Thread: I need convincing

Thanks much for all the replies. Much wisdom has been shared here and the response was quick. (Do you guys have jobs?) I do want to do this. I'm the kind of guy who does his own cooking, makes his own beer, hunts with a muzzleloader and loves new things. (Is this new?) Thanks I needed that. You've given me a talking to.

Originally Posted by gsurko

(Do you guys have jobs?)

Yes but only to help keep the straight shaving habit going.

Lots of good advice in the previous answers. I think one instinctively knows if the cutthroat shave is for them.
Most of us struggled while learning how to use a cutthroat.
The main thing is: We enjoyed that struggle.

Originally Posted by gsurko

Thanks much for all the replies. Much wisdom has been shared here and the response was quick. (Do you guys have jobs?) I do want to do this. I'm the kind of guy who does his own cooking, makes his own beer, hunts with a muzzleloader and loves new things. (Is this new?) Thanks I needed that. You've given me a talking to.

It is good to see another home brewer here.

And yea I have the luxury to be able to read and post at work.

-Jeremy

Originally Posted by gsurko

Thanks much for all the replies. Much wisdom has been shared here and the response was quick. (Do you guys have jobs?) I do want to do this. I'm the kind of guy who does his own cooking, makes his own beer, hunts with a muzzleloader and loves new things. (Is this new?) Thanks I needed that. You've given me a talking to.

My dear gsurko:

Good for you on your decision.

If you need to, practice first with a pair of dull butter knives taped together in the shape of an open straight razor. Work on your cheeks only. That should also help with the optics of the straight razor against your face.

One step at a time. Then spend a few days with a real straight and work on the cheeks only. Use your double edge for the rest your handsome face. Then little by little expand your territory, so to speak. Keep the pressure light, the angle somewhere around 20 or 25 degrees. I suggest using two hands, but if you want to use your dominant hand, that's fine, too.

Stay with it. Throw away the clock. Most of all, focus on two special points: that you want to shave with a straight razor, and that you want to master your skill. Please keep us informed of your progress. If you have questions, please post them.

As for my job, I work from home. Currently I am working on my second novel, so these posts are a nice break for me, for one thing. The other is the joy of sharing what little I know about the art and craft of straight razor shaving.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by gsurko

Thanks much for all the replies. Much wisdom has been shared here and the response was quick. (Do you guys have jobs?) I do want to do this. I'm the kind of guy who does his own cooking, makes his own beer, hunts with a muzzleloader and loves new things. (Is this new?) Thanks I needed that. You've given me a talking to.

Good Lord man! Buck up! Grab your razor, get motivated and shave! This hobby is crying out for spirits like yours. In no time you will be giving advice to the next guy that "needs convincing".

Originally Posted by gsurko

Alright here goes. Why do I want to use a STR8? I've been reading all the forums, watched all the videos, bought Lynn's DVD and committed the ultimate sin and bought a Gold Dollar razor and Philly strop from Rup Razor and gave it a go a few (Maybe 3) times. I'm willing to admit that perhaps the Gold Dollar is junk but the act of STR8 shaving is an effort in futility for me. My hands don't know where to go or what to do, I look at that razor up against my neck in the mirror and I want to poop my pants. I don't have one of those round faces that everybody on the videos has, I'm more sculptured with sharp corners and pronounced bones and ridges. Let's not even talk about the fact that I have a number of birthdays under my belt and I'm wearing a few well earned wrinkles. I'm looking at the razor and strop sets at SRD. and before I pull the trigger on a nearly $200.00 purchase, is it worth it? I get real good shaves with a DE. HELP!

Sounds to me like you are trying to talk yourself out of it rather than into it. A gold dollar razor from rup is not your normal gold dollar, Ken throws away the junk ones, and I have been usung his filly from the start and still use it, now and again, even though I have a TM linen/latigo. Your starting setup should be able to give you a good shave, but it will take far longer than three shaves. I bought my first razor from SRD and even with it I had troubles, as I suppose we all do, until I got a little practice with it. However as long as you are blaming your gear, you will never improve, since it is your technique where the problem lies, imo. The biggest single improvement I ever had was the day I started to feel confident, being tenative causes most of the problems at first, atleast for me. Just remember, people have been shaving with these longer than they havent, they have been used by young and old, wrinkles or not, angular or not and they have given close comfortable shaves for millions, so it is possible, it is just up to you. IMO, if you spend the money for a new set up, you will end up a thinking it a waste, at this point, since you seem to be upset about a 60 dollar set not giving you a good shave, how much more upset will you be after spending 200 and it still wont give a good shave. Good technique will provide a closer more comfortable shave, even with a duller razor, than a sharp razor will give without the proper technique. If you really do think it is your razor, try the classifieds, you should be able to find a good shave ready razor for far cheaper, and the filly you already have will work long enough until you can decide for sure if this is something you want to do, just not something you think you want to do. Then again if you buy a lynn honed razor from SRD, you will leave yourself no excuses, however your razor from Ken should leave you no excuses as well. You can do it, it just takes time and practice, good luck and enjoy.

