Cutting Straight

[JohnDB]

OK.
Guys, ever used a straight razor?
What do you like about them?
Dislikes?
Back in my chef days I knew a lot about knife edges and was better than most at putting on a fine pilished edge on my knives....and yes they would shave.
Still got the steady hands it takes to put a new edge on one too...so since I only shave once a week I was thinking about getting one.
Obviously concentration is key when sharpening or shaving.

Do the brushes help?
Special soap for lather?
Want to share your experience?

 

[Eugene]

.
Morning Brother John. I would suggest visiting a Barber Supply and checking out what they have to offer. My barber uses a straight edge razor with replaceable blades that are far more more efficient than the old strop provided, and if I'm not mistaken he uses a half of a double edged blade when a change is needed. You might want to check with your barber also.
Blessings in Christ Jesus.

 

[WIP]

I'm thinkin' it would be best for me to stay away from straight razors. Did this last Thursday evening. Was going to wire a high/low fan speed switch on my furnace so I could switch speeds without reconnecting wires on the motor. Too lazy to go out and get my wire cutter/stripper so I thought I'd use a knife. The area was not too bright (okay, maybe that applies to me too) and I didn't notice that I was holding the knife with the blade upside-down so the cutting edge was against my finger instead of the wire I was trying to cut. I didn't even feel it cut me. In fact, since it didn't cut through the wire the first time, I attempted a second cut and it was that one that I saw slice into my finger.

I felt no pain at all until the sting when the urgent care nurse poured warm soapy water over it and then of course when the NP injected Novocain.


View attachment 8008

 

[smaller]

Too time consuming. I still use the old single edge blade in the flip top razor receptacle, and have the Mach 3 on hand if I'm in a hurry. I have to be cautious/take a little extra time, even when using the single edge. With the straight blade, even moreso, bigtime. You can NOT be in a hurry with the straight blade. You have to give the shavesoap time to soften up, then take extra care and caution. But it does produce the best shave imho, when dastardly sharp, as does the single edge blade next, and the Mach 3 close enough for quick work. I never trust someone else with the straight blade. They don't know the nooks and crannies like I do. I'll let them do it, but I also know where they'll miss.

The downside for me is the possibility of cutz. Just don't need 'em. There is little room, if any, for error. And it requires full concentration. I usually have 20 other things on my mind in the a.m.

 

[reba]

if one is using a straight razor make double sure you are nice to your wife...

 

[JohnDB]

I'm thinkin' it would be best for me to stay away from straight razors. Did this last Thursday evening. Was going to wire a high/low fan speed switch on my furnace so I could switch speeds without reconnecting wires on the motor. Too lazy to go out and get my wire cutter/stripper so I thought I'd use a knife. The area was not too bright (okay, maybe that applies to me too) and I didn't notice that I was holding the knife with the blade upside-down so the cutting edge was against my finger instead of the wire I was trying to cut. I didn't even feel it cut me. In fact, since it didn't cut through the wire the first time, I attempted a second cut and it was that one that I saw slice into my finger.

I felt no pain at all until the sting when the urgent care nurse poured warm soapy water over it and then of course when the NP injected Novocain.


View attachment 8008

Now as I am an electrician.... Um didn't you think of actually getting one to do that job for you?
I realize that you might know how to do this but an electrician is much more likely to do a professional job and keep it from looking like a tarp on an asphalt roof to stop the leaks.

Just a thought.

 

[smaller]

ouch WIP! wow.

I almost cut my left thumb off while de-boneing an elk a few years back while sharpening the knife. Holding the sharpener in my left hand on the edge of the table in the garage and pulling the blade down through it, but my left hand had fat on it, the blade caught on the sharpener, pulled it out of my hand, and the blade cut right down to the bone on the top of my left thumb, all in one fell swoop. Took 4 hours at the Dr. to sew the tendon at the top of the thumb back together. Was numb across the top for years after til the nerves healed. Drove myself to the Dr.-blood all over.

 

[JohnDB]

if one is using a straight razor make double sure you are nice to your wife...

A straight razor is only for faces...not even legs.
An edge as sharp and fine as its made and leg hair will destroy it. So will paper or anything but what it's made to do. Honing, and both strops will take a minimum of 20 minutes... More like an hour for those not quick at it.

So dropping your razor in the sink is a really bad thing.

