Thread: Why we do it?

I got done shaving the other morning, put on my ABU's and was getting ready to leave for the Air Force Base when my wife asked, "It takes you longer to shave with a straight razor, why do you do it?".

The answer came quick and without thought. "There's no better feeling than having the sharpest blade in the house at your throat first thing in the morning, and if I'm attacked by ninjas while shaving what can a disposable do for me?"

She then proclaimed I was psychotic, I said....maybe, but that doesn't hurt either.

Give her the big-eyed, tearing Bugs Bunny look and implore her to do her part to save the environment. If she's incredulous, revert back to the men like guns and blades and weapons etc. and see if she buys that.

My man Billy Joel says: "you may be right, I may be crazy... but it just may be a lunatic you're lookin' for"

I think I use a straight because I want the best shave I can possibly get. I have some mild OCD and if I can feel stubble in some areas and not other, I get a little insane. I still haven't found perfection yet but it's very very close. On another note, it's just awesome to be using something every day that is essentially a piece of history. I have a Greaves that's almost 200 years old and I'm just shocked that it's still something I can use every morning if I choose.

Originally Posted by ats200

My man Billy Joel says: "you may be right, I may be crazy... but it just may be a lunatic you're lookin' for"
On another note, it's just awesome to be using something every day that is essentially a piece of history. I have a Greaves that's almost 200 years old and I'm just shocked that it's still something I can use every morning if I choose.

I agree. I get the biggest kick out of using an implement that is 150-200 years old (and that it works so well!).

I think the most important reason for me is that this hobby has turned a chore into something that I really love.

Haha I've heard that line about being attacked by a ninja while shaving with a straight in a shaving demo video on YouTube. Anyone else recognize it?

when asked why i usually just stare at them for a moment or two and say........


cause i want to.........

Originally Posted by MattCastle

I think the most important reason for me is that this hobby has turned a chore into something that I really love.

Haha I've heard that line about being attacked by a ninja while shaving with a straight in a shaving demo video on YouTube. Anyone else recognize it?

I never saw that, now I feel bad. I didn't mean to steal someone elses bit.

I first got interested in it because I inherited an heirloom straight razor from my late grandmother's estate (grandfather's?? Great grandfather's??)and I wanted to shave with it at least once.I started with a different razor to learn how & decided I like the way my face feels after scraping a literally "razor sharp" edge across it.
I've collect knives for years, and straight razors are a logical extension of that hobby.

Because I can! And because it would take even longer to get an equal result using anything else, other than a DE, which for me, gives me a close proximity to a Cut-Throat shave.

Name me another tool that is over 160 years old, looks cool, out performs its competition, and takes a brave soul to use it, THATS WHY WE SHAVE WITH STRAIGHTS !! NUFF SAID