Shaving with a Straight Razor
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- čas přidán 14. 02. 2019
- It's time to put my money where my mouth is and put steel to skin, folks. I've been practicing and honing (pun intended) my skills with a straight razor and now it's time to share a straight razor shave with you.
The fine folks at Naked Armor sent me this straight razor and then I bought a honing stone and a strop to make sure that the blade was as sharp as I could make it.
Will it be a blood bath? Will I put Sweeney Todd to shame with my straight razor skills? Will I learn why they call this a cut-throat razor?
Let's watch and find out.
www.nakedarmorazors.com
The razor I used: bit.ly/2RZUigx
The strop I used: amzn.to/2tofkM2
The synthetic brush I used: bit.ly/2GqSg7Q
The shaving soap I used: bit.ly/2EbqA4w
I just love how good he is at constantly talking and not making the video awkward
And not cutting myself!
True! I love it!
what would be wrong with awkward?
Watching some old video's. To remember him when he still had 2 ears.
What? Can’t hear ya! 🤓
@@SinatraLennon he meant you sliced your ears with a straight razor.
neil dsouza Oh, I know. That was my attempt at humor.
Daily routine for me this , respect the blade, don’t rush, use plenty soap and water, a decent brand of soap, Arko, or Proraso etc,
Keep the blade stropped before and after, store dry and clean. Concentrate on angle of blade. Great fun and just how our previous generations did it. Oh and.... use Alum afterwards as a form of facial disinfectant to reduce chance of razor burn/bumps (and any bleeding)
I personally use a vintage cut throat from the 50’s as the preferred choice of shave as the zero irritation is preferred over anything else i’ve tried shaving with.
won't lie i just checked his most recent video to see a one eared SinatraLennon
4:10 "I took a sh... I took a shower." That was unexpected... LOL
I was never knew fear when shaving, whether using a cartridge or a DE. Then, I sat down for a haircut at a base in Afghanistan with an Afghan barber who didn’t speak English and always seemed a little angry. After cutting a good high-and-tight, he unexpectedly whipped out a straight razor and proceeded to shave my neck. I’m man enough to admit that I kept my right hand very close to my pistol for the rest of the shave. He did a great job and I made sure to tip him well.
When I was in Afghanistan, I used to go to the Afghan barber who had a concession at Camp Eggers. His father, uncle, brother and cousin were all barbers who had a shop in the Shar-e-Naw District in Kabul. I always let him shave me with a straight razor. Best shave I ever received, bar none. I always tipped him well. I cant remember his name (he had only one, anyway), but I eventually started learning how to use a straight razor myself. I still use a DE razor on a daily basis,, but once a week, I still use a straight razor, or a shavette. And yes, I have my straight razors professionally honed. I have a couple of stones, and try to hone an inexpensive razor for practice, but I send my good ones out for service.
I remember the only BBS shave I got from a straight razor was in the hands of someone I understand to have been an old-school barber sometime around 2000. Sequence went: massaging my face with a touch of vicks--yea you read that right--then leaving a hot towel on for maybe 10 minutes, followed by a slick layer of shaving foam, then just one pass of the warm stropped well-worn-narrow old sling blade. It ended with another few minutes of rest with a hot towel, then awakening with a splash of osage. The smoothness from that particular session sadly was never replicated even by later barbers who shamelessly charged more.
The aptly-named Safety Razor is one of the greatest inventions of all time. My hands would cramp up if I had to wrestle with a straight razor.
I actually woke up early for it (7.30am on a holiday ) only to realize it’s tomorrow not today!! The excitement is strong with this one ☝️
Oh no! Sorry about that. This is the first time that I’ve tried to schedule a video with this Premier thingy. Well, I hope you had a good breakfast with some strong coffee or tea. See you tonight (where I am) and tomorrow morning where you are!
Black beards are the best because after shaving you get a greenish tint and that looks really sexy.
So stoked! This will be marvelous! I love these premiere reminders! It's almost like a tease.
“We have a bleeder!!!”
Always been curious about straight razors love the video( :
Oh!! Finally. The ultimate test.
Sweeney Todd paid sponsor.👍
You've taught me a lot about wet shaving, im proud of you for trying "new things"!
It’s fun to try out new stuff. Keeps life interesting!
@@SinatraLennon you've got that right! i got a fatip piccolo and that Jager david i told you about in the stream all In the same month, the Piccolo is seriously aggressive and i love it even as a relative newbie while the jager is mild but i love its extra weight and longer handle, had a terrible shave first try because im not used to long handled razors but the second shave was awesome!!!!
