Shaving- another skill

[James MacMillan]

For thirty of my thirty three years in the Corps, I shaved with a straight razor.

If you have to shave, that's the only way to do it.

It makes all kinds of sense and logic! - - - but only if you learn to sharpen the razor yourself!

[Howard Clark]

It is very important to learn to maintain the razor yourself. You need a hone and a strop. Beard prep is important. I am partial to old German razors, myself. Though at last count I was now up to an even dozen ivory handled antiques. Most German, some English, and a couple of Swedish made ones. I picked up a lovely seven day set a while back.

One of my friends who also uses a straight razor prefers to use "Dr. Sheffield's Shave Cream in a Tube". It is good stuff, smells nice, and old-timey too. I use it mostly in my travel kit, and at home use the Mary Kay Men's shaving cream. (my wife is a Mary Kay consultant). It is a very good product. I like the soap too.

For rouge on the strop, many things will work. I use one micron diamond paste. One of my friends uses pure lead. Wipe it on, it oxidizes almost instantly, and the PbO is a very soft abrasive that polishes the edge nicely. Of course all the standard disclaimers about lead are in order. I.e. don't eat it, and wash your hands after using it.

[Kent Frazier]

Another good forum is shavemyface.com. I don't use a straight, but I have switched to a DE "safety razor". I also use a shaving cream, mug and brush.
I wouldn't go back to the canned stuff for anything.

Kent

[sharpdressedscot]

I don't know the idea of putting a blade to my face and neck is a bit...scary?

[escherblacksmith]

I'd love to, but my wife won't hear of it. Even the thought of me using a straight razor gives her the screaming heebie-jeebies . . . and I don't even shave my neck!

[Dirk Skene]

I've been using a straight razor for years. As far as I am concerned it is the best way to go. I use an electric to crop my beard & mustash.

[Streetcar]

Funny, I've just started a shaving bug of my own. Granted, I'm not using a straight razor, but I happened across a place called The Art of Shaving in the Bellevue Square Mall.
Their stuff is pretty hoidy-toidy, but I learned quite a bit tallking to the employees. I picked up a brush, pre-shave oil and some new shave cream, and now I get some great results with just a regular Mach 3.

They are also one of the few places in the area to offer a straight razor shave, however, I understand that reservations are recommended.

[kilted in seattle]

I didn't even realize one could get that done in Bellevue. Maybe I should try and work with my meeting schedule this week.

I did find a place in PDX where one could get a straight razor shave. I want to do it at least once to see what advice I can get before I try this on myself.

Hmm. Slinky young women, sharp razors... Something about that makes me a bit nervous.