Why don't you shave with a straight razor?

StratMan said:
This comes to mind

vegetable-peeler-potato.jpg
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@rbscebu you're 100% volunteer to shave with a potato peeler with your Arko stick, we're looking forward to seeing your review asap
 
I absolutely would love to but that is a rabbit hole within itself.
I would have to buy all new equipment and the most important part is me not having enough faith in my abilities to hone a straight razor to get a nice, clean and sharp edge not to mention the time to maintain one.

I always wanted to buy a gold dollar. A few years back it might have been something and someone was like the honing specialist here that you could send it to get a nice edge. I also remember a guy called fatboy or something that would restore vintage razors. I might be imagining all of this but anyway when the gold dollar was a big deal I was definitely keen. I mean they weren't very dear at all to start with. I seen one recently but can't recall where and just wanted to pick one up for safekeeping and to try every now and then but don't remember where I had seen it. It was a local place too.
I am aware that gold dollars don't have very good edges though so that would probably not provide the best first experience.

I honestly think the points I made above is the main thing because most of us have spent and or will spend much more money than the initial cost of the straight investment but the awareness of that and the potential doubling down deep on the rabbit hole is a worry. Honing abilities is definitely something to be concerned about. The trial and error seems to have potential risks not only to the face but damaging expensive equipment whilst you're at it too.

I do have a feather AC SS shavette and was okay with it but one time I was a bit nervous about stepping up to a feather professional or super blade and managed to cut myself quite badly on the chin (no scar thank god). I was rushing and it was 2am at night so there is that too. hahaha.
I feel like a straight would be much more enjoyable and forgiving to be honest.

I really enjoy shaving in general and love DE razors. There are just so many options and developments going on with DE razors. I sometimes talk down some razors but would absolutely love to own one (Hello Tatara you cheeky buggers. haha) but sometimes money is an issue. I know there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to straights too but I am just not there yet. I saw someone's shave of the day recently with a remarkable looking shavette that I wanted too but yeah... costs.

If people love straights then by all means go for it. If I had a friend nearby or that I was constantly physically in contact with that I could take my straight to and get it sorted out I would probably be more inclined but as it is then its unlikely.
 
rbscebu said:
  • Not enough time (SR shaving can take a few more minutes each day)
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Let's say 3 min on average each day (after the initial time it takes to learn how to strop, hone and shave)

And let's be generous - 5 shaves a week on average...that's 15 min a week, 1 hour per month, 13 hours a year and let's say 50 years of shaving...almost a month I would loose over a lifetime of shaving...too much :D:D:D

I agree though - SR is wonderful and I miss the times when you could get a proper straight shave at every good barber...
 
alfredus said:
Let's say 3 min on average each day (after the initial time it takes to learn how to strop, hone and shave)

And let's be generous - 5 shaves a week on average...that's 15 min a week, 1 hour per month, 13 hours a year and let's say 50 years of shaving...almost a month I would loose over a lifetime of shaving...too much :D:D:D

I agree though - SR is wonderful and I miss the times when you could get a proper straight shave at every good barber...
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I will have to go down to a local barber after all this covid thing settles.
The place has been around for many many years and I believe he may still offer (maybe not a straight razor though) a great wet shaving experience. I wonder if I were to buy my own straight razor and bring it down to him that I could perhaps pay him to hone it and give me a professional shave with it. (probably some law against it though) My grandfather used to go there from time to time to get a haircut and maybe a shave when he could afford the experience otherwise he'd just go to another barber a few metres down for a basic cut and shave at home himself.
If I do go someday I will be sure to post pics. It's definitely a bit of the old world experience in regards to the barbers themselves. I believe they renovated the place a little in recent years but the staff and owner definitely have the skills and talent to perform a proper shave. They seem to take pride in their business and heritage. It's pretty cool. It may be one of the oldest remaining businesses in town.
 
rbscebu said:
Ajax powder is also good for getting the blood stains off of the sink.

