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Anyone ever use a straight razor?

Jack Denfeld

22:47 / 08.06.03

Not on rival gang members or anything like that. Has anyone ever used a straight razor to shave their face? I found one that I bought on a whim a year or two ago, and am thinking about using it. I have questions. The razor is not sharp at all. How should I sharpen it? With a sharpening stone? What's that leather strap for? You know, in the movies, when they slide the straight razor up and down that leather strap? What's that do? And is it the cleanest shave ever? Does this traditional tool blow the mach-3 and other new disposable razors out of the water, or is it an antiquated object best left in the past? Anyone?

Lilly Nowhere Late

22:55 / 08.06.03

At the risk of falling for a stupendous joke I don't get, here is my
expert answer to your querry:
Yes I have used a straight razor. One should be a bit careful using
a straight on oneself, perhaps try it on a friend first. The leather
strap is for sharpening the blade. Your best bet, judging by your
lack of experience is to go first to a real barbers and have a proper
shave. London has a plethora of "Gentlemen's Barbers", I recommend
Mayfair and Bermondsy as places to seek one out. Its got to be worth
it for the experienc if
nowtelse. Observe and learn.
I am a professional of course.

Jack Denfeld

23:03 / 08.06.03

How hard could it be? It's a long straight blade with a handle and everything. Does that leather strap really sharpen it? Will it sharpen mine, which is really dull, or should i do the initial sharpening with a sharpening stone? The knife guy I bought it from a couple of years ago said I should blow up a bunch of balloons, put shaving cream on them, and try to wipe the cream off with the straight razor until I was good enough to do it without popping the balloons. But I think I'd rather be found dead in my bathroom, in a pool of my own blood, clutching a razor than shave balloons.

Jack Denfeld

00:46 / 09.06.03

And why did you stop using the straight razor? What were the disadvantages? And you never mentioned how a straight razor holds up to modern razors.

The Return Of Rothkoid

01:29 / 09.06.03

I think it's pretty simple: regular mod razor (like one of those three-blade dooblies) is all about Getting The Job Done. A straight-razor is a performative kinda thing - it's about luxury, skill, and looking like a bit of a Flash Harry. It's a big boy's toy, whereas the modern is really just functional. You can't be running for the train while you're straight-razoring, really.

New ones are hideously expensive - good ones at least. Solingen steel ones here are about $250. But they are rather sexy. I have my grandfather's old one, and it's still superb; you just need to use the strop regularly to ensure optimum beard-but-not-face-shredding sharpness.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

02:44 / 09.06.03

Denfeld: You are the Barbelith Spy, and I claim my five pounds. All these questiony threads can mean only salesmanship or spyfullness, and you are selling nothing. Ergo, spy.

I use a leccy razor, except for when I have nowhere to plug it in (like now). If leccy razor is not an option, I use the second cheapest disposable. (On bonce, for the wildly curious. Currently also on legs, for I am walking thru many many brambles on my jaunts and shaving is a less scary option than elastoplast on hairy legs. Yeowchies.)

As to straight razors: Sharpen using sage advice above, and commonsense if avaliable. You are fit to shave a fellow being if (with yr SHARP razor) you can scrape shaving foam from all over a balloon and you don't pop it.

sleazenation

10:17 / 09.06.03

I have had my head shaved with a straight razor in a gentleman's barber in Toronto. An experience and very close shave. I would be very reluctant to let someone witout training anywhere near me with a cut-throat razor tho...

Spaniel

10:38 / 09.06.03

But is it a better shave? Will my skin be extra silky soft?

I must have this information, straight razor experts.

sleazenation

10:58 / 09.06.03

well, it was better than the electric shave i got of German guy in the hostel i was staying at at the time...

Char Aina

12:11 / 09.06.03

the barber near me in london when i was there had stopped using the old 'cut throat' razors, apparently because of an article he had read saying that the barber at the savoy(i think) had stopped.

both thought the Mach 3 was a superior shave, both closer and safer.

i never got a shave from him, and i might have been more tempted if he had been using a cut throat razor.

The Strobe

14:11 / 09.06.03

Yes; there was an article recently (but I think I've thrown it away now) in the Telegraph weekend section on the charm of a good shave at a proper barbers, and indeed, the chap pointed out that unless specifically requested, he'd use a Mach 3 for a whole host of reasons.

I still wouldn't mind to try a cut-throat, though, simply for the charm. And the whole Lindsay-Anderson-If...-ness of it.

Mr Messy

14:21 / 09.06.03

I tried to get a cut throat shave at a barbers a year ago, but the gentleman refused. He said my face was a bit too mashed up (obviously not his exact words) hence he'd be too scared of cutting me, and used a Mach 3 instead.

Spaniel

19:27 / 09.06.03

Won't be trading in the trusty ol' Mach 3 then.

Don't know how anyone with truly manly facial hair could shave with an electric.

_Boboss

09:04 / 10.06.03

i've recently gone from wilkinson sword to mach 3 and it cuts a very satisfying slash i must say. smooth and all, but a bit difficult for safe traction on the upper lip. just a bit o practice, i'm sure

■

17:20 / 10.06.03

Pshaw!
Don't hold with all this slimy-no-traction lubrastrip and girly cages on the blades nonsense.
Give me a good old Contour. Notice how the refills disappeared from all the shops two years ago and then suddenly made a reappearance? Yup, that'd be people who like to control what they're cutting making a fuss and demanding proper blades back. Only time I ever cut myself shaving was with one of those slippy strippy gadgets.
That said, the only time I ever let a barber use a cuthroat on me was when he was tidying up the back of a haircut. Gave me a fungal infection which has taken three years to clear...

finger n' thump

19:41 / 10.06.03

Jack Denfield: goddd bless yer macho heart! I luv yer, I do! (in a manly way)

HCE

20:01 / 10.06.03

I've only used one on my legs. I got a closer shave than with disposables, I think because I was taking particular care to keep the skin stretched tight. I didn't attempt to shave near my knees, however, just the easy parts. Not a practical choice for regular work, but quite nice as part of an indulgent experience.

Spaniel

20:18 / 10.06.03

The trusty old Bic and its pals invariably cut the shit out of my face whilst simultaneously leaving almost every hair totally intact.

WHOOSH MACH 3 POW!

pointless and uncalled for

15:04 / 11.06.03

I have a couple of times. More interestingly I have been shaven with a straight razor. There's this barbers in Toronto that I nused to go to and occasionally, if I was going on a Sunday, I would go for a shave as well.

It's a very wierd feeling having someone hold a very sharp blade around your neck and face. The word ebullient comes to mind but I'm not sure why or even what it means.

Spaniel

16:07 / 11.06.03

Knives held to your throat make you...

cheerful and full of energy?

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