Why Use a Straight Razor?
When you decide to switch to a straight razor, you are making more than a simple grooming decision, you are also deciding to forgo one more disposable item in our "disposable everything" world. You are moving from a no-skill-needed, convenient, throwaway piece of plastic to something that requires skill and time to both use and maintain, something that will last your entire lifetime and can even be passed down to future generations.
Not only are you producing much less waste, you are making a commitment to slow down and learn an almost forgotten skill. As a result, though, you will turn a daily chore into a pleasant routine. There is something very satisfying in using and maintaining a finely crafted razor that is equal parts precision tool and work of art.
Converting to a straight razor will give you a sense of self-reliance that disposable plastic razors never could. Below is a breakdown of the many advantages of straight razor shaving.
Comfort
Comfort was the main reason I made the switch to a straight razor.
Disposable razors are much more irritating to the skin than a single blade straight razor. The multi-blade cartridges in disposables are rarely as sharp as a straight razor blade, and having two or more somewhat dull blades is what causes discomfort, razor burns, and razor bumps. The so-called advantage of having multiple blades is actually a detriment; the pulling of the first blade and the cutting of the second may cause the hair to actually sink down below the skin line. The unfortunate result of this is the strong possibility of an ingrown hair, the leading cause of painful razor bumps. The addition of multiple blades is nothing more than marketing hype.
Since you strop a straight razor before each shave, it will always be just as sharp as it was for the previous shave. Meanwhile, disposable razors get duller with each shave until they finally have to be tossed. The ultra sharp cutting edge of a straight razor means that you use next to no pressure on the skin which greatly reduces irritation. This makes a straight razor significantly more comfortable to shave with.
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Closer Shave
Stropping before shaving means you are starting off with a fresh edge every time, making each shave as close and comfortable as the last. You also have complete control of the blade angle, allowing you to shave closer and more efficiently than with a disposable, or for that matter, even a safety razor.
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Shaving Experience
One of the greatest benefits for me was how shaving with a straight razor turned the daily grind of shaving into a ritual.
This is obviously a subjective point, but the experience of shaving with a beautifully restored straight razor is simply more fulfilling than that with a disposable. You take your time (you better!) and are more engaged, with reliably excellent results.
Multi-blade cartridge razors also need to be cleaned out numerous times during a shaving session, especially for those who have heavy stubble. Rinsing and banging your razor on the side of the sink throughout your shave does not make for a relaxing shaving experience. A straight razor just needs a quick rinse and it's ready to keep shaving.
I know of no man that actually looks forward to dragging a disposable razor across their face, but many enjoy the experience of using a straight razor.
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Environmental Concerns
Disposable razor cartridges generate a huge amount of waste.
In the U.S. alone, more than two billion disposable cartridges become trash every year. They are notoriously difficult to recycle because the metal blades are embedded in a plastic housing. It takes approximately 500 years for a disposable razor cartridge to break down.
With a straight razor, there is zero waste. A straight will easily last a lifetime, and if you want or need to replace it, it's fully recyclable. Buying an antique or vintage straight doesn't produce anything. Anyone who switches from disposables to straight razors makes a significant contribution to a cleaner environment.
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Cost Savings
While the initial cost of investing in a straight razor is higher than that of disposables, you will make that money back in the long run.
First of all, there is simply nothing that gets thrown out when using a straight. A straight razor properly stored and maintained will last generations, so there is no need to keep re-supplying your cabinet with new razors.
Then there's the per-unit shave-by-shave cost comparison. For example, 10 disposable cartridges will cost you about $25. The number of shaves one can get from a cartridge depends on many variables, but 5-10 shaves is about average. At $2.50 per cartridge, and let's call it seven shaves per cartridge, you're paying about $.35 per shave. The per shave cost with a straight razor is practically 0. If you shave every day, that's about $130 per year in disposable cartridges. On the other hand, a nice antique or vintage straight razor and strop can be purchased for as little as $100.
What about maintenance costs for a straight razor? You will need to factor in the cost of honing, which may need to be done every three months (if your stropping technique is lacking) to about once a year. A single honing costs about $25.