Straight phobias

[cleanshaved]

yesterday I was talking to a friend about straight razors and offered to lend him one if he would like to try. He replied that he was scared of cutting up his face.
today I was looking in a second hand shop and asked the owner if he had any straight razors. he said that his wife does not like having them in the shop as "the wrong sort of person" asks to look at them. ***. when I mentioned that I shave with them he looked shocked and disbelieving.
he too mention cutting yourself up with a straight razor.

could this be due to a straight razor being called a "cut throat razor" here in NZ or do you get the same response?
what other phobias have you noticed in relation to straight razors?

 

[casus4844]

The only thing I get here in Korea is why do you still use that? Just buy a Norelco or something. It's like using LPs to music... "People still do that!!" . Other than that yeah.. the first time I was shaving somebody thought I was gonna commit suicide by slicing my throat open. It happens... and when your face looks like you had a fight with an alley cat... just say that and avoid the embarrassment

 

[Ookla The Mok]

I get a lot of the disbelief looks. It comes with the territory, I suppose. However, I do see the point. I did cut up my face a bit the first year of straight razor shaving.

 

[cb91710]

The straight razor does have certain "tones" in a couple of "undesirable" sub-cultures. That is likely what the shop owner was talking about.
That, and the "Emo" crowd looking for a more hipster alternative to hardware store single-edge for cutting themselves.

 

[cleanshaved]

The straight razor does have certain "tones" in a couple of "undesirable" sub-cultures. That is likely what the shop owner was talking about.
That, and the "Emo" crowd looking for a more hipster alternative to hardware store single-edge for cutting themselves.

had not thought of that Rick. I
was thinking that it may have been too much TV. this was on about a year ago.

 

[Tierdaen]

Or perhaps we're just a questionable bunch and we're oblivious to the fact.

If there were a straight razor enthusiast gathering in my area, I would probably not go.

 

[gruntedshaves]

truthfully, people look at me in one of two ways; Like im a total psycho, or some sort of creative genius. At work I get a lot of, its because youre out there and creative and you do all this stuff. I just stare at them and wonder when they say that. I don't know. but none the less I get your same situation all the time

 

[mdunn]

I blame sweeney todd

 

[cleanshaved]

Or perhaps we're just a questionable bunch and we're oblivious to the fact.

If there were a straight razor enthusiast gathering in my area, I would probably not go.

you may be right. SWMBO always says after I get a hair cut (#1 all over) that I look like a criminal.........at least I am a well shaven looking crim.

 

[cleanshaved]

I blame sweeney todd

yes old Sweeney Todd has added to the situation for sure. could that be where the name cut throat razor started?

 

[cb91710]

truthfully, people look at me in one of two ways; Like im a total psycho, or some sort of creative genius. At work I get a lot of, its because youre out there and creative and you do all this stuff. I just stare at them and wonder when they say that. I don't know. but none the less I get your same situation all the time

Ya... I can tell that people are always thinking "Hmmm, creative or evil genius?"

 

[gruntedshaves]

Ya... I can tell that people are always thinking "Hmmm, creative or evil genius?"

sometimes, they go hand in hand. sharks with laser beams on their heads!

 

[Nola Circuit]

I get one of either two reactions (in order of frequency):
1.) Amazement that I am using a straight
2.) Endless questions about how it's done

No matter what I tell people, they inevitably return to: "I could never do that, I'd probably kill myself"

I've been at this since August of 2012, and I have NEVER had to open the Styptic. In fact, I've started looking for something a little more handsome (?) than my current budget Morley. I love the blade, I just want to get something in the mid-range now that I've decided to stick with it (nicer scales, more polished blade, etc). Plus I'd have 2 blades I could alternate between meaning I could space out when I get honing done.

 

[Lmarkow]

The used blade phobia is a big one in my family.

 

[KW Driver]

hmm. most women are taken somewhat aback by it or shocked, but like the idea of it once they get over the shock of really, you do that. most men are scared of getting cut, and think I'm crazy for doing it.

my mom couldn't wait to see it in action. she had to check my shave quality when it was over, and she said it reminded her of my grandfather shaving.

my dad's wife viscerally reacted when she saw one of my razors. she actually pulled back. my dad stood in the hallway and talked to me so that he wouldn't have to see me use the horrible blade. that behavior from both of them really surprised me.

 

[Kentos]

Too many movies lol!

 

[dpetrzelka]

Pet Cemetery didn't help the image of the straight razor any...

 

[Legion]

Too many movies lol!

It aint just movies. That trailer posted above was a tv show about the true story of the "razor gangs" that we had here in the 20's. Even back then, carrying a gun got you thrown in the slammer in Australia. The gangs use to carry straights, and slice people to mince meat with them. If they were picked up with a razor they could say they were off to have a shave, or get it honed, or whatever. They were basically a weapon of intimidation, they usually didn't kill people with them, but would leave the victims horribly disfigured, and often lame.

Most often if I tell people I shave with a straight I just get the raised eyebrow. Like they think I am a bit simple, not working out that there is an easier way.

 

[cb91710]

my dad's wife viscerally reacted when she saw one of my razors. she actually pulled back. my dad stood in the hallway and talked to me so that he wouldn't have to see me use the horrible blade. that behavior from both of them really surprised me.

Next time, take some latex and vampire blood into the washroom

 

[LittleLebowski]

Is there an outcry against knives in NZ ala the UK? That might be it. Here in the US, folks are impressed that I use one.