [potentially] dangerous implement, taking my time and enjoying a close shave...is exactly what I’m after.
I also use Hoyt’s cologne. Initially made circa the civil war. It’s what the cowboys used to get when they’d come in for their shave after being out.
There’s newer stuff, and I own some.
But there’s just something about doing it the old way that gives me great pleasure and joy.