Back after many years away from straight razors

[Antique Hoosier]

I guess sometimes it takes a break, a breath of fresh air, an acknowledgment that you need a change. It has been multiple years since I shaved with a straight razor. I’m slowly working my way back in 2024.

For close to a decade I shaved everyday with a straight razor and accumulated over 800 of them between 2006-2016 or so. I remember MOST of them including some absolute beauties that I wish I still owned after selling off all but a very few, mostly keeping Gentlemen’s set and pairs.

I got into wristwatches between 2014-present day and that is what fascinated me as much if not even more than traditional shaving. Let me tell you, if you thought shaving tools acquisition disorder is bad; avoid luxury wristwatches! Even my wristwatch bug has tapered off sufficiently having sold off all my Rolex and other higher end pieces to wear more affordable fare. This brings me back to straights. I doubt I’ll get back in too deep this time but I’m having fun using and unpacking some lost treasures I haven’t seen in years. Just this morning I found this odd “cousins” pair of Heljestrand, an MK32 and an MK133.

Happy to be back but hopefully more restrained this go around.

 

[Straight up]

Welcome back, looks like you still have some nice razors.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Welcome back, looks like you still have some nice razors.

Thanks. I was happy I hung on to a few of my favorites. I doubt I will purchase any others unless something really spectacular pops up.

 

[Kyriakos 1966]

Well come back.

 

[Frank Shaves]

Welcome back! My guess is that those neural connections are still there and things will come back quickly.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Welcome back! My guess is that those neural connections are still there and things will come back quickly.

Absolutely. Considering I probably did 3000 plus shaves over a decade most of the skills are still there no doubt! I still vividly remember my very first straight razor shave with a 5/8 Wade & Butcher.

 

[Markdad2]

I guess sometimes it takes a break, a breath of fresh air, an acknowledgment that you need a change. It has been multiple years since I shaved with a straight razor. I’m slowly working my way back in 2024.

For close to a decade I shaved everyday with a straight razor and accumulated over 800 of them between 2006-2016 or so. I remember MOST of them including some absolute beauties that I wish I still owned after selling off all but a very few, mostly keeping Gentlemen’s set and pairs.

I got into wristwatches between 2014-present day and that is what fascinated me as much if not even more than traditional shaving. Let me tell you, if you thought shaving tools acquisition disorder is bad; avoid luxury wristwatches! Even my wristwatch bug has tapered off sufficiently having sold off all my Rolex and other higher end pieces to wear more affordable fare. This brings me back to straights. I doubt I’ll get back in too deep this time but I’m having fun using and unpacking some lost treasures I haven’t seen in years. Just this morning I found this odd “cousins” pair of Heljestrand, an MK32 and an MK133.

Happy to be back but hopefully more restrained this go around.

View attachment 1782005

Which watches did you keep?

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Which watches did you keep?

A fraction of what I used to have but many of these I’ve owned and kept for many years. Several SEIKO watches from the 70’s as well as many discontinued pieces from the brand. I have one vintage Citizen Bullhead Chronograph as well to round out the Japanese brands. Two “modern and working” Swiss watches, a Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Autodate and a Porsche Design 1919 Autodater. I also have a non-working Caravelle by Bulova 1969 Pilot World Time GMT I’d love to have repaired / serviced that I bought from an antique store years ago for $10!!!

 

[ZeelandsRoem]

Let me tell you, if you thought shaving tools acquisition disorder is bad; avoid luxury wristwatches!

Oh yeah, it is a familiar story: luxury wristwatches, luxury fountain pens, Jnats, straight razors, bespoke dress shoes, knives, all these can quickly become a rabbit hole.

Got out of collecting fountain pens, kept a few though. Then went into watches, got out after a while but also kept a few. While I don’t think I will get back into these two, there is only one watch (or two) which I would still like to own. Hopefully won’t turn into a rabbit hole (again). Sold most of my straights, kept 30~ish. Now I am thinking to sell most of my Jnats, I have more than 100 which I use maybe once a year and honestly I have a few which could easily satisfy me for the rest of my life if I can change my approach into a more practical one (and not from a “collector” point of view). But hey, life is short so on the other side, we must enjoy it.

Anyway, I (and probably many on the forum) am curious what razors you kept all these years, so it’s good to see you back. And one question, what brought you back into straight razors? What was the real trigger?

Cheers!

 

[Antique Hoosier]

….And one question, what brought you back into straight razors? What was the real trigger?

Honestly I have no idea what triggered it other than I came across the straights I kept and just started back up last week.

