For personal reasons, I want to use a straight razor to shave. Have wanted for years. I have owned a straight razor like the one above for years but never used it because it was dull, and I could not get it sharp.
Finally, I took it to John Stewart in Boyd, Texas, who put a good edge on my blade. (To find Mr Stewart, go to the Bluebonnet Cleaners in Boyd. Mr Stewart works in a corner of the shop next to the front door. Sorry, I have no picture of him.) Talked to Mr Stewart a bit and found out what I was doing wrong in my honing. Maybe now I will do it right and not need others to sharpen for me.
There are those on YouTube -- Dr Matt most prominent among them -- who can tell you more about sharpening and honing your blade . . . if that's what interests you. And it should. At least a little. It interests Dr Matt. He gets excited about it. Hey, whatever floats your boat.
There is much to know about the art of shaving with a straight razor:
(FWIW, my wife opposes my use of a straight razor. Actually her exact words were "Are you crazy? You want to cut up your face?")
Finally, I took it to John Stewart in Boyd, Texas, who put a good edge on my blade. (To find Mr Stewart, go to the Bluebonnet Cleaners in Boyd. Mr Stewart works in a corner of the shop next to the front door. Sorry, I have no picture of him.) Talked to Mr Stewart a bit and found out what I was doing wrong in my honing. Maybe now I will do it right and not need others to sharpen for me.
There are those on YouTube -- Dr Matt most prominent among them -- who can tell you more about sharpening and honing your blade . . . if that's what interests you. And it should. At least a little. It interests Dr Matt. He gets excited about it. Hey, whatever floats your boat.
There is much to know about the art of shaving with a straight razor:
1. The razor;I am learning to shave with a straight razor, but already I have something to say about grip. But not today. Next time I do a Naked Blade post, I will say something about the grip.
2. The associated tools: strop, brush, soap (or cream), cup, and scuttle (maybe);
3. Stropping;
4. Preparation;
5. Grip;
6. Shaving technique; and
7. After shave face care.
(FWIW, my wife opposes my use of a straight razor. Actually her exact words were "Are you crazy? You want to cut up your face?")
I'm very interested in how your experiments turn out. It seems like once you get the knack of it, a straight razor would give a nice, close, smooth shave quickly and comfortably. Electric and cheap bladed razors always leave me raw. Plus, I have a feeling modern shaving is an advancement much like McDonald's is. Not necessarily better.
ReplyDeleteAnd, once again I have to marvel at how the internet makes it so easy to acquire skills that are considered antiquated or niche.