Shave of the Day

Saho · Feb 19, 2010

I'm a safety guy and have contemplated going straight. The problem is that I start work quite early so I need to get the job done in a short time frame How much longer does it take to shave with a straight razor over a safety razor ?Also, what is the learning time from apprentice to board-certified beard surgeon with the straight?

I hope those who switched can provide some insight.

dnjan · Feb 19, 2010

I don't think that the time is any longer. I strop my razor while the sink is filling with hot water, and a straight razor takes a wider swipe than a safety razor (covering more area per pass).
As far as learning goes, you will probably be nervous for weeks. But I would guess you will actually be getting as good a shave within the first week. You will still occaisionally nick yourself years (and even decades) later, however

rmrdaddy · Feb 19, 2010

Saho,
My personal problem with a straight isn't time, it's technique, effort, and concentration.
I have a very nice bone handled Thiers-Issard that Mrs. Daddy gifted me a few birthdays ago, and a small 2 sided strop as well. I had been DE shaving for a while prior to this. Maybe I'm psyched out by that blade or something, but getting the proper angles and manuevering around the face is tough. You have to watch the blade very closely at all times, or else!
I'm no honemeister either. I don't have any whetstones for edge maintenance, and just stropping won't do it forever. I know there are fellows on the 'net or at Badger & Blade that will perform this service, but it's a lot of agg, IMHO.

DE blades are plentiful and cheap, and that "safety bar" on a DE razor is a nice level of precaution

St.Ignatz · Feb 19, 2010

rikrdo said:
WOW !!
Thats great :eusa_clap
I reduced a bit meself last weekend but NOTHING like you sir.
I only WISH I could grow a beard of that greatness...........takes me a half year to get a decent Van Dyke goin.

Thanks Rik. I don't so much grow a beard between baseball seasons I just stop shaving. The key is to water it at least twice a day.

Tom D.

JEEP · Feb 19, 2010

Friday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Brit. Gillette NEW w. Derby Extra (1)
Restored butterscotch Simpson Beufort B1 silvertip
Cella
Scorpio aftershave (red)
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Regards.

Jakob

Dulouz · Feb 19, 2010

Friday:

22670_102170603149589_100000699499389_59704_2383143_n.jpg

Glycerin + HotTowel
Williams shave soap
Vulfix 247 pure badger brush
Merkur HD razor
Personna blade (day3)
Corn Huskers Lotion
Homemade Bay Rum aftershave

A little disappointed in the Williams this morning. Although, it may have been a mistake in my lathering/mixing technique. Seemed a little thin with some larger bubbles here and there. Still a decent shave. Better luck next time.

Beacon Rusty · Feb 21, 2010

Proraso Red,
Merkur Classic open comb,
Israeli Crystal blade.

JEEP · Feb 22, 2010

Monday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Swedish barberpole Matador De-Luxe w. Derby Extra (2)
Semogue 1305 boar
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Aqua Velva
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Regards.

Jakob

Dulouz · Feb 23, 2010

25281_102326326467350_100000699499389_63218_3321238_n.jpg

Hot towel + Glycerin
Vulfix 247 pure badger
CO Bigelow SC
Merkur HD razor
Personna blade (day2)
Homemade Black Tea aftershave balm

Tuesday:

24013_102347133131936_100000699499389_63853_5506420_n.jpg

Glycerin pre-shave
Vulfix 247 pure badger
Conk Bay Rum SS
Personna blade (day3)
Homemade Black Tea aftershave balm

rikrdo · Feb 23, 2010

JEEP said:
Monday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Swedish barberpole Matador De-Luxe w. Derby Extra (2)
Semogue 1305 boar
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Aqua Velva
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Now THATS a great setup !
2 of my absolute favorites in 1 shave - AV and MWF - TOP NOTCH !