 

[Wid]

Nice to see you back. I took a 7 year hiatus from shaving altogether so I’m familiar with your situation. Getting back at it was pretty natural and I’m sure it is for you too

Welcome back.

 

[Markdad2]

A fraction of what I used to have but many of these I’ve owned and kept for many years. Several SEIKO watches from the 70’s as well as many discontinued pieces from the brand. I have one vintage Citizen Bullhead Chronograph as well to round out the Japanese brands. Two “modern and working” Swiss watches, a Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Autodate and a Porsche Design 1919 Autodater. I also have a non-working Caravelle by Bulova 1969 Pilot World Time GMT I’d love to have repaired / serviced that I bought from an antique store years ago for $10!!!

Can't beat a good Seiko. Especially the older ones. The Bucherer brand is fascinating, I love them. I have a nice vintage LeCoultre my Grandfarher left me that I would like to wear but it's delicate. It works, but the stem is very fragile. It looks like it should be on one of the characters from the movie Casino. I'm a big gorilla, it looks silly on me. I too got really into watches, but lately have been wearing a Gshock. I don't have to worry about it, it's light, and the straps are unbelievably comfortable. Oh, and it lights up!!! Thanks for responding, I have admired your watches when you post them in Watch you wearing.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

…..I too got really into watches, but lately have been wearing a Gshock.

THIS ^^^^ For anyone looking to get into watches….. get ONE Great Watch.

 

[Frank Shaves]

For me, it's about finding what I like and understanding why.

At first, a Martian observing me from their hovering craft might mistake me for a collector but if they stuck around long enough they would observe a second phase during which I settle in with the small number of things that bring me joy and carry on and discard the rest. I am more minimalist than materialist.

Case in point. I bought a lot of brushes, creams and soaps to finally discover that I like scrubbier brushes with medium diameter, shorter loft knots made of stiffer hair (like Semogue Torga C5), and soaps made with tallow and coconut oil (like Stirling Unscented with Beeswax).

 

[Steve56]

I wondered where tou went. Welcome back!

 

[Sando]

Glad you’re back. Always enjoyed your perspective on shaving AND the pics of your razors. Definitely top shelf. I’m resisting the urge to collect more watches despite recently inheriting a couple Omega Constellation pie pans. Does anybody inherit collectible straights? Not me…

 

[StillShaving]

Good that you are getting back to your straights, and at a more moderated pace.

I have really enjoyed all your watch posts, you have posted too many nice watches over the years to comment on them all. But two that stand out because they are ones I might not have otherwise known about or paid much attention to are the Carl F. Bucherer (great balance between the bezel, dial, lume, looks, etc) and the Longines Legend Diver Watch. At first I thought the Legend Diver was too busy and basic at the same time, but I came to really appreciate that watch from all your posts.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Good that you are getting back to your straights, and at a more moderated pace…..

Unfortunately against what I earlier thought, SRAD grabbed me pretty hard in the last week. Just pulling some of my favorites out of storage triggered me to look for some other interesting razors. I’ll have some fun unboxingings coming up in the next two weeks but hopefully I can relax and just enjoy them in a rotation of use. I hopefully won’t go even near to the levels I did a decade or more.

As for the Carl F. Bucherer, that is a watch I have worn for over 5 years and it stayed when several Rolex and luxury brands didn’t. You are correct, it is a balanced beauty and an under appreciated brand when ironically was sold to Rolex last year! The Longines Legend Diver was my first “luxury” watch and I loved wearing it. I bought it twice and sold it both times after years of use. Funny thing, when I bought the second one online retailer JomaShop sent me TWO identical ones by mistake. They didn’t realize it until I informed them. I sent one bavk and not even a thank you from them.

 

[DrStrange]

From your postings of recent acquisitions,
it seems to me like you spent much of those years
pondering future acquisitions.

 

[Antique Hoosier]

Good observation! I certainly used the previous decade and a half of buying practically everything in sight to a more focused acquisition plan. I paid up for what I felt were razors I’d enjoy using and cherish and I feel I’m on target.

The only razors I will consider in the future will likely be unusual or historic ones. The inventory of truly exceptional razors is very tough to locate and obtain in my opinion. Of course everything I purchase must be something I’d consider shaving with ultimately although in my travels I’ve met some great guys with amazing “collections” where the razors never get wet. I ask them which ones are their favorites to shave with and most have responded along the lines of “God no! You could hurt yourself shaving with those things” When I was heavily into wristwatches I also met guys who had museum quality collections that didn’t even wear a watch. Different strokes I guess.