Shaving- another skill

**kilted in seattle** · 10th May 08, 04:29 PM

So there I was shaving the other day. Blade was dull so I tossed the old one out and replaced it.

About half-way through my shave, I thought "Holy Monkeys, I just threw away two bucks. I do that once or twice a week without thinking."

After a good bit of thought, I got on the internets and bought myself a straight razor. I've been shaved with a straight razor twice (in Dubai of all places) and remember how comfortable it was. No friction, no razor burn.

Of course, the guy made his living doing with this and from the looks of things, had been doing so for quite a while.

I sent it off to get it honed so I'm waiting for it to get here. I've never actually used a straight razor on myself, but I've figured out tougher things before.

**Coinneach** · 10th May 08, 04:31 PM

I've thought about doing that, but since I shave my head, I'm really afraid to do that with a straight razor.

**kilted in seattle** · 10th May 08, 04:33 PM

That'd be spooky. Of course, no more so than drawing a sharp razor across your throat.

**McMurdo** · 10th May 08, 04:43 PM

You might want to check out this thread
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...x.html?t=33521

There were some good resources in it

**JerseyLawyer** · 10th May 08, 05:20 PM

I'd suggest you check out the Straight Razor Place forums, they're a huge collection of info, much like XMarks is for kilts.

Basically, though, you need to make sure you have a good strop, and that you know how to use it. Then you need to know how to shave with the thing (use very light to no pressure. Go with the grain at first). Also, your prep is important. Shaving brush, soap or cream, hot water, maybe a preshave treatment, aftershave treatment of some kind...

Have fun!

**Yaish** · 10th May 08, 07:25 PM

I do love a straight razor shave, but I love my beard more. Saves money too.

**Mike1** · 10th May 08, 07:35 PM

As was mentioned, the Straight Razor Place forums are an excellent resource.

Remember to always strop your blade (carefully, mind) before each shave and never, never, ever, never move the blade sideways on your face. If you forget rule number 2, you will be amazed at how painless that wound gushing blood all over your nice clean bathroom actually is.

On your first try with the straight, remember you are not looking to get a baby bottom smooth shave. You are trying to reduce stubble. Carefully. If you are not getting as close a shave as you would like, grab your cartridge razor and polish up with it. Just keep practicing and it will come to you.

What razor did you purchase? Something new or something second-hand? Which honemeister did you select? Could you get something accomplished if I weren't asking so many questions?

I use my straights, but only on evenings when I can focus completely on the process of shaving. Other evenings, I use a double-edge razor. I'm partial to Derby blades and can pick them up at $20 per hundred. I think 100 Sputniks are $18.50 and Zorricks are as low as $15.00. And you would be amazed at how much closer a shave you can get with a DE, as opposed to those multi-blade cartridge razors.

**sorcererdale** · 10th May 08, 08:45 PM

Or use the "electric" razor. It seems to be much quicker for me, although my whiskers grow really fast, especially in the summer and I could shave twice a day. I went to a barber who specializes in straight razor shaving and my tough whiskers dulled his blade so fast he couldn't finish. He tried a few others and kept sharpening them and the same thing happened.

DALE.

**kilted in seattle** · 10th May 08, 09:01 PM

Got a new DOVO 5/8 inch stainless blade. Picture is above. I was conflicted about the stainless v. carbon steel thing for a while. Ultimately, I settled on stainless because it's just easier to maintain. One of the things I want to try is taking it to the field with me. I don't always have a lot of water to shave with and it frequently isn't warm. But I want to figure out whether it's less irritating shaving with my quattro or my straight razor. Also, I want to see how it is in hot weather. I've been given a date when I go to Iraq next year and I want to take my straight razor with me. The honemeister is some cat in Ohio. Lynn Abrams. His name kept coming up when I was looking for a honemeister.