Last nights shave:
Simpsons 2 banded super Tulip 2 brush
Merkur 39c ( Slant SledgeHammer) razor + Derby blade
Mitchells wool fat soap
Alt Innsbruck AS splash
RNB ASB
Knize Ten EdT

Dulouz · Feb 26, 2010

Friday:

25350_102475889785727_100000699499389_67239_4944366_n.jpg

Hot Towel + Glycerin
Vulfix 247 pure badger
Homemade Sea Moss SS
Merkur HD
Personna (day1)
Corn Huskers Lotion
Florida Water Edt

Awesome shave today. Used the soap that I made last night. What a lather! Out performed the Conk that I've been using for months in that regard. The only downside is that my clay clumped, so it could have been a little slicker. I think I may have over scented it a bit, but I like a strong smell. I'll probably go a little lighter next time.

I've said it before (and I hope to say it again), but this is the closest I've been to a BBS.

JEEP · Feb 26, 2010

Thursday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Merkur HD 34C w. Derby Extra (3)
Restored butterscotch silvertip
Palmolive
Pinaud Clubman
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Regards.

Jakob

Dulouz · Mar 1, 2010

Monday:

24805_102610886438894_100000699499389_70778_1638727_n.jpg

Glycerin + Hot Towel
Vulfix 247
Homemade Bay Rum Lime shave soap
Merkur Classic razor
Personna blade (day1)
Homemade Black Tea AS

Dulouz · Mar 2, 2010

Tuesday:

24805_102645516435431_100000699499389_71521_4094281_n.jpg

Hot Towel + Glycerin
Vulfix 247 pure badger brush
Williams shave soap + CO Bigelow shave cream
Merkur Classic razor
Personna blade (day2)
Corn Huskers Lotion
Florida Water EdT

Tried a Williams + Bigelow super lather and it was just that, a super lather. Very cushiony and rich. The first pass wasn't super slick, but the next few were. I think I didn't have it properly hydrated the first time. Gave a great shave.

Finished it with some Florida Water. I cannot get enough of this stuff. Such a great smell. But oh, the burn...

Lou · Mar 2, 2010

rmrdaddy said:
I'm no honemeister either. I don't have any whetstones for edge maintenance, and just stropping won't do it forever. I know there are fellows on the 'net or at Badger & Blade that will perform this service, but it's a lot of agg, IMHO.

That's what has held me back from trying a straight razor. I think I'd like using one, but don't want to deal with the stropping and honing. I'm considering a Feather DX.

DE blades are plentiful and cheap, and that "safety bar" on a DE razor is a nice level of precaution

Even if the Feather straight works out for me and becomes my go-to razor, I'll always have my Superspeed at the ready.

A GEM Pushbutton should be landing in my mailbox in about an hour. It'll be my first time trying an SE. I'll post the details tomorrow.

St.Ignatz · Mar 2, 2010

If you think you would like a straight then the SE Gem is a good introduction to really paying attention. Great shave with a feeling of accomplishment when you finish bloodless. Or is it blood free. No make that unbloodied.
Tom D.

Stearmen · Mar 3, 2010

St.Ignatz said:
Great shave with a feeling of accomplishment when you finish bloodless. Or is it blood free.
Tom D.

Thats what I am afraid of!

JEEP · Mar 3, 2010

A double SOTD

Saturday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
40s Gillette SuperSpeed w. Derby Extra (4)
23 mm. Shavemac Silvertip
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Italian Floïd
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Tuesday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Merkur 33C w. Derby Extra (1)
Kent BK4
Speick
Speick
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Regards.

Jakob

St.Ignatz · Mar 3, 2010

Stearmen said:
Thats what I am afraid of!

A keen edge can sense fear! Just pay attention.
Tom D.

JEEP · Mar 4, 2010

Thursday morning:

Proraso Cutting Edge Cleansing Glycerin Bar
Proraso Greeen Tea and Aloe Pre-Shave
Bob's Razorworks Bull Mastiff (NEW head) w. Derby Extra (2)
Bob's Razorworks custom Bolivian rosewood finest badger
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Proraso aftershave
Thayer's Witch Hazel

Regards.

Jakob

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