Straight Razor Information Resources

[ssnp]

i've been using a straight razor by thiers issard for the last month i really enjoy it, never going back to anything else. plus it cuts longer hair too

[Greenmarine6]

I've heard that cuts from a straight razor heal much quicker than from those store bought multi blade razors.

[karolnoymann]

This face was already shaven. He only remove foam on his face. This technique is used in films or commercials. This demonstration doesn't have a great interest.

[Pahl81]

Thanks for the great resources, I am hyped now. After doing couple weeks worth of home work on the dollar amount also how to use a straight razor. For disposable razors, I could be wrong but 3 year period pretty much adds up to the same amount for every thing you need on a straight razor setup. But that can change too on how much you use them and if you drag a disposable passed there life expectancy. Hoping to get mine in the mail Tuesday.

[Sinfull702x602]

i did some research on straight razors, they seem to be pretty expensive. are they really worth it over disposable razors? i mean are they better than disposables in the way of a better shave and will they save me money?

[mantic59]

@Sinfull702x602 a lot of people thinks so but the other side of the coin is a longer learning curve and more fussy maintenance (periodic stropping, honing, sharpening, etc.).

[Shangas]

@Sinfull702x602 Straight razors may be more expensive and they might have higher maintenance, but they do have the benefit in being a one-off purchase. Once you've spent all the money, you'll never have to spend more. You can use the same razor for the rest of your life and only have to buy more shaving cream/soap occasionally. So I think it's worth it.

[slpknt10l03]

@Sinfull702x602 Straights in fact can be very expensive, but with a little diligence you should be able to find a very decent straight at a antique shop. My current favorite was bought for $10. I honed it using an old barbers hone I found for $6 and an old strop I got for $5. If I wanted, I would never have to buy another straight, hone, or strop for the rest of my life. I will have to continue to buy shaving soap and a new brush every so often - I promise thats cheaper than than shaving cream

[Shangas]

@Sinfull702x602 Straight razors aren't that expensive. Vintage ones can be purchased for $50 or less.

[lobzdik]

apart from stropping and occasionally honing, is there anything else I need to do to look after my straight razor? my new dovo seems to have developed a bit of rust at the pivot... any tips? thanks

[StraightouttaHouston]

joel looks like stifler

[gregkauf1987]

I was distracted by the constantly running water at the end. Dude, no need to run the water the whole time, especially when you're just putting on aftershave.

But yeah, straight razor shaving = completely and totally... bad-ass.

[GreenPaladin7]

I found out that stretching the skin is a bad habit and it's actually better to gently push skin towards the razor. This is a technique used by Morroco street straight-razor shavers who are known to be the best in the world at giving the best straight shave.

[GSAbotBumblebee]

Is it weird that I enjoyed watching him shave?

[paulfeakins]

Not, it's very satisfying!

[FIxt00l]

I cannot fucking believe it-it is all true, his skin is really flat as a baby bottom...And the mustache area look far easier to shave, compared to double-edged razors...Now if only there was some online advices what brand and what model of straight razor to buy, as I am so confused...5 / 5 instant rating!

[BearBoi69]

In Europe most countries are land-locked and fresh water is a commodity. It costs a great deal. My friend hosted a German exchange student and the guy would only bathe once a week. Finally the family had to say something to him, and he responded with, "But I could not shower so often and waste your money!" That's the European mentality about it.

Yes, in North America we have a lot of fresh water, and advanced filtration and re-usage systems most places in Europe don't.

So don't toss stones.

[timloyarac]

You've got to be kidding me. 90% of people in Europe shower every day. What you describe, about water being so expensive, is crazy. We waste as much water as you guys do. We flush the toilets with liters of fresh water every time we pee.

Your exchange student was just a very dirty German dude..

[BearBoi69]

Dude, you're from the UK. Notice how I specified, "land-locked countries"? I wasn't talking about YOU.

