Like being cut?

[Huxley]

Not so much in a masochistic sense, more in the wth have you done to your face look.

Just done a nice little slice on my top lip, like most cuts it happened when i moved a resting edge, bit of a noob error but there you go.

Anyway i'll be getting me some very quiet looks, some might even say how nuts i am with the odd one or two admiring it.

Personally i love this, sets me apart from the rest that think they get 'a best a man can get'

So what's your kicks about straight shaving?

 

[TstebinsB]

I'm a simple man. I use straight razors because they give me the best shave. If I could have gotten a shave equally great with safety razors or even cartridge razors, I never would've tried straight razors.

EDIT: OK. I actually read the entire post and not just a few lines. I don't think I've ever been cut from a Western razor. I've had a few from Japanese razors though.

 

[RayH]

I'm just now getting into it. Using a Dovo Shavette. The straight I bought at an antique store isn't shave ready yet (I'm working on it slowly). My shaves have improved over a two week period of time from where I savaged my face (should've stopped but didn't) to where as of last night I had an almost BBS shave. Someone said, maybe here or at The Shave Den, that shaving with a straight is addictive. I'm finding that to be true.

 

[Alacrity59]

I do cut myself once in a while. I feel like a stupid git when I do it . . .but zing . . . fark . . yeah that was silly. I try my best to heal it as quickly as possible.

I'm active so maybe it was due to getting close to the brush when snowmobiling or out on an ATV. Maybe a close encounter with a rose bush. etc.

 

[brianw]

Only cut myself when I get distracted.... I learned with a straight so using one puts me back to simpler time and I can almost feel my grandad in the room giving me pointers

 

[dpmtherrien]

I've been straight shaving for a few months now, and I've reached the point where I can do a very decent shave. However every so often I'll mess up and give myself a slight nick.

The thing I like about straight shaving is just the fact that not everyone does it. There's a sense of accomplishment about it.

 

[dmcconnell]

I'm 6 months in and find that I nick myself much less frequently - maybe once every few weeks and it is usually pretty minor now. I do have a scar on my cheek to remind me of my worst cut and all the lessons that accompanied it.

I use a straight for a bunch of reasons: It is a fantastic shave, I love the nostalgia, I love the beautiful razors, I enjoy shaving with a blade I honed and maintain myself, it makes me feel a bit elite ... very few people know how to do it, and it took a lot of effort and patience to learn and every time I shave I feel proud of what I have done.

 

[taffy]

I hate cutting myself, been cut free now for quite a few shaves, but know one is around the corner waiting for a slip up from me

 

[Luc]

I cut myself here and there, nothing serious.

It's always, mmm, I think I cut myself. No blood? Must be right, a tiny bit of AS, yup, I did cut myself!

 

[SRock]

I cut myself here and there, nothing serious.

It's always, mmm, I think I cut myself. No blood? Must be right, a tiny bit of AS, yup, I did cut myself!

Yup, that's how it goes!

 

[Huxley]

Followed with lots of screaming in the bathroom i'll bet.

 

[mattbikes1]

I only cut myself when I try to do something new in an aggressive way (like XTG on my angular face without proper stretching and puffing my cheeks out). Too many passes always rewards me with a weeper or two. I love the simplicity of the straight razor. I like tools and straights are great ones. Like anything else in life, they work better when you take the time to learn how to use them properly.

 

[Slash McCoy]

You should be basically cut-free after your first shave. Your first shave teaches you the proper angle of attack, and to not slide the razor sideways etc. You should be going only with the grain for the first month or two. Save the fancy stuff for later, when you have a better grasp of the techniques.

 

[Pumpkin]

So what's your kicks about straight shaving?

I love the fact that I'd completely throw a census taker if I'm ever asked in the street "what razor do you use?"

I love that I'm helping to keep alive a tradition that's almost disappeared.

Probably most importantly: I love the fact that I'm already getting consistently good shaves (even an occasional excellent) after less than 40 str8 shaves.

 

[Loner16]

I've taken my share of newbie nicks, but never a cut.
I can't say I enjoy it, but I'm also not afraid of it! The main thing that bothers me about a nick is the resulting realization that my technique still needs improvement.. Unless it's just a bump that I shaved off. They tend to appear, and particularly in summer with the bugs about...

 

[SliceOfLife]

If you don't cut yourself, your razor isn't sharp enough.

 

[michiganlover]

I started straight shaving about two to three months ago. I have 3 actual straights (4/8, 5/8, and 6/8), a Fromm Hair Shaper, a Parker Shavette, and a Feather Artist Club on the way.

Lately I have been using the Parker with fairly good results.

I still do cut myself quite frequently. Most of the cuts are to my chin, my upper lip, or to my left cheek when I get the angle off on my XTG pass. That leaves a nice inch long gash, that is pretty prominent for about a week.

I started straight shaving for the sense of adventure, and for a new challenge. I started after DE shaving for close to a year. My DE shaves were good, my Gem shaves good, and my Injector shaves really good (but the Injector is kind of like cheating in my book).

 

[bluefoxicy]

I've learned to fix the cuts. A rinse, cold water splash, generous application of styptic, and then continue shaving. Lather right over it on the next pass. Rinse it off with the lather when I'm done, and aftershave with bay rum, and it's good as new.

 

[Huxley]

Well looks like my work name is now tony montana.

 

[Geddiz]

I've had a couple of cuts that were bad enough that rubbing with alum wouldn't sort them out. I find it annoying more than anything else and I don't think people will find it far too much out of the ordinary. Would never go about doing it on purpose.

I just find straight shaving to be very satisfying in its finesse; always felt awkard using safety razors but with a straight in my hand, suddenly everything feels so natural and easy. It's just plain fun to do as well!