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Shaving
Mar 19, 2023 14:35:00 GMT -7
Post by Black Hand on Mar 19, 2023 14:35:00 GMT -7
Gentlemen, I recently purchased a straight razor and have been playing with a brush and soap for shaving. As this is my first journey in this direction, does anyone have suggestions? I went with this style of razor as it avoids sharpening, though I will learn to use my original 19th century razor at some time in the future.
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Shaving
Mar 20, 2023 16:01:05 GMT -7
Post by bushfire on Mar 20, 2023 16:01:05 GMT -7
If I'm looking at that correctly it has replaceable blades like a havalon knife?
I've not gone down that direction personally. I have on occasion when sharpening a knife put it to my cheek to test the finish. It's an oxymoron for me, the sharper I have it the happier I am but the less I want it near my face!
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 20, 2023 19:16:22 GMT -7
Indeed - replaceable blades. Imagine a regular double-sided safety razor blade that is been cut in half. I've been shaving for decades with a safety razor (not those disposable razors) without soap/foam (wet face after a shower). I've had a cake of shaving soap in my period kit for years and decided to give it a go a couple weeks ago. This rekindled my interest in a straight razor for shaving at events (though I just don't shave). It's a skill that I want to learn and it led me to this razor.
I'll post an update if I haven't bled myself to death...razor arrives Wednesday.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Mar 20, 2023 20:55:48 GMT -7
I applaud your journey, Hand!
Anyone that’s been paying any attention at all to the things I post knows that period correct material culture and mindset are tentants I strive to incorporate into my persona and 18th century activity. For living history I’ve always thought a period shave kit should be incorporated into one’s kit, even if it isn’t used at an event. The absence of items is often as stark as an inappropriate item to those nerds like me that are paying attention.
That said… the absolute most difficult thing for me to accomplish when I do a period activity with a group or another individual will be to shave off my beard. I’ve had a full beard since my early 20s. Back before it was trendy and hipsters that don’t own chainsaws started wearing work clothes and growing beards. My wife had never known me without a beard until I had to be fully shaved for a project at work. That was a full decade. She married me without ever seeing my clean shaven face. It was traumatizing for both of us. It was three days after I turned 40 and I wasn’t in the best mindset to have a part of my identity stripped away. My autistic son cried.
I cried.
But… but…
In the interest of portraying the period correctly…
Maybe…
Just maybe…
I’ll buy a period razor.
And shave.
(Though step one will likely need to be period sheep shears. My beard is thick and full and glorious.)
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Post by spence on Mar 20, 2023 21:54:01 GMT -7
I'm sure the Dunkards would welcome a convert.
Spence
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Shaving
Mar 23, 2023 7:21:58 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by hawkeyes on Mar 23, 2023 7:21:58 GMT -7
I have a vintage straight razor and use it regularly in combination with a traditional safety razor. Another rabbit hole you've entered!
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Shaving
Mar 23, 2023 10:30:47 GMT -7
Post by Black Hand on Mar 23, 2023 10:30:47 GMT -7
Another rabbit hole you've entered! My life is essentially a rabbit warren - rabbit holes everywhere....
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Shaving
Mar 23, 2023 16:44:35 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by Richard on Mar 23, 2023 16:44:35 GMT -7
I have not been clean shaven since I was about 20. I will be 80 next month. Most of my life I wore a full beard and moustache. Maybe the last 15-18 years or so, I have worn a goatee with full moustache. So my experience with shaving has been somewhat limited.
When I went to the goatee, I had an Italian-American barber who was in his 80s. He would hold the straight razor up with a shaking hand, and say with a smile:"Are you sure you want me to do this?" I would smile back and reply: "I trust you." They were the closest shaves I've ever had, and he never nicked me once.
Now, I come home from the barber(she uses a safety "straight razor") and the first thing I do is shave with a regular safety razor. It's still nothing like the old straight razor shave.
I never got into reenacting, for a few reasons. One is that for the F&I War period, beards were not worn. I will never willingly go clean shaven, not for anything or anyone. It's just who I am.
I have not bought my own straight razor for two reasons: the cost of a good Solingen blade , and the fact that I would have to listen to my Wife's admonishments every time I nicked myself. However, I highly endorse them for those of you who are so inclined.
Richard/Grumpa
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Shaving
Mar 24, 2023 5:41:03 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by hawkeyes on Mar 24, 2023 5:41:03 GMT -7
Ebay actually is a great place to find reconditioned razors. The one I have is a Soligen blade, unbelievably sharp and delivers a shave smoother than a baby's butt. Since I've had it I've only ever ran it over a strop a handful of times and it never fails to deliver if I do my part! Something very special about a good manly shave!
Concerning safety razor blades I really like the Japanese feather blades. After trying handfuls of various blades they have become my personal favorite.
Unfortunately I shave daily... Comes with the job but overall my beard game is very pathetic and laughable at best. Good facial hair just doesn't run in the family genealogy.
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Shaving
Mar 24, 2023 5:59:50 GMT -7
Post by Black Hand on Mar 24, 2023 5:59:50 GMT -7
I have started haunting EBay. It is a resource that I am learning about and recently made a purchase (stripped the gear in my food processor making egg noodle dough) and not finding a replacement, bought the drive base at a reduced price. I was looking at shaving bowls and razors just the other day...
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Post by Black Hand on Mar 27, 2023 16:37:48 GMT -7
All was going well UNTIL I switched to my off side...
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Shaving
Mar 27, 2023 18:40:10 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by brokennock on Mar 27, 2023 18:40:10 GMT -7
Well,,,, that isn't too bad. At least you still have your ear 😉😆
I don't dare try that.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Shaving
Mar 27, 2023 20:03:56 GMT -7
Post by RyanAK on Mar 27, 2023 20:03:56 GMT -7
There close, then there’s too close! Satisfied with the shave otherwise?
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Shaving
Mar 27, 2023 21:30:35 GMT -7
Post by bushfire on Mar 27, 2023 21:30:35 GMT -7
Well at least no stubble is escaping that blade!
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Shaving
Mar 28, 2023 4:03:19 GMT -7
Post by Black Hand on Mar 28, 2023 4:03:19 GMT -7
There close, then there’s too close! Satisfied with the shave otherwise? It's a good shave - no complaints...
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