One of the things on my bucket list is to shave with a straight razor. I remember watching my grandfather when I was a small lad and I always wanted to try it. Any one on the fire ever done it? And where would be a good place to pick up a good one I think there was a good article in Muzzleloader or Muzzle Blast sometime back.....B Staley
The best thing about owning a dog is that someone is happy when you get home.
Posts: 959 | Location: Alabama | Registered: 09 December 2008
You will need a good razor. Dovo is a popular quality brand. Dont bother with the cheap ones you find on e-bay, they will fustrate you. You will need a strop and strop paste. Dont try to whone it yourself, take it to a place that knows how. Get a mug, brush and shaving soap. Ask a barber to teach you or find an Art of Shaving store and they will be happy to teach you.
Posts: 129 | Location: Southern California | Registered: 28 April 2011
I have tried teaching myself to shave with a "cutthroat" razor using YouTube videos and internet articles as a guideline. I can now shave without excessive bleeding, but I am unable to get a close shave. Always some stubble left. I can see why the mountain men may have let their beards grow!
"Any day you wake up on the right side of the dirt is a good day"
Posts: 428 | Location: Northwestern California | Registered: 05 May 2006
I have some good, old razors that I can get sharp enough to cut you just by looking at them. And yet, I simply cannot get a close shave with them, and I generally scrub my skin raw in the process of trying. I can keep a beard away with one, but that's about it.
Posts: 48 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 02 August 2011
I was told by a barber the way they teach Straight razor shaving in school it ,they shave a ballon for practice!!Lather it up and when you can they can "shave" all the lather off without cutting the ballon try a 'Victim" OH and there are very few "nicks" with a straight razor. I have several razors I was given/ picked up over the years,setting on display!! The biggest reason most cant get a close shave is,Fear. One I have is mfg by Pearlduck it is a Dublduck Satinedge.The technique the barber told me was not to scrape but slice very carefully light pressure and slice that was when I lost interest in the fine art of straight razor shaving. Dont even try it with the new junk they sell,the new ones are like most of the new knifes you can buy,,junk. Then to you might ask,Why did they go out of use !!because the Safety Razor was invented,,lot be said for a name,Safety razor for example!!! either way good luck..
i thought about this also,even talked to my barber about it,she uses a straight razor with replaceable blades,my father-in-law gave me a fancy safety razor,i'll stick with that,because i still manage to nick myself with that,but i do use cup,brush,and soap block though
I've had a new Dovo and some of my deceased father-in-law's razors, which he used regularly. I've had my share of harmless nicks, but I also haven't gotten a really close shave. My cheeks come out pretty good, but not other places. It may have to do with having 61-year-old skin that's a little stretchy. But when I feel like using one of the cut-throats, I always finish the job with my Gillette Atra.
Are we correct in the "closeness"? I mean I think one needs to have a professional barber do the shave for you, then you check if you can feel any whiskers just at the surface, then that should be your standard, no? (Don't forget the hot towel face prep as well boys)
The old single blade safety razor was meant to replicate the straight razor with less chances at nicking one's face..., and it must have done both pretty well for the design was rather standard for several decades..., until multiple bladed, disposable razors came around to give us "even closer shaves". IF we are comparing our straight razor shaving to what one gets with triple bladed, pivoting head razor, with the extra skin lubricant strip..., perhaps we are using the wrong standard?
LD
It's not what you know, it's what you can prove
Posts: 3843 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 10 November 2004
B.Stanley finally something at the fire I have done. I used a straight razor for a couple of years as a teen.I had side burns in the tenth grade. I got a straight razor from my then barber. Always interested in things of the old way I asked him about such a razor. He was kind enough to give me one and instructions. I got a strop somewhere. I also used a fine stone. Anyhow I used the razor and did just fine with it. I quit using it only because I dropped it one day into the sink and broke the end off of it. I still have it and have often thought of working the sharp corner of the break down and using it again. I still use an old single blade razor once in a while. That would be close to the same thing. Keeping the skin tight is the main thing. Never could get on with an electric. So go with it and give it a try .It isn't rocket science.
I never have been much for drinking the kool-aid.It's not in my nature.
Posts: 336 | Location: Central Pennsyltucky | Registered: 12 January 2012
Sounds like you've gotten some good advice but let me through in my two cents worth.
First off, make sure the razor you get is prehoned. Honing a new razor is a bit tricky and easy to mess up. If the place you buy your razor does not advertise it is prehoned, it isn't. And if you ask and they say things like, "I think so" or "It should be" it isn't.
Once you get your prehoned razor all you need to do is hit the strop and off you go. Trying to shave with a dull straight edge is like trying to shoot a flintlock with a dull flint. It sucks.
My second piece of advice is to make this "YOUR" time. Go in the bathroom and lock the door. This is not the time to have the wife, kid, dog etc barging in. Again lock the door. Start off with a nice hot shower, get out and soap up your face, and then strop your blade. This will give the soap time to soak in. Don't go at it without the hot shower, this really softens up the whiskers.
One last thing: As you start out, shave often, don't go after a 5-day growth when you first start out. Also depending on your face some areas will be easy others difficult. Get the easy places and then go ahead and use your modern razor for the tough areas until you get better. Remember, this should be fun.
OH yea! Expect to nick yourself. Maybe date night or the night before the big job interview is not the best night to shave with your straight edge.
Originally posted by Loyalist Dave: Are we correct in the "closeness"? ... IF we are comparing our straight razor shaving to what one gets with triple bladed, pivoting head razor, with the extra skin lubricant strip..., perhaps we are using the wrong standard?
LD
Yes, I think our standards have changed. I get amazing shaves with modern razors, and don't see how a straight razor could be any better. It's fun to play, though. I sent a couple of mine to "A Sharper Razor" who will sharpen, recondition, and hone. But my Gillette is better.
I think the goal is not necessarily to try and get a "baby's butt" smooth shave, but to reenact the lifestyle of our forefathers. I have gotten a world of grief when I broke out the Gillette in primitive camp.
On another note, I find it interesting that this thread is located in the Bladed Weapons forum. A Freudian slip, perhaps?This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pilgrim,
"Any day you wake up on the right side of the dirt is a good day"
Posts: 428 | Location: Northwestern California | Registered: 05 May 2006
I shave with a straight razor almost everyday. Still learning as I get a fairly close shave on the sides but not so smooth under the jaw. Look for a German made razor, I have told by old(80 + yoa) barbers these are the best razors. If you can find a retired or retiring barber you might be able to acquire one of his razors and who better to learn from if he will teach you. I will second the hot towel on the face and keeping your skin pulled tight. A word about keeping your skin pulled tight, Pull tight before placing razor on skin . Pay attention to what you are doing and where the entire blade is and don't get in a hurry you will do fine.
Posts: 90 | Location: WV | Registered: 04 October 2012