Thread: Holding the razor

It's a J.A. Whitson 4/8 from the early 1900's. It's not my very first razor but is was my first vintage razor (I now have about 30 vintage razors...I know, it's addictive...LOL!). I was very lucky when I bought it because it has zero wear on the blade. I think there's a good chance it was never used because it measures exactly 4/8 from end to end! I bought it back in the end of 2009 and never bothered honing it until a couple of months ago. It turns out to be my best shaver! Go figure!

Well, like i said it's a great looking piece and it's good to know there are still plenty of gems out there. Thanks again for all the tips.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The way they show in the old manuals was supposedly the way you would have the best control of the razor. As far as it being uncomfortable there are many things that are uncomfortable at first but once you do it for a while it seems very natural.

Personally, I'm a fan of the classic hold and I think everyone should master it. After that you go your own way.

I tried this for the first time this morning and found it to be really, really, comfortable and secure. I knew where the blade was going and it felt really comfortable.

I did notice that it made me a little more heavy handed. I'll have to work on the pressure aspect but the grip gave me a real boost in speed and confidence.

Thank you,
-- Shoki

HMMM! I'm going to try that. Even though I've had great success with my current grip, I'm always looking for ways to improve. Judging by the looks of the age of that picture, I'm sure it comes from a well experienced user of a str8. After all, that was the only type of razor anyone used in those days. I read in a book about straight razors that WWII was about the time when we started making the transition to DE razors. Are there any str8 historians that can confirm that?

Originally Posted by kcarlisle

Your question made me think for a minute and I had to go and hold my razor to see for myself.

This is the grip I use. Please note, for me to turn my hand toward the camera (Taking the pic myself), it gives the appearance of a tight grip. You should always hold the razor just firm enough to have control because it helps you to feel the razor. If your grip is too tight and you snag on a pimple or other bump on your face, it's almost assured to turn into a nick or cut.

I tried your grip this morning as well as the original in the old pamphlet. The older one is a bit tough to just pick up, definitely one more thing to learn, but everything I've picked up thus far has been well worth it. What's one more thing. Your grip works very well and comfortable. Thanks for the tip.

Originally Posted by joshb1000

I tried your grip this morning as well as the original in the old pamphlet. The older one is a bit tough to just pick up, definitely one more thing to learn, but everything I've picked up thus far has been well worth it. What's one more thing. Your grip works very well and comfortable. Thanks for the tip.

For me the classic grip just clicked. It's really the same as how you would hold and use a pocket comb. 3 fingers on one side, thumb on the other. Your fingers stay toward the top of the comb so you can comb your hair. With the razor you shave your face in a natural "combing motion".

Once I thought about the grip in those terms it really feels a lot more natural. Now I just need to work on my light touch!

--Shoki

I'm sure overall it will begin to become more natural I just need to work on my non-dominant hand. That technique leaves a little to be desired. All in good time though. Thanks for the insight about just holding the razor like a comb, that makes sense and I'll have to try to think of it that way when I use that method.

I would imagine too that the "pamphlet grip" is closer to what a barber would use if the str8 didn't have the barber's notch at the toe end...I'll have to try the two grips I saw here...

Originally Posted by certifiedbodyman

I would imagine too that the "pamphlet grip" is closer to what a barber would use if the str8 didn't have the barber's notch at the toe end...I'll have to try the two grips I saw here...

Maybe I'm missing something, but how does the barber's notch affect holding the razor?

The barber's notch doesn't have anything to do holding a razor. Most opinions I've read on what a barber's notch is for point to easy opening and that's about it.

I tried that grip in the old black & white pic and couldn't use it. I think that may be the way a barber would hold a razor shaving someone else but for me it doesn't work. Given the angle I have to view myself in the mirror, my hand completely covers my view of the blade. With the grip in the pic I posted, I'm able to view almost all of the blade while shaving.

I'm so glad my pic helped you out. That's what we are all here for....To share our knowledge and experience so everyone can find what works best for thier own personal needs.

Happy shaving and hope you stay with it. Here's how much I enjoy shaving with a str8. I've been at this for only a year and a half and have always grown a beard through the winter months from about September to March. This year, just yesterday, I shaved it off because I missed shaving with my str8 so much. LOL but, true!!