I was the same way in the beginning, I started and stopped a couple times but stuck with it this last time and love it. It gets easier over time and the shaves get better. The against the grain pass is the money pass. I get a bbs on my cheeks but still not there on my neck yet. Hope you stick with it, nice shave man.
Looking spectacular brother!!
Grandpa taught me how to hone his straight razors when I was 13 years old. I have 2 of his hones today. They're over 100 years old and originally used in his dad's foundry for making wooden patterns of items to be cast.
Even pricey razors called 'shave ready' aren't - unless you buy them from a shop that hones them for you (at extra cost). My best straight razor gives a good shave, but nothing can beat a good safety razor shave.
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3
12:15 I've found that when shaving that part, you can flip the razor 180. By doing that you are now holding it with your pinky, ring, and middle finger on the tang, and your index finger is in the ring loop. You can also just do it while youre shaving the opposite side because the razor would be in the correct position, with the nose of the razor facing your own nose.
Just for future reference 😁
I started straight razor shaving at about 15 as my Dad was a trained barber from the old country and over time he taught me all that he knew. I switched to DE razor when I started shaving my head at about 30. I tried disposable and electric and wasn't satisfied with the experience. I now use replaceable blade straight razors for my face as I don't have to keep a straight razor sharp and still use DE for my head as it's tough to see and shavettes are a lot sharper than regular straight razors. When shaving, I still hear Dad's informative and encouraging accented words and his old world humor. I seek out a proper barber who does a proper straight razor shaves twice a year; one on Dad's birthday and one on my birthday. They are getting harder to find and I find that the ones that charge a ridiculous amount aren't that good. I think that the most important nugget that Dad shared was "never stop learning, use what works for you and enjoy yourself." Watching your videos, I can tell that you enjoy yourself and I believe that this attracts more and more people to DE shaving. Always enjoyable and entertaining with great honesty. Keep up the great work.
Shine on:
butch
You should have a talk show. Great content and awesome personality. Well done.
Maybe a podcast in the future?
Can't wait! Good luck brother. You won't catch me using a straight razor lol.
At just after 8 minutes when you’re holding above your eye. That had me dead. Haha I just got my first straight…super stoked to give it a go!
Heat, tension and proper angle ... Those 3 things are key to a successful, and smooth straight razor shave
I just bought one of the cheap replaceable blade straight razors. I got about half way through each cheek before saying "nope" and finishing with a safety razor. I'll probably give it a shot again in a few days once I get past the fear, lol.
Sinatra you bring up a good point it's not that I can't get a closer shave with a straight razor but it takes time to learn to shave with one and I am too old and set in my ways so my DE 89 Edwin Jagger is still king. However, no Barbosal?? How dare u!!! Keep the videos going buddy I love them
I too faced hand in front of the eye issue on my first few shaves but i started to face the mirror instead of keeping my cheek towards it. That doesn't show how well the shave is but it helps aligning the blade.
I started out with a DE then went to a Shavette and have recently purchased a Traditional Straight Razor. True the Traditional will never be as sharp as a DE blade but technique which includes stretching your skin not only when you start but throughout the shave neck and cheeks will provide a shave as close as a DE however my Shavette gives the closest shave possible. But words of wisdom Shavettes take no prisoners. Good Vid.
Oh hey Sin, since I've seen most of your SR videos and the blades not cutting down the stubble, there are SR's that allow the use of half DE razors. (You can split them in the package and use each half) You can find them fairly cheap on Amazon. most modern barbers tend to use those if they use SR's at all, since you can change out the blade for health reasons.
*Applause* Your a brave man! I could never shave with a straight razor!
And you don’t have to! I took one for the team.
Not one nick! Impressive. I’ve noticed I get the closest shave with a shavette - probably because like you said razor blades are just sharper. Even better than my safety razors and definitely better than my new dovo. But safety razors are like 95% as good and so much more convenient
Also angle out the blade more on your down pass.. While keeping it a tight angle on the up pass.
The shaking reminded me a bit of the barbershop scene in High Plains Drifter😉I'm sure the razor could have a better edge, but I share the view that it's hard to beat a modern DE blade for a close and comfortable shave. There is an aesthetic about the straight razor that I like--less the manliness than the craftsmanship of using a very simple tool without any disposable or throwaway elements. Which is to say I understand it, but I don't do it--I pretty much just use a DE (and, gasp, cartridges sometimes).
