Comments on: Shave Like Your Great Grandpa: The Ultimate Straight Razor Shaving Guide

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:57:07 +0000

I use a DE right now but I first purchased a straight razor. I was not shaving with it correctly or it was not sharp enough…I bought a ceramic stone to hone it, and I honed it, but still was unable to get it to cut correctly. The DE is amazing and I am NEVER going back to the fusion but I still want to shave with my straight razor I have locked away in a drawer. I hope I didn’t ruin the blade trying to hone it and have to send it off but this article makes me want to go and attempt the straight razor shave again…

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:42:17 +0000

So I decided this past year when I turned 30 that I wanted to learn eventually how to shave with a straight razor. Knowing that the investment was going to be rather large, and not wanting to make a mistake I decided to wean myself into it by first purchasing the DE razor and basic shaving brush and working my way up to it. One of the marked best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m still a bit reserved about making the move up to the straight razor (I’ve got sharp jaws that are a pain to work with), I’m hoping the next transition will be a good one. One question: The care of the razor (sharpening/honing/stropping) I’m nervous about. While learning, is it possible to ruin the blade? Is a introductary straight razor needed before purchasing the final one?

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:02:52 +0000

Just bought a German Maxard, works great. Wondering if anyone knows anything about this brand?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:59:28 +0000

*definitely

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:49:13 +0000

John, really? The military banned straight razors? You should definately only speak when you know what you’re talking about.

Justin, thank you for the link to the Shaving Made Easy book, it is excellent!

I am in the military and I can’t tell you how many times my superiors have ragged me because of my shave. No one believes that I shave in the morning before work because after lunch I look like Grizzly Adams. I’m sold, thank you for the introduction to this particular art of manliness.

By: James

James — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:44:04 +0000

Someone stole my straight razor at the locker room.

By: James

James — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:58:24 +0000

Thanks for the article. I found it to be very informative. It tipped the scales for me, causing me to bite the bullet & enter the world of straight razor shaving. Can’t wait for my package to arrive!

By: Justin

Justin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:14:49 +0000

I really enjoyed this article. I was interested in reading the book, too, however I don’t really think I’d like to pay $4 for an ePub that’s available from the Internet Archive (scanned from the Library of Congress’s original copy) for free…

Here’s the link if anyone is interested in reading it and doesn’t want to pay for it: http://ia360618.us.archive.org/2/items/shavingmadeeasyw0020th/shavingmadeeasyw0020th.pdf

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:22:03 +0000

I did it. I went and bought a cheapie SR with disposable blades. I love the thing. Only one little cut yesterday. True, it takes more time, but I feel much more manly today!

By: Dennard

Dennard — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:40:04 +0000

I shaved for years using a safety (double edge) razor and loved it. I’m keeping my beard for now, but if I decide to shave it off, I’m tempted to try straight razor shaving. It might not be for me, but you can’t deny its manliness.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:51:56 +0000

I have a straight razor kit (sans the hone) and know how to shave with the straight, but I use my DE razor mostly. The trick with a straight, in my experience is keeping the edge sharp and stropping it correctly. I ruined the edge a couple of times with poor stropping and had to send it out to get properly honed again. A bad edge on a razor = bad shave. Got to be nice and sharp.

But, man, there really is nothing like giving yourself a good straight razor shave. I swear it increases testosterone. I always feel like a bad a** for the rest of the day when I use my straight. I’m hoping to refine my straight razor skills in the future.

By: hejsan

hejsan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:47:15 +0000

If you truly master a straight razor shave,
you will get the best closest shave possible with no irritation to your skin whatsoever
but the learning curve for straight razor shaving is steeper than shaving with a DE razor.

By: 1776J

1776J — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:52:30 +0000

Wonderful article!

Great stuff.

However, it is a misnomer that you will get a closer shave with a straight razor. The fact is, it depends a lot on the individual’s skin and toughness (or lack thereof) of their skin.
In the past I have gone to several barbers who did indeed give straight razor shaves, and they all told me that you will get a closer shave with your modern blade because with three or even two blades, one lifts as the other cuts the hairs. The real issue with this that most people are not aware of, is one that can be a menace to us men,… INGROWN HAIRS! Yes, indeed the hair is cut close to the skin, in fact, TO CLOSE, as it is actually pulled out of the skin a little with the first blade and then actually cut with the second blade, thus resulting in a hair that recedes back INTO the pores or the skin, likewise the hair then often grows on an angle, dirt or grease gets into the hair follicle/pores and BINGO,… you got yourself an ingrown hair,… or several!

In fact, I myself actually have a tough beard that needs to be gone over in at last two times, in two different directions in order to get that “baby’s behind” closeness. It is however, much easier to go with an old turn of the century Gilette safety razor or something of the like. Less chances for ill-fated cuts, and especially the nicks associated with us men who have shapely faces, chins, cheeks, etc.

Otherwise, break out a good straight blade,… whip out the hone and read up a LOT before taking a whack at your face!

When done correctly, yes it is a joy, though after several passes on tough beards, your skin pays the price of being beat up a little.

By: John

John — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:26:44 +0000

I heard this is a great way to scar your face and cause infections. I was also told that straight razors are banned by the military for these reasons. If you are doing this to save money you may end up paying more in the long run due to hospital bills.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:54:25 +0000

its expensive starting out but you can find forums and get a quality razor and strop and lots more information. i have been doing this for a while now and its better, cheaper and relaxing. like Jon said done try to hone it yourself if your just learning how to shave you will ruin the edge of the blade. good luck to anyone wanting to learn how to do this. all i can say is take your time and dont get in a hurry!