Anybody shave with a straightedge razor?

[meegbear]

I've always wanted to try one, but the thought of slashing one's throat kinda put a damper on it.

Anyone use one?

[riverdeep]

1. I'm planning on it

Have'nt used one on myself, have had it done with a barber. But I've been looking into it because I'm sick of the new style razors. They're ridiculously expensive, they only shave marginally better than my old Trac II razors did, and most of all, the thing that I HATE-they've got that stupid moisturizing strip, you can't find one without those. You've just opened your pores with a blade and now you're stuffing moisturizer in there? I think that's what makes my skin irritated.

Here's an article talking about starting to shave, but he says go against the grain always; I think that's bogus-I only go against for special occasions, I go with for everyday use. He also talks about finishing up with alcohol, which is really wrong.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/DIY/1972-03-01/How-To-Use-A-Straight-Razor.aspx

Supposedly, you can pick one up for a couple bucks used. If you want new, it can cost like $50 on the low end to $200 on the higher, not include strop. But basically you buy this thing once.

[meegbear]

3. Thanks for the info ...

I have the shaved head / goatee look and every now and then I think about going to a barber and at least getting the face done.

I'm trying to save a few bucks, so I stopped using the Gillette Mach3 for Walgreen's version, started this week. The shaver doesn't pivot, so the feeling is like a straight edge, that's what piqued my interest. And ...

:party: WELCOME TO DU!! :party:

[riverdeep]

4. Thanks meeg!

[RedStateShame]

2. Nope. Mine's drunk and high all the time.

That having been said, I DO use a brush and foam. You use that once, you'll never use that can crap.

[Redstone]

18. I've heard that as well. Will try it myself some day.

Redstone

[bikebloke]

5. Someone else shaved me with one

In Nepal, when I came down out of the mountains with a beard, I went to a barber who shaved me with a cutthroat razor. Best shave I ever had. I'd probably take my nose off if I tried myself.

[Xithras]

6. I have one.

My wife bought it for me years ago. On the plus side, it's a fine piece of equipment that will last practically forever. Avoid the cheap stainless steel models in favor of a forged steel blade (I have a nice Dovo). If you shave against the grain, they do cut incredibly close.

And the downside. You will spend a LOT of time stropping the blade. At least once a shave, and if you have very thick facial hair, more than once. When you're done with your shave, the blade must be cleaned, dried, and lightly oiled to prevent rust and pitting. You will also have to keep the hinge oiled, and may occasionally have to have it reground. You have to do all of this to keep the blade EXTREMELY SHARP. A dull straightedge is your faces worst enemy.

You also have the obvious danger of having an extremely sharp blade against your face. Unlike safety razors, there is no margin of error with a straightedge. One bump, one twitch, or one moment of inattention will cause you to cut yourself. And these aren't the minor nicks your used to...a poorly performed shave can leave you with slices an inch or more in length across your face. The amount of blood that your face can ooze from an inch long facial cut is incredible.

Personally, I just use mine for special occasions now. I've eliminated disposables, but I've gone back to my electric for my daily shaves. The straightedge only comes out when I'm doing something that requires me to look my best, and get a closer shave than the electric can provide.

Keep in mind that "back in the day", most men went to barbers for a straightedge shave. While there have always been some who shaved themselves, there is an actual learning curve that can be quite painful for an amateur. A steady hand, a quiet room, and practice are essential.

Oh, and the other post upthread had a recommendation to buy a used blade. While used blades are certainly more price-friendly, you have to be extremely careful with them. If there are ANY nicks in the edge of the blade, it's useless. Ditto for pits or deep scratches. Rust rules them out completely. Also keep in mind that you will have to sterilize it thoroughly...there have been cases of people contracting hepatitis and staph infections from improperly cleaned straightedges. This may sound easy, but remember that most straightedges come with nice wooden, ivory, or otherwise decorative handles, and they can't simply be dropped into water and boiled. You have to clean them with liberal amounts of alcohol, and scrub them thoroughly...paying special attention to the hinge area.

[riverdeep]

7. Thanks for your input

The article I linked did mention the necessity of a good blade, so if I do go for one, I'm probably going new.

But, yeah, it's a more intensive experience it looks like. But I knew a barber freind who said that once that learning curve is crested, it's worth it.

[meegbear]

8. Ooooooh ... I think I'll hold off on it then ...

Looks like a lot of overhead and hospital visits. Thanks.

[Xithras]

13. Well, if you have the time, I do recommend them.

If for no other reason than their environmental friendliness. Thousands of tons of waste plastic and steel from safety and disposable razors make their way into landfills every year, and a straightedge helps to eliminate that. As someone else pointed out here, while there IS a learning curve, it is worthwhile once you get the technique mastered. My primary reason for not using it daily is time...straightedges turn shaving into a morning ritual, instead of the three minute cleanup I currently experience with my electric. I'm one of those people who is constantly running late, and I just don't have time to do the straightedge thing every morning. If I DID, I'd probably use it exclusively. It provides a far better shave than an electric or a disposable.

[meegbear]

16. You are correct there ...

well I keep getting the "urge" to try, so we'll see how time goes with it. And as you said, time. Not learning it, but the time to do it. It would just be weekends for me.

[RedStateShame]

9. What kind of oil do you use on the razor?

All this talk of the straight edge razor is piquing my curiosity.

[Xithras]

11. Just blade oil.

I'm not quite sure what kind of oil it is. It's the same stuff used on clippers and other grooming products, and is available at beauty supply stores. It's a surface protectant, not a lubricant, so I'm not sure what's actually in it. I DO know that the blade will start to oxidize fairly quickly if it's not used.

[Jokerman]

10. I found one in my Dad's stuff after he died.

I don't recall ever seeing him use it. This one appears to be old enough to have belonged to his father.

Considering how difficult it is for me to get a decent shave with an electric or even the double, triple, or quadruple blade razors on the market, I'm intrigued by the straight razor but I haven't had the nerve to try it out.

[matcom]

12. only my scrotum

[meegbear]

15. MEN like me keep it on ...

a boi like you has to keep his "image".

[Lance_Boyle]

14. I prefer an EMO razor.

n/t

[politicat]

17. You might try a traditional blade safety razor....

My ex used one, and it was great. As long as he took his time and was thoughtful, he never nicked himself. (Of course, he was slightly ADD, so patience and taking time were a bit of a struggle.)

My DH is in the same place you are - loves his Attra, which is about to be discontinued. I'd never considered that the moisturizing strip might be what causes his irritation, but now that you mention it.... duh.

[Spider Jerusalem]

19. No, but I do use an old-school safety razor.

I can get ten replacement double-edge blades for the equivalent of what a single Mach 3 cartridge costs (they're available at drugstores and so on for anywhere from about $1.50 to $4 or so for 10), the single blade seems to cut as close or maybe closer than a cartridge razor, and once you master the technique it seems like you're less likely to cut or nick yourself. I have a goatee, and with a steady hand it seems to do a fair job at shaving around where I need it to; not sure how it is for shaving one's head, though.

[meegbear]

20. Hmmmm ... maybe I'll try that

The head's the main thing. I can shave the face areas and my head in under 5 minutes; and that's all smooth.