I gots me the jitters!
I use the straight razor with the disposable half blades and I can't even use my left hand to shave any side. I do sometimes cut myself but the shave is super smooth.
Thank you! You are very brave.
Using a straight razor is about the experience... And yes you can very easily get a bbs shave if you know how to hone it to perfection and how to use it.. I can get by with a 2 pass.. With and then against the grain.. Just keep practicing... It takes me just as long as you take using a de razor and I have a very very close shave every time...
Quite possibly the first time I’ve ever held my breath while watching a CZcams video 😂...... Nice work, I’d be too afraid to even try, I’d likely bleed out before the paramedics arrived
Ha! I actually survived!
Have I heard of an American Samurai Warrior? No, but I HAVE heard of an American Ninja Warrior
You claimed there was no razor burn but I could see it after your first pass.
I used a canned shaving cream and no pre-shave oil the first time I used a DE razor. I learned from that. I have a few beard oils I don't like (shout out to Bad Ass Beard Co. for sending out replacements when you order a scent that doesn't measure up to your expectations.) ( I have a "circle beard" so I use beard oil for that AND shave my cheeks and neck. I like the contrast of clean shaven with facial hair.) So now I use that as a pre-shave oil and I have some Taylor of Old Bond Street shave cream. I'm still working on my technique but I can definitely see the advantage of the oil, and a good shave cream, in preventing razor burn and cuts.
Loving the vids. Have you tried shavette shaving? I find that much closer than my DE, plus you get double the usage of a DE blade due to snapping.
I did, and it wasn’t pretty. Look for a video called Shavette Bloody Shavette.
Thank the lord for an honest review of a straight razor. Totally inferior to a safety razor. I have tried but I now use a Merkur German safety razor with feather blades. The ultimate as far a I'm concerned. Would like to hear about different combinations
Impressive man well done!
I could have done better. I’m sticking with DE.
@@SinatraLennon I have been toying with idea, but I like bbs shaves with the DE
I'm no expert on straight razors, but my questions would be: If you're using a whetstone, has it been soaked properly? And, has the strop been properly loaded with compound?
Great video, I did notice that when you were honing your razor you didn't wet your stone, most straight razor shavers mist their stones with a
spray bottle filled with water, with any type of grind stone you need water also when your trying to get close to your moustache puff your cheeks out like you do with a safety razor...All the best Mark
Yes, I can’t hone or strop properly. All fault lies with me.
You're stalling!!😆😆👍👍
The covered wagon of shaving haha. I have no desire to use a straight razor, but I would like to try and merge onto a highway in a covered wagon
Ha! Great comment.
17:40 There is nothing particularly wrong with your shaving technique. It is mostly the fault of the knife. Stainless steel razors will never get as sharp as a non stainless high carbon steel razor. Also, even though it looks cool, you should never strop your blade like this. You have to roll the blade over its spine.
This is the truth! This is why old knives can seem so sharp (but they rust, not that this matters).
UK viewer, perfect video's all round. I've come across straight razors online or in the local barbershop where there straight razors use single edge blades as sharp as the double edge blades. Maybe that could be a better result for you in the future? 🙂
Welcome! I. Having this razor honed by a professional to get its best edge. More on that later!
Thanks for the video. I have to disagree, I love my straight razors for everything except going across my neck.- which is against the grain for me Daily use is down with a straight, up with a straight and across with a safety razor. I bought honing stones and learned to hone my own razors at the same time I was learning to use them. To test for shave ready hold the razor with the opened blade facing up and with the other hand, lower a hair (plucked from your wife’s hairbrush) across the upward facing blade, it should cut the hair to be shave ready. Stropping after honing and between shaves is very important. There should be no tugging or pulling at all and a result is a very close shave with even just one pass- but I’m going for a BBS every time (character flaw I guess!) Cheers brother!
What do you think about replaceable blade "hair shapers"? They have razor blades in them, so in theory the downside of the blade being thicker with a straight razor wouldn't be a problem.
I could not shave with my revamped German twins. I tried and tried, then Razor Emporium got it shave ready. Indeed, it was far better than I could get it, but I coul only use it on my neck and checks. So I gave up. Got a shavette and that was much better. Got some really nasty 2 day cuts. Finally got the knack, but a double edge is the closet shave, less work, more comfortable. Now and the I will use a shavette, but give me a Voskhod or a 7 o'clock in an old Gillette and I am good for the morning.!!