Originally Posted by gsurko

I do want to do this. I'm the kind of guy who does his own cooking, makes his own beer, hunts with a muzzleloader and loves new things.

Well, friend, there isn't much a newb like me could add to this discussion. Obie and others have shared quite a bit of wisdom and encouragement with you.

We know that in most developed countries, daily shaving is a social obligation tied to just about every facet of life. That's why Mr. Gillette's invention of the safety razor became such a popular icon of the modern world. And with the development of soapy foam-in-a-can, men were able to get in and out of the bathroom in as little as ten minutes. That was considered "freedom," even though the results paled when compared to what can be done with a straight razor. That is part of what draws both men and women to straight razor shaving today--the results--but it's much, much more.

Straight razor shaving has been a dying art. Just two manufacturers of quality straight razors--one in Germany, the other in France--exist today. Together they have met the worldwide demand for high quality new straight razors for several decades. It doesn't take a math wizard to realize that is not much of a demand at all. When and if those two manufacturers could no longer make a decent profit, the source of new straight razors would come to a close, as the manufacturers in countries like Pakistan and China have not matured enough to produce consistent quality. (Consistent is the keyword; given time they may catch up, but still. . . .)

Some straight razor users have elevated the practice of shaving to an art; others engage in it as more of a beloved hobby. Only you can decided whether you'd like to be a hobbyist, or an artist, or just take an easy, quick ten minutes each morning to meet your social obligations.

But look at what just happened--the "much, much more" I was alluding to. This morning you posted a cry for help and within seven minutes, other members began responding to you. You've been surrounded by skilled, knowledgeable, caring people who've never met you and didn't know you from Adam. Yet they have been sharing advice, encouragement and even a little "tough love." You've also received offers of private assistance, again, from people who have never met you. That, my friend, is "community." I don't think you need me to tell you how rare "community" is in the world today.

Just taking ten easy minutes in the morning to meet one's social obligations for a bare face is what the vast majority in the world pursue. It's easy. It's convenient. But you could choose to make straight razor shaving a hobby and you may discover that the better you get, the more you love doing it. Someday you might even become an artist. It's all up to you.

You have the opportunity to be an integral part of this community that is not only saving the art of straight razor shaving from extinction, but is helping it grow and spread throughout the world. There will be many newcomers who will need and benefit from your experience; count on it.

There's no putting a dollar value on what we have here--it's priceless. I'm new to this whole thing too. It's taking me time to develop my technique because the hair on my face grows in a pattern not unlike the crown of my head, but I'm getting there. In the meantime, it's great being a part of this awesome community. We all hope you'll stick it out and be a part too.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

I agree with Jason, your gear is good.

The Gold Dollars sold by Ken are filed through to ensure their quality (he won't sell it if he can't hone it and get a good shave with it), and the only reason the Filly is so cheap is because it doesn't have any hardware or glam to it - but the leather is just as high-quality as a more expensive strop.

So, nothing wrong with that.

This takes time. Anything new takes time, but with straights, sometimes it can seem to be harder to learn, simply because the cost of mistakes can be rather painful.

But hey, think back to when you first started shaving. I remember I used to hack myself to pieces with those stupid pink disposable Bics. I have a matching scar on each shin where I gouged out my skin by going too hard with a disposable. Those scars are from when I was in the 7th grade, and I've still got them.

I certainly haven't hurt myself anywhere near that bad with a straight. Makes it all seem worth-while!

Originally Posted by Morty

Just two manufacturers of quality straight razors--one in Germany, the other in France--exist today.

Interesting...

1. Dovo
2. Böker
3. Puma
4. Revisor
5. Wacker

There are in fact more, see Shop von Rasurpur.de - Alles für die perfekte Nassrasur. As far as Gold Dollar razors are concerned, our own position is clear: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ar-razors.html. I encourage everyone who has not done that already to read this article.

Regards,
Robin