do you shave (or are considering) using a straight razor?

[wilser]

I want to give it a shot ...who knows, maybe I'll accidentally slit my throat and john turner can finally be happy.

PS. I kid, I kid, please don't ban me!

[MakiSupaStar]

Are you talking about the traditional Sweeney Todd style of razor, or are you talking about something like a Mach 25-3?

[wilser]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Are you talking about the traditional Sweeney Todd style of razor, or are you talking about something like a Mach 25-3?

I guess you could call 'em the 'traditional Sweeney Todd style'

[Thor]

I have one, but for the life of me I haven't been able to get
it sharp enough to do the job, so I stick with the Mach 1 type.

[ADbassman]

I'd love to if I could find a proper blade. The ones you usually see up on ebay are made of Stainless Steel, which in my experience are a ***** and a half to put an edge on and keep it on. I'd like to find something like a carbon steel blade.

[Pilgrim]

I have a couple of straight razors inhertied from my Grandfather.

I was once at the barber's and mentioned that I was thinking about trying them out. His comment was "Let me know before you do - I'll call the ambulance before you start."

I never did try them out.

[Tony-bobs]

I just bought one, but i'm waiting until i can get all the other stuff to get a proper shave: strop, hone, health insurance...

[fitbass3p]

I prefer using razors that don't have a sexual preference, thank you.

[jucas]

Been doing it for about a year and a half now with no serious injury. There's a thread from back then about it too.

[Disco_Gee]

Originally Posted by Thor

I have one, but for the life of me I haven't been able to get
it sharp enough to do the job, so I stick with the Mach 1 type.

I have the exact same problem. It's not sharp enough to cut the hair, only the skin.

[crimson_basser]

im scared

i get shaky enough just using a regular wet razor

[bongomania]

Yeah my whiskers are tough as steel but my skin is fragile. Fuggeddaboutit (for me anyway). I even spent a great deal of time and effort researching the best sharpening techniques and carefully, even lovingly getting the blades into the finest, cleanest, sharpest condition I could get them- and all I got for my trouble was clean removal of all the outer layers of my skin, with nary a nick in even one whisker.

I had a bit better luck using the straight razor to chop down an actual beard of notable growth. But short whiskers, no way. I don't know how they managed it in the old days, unless peoples' skin was just tougher, or their whiskers weaker.

[Baryonyx]

I tend to shave using just a Gillette Mach-3 razor (not the dreadful Fusion razor!). I can shave with a straight razor (my barber taught me how to use it) and they do produce the cleanest, smoothest shave you can get...

...but it takes longer. Doing your face takes about 6/7 minutes (because you really don't want to let a sharp razor slip) whereas with a "modern" safety razor I can shave my face in about 3/4 minutes, or less.

Time is very important to me in the mornings when I'm getting up to go for work, and when you shave with a straight razor you have to go slower as well as taking time to prepare the blade before shaving.

[gold_member_321]

I have never done it myself but there used to be an old school barber shop in town that unfortunately closed down a few years ago because the owner passed away. I used to go there on days I didn't feeling shaving myself and WOW. He gave the closest shave I've ever had with a straight razor. He used brushed shaving cream and always used a very musky aftershave/cologne which I actually liked. Not to mention he was cheap at $1.50 a shave, when the second cheapest place in town charges $5.00.

If you ever get a chance to get a PROFESSIONAL straight razor shave I would. I wish I could find another place that still does it.

[wilsonn]

I use a double edge safety razor. That's the kind that has a single razor's edge on each side of a razor that's about an inch wide and an inch and a half long. I find the DE gives me a smoother shave than the tri-blade designs and best of all, the blades are really inexpensive....about 50 cents each....and last about ten shaves.

[Baryonyx]

A tip to avoid shearing your skin off with a straight razor is to apply the shaving gel/foam in circles, so it completely encircles the shaft of hair. This will protect the area of skin beneath the hair from the razor dragging on it.

Also, it goes without saying that while you should avoid shaving against the grain in general, avoid it at all costs with a straight razor if you can. Instead of trapping and tipping the hairs on your face, you'll just scrape off skin.

[username n/a]

I want to but my sister said I can't because I would kill myself.

[username n/a]

Originally Posted by fitbass3p

I prefer using razors that don't have a sexual preference, thank you.

Originally Posted by Baryonyx

A tip to avoid shearing your skin off with a straight razor is to apply the shaving gel/foam in circles, so it completely encircles the shaft of hair. This will protect the area of skin beneath the hair from the razor dragging on it.

LOL, you said shaft.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I have used a cut-throat before, all I will say is dont bother with cheaper ones, a lot of the cheap ones use really cheap metal and tend to require alot more maintanence for what is a poorer shave.

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I have used a cut-throat before, all I will say is dont bother with cheaper ones, a lot of the cheap ones use really cheap metal and tend to require alot more maintanence for what is a poorer shave.

+1

Buy a good razor and it will last you longer than three cheaper blades. It will also produce better results.