You probably noticed that in old photos most guys sported beards and mustaches. Safety razors changed that. I think that it probably takes a very experienced person to use straight razor to advantage. It was either Gillette or Schick that used to advertise how many feet that they stropped their DE razor blades.
Much as l hate to admit it I have to agree with you I think we probably have gone past the straight razor days honing stropping just to get the same shave as from a bad electric razor newer wet dry much better. The safety razor is the best razor by a mile and I include modern razors In my assessment but having said that I'll persist with my shavette and will try the straight razor I bought and try stropping and honing, but my advice to anyone wanting to get a straight razor don't go past the shavette less hastle and a pretty deasent shave after 3 passes.
Oh I’m supposed to take my time when using a straight razor. Now I get it. I need to hold my face tight it looks like.
Absolutely! Slow and steady.
you might want to reconsider the pre shave oils, they do make a difference.
I did like it, and i agree with you there, it takes a steady hand and good skills. The best straight razors are from Sweden, or so i have heard. Not for me either. It is very manly and very Cool. And a art form in many ways, or so. Perhaps you should try a safety razor that you can stropp the blade, vallet or a rolls razor. Keep it comming, the videos. Take care
I had same outcome with a shavette using feather blade so maybe its technic or how to soften the stubble hair before shaving or something else..
Hey sinatra can we hone old de razor blades?
How was this razor honed? Or is that the factory edge?
Watched straight razor shaves and thought it must be enjoyable but once I tried it I realised I just don't enjoy it enough to work on my skills. I like shaving with a safety much more. Btw, slicing your ear happens very easily with a straight, guys.
Great informative video! The “cool factor” is off the charts, however, I would probably have the same results... way too much time and effort involved for a mediocre shave. You’ll have to pry my 6s from my cold, dead hands😀.
It does look and feel cool and it has its place as a method of shaving, but DE is the way for me. Enjoy that 6s!
hello. I've enjoyed your videos for quite some time. I've been honing razors for several years. I own multiple stones, honed hundreds of razors. I happen to be a moderator in a shaving forum. You did great for your first attempt! Seriously - quite well.
I would be happy to hone your razor free of charge, no strings attached. The stone you used is not a stone for finishing a razor. Your edge is likely not "shave ready" thus the sub par result. If you want to give straight razor shaving another attempt, please just let me know. Happy to work something out - even provide you with a Gold Dollar 66 razor honed by me at no cost to you.
Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, I take all the blame for doing a poor job of honing with an inferior stone and not stropping properly. I did give it the old college try, though!
As to your generous offer, I’d love to have my razor honed by a professional such as yourself just so that I can truly experience a ‘proper’ straight razor shave.
Please email me at sinatralennon@gmail.com
Thanks for the offer and I look forward to hearing from you!
Your blade wasn't sharp enough. Honing a blade to be sharp AND smooth takes a lot of experience. If you haven't already, send it to a pro so you know what to aim for when you do it yourself. It took me a year or two before I could get consistently sharp and smooth edges on all my razors. A properly honed and stropped razor should mow through arm hair hovering about a 1/4" inch from your skin.
This video gave me anxiety for 30 minutes lol
Oh no! Sorry about that. I’m okay now!
The straight razor turned over the back of the razor when sharpening on a belt. Otherewise, the blade becomes rouned and the razor stops shaving. Very good video!
I just use a shavette so I don't have to worry about honing and stuff
I shaved with my disposable Lord straight razor I use a different method of shaving I Always Shave against the Grain to get rid of the Beard Hair plus I shave just Like you did with The handle straight instead of how you did in The beginning I shave with the handle straight instead of folding them
When he said right now, he meant right now! Lol! I was shocked!
I’m a man of my word!
But you MUST use Barbasol....that will make it unique.... Ohh the mailman did NOT bring my Dovo straight kit...hope tomorrow...
Man you could do vlogs ,i definetely Watch you ,Can you do a video about your morning routine .
Good idea!
You really need to be stretching the skin for every stroke of the blade. The safety razor incorporates a feature that does it for you, but the straight razor requires you to do it. That’s why you were getting that skipping and biting feeling. It would be great to see you try it again.
I’m going to have my straight razor honed by a professional, then I’ll try it again!
People think its extra cost but replacable blades are the extra cost, you need your blade sharp enough to cut the hair on your arm when the blade is floating above..popping the hairs off
I would swear to god you were going to say "I Took a shit" over at 4.10
😂😂😂😂
I get awesome results with both my straight razors probably even better than with all of my safety razors. But I have to be honest my straight razors are both from Wacker in Solingen, Germany, where the best straight razors come from.
