So I let myself for about 3 weeks while moving and job hunting, and had about 1/2" of hair so I thought it'd be interesting to use a straight razor the take down the shag.

Last night, I bought the straight razor at a shop in Chinatown near my house, with the disposable refill blade for about $2, and did it "old fashion" style,  wet my head with soap and water and started shaving from the crown forward with the grain.

It took about 20 minutes to shave it with the grain, and the only cut I got was on my pinky finger from when I fumbled closing the blade. I would have had to clip it down, but it was strange watching the wet clumps of hair fall into the sink. Didn't get much razor burn, and I did go all the way smooth this morning with my Quattro.

Anyone else try a straight razor shave? Any tips for getting it smooth?

(btw, good to be sly again

Cy

You are definitely braver that I am. I commend you sir. You must possess an extremely steady hand.

my dad jokes,"the straight razor is the reason man invented the safety razor..."   Never tried one myself but do get the straight razor barbershop headshaves.  Those arent anywhere near as smooth as my own but are great to receive.  It great getting lathered up and skinned against the grain in the chair!

Used to be my preferred method. Keep it honed, stropped and ready and it'll give you a great shave ('course, I don't use the replaceable-blade type... I use a fixed-blade).

I don't do it often these days because I can go much more quickly with a cartridge razor and not have to worry as much about cutting myself.

I found that I got the best shaves from the straight razor, though... just have to go a little slower... and use a finger to gauge the angle of the razor.

Long ago, my grandfather gave me a straight razor as a birthday gift when I turned 16.  He taught me how to use it, i.e. strop it, hone it, and how to shave my face with it. after almost removing said face a couple of time I gradually got the hang of it, but it took me quit a while.  I became very good at shaving the face, but can not for the love of GOD ever think about shaving the back of the NOggin' with it.  I'll leave that to someone who can actually see what it is they are about to cut off.

There's a barbershop here in my town that does straight razor shaves, face and/or head.  I have yet to find time to go do it though.  Would be nice to let someone else do it once in a while.

I would never, NEVER attempt to do it myself.  YIKES