- Messages
- 6
Hi, 1st post. I've got it into my head that I want a straight razor, just 'cuz.
I'm 46, I've tried 3 different electric razors over the years & wont bother trying another 1, my neck doesn't like them. I only use cartridge razors up until now (currently Wilkinson Sword quattro), usually shaving every other day, sometimes every day, rarely leave it 3 days. I don't have any issues shaving (apart from 1 random time about 10 years ago when my neck decided it didn't want to be shaved at all & I had to leave it a month, no idea why). I don't see shaving as a chore, I'm not looking for a new 'relaxing' experience or trying for a closer shave or anything else, I'm perfectly happy with my shaving.
Plus I'm a bit of a cheapskate. No problem with paying decent money for decent quality stuff, but I can easily make 1 of these cartridges last 3 or 4 months (& not because I dont have whiskers). I bought 8 of them in Dec 14, I still have 4 unused ones left plus the 1 that is on the handle that easily has another 2 months use left in it.
But I've got it into my head that I want to try old skool shaving, & it probably aint gonna go away until I've tried it (I'm not talking about going to a barber shop here)
Now I know what I'm like, & I don't like faff. I realise there will be a steep learning curve, & plenty of faff maintaining it that I'm willing (have to) do & learn, & at some point get into honing as well (more faff). But I'm quite sure there will be things I just wont bother with.
Hot towels, never gonna happen. I really dont want to be buying all sorts of different before & after stuff. I dont want a brush & a bowl etc. That to me is all faff that I dont want.
Up until now I have a shave (with a cartridge) when I'm having a shower. I like a 30 min shower (then the hot water runs out) & shaving is the last thing I do. So that should soften the whiskers. I dont use any particular soap, whatever is there, sometimes it's shower gel, sometimes bubble bath, right now it's Palmolive shower milk which seems to be particularly nice & I'll look out for it again. Ie 1 'soap' does all, including lathering my face before a shave.
So that brings me to my question. I saw a video of a guy shaving with an 'axe' (lol)
I may have this wrong, but I gather this guy builds his own & uses them, so presumably knows how to use 1, but watching that you can see the shaving rash developing (ignoring the cuts), even though he used a whole bunch of lather. Now I can see why you would have all these balms & oils etc if that sort of thing is going to happen. But that is 1 horrendously painful looking shave, definitely in need of some after TLC. This I dont want.
So after perfecting how to shave, is that video how it usually is, therefore needing all these balms & soaps & oils because it's much harsher on your face? Or would it be a case of once I've got it down to a fine art I can expect the same behaviour as I currently have from my skin, with no need for aftershave or anything special including lathering up with a brush & special soap?
Q2 I've seen it mentioned don't get a Gold Dollar, but they're ok if they've been finished properly. A chap called Billy was selling them finished properly but he doesnt have any listed. Are these peeps any good which seem to do the same thing (part way down the page)?
http://thestraightrazorspecialist.com/razors-strops/
I'm out of work atm & so funds are limited, so £20 is do-able, but £100 to try something I dont even know if I'm going to get along with is out of the question.
I'm 46, I've tried 3 different electric razors over the years & wont bother trying another 1, my neck doesn't like them. I only use cartridge razors up until now (currently Wilkinson Sword quattro), usually shaving every other day, sometimes every day, rarely leave it 3 days. I don't have any issues shaving (apart from 1 random time about 10 years ago when my neck decided it didn't want to be shaved at all & I had to leave it a month, no idea why). I don't see shaving as a chore, I'm not looking for a new 'relaxing' experience or trying for a closer shave or anything else, I'm perfectly happy with my shaving.
Plus I'm a bit of a cheapskate. No problem with paying decent money for decent quality stuff, but I can easily make 1 of these cartridges last 3 or 4 months (& not because I dont have whiskers). I bought 8 of them in Dec 14, I still have 4 unused ones left plus the 1 that is on the handle that easily has another 2 months use left in it.
But I've got it into my head that I want to try old skool shaving, & it probably aint gonna go away until I've tried it (I'm not talking about going to a barber shop here)
Now I know what I'm like, & I don't like faff. I realise there will be a steep learning curve, & plenty of faff maintaining it that I'm willing (have to) do & learn, & at some point get into honing as well (more faff). But I'm quite sure there will be things I just wont bother with.
Hot towels, never gonna happen. I really dont want to be buying all sorts of different before & after stuff. I dont want a brush & a bowl etc. That to me is all faff that I dont want.
Up until now I have a shave (with a cartridge) when I'm having a shower. I like a 30 min shower (then the hot water runs out) & shaving is the last thing I do. So that should soften the whiskers. I dont use any particular soap, whatever is there, sometimes it's shower gel, sometimes bubble bath, right now it's Palmolive shower milk which seems to be particularly nice & I'll look out for it again. Ie 1 'soap' does all, including lathering my face before a shave.
So that brings me to my question. I saw a video of a guy shaving with an 'axe' (lol)
I may have this wrong, but I gather this guy builds his own & uses them, so presumably knows how to use 1, but watching that you can see the shaving rash developing (ignoring the cuts), even though he used a whole bunch of lather. Now I can see why you would have all these balms & oils etc if that sort of thing is going to happen. But that is 1 horrendously painful looking shave, definitely in need of some after TLC. This I dont want.
So after perfecting how to shave, is that video how it usually is, therefore needing all these balms & soaps & oils because it's much harsher on your face? Or would it be a case of once I've got it down to a fine art I can expect the same behaviour as I currently have from my skin, with no need for aftershave or anything special including lathering up with a brush & special soap?
Q2 I've seen it mentioned don't get a Gold Dollar, but they're ok if they've been finished properly. A chap called Billy was selling them finished properly but he doesnt have any listed. Are these peeps any good which seem to do the same thing (part way down the page)?
http://thestraightrazorspecialist.com/razors-strops/
I'm out of work atm & so funds are limited, so £20 is do-able, but £100 to try something I dont even know if I'm going to get along with is out of the question.