 

[reba]

Grandma was blind from birth.. Grandpa had diabetes .. Grandma trimmed his toe nails with a straight razor...

 

[JohnDB]

ouch WIP! wow.

I almost cut my left thumb off while de-boneing an elk a few years back while sharpening the knife. Holding the sharpener in my left hand on the edge of the table in the garage and pulling the blade down through it, but my left hand had fat on it, the blade caught on the sharpener, pulled it out of my hand, and the blade cut right down to the bone on the top of my left thumb, all in one fell swoop. Took 4 hours at the Dr. to sew the tendon at the top of the thumb back together. Was numb across the top for years after til the nerves healed. Drove myself to the Dr.-blood all over.

Done the very same except mine was an accident involving a chef's knife and a broken sharpening steel. Then I learned better how to use such things.... Mostly by looking through a microscope at the edges.

Grandma was blind from birth.. Grandpa had diabetes .. Grandma trimmed his toe nails with a straight razor...

Some people and actions make no sense except to themselves. But apparently it worked for them.

 

[JohnDB]

.
Morning Brother John. I would suggest visiting a Barber Supply and checking out what they have to offer. My barber uses a straight edge razor with replaceable blades that are far more more efficient than the old strop provided, and if I'm not mistaken he uses a half of a double edged blade when a change is needed. You might want to check with your barber also.
Blessings in Christ Jesus.

Never been to a barber except for a haircut. Don't know of any either in Nashville except for the school... Definitely out of the question.

No one needs to use my face as a learning experience.
Not that it's all that pretty but that I've gotten attached to it over the years and a radical change wouldn't be good.

 

[WIP]

Now as I am an electrician.... Um didn't you think of actually getting one to do that job for you?
I realize that you might know how to do this but an electrician is much more likely to do a professional job and keep it from looking like a tarp on an asphalt roof to stop the leaks.

Just a thought.

I am an electrical designer myself. Had I taken the 2 minutes to walk out to the shed and get my tool pouch, I could have finished the job in about 30-45 minutes but as it turned out, it took over 3 hours with a trip to the clinic.

 

[reba]

 

[Edward]

I like straight razors, but dont own one. Before using it for the very first time, I lathered up a balloon and practiced a little. It's not hard.

 

[JohnDB]

I am an electrical designer myself. Had I taken the 2 minutes to walk out to the shed and get my tool pouch, I could have finished the job in about 30-45 minutes but as it turned out, it took over 3 hours with a trip to the clinic.

Oh yeah?
What kind of electrical designer are you?

 

[JohnDB]

I like straight razors, but dont own one. Before using it for the very first time, I lathered up a balloon and practiced a little. It's not hard.

I've been told that they give the best shave of any razor. And considering I only do it once a week for church I thought I would make it a good one.
So...I've seen them up and down the line in price and features. Everything from expensive handles and different kinds of blades. (Including replaceable/disposable blades)

So...yeah I want one. My son thinks I'm nuts. (So what else is new?)

But all the ones I've seen are really expensive lately. They used to be much cheaper than current selling prices.
I'm guessing that they have become haute.

 

[WIP]

Oh yeah?
What kind of electrical designer are you?

Industrial packaging equipment. I was a designer for almost 20 years but two years ago took a new position so I'm no longer designing electrical circuits or writing PLC, HMI, or servo programs.

It is because of my experience that when the nurse asked me if it was a work related injury I replied, "No, it was a stupidity related injury!"

 

[jasonc]

I have shaved my head bald with a razor.does that count?

 

[Roro1972]

I have not found a Barber in last 10 years that will use a straight edge of any type. I really liked the feel of being shaved by one. they all claim it is more likely to draw blood and they are afraid of blood disease these days. all the ones I hae tried use throw away razors less chance of blood they say.

 

[Edward]

I've been told that they give the best shave of any razor. And considering I only do it once a week for church I thought I would make it a good one.
So...I've seen them up and down the line in price and features. Everything from expensive handles and different kinds of blades. (Including replaceable/disposable blades)

So...yeah I want one. My son thinks I'm nuts. (So what else is new?)

But all the ones I've seen are really expensive lately. They used to be much cheaper than current selling prices.
I'm guessing that they have become haute.

Aw, its de po' man thing. How can they do that?!

I used one for awhile when I was younger. I liked it and never did cut my self.