I Am a Straight Shaver

**Mr. Scruffy** · 01-25-2011, 08:25 PM

I have returned to straight shaving and have been using them daily since December 1, 2010. My previous attempt at using a cut throat on a daily basis barely lasted three months. But after a five month hiatus (and an incredible score of collector grade straights) I'm back at the game.

Oh yeah, I now also have three coti's, two Kanayama's, two HandAmerican's, three Tony Miller's, a Dubl Duck barber's hone and no more money.

The best part is that my technique apparently improved with disuse and I can now get BBS is 3 passes everywhere except on a line extending from both sides of my Adam's apple.

Oh well, gotta leave something to learn for tomorrow, right?

**azmark** · 01-25-2011, 08:28 PM

Glad you found your calling!

Fortunately a size 18 neck doesn't allow an Adam's apple; swallowing while you make your pass help at all?

**Munxcub** · 01-25-2011, 08:44 PM

Nice! I made a deal with myself (apparently) that I will shave only with straights starting Jan 1, 2011. I am able to get shave ready edges with my cotis, have several straights ready to go at any given time, and more in the shop. No excuses.

**superbleu** · 01-25-2011, 08:46 PM

Welcome back Harry, would be a shame for those all fine razors of yours to not be used.

**luvmysuper** · 01-25-2011, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

I have returned to straight shaving and have been using them daily since December 1, 2010. My previous attempt at using a cut throat on a daily basis barely lasted three months. But after a five month hiatus (and an incredible score of collector grade straights) I'm back at the game.

Oh yeah, I now also have three coti's, two Kanayama's, two HandAmerican's, three Tony Miller's, a Dubl Duck barber's hone and no more money.

The best part is that my technique apparently improved with disuse and I can now get BBS is 3 passes everywhere except on a line extending from both sides of my Adam's apple.

Oh well, gotta leave something to learn for tomorrow, right?

I've seen some of those collector grade straights.
positively drool material.

**kg4ghn** · 01-25-2011, 09:06 PM

Welcome back!!

It's a good place to be.

**gil3591** · 01-25-2011, 09:29 PM

for me, str8s were stressful. i have the scars to prove it

**instpasr** · 01-25-2011, 09:47 PM

Welcome back Mr Scruffy I trust you still know the secret hand shake.

**Luc** · 01-25-2011, 10:25 PM

Pictures or it never happened!

Good to have you back!

**johnmrson** · 01-25-2011, 11:06 PM

Welcome back to the purest form of shaving Harry. With a collection like yours, I don't think you could not return to it.

**honed** · 01-26-2011, 01:02 AM

Welcome back to the Bright Side

**Walker** · 01-26-2011, 01:38 AM

Hi, my name is Walker and i am also a straight razor shaver.

**sfcablecar** · 01-26-2011, 01:58 AM

One of us. . . One of us. . . One of us. . .

**professorchaos** · 01-26-2011, 05:54 AM

Congratulations! Welcome back.

**Mr. Scruffy** · 01-26-2011, 06:51 AM

Thanks for the warm return guys!

Originally Posted by azmark

Glad you found your calling!

Fortunately a size 18 neck doesn't allow an Adam's apple; swallowing while you make your pass help at all?

It's not just the area immediately surrounding my AA, it's the entire collar line. I can't quite maneuver the blade to go straight E-W for an ATG pass, which is the direction of my beard growth. I use a series of opposing diagonal patterns or "chevrons" to get as close to ATG as I can.

There is hope on the horizon, though. As I get older my "turkey neck" gets looser. Pretty soon I'll be able to pull my skin out a good 6" from my neck and then I should be able to hold the blade vertically for a true ATG pass.

Edit: Quick question - I find that I only get 5-6 shaves from a blade before it needs a touch up on the barber's hone. Is this normal?

**johnmrson** · 01-26-2011, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

Edit: Quick question - I find that I only get 5-6 shaves from a blade before it needs a touch up on the barber's hone. Is this normal?

I would say it isn't. You should be able to go for quite a bit longer than that before needing a touch up on a stone. Either your stropping technique is dulling the blades or the razor(s) haven't been correctly honed would be my guess.

**Mr. Scruffy** · 01-26-2011, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by johnmrson

I would say it isn't. You should be able to go for quite a bit longer than that before needing a touch up on a stone. Either your stropping technique is dulling the blades or the razor(s) haven't been correctly honed would be my guess.

I would say it's my stropping. So how many shaves should I get?

**superbleu** · 01-26-2011, 02:05 PM

Harry, I think the number of shaves one get's out of a razor depends on a lot of things. Most importantly the steel the razor is made with. Also the number of passes one does, the angle the razor is used at, the coarseness of your beard, the density of your beard, how the razor was honed/finished ect ect.

I have a Le grelot 3/4 hollow that probably has a dozen or shaves or more on it, and it's still going strong, I also have a J Rodgers primo full hollow that gives one fantastic shave, but after that one shave the edge looks like one of those as seen on TV ginsu knives (ok slight exaggeration), but I hope you know what I mean.

I get anywhere from 3 -10 shaves from a blade till it needs some tinkering, but usually I do something after 3 or 4 cause I like to experiment.

**azmark** · 01-26-2011, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

T
Edit: Quick question - I find that I only get 5-6 shaves from a blade before it needs a touch up on the barber's hone. Is this normal?

5-6 seems a little less than I would expect a razor to do but it can happen depending on the razor itself.

At the end, I think technique will come second to the actual quality of the way it was honed. I've shaved with a Henckles 12 times that I honed on a coticule but I only feel that my ability to hone with a coticule is much better than with a Jnat at this point.

**johnmrson** · 01-26-2011, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Scruffy

I would say it's my stropping. So how many shaves should I get?

It's hard to say but I think if you're getting less than 30 shaves out of a straight before it needs touching up on a stone, then something is not 100% right.