You may have invented the language, but clearly your reading comprehension leaves much to be desired.

[timloyarac]

Listen, where I am from is irrelevant. Yes, I live in the UK, but I am in French. You're going to tell me France is not landlocked. My flatmate is German. Technically not landlocked either, but I guess for the sake of the argument that should be enough for you. She showers everyday. I know many other German people, I lived there for a few months, and I haven't noticed anyone who did not shower everyday. I know what I am talking about.

[BearBoi69]

You seem to be suggesting you understand the -entire- general economic impact of water taxes in land-locked countries (again, as I specified) throughout Europe; based on having lived in one portion of a country that is not completely land-locked, and having a flatmate that showers every day.

Very well; I'll bow to your wisdom, oh master of European water-culture. Forgive my offensive words. I shall scar my tongue which is fit to only spout lies about your noble people.

Peace.

[timloyarac]

You did claim that "In Europe most countries are land-locked". In Western Europe, you'll find that apart from Switzerland and Luxembourg, it is pretty hard to find landlocked countries.

If your claim was about Central and Eastern Europe, I cannot argue, as I don't know their habits so well. But you gave Germany as your example, which, again, is NOT landlocked.

And, by the way, I do find it wasteful to leave your water running when you're shaving or brushing your teeth.

[BearBoi69]

I can only humbly beg your forgiveness for my error.

After all, it's not as if there are areas of Germany far from water sources where the taxes are sharply increased for such a commodity. Even Canada, which has the most fresh-water resources of any nation on earth, must subject people living in far/remote areas to higher taxes for getting it to them. But surely it isn't like that in Europe. My god, what WAS I thinking. Your economy operates on a gumdrops-and-hugs system, right?

[alikokos]

First time i hear a term land-locked. Thanks for the word of the day :D

[eteokles3]

americans just dont get it! why does he leave the water running?

[Mrcaffinebean]

Gotta love the anti american comments! Not. Americans arn't the only one who make mistakes you know.

[slapstickity76]

I get nervous as hell just WATCHING someone shave with a straight razor! I don't think I have a light enough touch to ever shave that way.

[johnnytastetest]

Surprisingly, you'll find that once you get the hang of how to correctly angle the edge to your face, the razor is pretty forgiving. Though until this is a part of your muscle memory, newer shavers will typically have less confidence when placing the blade at the beginning of a stroke (top of the sideburn, for example) and as a result, the razor will 'stutter' as though you're tapping out a morse code message -- this is when nicks and cuts tend to happen, frustrating novices.

[Devanarestylez]

are there different types of straight razors that use different blades? (double edge ones to different ones?) im thinking of getting a straight razor , can u recommend a very good one, and if they use doube edge blades, please advise thanks.

[johnnytastetest]

The traditional straight razor is a solid piece of steel which you must sharpen periodically on a hone and maintain with a strop. But yes, there are razors that use DE blades and other disposible variants; though because they're machine-sharpened, their edges are often very unforgiving, unlike an edge you've not only created the bevel for, but then sharpened and stropped exactly to your liking. Sort of like fighting alongside a trusted platoon comrade of many years rather than a paid mercenary.

[dpdicharry]

where's the coup de maitre ?

[Papideano]

not bad.

[Diabolik771]

He should state that he switches hands depending on what side he is doing. Just in case you didn't catch that at home.

[NC17Productions]

I realize this is probably a REALLY stupid question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway.

I'm kinda buckled now financially at the moment, and I was wondering if an ordinary knife such as a kitchen knife would be okay to shave with as a substitute for a straight razor?

I wasn't planning on shaving with a kitchen knife, but I just wanted to know.

[banjoboyjohn]

shaving with a kitchen kife won't work (ive'tried it.) if you have a pocket knife you can use it though. the stainless blades are alright, but i reccomend a carbon steel blade (I shave with a Case and it works great, but cheaper ones work too.)