Chicks dig scares.
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scare
(skâr)
v. scared, scar·ing, scares
v.tr.
To strike with sudden fear; alarm. See Synonyms at frighten.
v.intr.
To become frightened: a child who scares easily.
n.
1. A condition or sensation of sudden fear: That mask gave me a real scare.
2. A general state of alarm; a panic: a bomb scare that necessitated evacuating the building.
adj.
Serving or intended to frighten people: scare stories; scare tactics.
Phrasal Verb:
scare up Informal
To gather or prepare with considerable effort or ingenuity: managed to scare up some folding chairs for the unexpected crowd.
 
Rusty Bridges said:
I will have to go down to a local barber after all this covid thing settles.
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These days, I believe barbers are required to use a single-use blade (ie a shavette). I think there might be provision in the regs for sterilizing a real straight, eg by flaming with ethanol, but I've never seen anybody do it. But then, my last visit to a barber was a very long time ago. Shaving my own head and face does that...
 
Holiday said:
I already sacrifice exercise time for the self indulgence of wet shaving and am not there yet with straights. Weekends are good enough for me :)(y)
The last thing I need in the morning is to make SWMBO late every day due to self indulgence.
"Happy Wife Happy Life" there is another end to that stick and I know which end I want to be on.
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Yeah, I'm a bit the same.
I still think of straight razor shaving as 'top of the tree' but it does take extra time to hone and strop the straight razors. There's plenty of days were time demands, grab a razor, load a blade, get it done and move on. I do like to include straight razor shaves in the weekly routine where I can.
You've only got to compare the edge of disposable blades to the edge of a carefully honed straight razor under a decent scope to appreciate the potential benefits of SR shaving.
 
Rusty Bridges said:
I always wanted to buy a gold dollar. A few years back it might have been something and someone was like the honing specialist here that you could send it to get a nice edge. I also remember a guy called fatboy or something that would restore vintage razors. I might be imagining all of this but anyway when the gold dollar was a big deal I was definitely keen. I mean they weren't very dear at all to start with. I seen one recently but can't recall where and just wanted to pick one up for safekeeping and to try every now and then but don't remember where I had seen it. It was a local place too.
I am aware that gold dollars don't have very good edges though so that would probably not provide the best first experience.
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Gold Dollars are available the The Wet Shaving Co now, making them quick and easy to get, but still require honing. The member you mentioned the restored vintage razors is still here, albeit with a new username and no longer restoring razors.
 
Wilkshire13 said:
Gold Dollars are available the The Wet Shaving Co now, making them quick and easy to get, but still require honing. The member you mentioned the restored vintage razors is still here, albeit with a new username and no longer restoring razors.
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Excellent!! That's where I had seen it and just completely forgot. Mind you I have a few items on my cart there so I am trying to avoid going there for now because I know I will just add more there too. I will definitely buy one from there asap. Thanks so much.

That's awesome! It's good to hear he is still around. I guess restoring old razors looks like a fun job until you start doing it which is why he probably stopped doing too. hahaha.

Seriously thank you for the tip on the Gold Dollar straight.
 
Rusty Bridges said:
Excellent!! That's where I had seen it and just completely forgot. Mind you I have a few items on my cart there so I am trying to avoid going there for now because I know I will just add more there too. I will definitely buy one from there asap. Thanks so much.

That's awesome! It's good to hear he is still around. I guess restoring old razors looks like a fun job until you start doing it which is why he probably stopped doing too. hahaha.

Seriously thank you for the tip on the Gold Dollar straight.
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If getting a Gold Dollar SR, my preference is for one of their W models that have timber scales. I prefer their balance. Their plastic scaled SR's for me are too light and throw the overall razor balance out.

