Straight Razor.

[Mike]

Decided I wanted to take up the art of shaving rather than just dragging a piece of plastic across my face every morning.

I ordered a Dovo 5/8 full hollow grind razor a few days ago. It just got here today.

Carpe Diem!

Mike

[willis68]

Nice Mike, I quite like that

[Lumber_Jack]

Nice, it's funny I just spent probably 3 hrs reading an searching straight razors. (while watching the Braves tank another game)

Where did you end up ordering from? Did it come honed? Did you buy a strop too? Is this too many questions?

[MacGyver]

Most of the Dovos are really quality razors at a great price.

Have fun!

[Guest gw2and4]

And here I thought I was somewhat old-fashioned actually using a multi-blade safety razor rather than some electronic monstrosity. Now I have to go and rethink everything...

[mikegideon]

I would be fishing my right cheek out of the sink. The only reason I'm alive today is plastic razors.

[Oh Shoot]

I would be fishing my right cheek out of the sink. The only reason I'm alive today is plastic razors.

Ditto.

I tried to learn to do it with a couple of my grandfather's blades in my 30's. Fellow who used straight razors helped me out, loaned me stropping stuff, assured me they were quality razors, and approved the level of sharpening. I gave it about a month, was always a time consuming and friggin dangerous process, hardly ever got a good shave blood free. I gave up. Eventually eBayed them.

- OS

[jonlisha]

I use an old gillette safety razor, when I'm in a rush I use a remington electric trimmer, it gets close enough to get me by at work but when I want to treat myself right I use the safety razor, best shave ever.

[Mike]

Nice, it's funny I just spent probably 3 hrs reading an searching straight razors. (while watching the Braves tank another game)

Where did you end up ordering from? Did it come honed? Did you buy a strop too? Is this too many questions?

I ordered this one from amazon. It came honed. I did end up picking up a strop and a honing stone as well.

Mike

[Major Kong]

Very nice. I also thought that would be a cool skill to learn, but never took the time or effort to try it out. Let us know how sharp the learning curve is on using it.

[Lumber_Jack]

If you guys haven't been there check out this site

http://straightrazorplace.com

It has everything you need to know about shaving with a straight razor. Great tips for beginners, how-to's and such as well as a forum were people can bicker of the subtle nuances of the skill just like here

Edited September 29, 2011 by Lumber_Jack

[Mike]

Straight Razor Shaving For Beginners | The Art of Manliness

This is the page that got me to consider a straight razor shave.

Mike

[monkeylizard]

Post pics of your stitches.

[Mike]

Cheek meat is still attached. No jugular damage. All is well.

Mike

[JAB]

When I first saw the title, I thought the OP was going to talk about carrying a straight razor in his sock.

I shave with an old safety razor that uses the double-edged blades. The blades are getting a little harder to find (although Walmart usually has them.) I also use a shaving mug with shaving soap and brush. I find that gives me a better shave with fewer nicks than shaving with any of the 35 blade super-mega cartridge shavers and canned shaving cream, shaving gel, etc. Bonus - it is cheaper, too. Much cheaper.

I have a couple of straight razors and 'sort of' collect them. I think they are cool looking and some are danged near works of art (the blade in the OP, for instance, is beautiful.) I don't shave with them, though, as I prefer my throat in its current, unslit condition.

I might as well run an electric sander across my neck as use an electric razor as the effect on my skin would be about the same.

[mikegideon]

Post pics of your stitches.

Real men don't get stitches. He has a stippling tool.

[h2o]

A Razors Tale

Here is another place.

h

[Just2Honor]

Photos of my dad's razor from his college days--graduated in 1928. This was supposed to be a big improvement over a straight razor as the bar pushed down on the skin for a closer shave. Sheffield Steel blade snaps on to the handle inside the case for storage and sharpening. Has a very fine stone on one side and a strop on the other. All fits into one neat package. Made in England by Rolls Razor.

Pictures by morelandr - Photobucket

Colt 45 was in my father-in-law's collection. Serial # is 299900. Shipped to Army April 1918.

[Caster]

Real barbers are a dying breed. No one is taking up the art anymore. I've been to a couple. Got brave and asked for a straight shave once. Now, this old guy knew his stuff. I think he loans his razor to Jewish ants for circumcision. Yikes that thing was sharper than anything I ever seen.

If you've never had a straight shave, I don't know how to describe it. I'm not convinced, we as men, were ever meant to be shaved THAT close. Whew! I didn't even have stubble for a few days, I think it was terrified to come out.

[E4 No More]

Fort Apache: The Bronx

That's what I think of when I see that razor. "Move your head, sucka!"

[Reservoir Dog]

Never had a straight razor shave. I would like to get one, but I will leave that to the professionals. If I tried myself, I'm sure I would hack off a piece of my chin, or slice off an earlobe. No thanks. I will stick with my Gillette Fusion Pro Glide.

[Photoguy67]

Why is everyone so scared to try a straight razor shave? It's actually harder to cut yourself with one than you would think, not impossible, but harder than you think. I have 6 straights and many shaves with only one small cut, and it was VERY small.

[Guest lostpass]

Real barbers are a dying breed. No one is taking up the art anymore. I've been to a couple. Got brave and asked for a straight shave once. Now, this old guy knew his stuff. I think he loans his razor to Jewish ants for circumcision. Yikes that thing was sharper than anything I ever seen.

If you've never had a straight shave, I don't know how to describe it. I'm not convinced, we as men, were ever meant to be shaved THAT close. Whew! I didn't even have stubble for a few days, I think it was terrified to come out.

I had a straight shave once and I thought it was fantastic. Once I got over the fear I found it relaxing and enjoyable. I'd probably do it again if I found a place that would.

[Lumber_Jack]

Franks barbershop in Knoxville is the only place I know of that does straight razor shaves. I haven't had one there but I know they offer the service

[Oh Shoot]

I had a straight shave once and I thought it was fantastic. Once I got over the fear I found it relaxing and enjoyable. I'd probably do it again if I found a place that would.

Oh, I've had several in barbershops back in the day. But having a pro versus moi doing it is a big diff!

- OS