[johnnytastetest]

Yeah, pretty much any kitchen knife is going to do the trick.

[nyhc123]

Strapped for cash? Why not get a safety razor? The blades are super cheap.

[DannyMunster]

do you put on the splash aftershave on a wet face or a dry face?

[mantic59]

DannyMunster- Aftershave on a wet face is generally preferred.

[DirtyHerman]

i have the same blade xD

^^

-blade- xD

i mean the razor ^^

i guess its like mine...

...from "Solingen" in germany !

[tjtdm9x]

oh man that's a clean shave...if you go with this old school kind of shave, can you shave everyday to keep it smooth?

[ImDino]

i've just started.. and it seems really easy to get bumps with it.

[TheMajician]

Do you use a badger brush?

[ImDino]

i've use every art of shaving product... first how towel, then their pre-shave, badger, creme, after shave. And their products dont really deliver what they've promised because i get just as good results with some other shaving creme for half the price without any other extras like oil and badger hair

[johnsmithcanadianeh]

So you basically cannot change the blade in a straight razor? How long do they last then?

[andrelee40]

They can just about last for years because you are constantly resharpening the blade instead of throwing it away. Cool.

[gisbrei]

It'll last you a lifetime if you treat it right.

[dakotasnyder]

mantic59- How do you feel about Lab Series products? also, i shave with a straight razor double edge razor blades by personna. I was wondering if in this video does he alternate hands? i have a hard time shaving my whole face with my right hand, when I use a MACH 3 its easy but i want master a straight razor so i can be able to give hot towel shaves. Ive used a straight razor on my face 5or 6 times and i get a smooth shave but its very "raw" after.. any advice?

[tonyg41]

I alternate my hands when i straight shave some people can do it with one hand though you do whats most comfortable for yourself. Theres a couple of factors for you to be feeling the razor burn one is razor isn't sharp enough so you might be putting too much pressure to get the smoothness your face isn't prepped enough before the shave shower before use hot towel on face and such some guys use lotions before shaving I don't personally also aftershave helps alot with the raw feeling. Good Luck

[dakotasnyder]

Thank you for replying, 1) my razor is sharp, its a disposable double edge that i change every shave. My jaw line is the "raw area" its really hard for me.. but do you think in-grown hairs could be apart of that? once again thanks for replying.

[mantic59]

I've never tried Lab Series products.

[To1ne]

He does use alcohol-based after-shave, but you don't. Why?

[mantic59]

To1ne- I discourage "newbies" from alcohol-based products because they tend to dry out the skin if you use too much.

[yeahbuddeh]

its a great shave but theres no hair to shave.

[zodiiak]

WOW, great shave.

[yeahbuddeh]

Great technique, Joel. You did not do an ATG pass on the stache area. Wondering why? Also, what kind of razor are you using here?

[mischo1]

greate shave +++++++

[Mirpuria]

My blade on the cut throat isn't sharp? I use wilkinson sword disposable blades. Can anybody suggesta a sharper blade for my cut throat?

[zachk1983]

I also have a straight with disposible blades. I find that Derby blades to be very sharp and they do a good job.

[Kevbo4]

Great video and great links. Only over the last year or two has there been much straight razor instruction to be found on the web. It use to be quite scarce so I appreciate mantic59's postings here at YouTube.

[ImDino]

shaving is fucking dangerous... why must all things that man kind loves be dangerous? Driving fast, fucking around, taking drugs, drinking, eating a lot of candy, shaving.. ETC!

[abenmunoz]

Very instructive video, thanks!

[HarRamseys]

Good on ya mate thankyou

[craigthetallguy]

coming from australia where we've got level 6 water restrictions (no watering your garden, no hoses at all, no washing cars), listening to that water running is making me cringe...

goddamn americans and their water.

