Hands up all those who shave exclusively with a straight razor

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50
Location
Canterbury, Kent
After dabbling with straights for a while I decided in December last year to use one exclusively. Eight months in I am pleased to confirm I haven't cracked despite a couple of rushed shaves/late mornings - and a week in a tent in Le Mans in June! Mostly daily but with an occasional break, usually a Sunday.

I feel a bit greener in the grand scheme of things and if it weren't for my weakness for shaving brushes it would have been cheaper too. And no more daughter or girlfriend nicking my razor for their armpits too.....

So, anyone else?

Mark
 
As of a couple of weeks ago when I got my straight back from Billy's magical honing services, I'm shaving exclusively with the straight plus a little cleanup with an electric in any spots I miss while I'm improving.

My technique I think is getting there. Got in a rhythm with stropping, getting a good lather, enjoying my pre-shave and doing an ATG pass on the cheeks and neck. I've mostly got the technique for upper lip done, now I just need to sort the bulb of my chin and I'm golden.

This is most definitely a hobby for life
 
I have now switched from using a DE to exclusively using a Feather Artist Club DX. I manage with two passes with the grain and touchup around the back corner of my jaw. Practise makes perfect

Under the jaw at the back was always my weak spot too and giving up the touchups made me concentrate on that. I learnt more about the way my hair grows and stretching the skin did the trick in the end.

Good luck with that!

mark
 
I have straight shaved only for nearly 10 years, however my blades are dulling having not touched a stone since neil passed ( i hate the idea of posting my blades and loosing something that a good friend spent time and effort putting an edge on and could not be replaced) but im going to have to bite the bullit if i with to continue to use them.
 
I have straight shaved only for nearly 10 years, however my blades are dulling having not touched a stone since neil passed ( i hate the idea of posting my blades and loosing something that a good friend spent time and effort putting an edge on and could not be replaced) but im going to have to bite the bullit if i with to continue to use them.

The fact that you have survived on stropping alone for ten years is a testament to your stropping skills! And encouraging for me as I have only bought one finishing stone and am hoping to survive on regular touch ups on that.

I can understand you not wanting to risk the post but perhaps you could find someone local to Canvey Island that you could hand deliver to?

Mark
 
The fact that you have survived on stropping alone for ten years is a testament to your stropping skills! And encouraging for me as I have only bought one finishing stone and am hoping to survive on regular touch ups on that.

I can understand you not wanting to risk the post but perhaps you could find someone local to Canvey Island that you could hand deliver to?

Mark

I had that, in Neil Miller.
 
I use a straight only and have for about 8yrs. I can't believe what I'm hearing about stropping only for 10yrs though... surely not? The longest my edges last are about 5 weeks and that's pushing it.
 
Well my stropping certainly isn't good enough. So far I seem to be lasting on monthly or so touch ups on a Shapton Glass 16000 finishing stone.

Good to see another Johnjo!

Mark
Thanks Mark... and wow! That's quite a testament to the Shapton 16. I might designate 1 blade to doing that but it'll be hard not to go further on a jnat which I'd normally do to finish. Will post results in due course.
 
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