Straight Razors

[kimjune01]

I have not started shaving yet, but I will.
From an objective point of view, what is the advantage of using a straight razor instead of an electric shaving gizmo? Is the straightrazor to an 1800's musket the electric razor to an M4A1 Carbine? I'm hoping for answers like 'it's cheaper in the long run' or 'significantly better shave after practice'.
Additionally, I'd like to know if a modern-stainless-steel like ZDP-189 performs and sharpens as well as a conventional carbon blade. Thanks.

[silverback]

Ok,

- it's cheap in the long run
- with practice, you can get an extremely smooth shave
;)

also, it's much more fun. You have to buy a shaving brush, of course, and then start trying out all the soaps.

I heard that turkish barbers can shave so close that the first stubbles will show after more than a day. They probably intimidate the hairs. :D

Don't have time now, but I'm planning to start a thread on shaving techniques with a razor, sharpening, brushes, soaps etc., possibly with pictures.

[HoB]

No electric shaver will ever approach even remotely the closeness you get from a straight razor. The difference is vast. I use an electric shaver during the work week because it is fast and easy. I can do it while still half asleep, but in terms of performance it doesn't compare. So on the weekend I use a straight razor. If you want to make comparisons: 1775 Pennsylvania long rifle vs. AK-47 that has been dropped and stomped on several times, would be more appropriate.

A good shave with a straight razor needs some preparation. You need a decent brush and a good soap and prepare the skin for about 3 minutes. I follow the 1950 US Barbermanual and lather up twice: Once to perpare the skin, wipe off and lather up fresh for the shave. I need about 15 min total. About 7 minutes to lather up and strop and about 7 minutes for the shave. Use a good aftershave (meaning not one that smells good but that closes the pores). I really like simple witchhazel, and once it has dried, bayrum. In the winter some skin lotion because the lather removes a lot of skin fat.

A suggestion: Your straight razor never needs to see any water. Wipe off the lather on a paper towel. If you rinse it down, you have to dry it VERY carefully, or it will start to rust.

A straight razor has to swing. This is why a full hollow (1/1) razor grind looks the way it does. Sal and the engineers from Kyocera (not related) once said that a blade that is too hard is not suitable for a razor.

Hope that helps.

[HoB]

I heard that turkish barbers can shave so close that the first stubbles will show after more than a day. They probably intimidate the hairs. :D


I believe it. When I shave with a straight razor, the first stubbles will show at least half a day later than otherwise. It is because good soap will open the pores and they will push the hair outward. So you don't have to struggle hard to cut them off much deeper.

[Tom v S]

A straight razor is much more fun to use, and gives satisfaction when you are done. Also it is so much smoother:)

[butch]

i would think that a straight that was made with ZDP189 would be hard to strop

now that said a ZDP wedge that was honed right might not need much work done keeping sharp a long while

the razors i have made have been W1 and cpm154 if i could get ZDP i might try one in it but just for fun
plans are for me to start W2 and cpm154 maybe 52100

[BHDKnifer]

I know were all knife guys here...but a straight razor? Looks cool, but ill pass. Is that not 1800's tech.? I dont like electric shavers. purchase a gillette mach 3 (3 blades)...fast and safe.

[BHDKnifer]

I checked out your site butch. Nice work! John.

[Shike]

I know were all knife guys here...but a straight razor? Looks cool, but ill pass. Is that not 1800's tech.? I dont like electric shavers. purchase a gillette triple track (3 blades)...fast and safe.

+1. I used a straight razor years ago. What folks here say is true. It is a very close shave, but your face needs to get conditioned to a straight razor. Personally I do not enjoy shaving. It's a pita imo. Nor do I have time for all that stuff anymore. Besides, since I shave my head it would be a bit tough to do with a straight razor:D

[MAT888]

I hate electric shaving.

That's why i opted for gilette triple and a can of foam from a special brand that is not too rich .

All these brush strop and technical info needed for the old fashioned way is to much mumbo jumbo for my morning rituals imho:o

Allthough i would be interested to hear from you experts how it is done :)

[WOTANSON1]

Grow a beard is my advice, shaving is such a pain that I'm forced into every two weeks at most. Then again I'm not a hairy guy, oh except for my back.:o :D :D

Cheers,
Rob

[Tom v S]

I forgot that for a fast shave I use a Gilette Mach 3. But if I have the time I always use the Straight Razor.