[sadisticscorpion]

ha, whats even funnier is that Australia is surrounded by water, get a purification plant geez

[velikayakrasivaya]

Because there aren't parts of each country respectively where water conservation may or may not be more or less necessary than where you are and all Americans overuse water and water isn't mostly consumed by farming no matter where you go.

[HarRamseys]

HAHAHA NICE ONE MATE!

From Victorian

[JTickett]

...

[williamstdog9]

Don't worry guy, God HAS already damned them: they're coming after OUR water up here in Canada. Thanks to the North American Union thats neatly taking shape they'll also have all of our trees, oil reserves, and room too. (but of course it's all in the name of good trade and safety...) I turned this video off before it finished cause I couldn't stand the noise of the WASTE either....

[Kevbo4]

Firstly, there is no god.

Secondly, how do you know where his water comes from?

Thirdly, he could just be urinating the entire time he's shaving and showing off the size of his bladder.

[Kelo60]

I know in Texas in summer you get tickets for over using water.

[Kevbo4]

No need to damn us. We've already in hell with our current leader. But do realize we have some areas where water is plentiful. and there's no need to conserve. I live on a freshwater river and get water from a well. Down the drain it goes and back into the soil and river eventually.

[williamstdog9]

i apologize. i got carried away and shouldn't have handed out such a harsh judgement. it was wrong of me. its refreshing to hear from such an informed and sustainable person!

[xpallodoc]

Is there any stores that sell these in person instead of over the net.. like a knife store or something?

[mantic59]

xpallodoc- Very few "bricks and mortar" stores sell them. Art of Shaving might, otherwise you're going to have to check around for cutlery or military-style sword & knife shops. Or antique stores.

[xpallodoc]

haha thanks well im going to have to do something because with my beard everything else I've tried just doesnt give me the clean shave I've been looking for

[howardb02]

in the UK they are sold in tobacconists and pipe shop (basically traditional old-timey shops) that cut keys and repair shoes as well. I dont know if you have these kind of shops over there (if you are in the US). youll pay for the service though.

[JTickett]

WOW! thanks. I went into my town the other day looking in the hairdressing supply shops, all sorts of other places and didnt find any, hadnt thought of looking in those places.

[rejershnivit]

Don't use an alcohol based aftershave! if you do at least use cold water first to close your pores.

Safety razors (and by extention disposables and cartridges) were invented so a man could get a quick shave. There's an old axiom; "fast, good, cheap. pick two." The price over a lifetime is about that same, so if you want fast, go for a disposable, if you want good go straight.

[aerosub]

thanks man. hey i've seen techniques for shaving your neck two different ways, up and down motion. could you recommend one or the other?

[partisano71]

Thanks for the video

[OBELISK79]

Thanks for the great video. I just received a Col. Conk straight razor set for Christmas and I got a few good tips as I continue to learn how to use my straight razor.

[h2opoloplr11]

Does anyone know if straight razors reduce razor burn? I am interested in using one, but I'm worried about razor burn.

[fiddlenut24]

yes they do, but you have to learn to keep them sharp. i switched over, took me a couple months, but no more razor burn

[h2opoloplr11]

Thanks a lot man, a appreciate it.

[frbjeffj]

Lynn Abrams is an ass .. He is notorious for treating paying customers like he's doing them a huge favor when he sharpens a razor. Do yourself a favor and do business/research with one of the dozens of other sites for assistance in regards to straight razor shaving/products/info.

[demarspeed199]

..yea good luck, ill see u with no skin on ur face later

[stankwho]

Thanks for posting, I really want to try shaving with a straight razor.

[Kevbo4]

Yes I am due to the clean shave I achieve via straight razor. Then the proper application of lotion, aftershave and moisturizers help my skin supple and soft. Thanks for noticing!

[jeffwithonef]

Nice video and yes it is as easy as it looks and a cheap way to get started is a straght razor by FROMM-found in beauty supply stores like Sallys the blades are disposeable and really you dont even have to strop you can just buy more blades and is much cheaper than buying a permanent razor and strop and stones etc. but not as cool.

