Thread: Good Lord I am overwhelmed!

Don't be intimidated, Claire. More links. Head shaving with a straight is just a question of practice/persistence, much like face shaving. Make sure it's shave ready, ie sharpened by hand, by someone who knows what they're doing. The links you've been given conform to this. Good luck and enjoy yourself.

Originally Posted by clrobert60

I hope you're not referring to the razor - I've got two pre-1850 straights that look good and shave great. Granted, they were restos and didn't come shave ready but the point is that a quality straight's life expectancy is in the hundreds of years unless it's abused.

+1 and ditto to that statement. I have a razor, circa late 1800's, that shaves great and will probably be around long after I am gone.

Originally Posted by clrobert60

I hope you're not referring to the razor - I've got two pre-1850 straights that look good and shave great. Granted, they were restos and didn't come shave ready but the point is that a quality straight's life expectancy is in the hundreds of years unless it's abused.

Of course, quality is also important. A pricey razor in 1850 would last longer than an inexpensive razor today. Ceteris paribus, a razor bought today would last longer than an old one. Depends on the amount of honing, of course.

I wonder if I should have my name inscribed on my razor so that somebody will remember me in a hundred years. Wouldn't that be cool?

if maintained properly razors last at least few lifetimes of regular use.