[kimjune01]

Thanks alot. It's good to hear opinions from people not from a shaving forum.

[knifetogunfight]

A good shave with a straight razor needs some preparation. You need a decent brush and a good soap and prepare the skin for about 3 minutes. I follow the 1950 US Barbermanual and lather up twice: Once to perpare the skin, wipe off and lather up fresh for the shave. I need about 15 min total. About 7 minutes to lather up and strop and about 7 minutes for the shave. Use a good aftershave (meaning not one that smells good but that closes the pores). I really like simple witchhazel, and once it has dried, bayrum. In the winter some skin lotion because the lather removes a lot of skin fat.



Daaaang.....
I dont think I could find that much time in a day to shave.

That's why I grew a beard. I think it looks better, and I dont have to shave every other day. (just some around the neck and cheeks when I feel like tidying up)

I looked into straight razors a while back though.... as far as saving money in the long run.... it will be a very long run. A decent razor, plus a decent strop, plus some good rouge/stropping compound, along with a good brush, good soap, and good after shave.... oh, and lets not forget a good fine grit bench stone for getting that razors edge....

You're talking several hundred dollars potentially.
Granted, you could get a cheap/used razor, a lowcost stropping kit, and sharpen it on a cheap stone for a little over 100 bucks altogether. Maybe cheaper?

Eitherway, most of that stuff isnt really available at the
corner drug store anymore... hahah

[Agent Starling]

I know were all knife guys here...but a straight razor? Looks cool, but ill pass. Is that not 1800's tech.?

Are you kidding? :) ...what could be more sexy than a guy shaving with a straight razor! ;) :D

[BHDKnifer]

Are you kidding? :) ...what could be more sexy than a guy shaving with a straight razor! ;) :D

Oops:o When I saw you posted I thought I was guna get hell for saying "knife guys". I should of said "knife peeps". Sorry agent.:o John;)

[BHDKnifer]

By the way I shave with a fully-serrated endura.:eek: John.

[Agent Starling]

Oops:o When I saw you posted I thought I was guna get hell for saying "knife guys". I should of said "knife peeps". Sorry agent.:o John;)

No need to apologize, bro...I take it all in stride (most of the time)...:)

[Bolster]

Are you kidding? :) ...what could be more sexy than a guy shaving with a straight razor! ;) :D

How about a guy who can shave in 15 seconds flat with his electric Braun, and not keep everybody waiting? That's pretty sexy. Although I am thinking of buying the electric razor attachment for my new Fein MultiMaster so I can shave EVEN FASTER ... which would be like having a one horse-power razor ... just rips the hair out of your face ... more power! :)

[butch]

fun to grind
not bad to handle
razors are cool and relaxing brake from normal knives. its not often your asked to make extreme one use knives
this is ones in the works

[Agent Starling]

I love the scales, what are they made out of?

[The Mastiff]

Butch, great stuff, as usual the grinds look beautiful. How far do you thin down the edge when making one? Are we talking very, very thin? Moderately thin compared to a light use knife, ? I'm curious about making them, difficulty level compared to one of your folders, Etc.. Joe

[HoB]

Daaaang.....
I dont think I could find that much time in a day to shave.


I guess it depends on the beard. I need about 4-5 minutes with an electrical shaver, so the actual shaving time is not all that different for me. I was curious myself, so I clocked it a few times. Besides, a good thing doesn't want to be rushed.... :).

To give you guys an idea how a professional would do it (btw. this is from the Barber Manual published in 1950....so much for 1800 tech...). People in the past would simply take their time for it. In our fast paced society we just don't know how to do that anymore....which doesn't apply just to shaving...

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2347/p1010980mr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/8881/p1010974pi5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/3449/p1010975ox9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9709/p1010976hx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MANIXWORLD]

At which degree angle should the edge be of a straight razor for sharp,clean shaving?
the steel used on these straight razors,' are they all stainless,or can a semi stainless steel like D2, be used on a straight razor?