[elmaschingon142006]

these kinds of videos are why youtube was made for great videos 5 stars man

[jymevans]

thank you .. this was helpful

[demarspeed199]

we should shave with a kitchen knife, that would be safer

[mopanahi]

lol, actually straigh razor are pretty safe

[UberShtrudel]

is it safe to shave against the growth with a straight razor?

[mopanahi]

that's never a good idea, causes ingrown hair

[MDavisUSF82]

Hmm I alwyas shave with the grain on my first pass's then I shave against the grain on my 2nd pass (used to do it all against the grain one pass) but I dont notice a problem often wiht ingrown hairs, except one tiny area on my right neck area, but thats been this way since I started shaving years ago

[LYNX2203]

is shaving with a straight razor as hard as peolpe say it is?

[invictus2]

I think you have to consider we live in a world where the art of straight razor shaving has been lost. I would take the admonitions with a grain of salt if I were you. You must start out slow and *careful*, but look dude, people have been doing it for hundreds of years. It's not friggin' big deal and nothing to "freak out" over, in case anyone you know gave you such a reaction. (My mother did, haha.)

[lazerusmfh]

I shaved with a straight razor for my first time today. It was cake. I did get a small knick on my kneck. it did take a little while to shave. i went pretty slow. overall i enjoyed it :)

[mopanahi]

hell no

[stergy]

this has helped me alot thank you varey much you are a great expert and really know what you are talking about thanks.

[wesleyhowarth]

Thanks for posting this, it has answered all of my questions. I just need to learn how to hone :-(

[chuppacabra66]

Supermarkets razors are shit in box... just a commercial pretext!! A straight razor is for life!

[bearsagainstevil]

I use a straight razor and it does give a very close shave and is a cheap shave and more ecological .

my grandfather used to use a straight razor and he was totally blind .

it takes a while to learn but is a thing I think every guy should take the trouble to learn good video

[Greenstead]

I think I will stick with my Gillette Sensor razor. I like your watch mate.

[TheUUUltimateFan]

i just got a straight razor and watched this vidoe then used my razor and my chip is all cut up. i dont like it but im gona keep doing it cause its cool

[SCOBYsnacks]

damn dude im with you my razor is coming soon i just hope i will not hit arteries ahahahahahah

[SuperCat]

Yep frankie, use of disposables when I had nothing else gave me badly irritated dry skin, I always use Merkur Safety Razors, but I am going to delve into straight razors sometime soon...

[frankie385]

peckerwood78, you're an ass! lol disposibles suck ass

[robblj]

wuz

[tatan1234]

ur just a wuss...real men use straight razors.

[NUDILUDI]

somewhat funny, but your still a wuss

[invictus2]

He's not a wuss. He merely suffers from a lack of logical ability. The post is a betrayal of his own ignorance and an example of his failure to find out what it is that scares him. Predictably, he turns his unfounded fear into a nervous "joke." Typical behaviour of an unformed character, most likely a teenager without too much parental guidance.

[Dreamline45056]

I have started using a safety razor/double edge blade rather than the Gillette Sensor, as well as using Pinaud Club Man after shave. I find I have far fewer ingrown hairs using this technique. These are cool videos on the subject.

[debiant]

I find that some aqua velva after shaving is good otherwise I get tons of ingrown hairs.

[thegraveyardduck]

No no no. Alcohol dries out the skin. Don't use an alcohol based aftershave.

[stingray666]

I always use a desposable razor but every time I go to the barber he uses a straight razor, I really like how close the shave is and he's given me a basic noob training so I get the concept. This video really helped bring light on the questions I DID have, thanks!

[jbaudanza]

I've never used a straight edge so it's interesting to see the technique. I find that alcohol dries out my skin and makes it ripe for ingrown hairs. I prefer to just rinse off with cold water and apply some moisturizer.