Anybody shave with a straight razor?

Wicked.

We do the kewlest stuff.

Awesome!

Oh yeah: pic.

Oooh, elegant.

Ok, you’ve got me started again.

Just to update here a little…

I’ve been using the straight razor now for 6 -7 months, though only about 1x/week. I’m finally at the point of doing my entire face with no nicks, including some left-handed work, and shaving in various directions with respect to the grain of my whiskers.

It takes practice, like unicycling. The equipment is minimalist, like unicycling. It takes a bit longer than multi-blade disposables/electrics, but is more gratifying, like unicycling vs. bicycling.

I highly recommend the entire experience.

I saw some shaving brushes in my local chemist on Friday, it reminded me that I haven’t gotten one of these straight razors yet.

One day.

Soon.

Because of this thread I researched straight razors and safety razors. I’ve been shaving many months now with a three piece safety razor. I get a brand of blade named Feather that is very sharp and noticably different than a couple of others that were tried. The shaving forums had a lot of good advice about shaving and lathering with a cup soap and brush. Someday I’ll invest in a good brush.

I don’t miss the disposables. Lathering and shaving twice produces a better shave than a multiple blade disposable.

Shaves with a double edge

My kids we’re really getting me going this morning so I disappeared to the basement for a little “me” time. I lathered up the badger brush and put in a fresh blade. I shaved my face and head with nary a nick. Sure it took a little longer than with a disposable blade but it helped me relax.
I’d be all over a straight razor if I were’nt shaving my scalp too!

I have to agree that it’s not for everyone but apparently neither is unicycling…

How do you get/keep it sharp. I have two straight razors, but they haven’t been in use for the better part of a century, so they need a bit of attention before I try any of them out. I have a feeling I’d regret using the stone-on-powerdrill-method I use for the lawn mower blades.

I’ve been shaving straight for a couple of years. What jtrops writes matches my own experiences.

Disposable straights suck. I don’t know why. But I tried a lot of them and none of them are a match for my real razors.

A straight razor needs to be really sharp. A sharp razor cuts hair, a dull one cuts skin.

The major advantage of a straight razor is that it works. Others don’t, not on my face. At least not without a lot of discomfort.

Do a google search about it. It involves a couple different ultra-fine grain stones. Once the blade is sharp, using a strop before every shave keeps it good for months. I purchased mine already shave-ready from whippeddog, a guy who sells restored, vintage blades, and stropping is all i’ve had to do since.

I’m intrigued I’ll have to look into this as I’ve always wet shaved but never heard of a comparison between new and old style razors, plus I’ve just read the entire thread and it’s the best chuckle I’ve had so far this week!!!
Thanks

There’s also a lovely article on the restoration of straight razors courtesy of The Art of Manliness.