[butch]

so here is a shot of the tip showing how thin the blade is
now then the spin of this blade is .185 thick and the knife under it is a necker thats also about 1/8 thick spine
the thin part on the razor is .012 thick :D
ground it all out on a 2 inch wheel on my grinder

http://www.harnerknives.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10002/DSC05335sm.jpg

[MAT888]

By the way I shave with a fully-serrated endura.:eek: John.

Yeah right .... I want evidence in a picture lmaootf....:D :p

[MAT888]

How about a guy who can shave in 15 seconds flat with his electric Braun, and not keep everybody waiting? That's pretty sexy. Although I am thinking of buying the electric razor attachment for my new Fein MultiMaster so I can shave EVEN FASTER ... which would be like having a one horse-power razor ... just rips the hair out of your face ... more power! :)


You must be into SM i guess:confused: lol

[MAT888]

fun to grind
not bad to handle
razors are cool and relaxing brake from normal knives. its not often your asked to make extreme one use knives
this is ones in the works

That's a hell of a nice straight one? What blade steel did you use butch?;)
Looking at the last linked pict. i must say you're very scilled with grinding those thin edges butch. Keep up the good work :)!!!

[The Mastiff]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Butch. Excellent pictures by the way. Man that is thin. You must have steady hands.

Are you a good shot? With that kind of steadyness and hand eye coordination I'd think you'd take take to it like a duck to water. Joe

[butch]

the blade steel is cpm 154
but from what im learning most good real fine grained steel work well

so far as my shooting
well the corps made me an ok shot i guess ;)
im working on the pistol tho didnt get to play with one much while in. now learning with a glock G36 .45 ACP woohooo

[jaislandboy]

sweet razor butch, great job :cool:

[The Mastiff]

so far as my shooting
well the corps made me an ok shot i guess
im working on the pistol tho didnt get to play with one much while in. now learning with a glock G36 .45 ACP woohooo


Didn't know you were a marine. Same as Army, unless you were an MP or other such job pistols weren't high on the list as combat weapons.

I've never shot the G36. Just the big G21. I have the G23, and 27, both in 40 S&W, and the G17 in 9mm.

You know Butch, in all three weapons I haven't ever had a malfunction of any kind. I had a S&W 4516 in 45acp and that thing had trouble all the time, so I sold it. Joe

[Monocrom]

I have not started shaving yet, but I will.
From an objective point of view, what is the advantage of using a straight razor instead of an electric shaving gizmo?

Electric shavers do nothing more than massage my stubble. I guess my 5 O'clock shadow is too tough for any mere shaver. A straight razor will actually get the job done. Still, not the first shaving tool I'd recommend to someone new to shaving. Press too hard with a semi-dull razor, and you could cut your own throat.

Avoid cheap, disposable razors. They're great for tearing up your face. I use a Schick Quattro. But replacement blades became more expensive than gas! ($9 for a 4-pack, at Wal-Mart). So I'm using a new one. Found it at Wal-Mart too. The Personna Matrix3. Handle made in China. But blades made in America. Three blades + a comfort strip on one head. Works well. I'd say half a notch below my Schick Quattro, but at a much lower price. So that's not too bad at all. Replacement blades are about half the price of Quattro blades.

[shu]

This isn't what you asked, but my advice would be to get a safety razor--they provide a close shave without the time or expense of a straight razor, while not tearing up your face like a cartridge shaver (3 blades and a 'comfort strip' my @$$).

Electric razors did a fine job until I hit puberty, at which point they became a convenient way to irritate my face....

[Piercieve]

I've never shot the G36. Just the big G21. I have the G23, and 27, both in 40 S&W, and the G17 in 9mm.

You know Butch, in all three weapons I haven't ever had a malfunction of any kind. I had a S&W 4516 in 45acp and that thing had trouble all the time, so I sold it. Joe

I'm a Kimber man myself. During the break-in period I did have some malfunctions, mostly because the gun is incredibly tight. No problems after 120 rounds or so. Only complaint is it doesn't handle the cheapest ammo too well.

[The Mastiff]

Only complaint is it doesn't handle the cheapest ammo too well.

Glocks don't take too kindly to lead reloads. Strictly jacketed or HP type rounds. It's a no fail auto with those provided you keep a firm grip. "limp wristing" will cause stovepipes due to the already slight flex in the plasttic frame.

Kimbers are expensive, but nice. SD for you and your loved ones is worth any price though. Joe