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Straight Razor Shaving?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by dustoff003, Sep 17, 2012.

  1. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Do any of you all shave with a straight razor? I am interested in buying one and starting to use it for my daily shaving.


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
  2. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    I use a double edged safety razor. It gives a great shave while minimizing cost and disposal. Blades are, in theory, recyclable. If you go that route I highly recommend the Edwin Jagger DE 89lbl.
     
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  3. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Two words, Blood, Spurt!
    'Nuff said!:)
     
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  4. amm0bob

    amm0bob Permanently Junior...

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    For nearly 20 years I used the razor that my grandfather used most of his days I remember that was passed to me... I only shaved some of my cheeks to get a line and my neck... the last divorce was the reason I don't shave with that razor anymore... the ex gave it to my son to carve a pinewood derby car, and then he doesn't know where it went.

    The key is to strop the blade every time before you use it, and always clean and dry the blade when you are done.
     
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  5. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    I have a razor from my Dad's box of stuff. From the looks of it I had already ruined it at some point. What hasn't been nicked is still VERY sharp. But I wouldn't trust myself with one. I would think anyone that would hand one of those things to a small boy to carve wood with would not be a friend of the boy.

    I remember how nice a straight razor felt when I'd get a back of the neck shave with the haircut. I no longer go to barbers and I get face bumps so I'm beard-centric.

    Still, it would be nice...
     
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  6. mojo

    mojo Senior Member

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    I have friends who love 60s era safety razors.
    Some bring big bucks on Evilbay.
    I like my triple blade .Never a cut ,I could probably shave while drunk.
     
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  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't have any experience here, but a personally funny memory.

    At some point when I was a kid, my Father heard, or decided that a Straight Razor would be great. I think someone told him it was the absolutely best way to get the closest shave.

    So he went the whole 9 yards....finding a specialty shop that sold top quality straight razors, even buying a leather strap to sharpen it....I think he even bought a shaving creme "mug" and boars hair brush.

    Unfortunately, I think it takes some skill and patience to properly and routinely use a straight razor. Skill, patience and time my Dad was not willing to afford on a daily basis. After about 2 weeks, and some HORRIFIC almost disfiguring cuts....he sheepishly abandoned the return to Ye Olden Shaving.

    I personally have no desire to turn back the clock. I can buy 5 safe blades...on a safety razor that vibrates. My shaving creme comes out of a can...and in less than 5 usually nick free minutes I can get a very close shave.

    But I still remember my Dad, telling me how a straight razor was superior. (Before the Band-Aids and Screams). So I applaud your attempt in this area. I think if you have the time, patience and skill to use one? It might be great.

    For me? I'm going to march ahead with progress. It might not be nostalgic, and perhaps I can't shave down to the jaw bone,....but I'll go with my Gillette Fusion and a can of Shaving Creme.
     
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  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I've been considering one of the old style safety razors mainly because I'm cheap. The replacement heads are pricey with the extra blades of dubious value. With disposable you are tossing away more plastic.
     
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  9. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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    When I do shave, I shave in the shower and use soap instead of shaving cream. I hang a mirror from the shower curtain hook.

    Waiting until the end of the shower really softens the beard. This makes the razor last seemingly forever. Using Ivory soap as a shaving soap is extremely cheap and works great.
     
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  10. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    That's what turned me. Quality safety razor blades are relatively cheap compared to the cartridge type. Plus, it really taught me to shave better and gives me a better shave. Sometimes I go back to the multi blade Gillettes when I travel but now find them uncomfortable.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I used to use the old style safety razors, the ones that flexed the double edged blade, looks kinda like a twin blade ax (another relic?). They were much easier on the environment I'd think: only the blade to dispose of, and that's recylable I would think.

    Nowadays I buy a pack of disposable razors, and use each one basically until I have no clue when I started using it: multiple months. When done with it I pull of the business end and put the handle in the recyling tub, but not sure about it: there's no triangle symbol on the thing. (why is that?)

    My one recollection of straight razors was rummaging around the basement of my grampa's, when I was a kid. Tested the edge with my thumb to see if it was sharp. It was. :eek:
     
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  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    It might be a mix of plastics that can't be recycled, but most likely it's because of the blade. It has to come out for recycling. Most people wouldn't bother, or they'll end up cutting themselves.
     
  13. NiHaoMike

    NiHaoMike Member

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    Beware that shaving cream has an unexpectedly high GWP from the HFCs in it (used to be CFCs, which would also destroy the ozone) and also is bad for your skin.
    The Shaving Cream Racket by Jeffrey A. Tucker
    I just use a cartridge type razor along with a spray bottle of water and a little mineral oil. Just apply some water and shave with next to no pressure on the razor, regularly reapplying water as needed. When done, wash off the razor, dry it off, and apply a drop of mineral oil to protect it from corrosion. A single cartridge easily lasts a few months.
     
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I prefer to use shaving gel not from a pressurized can. The selection seems to have expanded recently. I'm considering trying Shave Secret which is just a mix of essential oils. A few drops is used with water.
     
  15. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    I will look in to that but I think I am going to start with a straight and then if I have to back it down to a DE I will.


    Thank you sir. No blood spurting but you got one hell of a laugh.


    Mahalo Jr. I intend to see what my father has at his home and if my grandpop left any behind, both barbers. Good thing you did not find it and carve your ex... J/K not the boys fault I hope he did not injur himself, it probably got dull awfully quick though.


    There are multiple places that will hone a razor and restore the edge for around $30.


    A modern razor is not getting it done for me, I have to shave daily due to my proffesion. Maybe a straight razor will help me out by reducing irritation and provide a better quality shave? There is only one way to find out.


    Thanks that is the kind of advice I am looking for. I have tried most recent Gillettes and I am not happy.


    I wish I could get by on using a razor for so long. If the straight does not work out I might try out a double edge safety razor. I am proud of you Mendel you did not mention Honda once in your post.
     
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  16. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Straight razors scare me, but a mug full of warm shaving soap lather is awesome. Get rid of your cans of foam.
     
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  17. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Okay boys and girls, I went off the deep end now, not being home and without my Prius, I bought this, I purchased my kit Day three and all is well!
     
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  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Walk out to your Prius and look at the front of the car.
    Do you see the crank-start?
    Of course not.
    This is because automobiles are generally no longer started by a hand crank.

    Oh....It would be nice if they DID, because it would be sooooo much better for the environment if we didn't have to ship jillions of used lead-acid batteries overseas to be recycled however (comma!) hand cranking cars to get them started was actually somewhat dangerous in addition to being inconvenient as heck....and so hand cranks went the way of whale-oil lamps, the Allosaurus, and (soon) labor unions.
    So.....
    Shave with a straight razor?
    Why? :eek:
    I use one of the new orange zillion bladed cartridge razors. It uses several tiny slivers of high grade steel probably recycled from one of the ships or submarines that I used to knock holes in the ocean with. The razor blades are themselves recyclable, and I usually change them out about four times a year whether they need it or not. Not many people know this, but if you dry them after use? They last a loooooooooooooong time....even if you have a heavy beard, and if there's one thing that the Average American male over fifty can do really well is grow hair.....everywhere....EXCEPT!!! on top of your head.
    If you drive a Prius?
    You're probably not shaving there ...if you know what I mean.... ;)
    I shave in the shower, and use a very little bit of gel.
    When you see your 40's getting smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, you start to think about a time in the not-so-distant future when shaving YOURSELF with anything sharper than a bowling ball might not be such a bright thing to do.
    JMHO!
    If you really want to do it????
    Have fun with it! ;)
     
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  19. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

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