Missing. The. Point.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by Coeloptera

I find, amusingly enough, that one particular activity makes me feel in proper touch with my masculinity, despite the fact that it's actually removing a sign of my maleness. I used to get terrible razor burn for years, nothing ever seemed to help, until I took up shaving with a straight-razor. Now there's a uniquely masculine activity. I've never had a smoother or more comfortable shave in my life. It's pretty fun to do, and women just seem to love watching you do it, and the results. I also like it because, while I'm pretty forward-looking, some traditional men's activities are just so damn cool.
- Coeloptera

I thought I was the only one who liked straight razors around here, Coeloptera. When I hit boot camp I had forgotten to take the razor out of my toilet kit, and people had a fit. It was kind of touch-and-go for a while whether I was joining my company in barracks, or going straight to the brig without passing Go.

I never thought of them as "manly," though. I just like the way they work, and the fact that I can hit my sideburns and mustache with them, too. And the ritual of lathering up with a brush, stropping the razor, and then shaving with it is kind of a soothing one; almost a Zen meditation before starting the day.

Took me a long time to learn that you don't strop them during or after shaving, though. Shaving stretches the micro-edge, and stropping it while stretched means it'll be jagged and uneven when it settles back into shape. The best way is to shave every other day with one (or get two and alternate), and let the edge rest for 48 hours between uses. Then do all your stropping right before you shave.

[BattleRifleG3]

Think of all the guns one could buy for the price of cosmetic surgery or chest hair transplants.

In my opinion, cosmetic surgery is there to mend distinct birth defects or injuries.

[cubbieman]

not to mention how much more manly guns are than plastic surgery

[Cyrille]

Originally Posted by troy2000

I thought I was the only one who liked straight razors around here, Coeloptera. When I hit boot camp I had forgotten to take the razor out of my toilet kit, and people had a fit. It was kind of touch-and-go for a while whether I was joining my company in barracks, or going straight to the brig without passing Go.

I never thought of them as "manly," though. I just like the way they work, and the fact that I can hit my sideburns and mustache with them, too. And the ritual of lathering up with a brush, stropping the razor, and then shaving with it is kind of a soothing one; almost a Zen meditation before starting the day.

Took me a long time to learn that you don't strop them during or after shaving, though. Shaving stretches the micro-edge, and stropping it while stretched means it'll be jagged and uneven when it settles back into shape. The best way is to shave every other day with one (or get two and alternate), and let the edge rest for 48 hours between uses. Then do all your stropping right before you shave.

I've been hankerin to try a straight razor but been aprehensive about useing one for fear of cutting myself. What is the "secret" to shaving with one and not nicking your face up? Also where can one purchase a straight razor and a strop? I already shave with lather and a brush and a Gellette 'safety razor.'

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by Cyrille

I've been hankerin to try a straight razor but been aprehensive about useing one for fear of cutting myself. What is the "secret" to shaving with one and not nicking your face up? Also where can one purchase a straight razor and a strop? I already shave with lather and a brush and a Gellette 'safety razor.'

The same secret as using a safety razor, Cyrille. As long as you scrape the blade broadside across your face, it won't cut you. If you move it in a slicing motion instead, it'll slice you just like a knife would. Only worse.

Probably the simplest way to buy a straight razor is to go on the internet. There are a lot of package deals, with strop and stone included. Two important things to remember: you don't want stainless steel, and you do want hollow ground.

Razors made of Solingen steel from Germany are usually very good. There's a French outfit that makes probably the best razors in the world, and I think they use Sheffield steel from England.

You can spend five hundred bucks on a razor with a fossil mammoth ivory handle, but it won't shave any better than one with a synthetic handle.

Once you're familiar with straight razors you can often buy very good used ones from old barbers, because barber shops have mostly shifted over to straight razors with disposable blades (out here, at least). It's buyer beware though; it may not be the best idea to get your first one that way unless the barber is a friend of yours. If he is and he's like most barbers, he'll talk your ear off telling you everything he can think of about using a straight razor. The ones I've met are proud of their knowledge and skill.

[george_l]

I think that the whole idea of everybody getting plastic surgery is that it's basically instant, work free gratification. The problem is that alot of the guys who get it don't want to go out and take up a sport/martial art, they want to take a few days off of work and come back looking great. Personally I don't give a damn about my looks, my theroy...if a girl doesn't like me then she can look away, otherwise...