Don't get their W59 (one of my favorites) unless you are experienced with SR shaving. That sharp pointy toe can do damage if not properly handled.
 
alfredus said:
Let's say 3 min on average each day (after the initial time it takes to learn how to strop, hone and shave)

And let's be generous - 5 shaves a week on average...that's 15 min a week, 1 hour per month, 13 hours a year and let's say 50 years of shaving...almost a month I would loose over a lifetime of shaving...too much :D:D:D

I agree though - SR is wonderful and I miss the times when you could get a proper straight shave at every good barber...
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Looking at it the wrong way. Only 13 hours a year ... :cry:
 
rbscebu said:
If getting a Gold Dollar SR, my preference is for one of their W models that have timber scales. I prefer their balance. Their plastic scaled SR's for me are too light and throw the overall razor balance out.

Don't get their W59 (one of my favorites) unless you are experienced with SR shaving. That sharp pointy toe can do damage if not properly handled.
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Thanks for the advice. I was thinking the same thing. I didn't like the ones with the plastic scales particularly the ones that had an open but end, I just assumed it would be light and a bit more flimsy.

I was actually going to buy a few at once and one of them was the W59 as I am sure I will enjoy straight razor shaving on occasion. I'm a bit over the top when it comes to things and tend to go all in. The way I see it they are fairly good value for money so at worst they'd make a nice display piece that I could even put into a shadow box and hang up.

Would I be correct to assume that straight razors are easier to work with in regards to the shave than a shavette which can have a very thin blade that you can't really rest against the skin without exercising a great deal of control. I think that is one of the aspects that I feel I would initially like the most about the straight razors, that solid feel and fantastic balance of weight. It's hard to explain without sounding stupid as I have no experience to be able to capture what I mean but I definitely feel like having at least one straight razor in your collection is worthwhile. Aside from that one time I always managed to get some really nice shaves from my feather artist club shavette.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.
I might just wait on that W59. It looks like an amazing razor though, nice wedge.
I might grab the W56 along with a few others next time.
 
Rusty Bridges said:
Would I be correct to assume that straight razors are easier to work with in regards to the shave than a shavette which can have a very thin blade that you can't really rest against the skin without exercising a great deal of control.
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Yes. Most people find a real straight a lot more forgiving than the ½-DE kind of shavette. I don't know about the AC shavettes, I never heard of them while I was into straights (1990s, early noughties)...
 
Rusty Bridges said:
Thanks for the advice. I was thinking the same thing. I didn't like the ones with the plastic scales particularly the ones that had an open but end, I just assumed it would be light and a bit more flimsy.

I was actually going to buy a few at once and one of them was the W59 as I am sure I will enjoy straight razor shaving on occasion. I'm a bit over the top when it comes to things and tend to go all in. The way I see it they are fairly good value for money so at worst they'd make a nice display piece that I could even put into a shadow box and hang up.

Would I be correct to assume that straight razors are easier to work with in regards to the shave than a shavette which can have a very thin blade that you can't really rest against the skin without exercising a great deal of control. I think that is one of the aspects that I feel I would initially like the most about the straight razors, that solid feel and fantastic balance of weight. It's hard to explain without sounding stupid as I have no experience to be able to capture what I mean but I definitely feel like having at least one straight razor in your collection is worthwhile. Aside from that one time I always managed to get some really nice shaves from my feather artist club shavette.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.
I might just wait on that W59. It looks like an amazing razor though, nice wedge.
I might grab the W56 along with a few others next time.
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Traditional straight razor -v- shavette style (my take and I shave with both):

My SR's are honed up to about the equivalent of sharp DE blades but I find the SR's more "forgiving" in the shave. Shaving with a shavette is similar but different to shaving with a traditional SR.​
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I enjoy shaving with either but prefer the traditional SR as I know that I produced the edge.​
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Most shavettes are lighter in mass overall than traditional SR's but there are a few with stainless steel scales that are about equivalent in mass and balance to some SR's.​

I found that the smile on the Gold Dollar W59 to be excessive for my liking. I bread-knife the smile out and reset the bevel. Here are three of mine. The top is as received, middle after bread-knifing and the bottom after bevel reset.

full

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As you will notice, I keep the toe pointy and sharp. Helps to shave inside the nostrils and ear canals 😊. Some mute the toe.

I have never dealt with a W56 so cannot comment.
 
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