What stone did you use?
I bought a straight razor (new) some time ago and I haven't used it yet because I figured it may need some honing first (it's sharp, but should be sharper, I think). I've been putting it off because I don't know what stone to get.
I actually got the wrong stone myself. The one I bought is not nearly fine enough to sharpen my razor. Check out some shaving forums like Badger and Blade for better info than what I can give you!
SinatraLennon
Alright, thanks!
Damn you are shaking so bad it seems you drank several cups of strong coffee and decided to shave. Brave fellow you are. Maybe I will give straight razor a try but not now I am enjoying my DE razors. Shave on Brother!!!
I don’t remember shaking that badly, but maybe I was nervous and overly caffeinated!
I paid a professional barber for a old school straight razor treatment. Is easy nice and smooth but no wear near as smooth my safty razor with Astra green blades.
Hey man, I love your videos and I want to start on single blade razors but don't know where to start, I would much appreciate it if you could help me.😊
I agree with you. I like the idea of straight razor shaving, but you can't beat the bbs from a DE razor. By the way, I noticed your school ring. Are you an Aggie or a Longhorn? I enjoy your videos.
I have many friends that are Aggies, but I went to UT.
0:54 Emperor Palpatine's laugh
Could woch him all day 😅 funny guy .stick to the safety blade big man 💪
Probably wanna reconsider using a pre shave with a straight razor
Agreed.
It's strong enough to do a Sweeney Todd job on home invaders.
Someone there to speed dial 911?
No need!
Phew
Double edge are good but I found the single edge blades to be better, they require fewer passes
Has anyone ever told you that you like like Glenn Howerton? (Dennis from Its Always Sunny). Also, the blade ought to be honed in the opposite way you strop it, that is, the blade leads and moves forward on the stone. A good test is to try and shave some arm hair. If it cuts effortlessly and cleanly when the arm hair is bone dry then your blade is good. Though, I’m sure you know this now. Love your videos ❤
I love Sunny! Yeah, me and Glenn, very handsome men. 😜
Do you still have that razor? If so I would love to buy it from you
The paper test isn't really a precise enough test for a blade that sharp. A common test is to cut standing hair and that would be cutting your arm hair with the blade just touching the hair not the skin of your arm. I've found if it's not sharp enough to do that than it's not sharp enough to shave
I actually shaved a bald patch on my arm last week. Hope it grows back!
@@SinatraLennon to tell if it sharp enough, move the blade down your arm with it two mm above your skin.
you´re a brave man i cant use my left hand for something like this where you need to concentrate my left hand would or will no doubt spasm at a point great video anyways
It is tough with the left hand.
i can imagine
I noticed that too after my first pass there is a bunch of hair left. I’m on about my eighth Straight Razor a Shave and I’m bout to just stick with Shavettes and safety razors…. I wanted to stick with it though because I didn’t want to be a PUS or “not as manly” lol but you know what they say do what works best for you I just see more pros than cons with Shavettes lol
Plus I like getting a BBS smooth shave and I did the fools pass and against the grain on my chin but it’s not as easy to accomplish….and knowing myself I’m not gonna settle for less lol we’ll see
I believe this straight razor 🪒 gets more closest shave than cartridge or safety razors.
starts shaving
razor: let me sing you the song of my people
Use a pre shave oil essentially if you're going to use a straight razor....
They do sell straight razors with disposable blades that are paper thin like double edge safety razors
Not only are DE blades sharper consistently but its less blade area you have to work with unlike a straight razor.🪓🪓🪓🪓
I'll stick with my Merkur 15c 🪒🪒🪒🪒😁😁😁😁
That straight looks great but at the same time, looks scarier and dangerous. It seems isn't well sharped. Geat video as always.
All it needs to sharpen is the leather.
I used to use a shavette with half DE blades. But now i am a bearded man.
Hi, have you tried a shavette with half of a DE blade? Less prep and upkeep.
I have. Cut me up bad.
@@SinatraLennon I have now seen your earlier video. Thanks for the reply. I tried a shavette and came off looking like I had really upset Freddie Krueger!
Does straight razor prevent Ingrown hairs??i use safety razor but i get Ingrown hairs below my chin, does this solve?
It might, but I’m just not sure.
You should be a radio talk show host
I agree!
I recognize the exchange select caliber 5 anywhere. You serve?
No, I had someone send me that box of goodies!