Shaving Testamonies

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Permalink Reply by kage on January 21, 2010 at 22:01

I started shaving with a Cut-Throat back in the late 70s while in the Navy, but only did so when we came into Foreign Ports (you could still look somewhat presentable @ four in the morning even when three sheets to the wind.) Shaving with a Straight Razor in a crowded washplace while in a ship that's yawing and pitching... not a good idea. ;)

Back then the Bic Disposable was virtually the only game in town for wet shaving, with an electric shave always being looked down upon and discouraged as being lazy and inefficient for military personnel, and was usually followed up by a forced dry shave with a disposable blade. When I got some Land Postings and then got started in with Private Contract Work, I used both disposables and electric, but could never get the quality or feel that I got with the Straight Razor. So I got a brand new ERN Sword & Crown 32 and used it everyday for ten years. I never had a problem with shaving time or nicks and cuts (except for those mornings after the night before... hungover with shaking hands around a Straight Razor at your throat, another not so good idea.) It was only in the 90s that I had to grow a beard for a specific Contract that I stopped using the ol' Gill Slitter. I still have my Crown & Sword, and it now looks like a vintage blade. But it's somehow reassuring to know that all that wear and tear is all my own doing.

I'm now starting to feel those old stirrings for the whetting of the strop and the feel of true cold steel upon me again. Who knows, I might just want to take a peek at who's underneath the whiskers after all these years?... could be a nice change from combing my face to shaving it. :)

Permalink Reply by Andrew Wong on April 17, 2010 at 14:33

I'm twenty years old and just under two years ago I discovered the lost art of shaving with a straight razor. It is certainly a learning curve, taking time and practice to get right. If you want to get rid of that razor burn from all those blades, go back to one. Use a straight razor or an old school double edge safety razor. Unlike with knives where we usually have at least two blades on us, with shaving, one blade is better than more.

Permalink Reply by Cornelius on August 16, 2010 at 5:06

I love my straight razors. I have been using them on and off for over 20 years now. If you want to know more take a look at badgerandblade.com and straightrazorplace.com.