Straight Razor question. Does it have lock?

wuyeah

wuyeah

Joined
Sep 29, 2005
Messages
1,665
Hello guys,

I am new to the straight razor and just bought one trying to learn how to shave with it.
My question is, does straight razor suppose to have lock at all?

maybe I shouldn't use the word lock. I mean it more like a "stop". After opening the razor and stop the blade from further opening. Mine does not. it can open over 180 degrees and more. I am wondering if it common for traditional straight razor not have any sort of lock or stop for flexibility during use.

Thanks.
 
hmmmm I may have to give a stab at shaving my legs with the TGLB now. Thanks for the idea.
 
Last edited:
Oops, no wonder I can't find this post. It is at wrong section. Mod could you please help me move this post to right forum space, Sorry and thank you.
 
Never wanted to get near one of these things - to scary for me - especially for someone else shaving me. What if he sneezes!!
 
I have never seen one with a lock or stop. After watching Sweeney Todd I am a little scared of straight razors. LOL

Garth
 
Hi wuyeah! Good to see ya here. :)
I don't believe that I've ever seen a lock or stop on a straight razor either.

Moving thread to Razors, Scissors, & Personal Grooming forum as requested.
 
I've never seen a lock on one. They are made to give you plenty of different grips.
I can't imagine why so many of you are scared of them. They are just a really, REALLY sharp knife that you use to scrape the hair off near your carotid artery. What could possible go wrong? I've been using them since I was 18.
 
It's normal to have no stop.

The more you use a straight, the more positions you will find that handle (necessarily) in. Have it honed and enjoy it, it's normal;)
 
Like unit said, a straight should have no stop. The handle needs to be able to swing well past what would be the normal open position on a typical folding knife. Check out this dude's video for an example. Note how the handle is folded back.

[video=youtube;K4705yIVe2s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4705yIVe2s[/video]

:thumbup:
 
No there is no lock. The most common shaving position requires that the blade be opened 270 degrees past the closed positon so that the blade is in a 90 degree angle to the scales.

Your question suggests that you are completely new to straight razors. You can learn a lot just from watching a few shaving videos. You are welcome to PM me with any questions. Where did you get the razor? What brand is it? Most critically, has it been honed to a shave ready state? I only ask because a lot of people give up before ever using a properly sharpened razor.
 
It's been few weeks since I started this thread.

I have been shaving myself with straight razors. Def need time to get use to, I would say 3 shaves. To shave with left hand I did try to grab my balls and man-up in order to do it. I got about 4 cuts, here and there. Not that hurt and not deep. Now I can shave my whole face with out getting a cut.

While I enjoy "the fun" learning to shave with straight razor, the result isn't that clean. I have an old Braun 7540 and double edge Murker were perform with better results. With straight razor, I kinda have to shave 3 times, the last time shave reverse direction and still not as clean. Sometimes shaving too hard will cause a bit of irritation. Maybe I need to keep shaving to get optimum result I want.

After all, I enjoy shaving with straight razor. Experience just different. Sometimes you might just in the mood for it. It is a good skill for men to have.
While shaving with Murker def is a pleasure and as for the Bruan electronic shave...no doubt it is cleanest among all but it sit there for over 2 month untouched. Unless I am in hurry, electronic shaver won't be my first choice.

Hope you guys will give straight razor a try! straight razor shopping is a different level of fun too.
 
you might see a few witha "3rd pin" and that is mostly for looks but also woudl keep a razor from going to far in the closed position and exposing the edge through the back of the scales . the pin does not restrict the blade in any way in any of th open positions
 
you sound like you are on the right track. Don't think of straight shaving as trying to get everything clean in one pass. each pass should be a different direction to get each hair at the angle its best cut at. Take your time. If you are getting irritation, give that skin time to heal, it will help you get a better idea of whats really happening and not just opening old wounds. There is nothing wrong with doing the first pass with the straight and then cleaning up with your DE. Really focus on your angle, as it is easy to get too steep, and start scraping hair off rather than cutting it. And don't get frustrated, its a long process to get really good shaves with a straight, and the learning curve is long and steep. keep asking questions and we'll help as much as we can.
What are you using for soap and brush?
 
Many folks cut themselves with a safety razor until they get the hang of it also. Once you master it then some could do it in the field with cold water, soap and no mirror. The straight is much the same but generally a bit longer journey. The first dozen times I shaved with a straight I thought it wasn't worth the bother, but as everything else that initially seems difficult it eventually comes along. My biggest gripe is maintenance. If you don't take the time strop, your skin will let you know.
 
protourist said:
I've never seen a lock on one. They are made to give you plenty of different grips.
I can't imagine why so many of you are scared of them. They are just a really, REALLY sharp knife that you use to scrape the hair off near your carotid artery. What could possible go wrong? I've been using them since I was 18.
Click to expand...

looks like it's working well from that baby smooth chin of yours.. couldn't resist. ;P
 
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