Black Powder and Straight Razors

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ThorinNNY

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I was wondering how many folks on this forum use patch knives or other tools made from a straight razor? Also if anyone here uses a straight razor to shave with?
I used to watch my grandpa shave with his straight razor, but I paid a lot more attention to how he would hone the blade every now and then, and how he would strop the blade before using it.
I tried shaving with a straight razor.I wish I would have paid as much attention to grandpa`s shaving techniques as I did to his honing and stropping. I never cut myself badly,but more often than not my face felt raw and irritated.
Clearly my techniques needed refinement. I read about practicing on ballons ,etc but decided I`d rather use my time shooting, casting bullets, making loading blocks, etc. I also remember watching grandpa make soap, but I`ve never tried that either
What`s your experience?
 
I used a Straight Razor to shave with, smoothest shave & very relaxing at least for me.

Lighten up on your pressure on your face when you make your stroke with the razor & maybe change the angle a little will help.
I start with the grain swipe with short strokes till I'm done with that part.
Second I do a against the grain with the same emphasis on short but light strokes.
Third is across the grain.
Baby smooth.

I've yet to butcher any of my razors to make a patch knife since I have a good neck knife already.
 
I tried a straight razor, guess I did not use it long enough as my neck felt irritated and the shave was not as good as a Trac II.
 
Never shaved with a straight razor in all my years! However, I do have a patch knife made from one-won it in a blackpowder chunkgun match years ago-and it's excellent for its intended use. The hollow ground blade is what does the trick! Much better than a regular knife blade IMO. Straight razor patch knives are used by most serious marksmen in highly competative muzzleloading matches.
 
Back in thew days when I was very active in MuzzleLoading, I used a straight razor to cut my patch material.

As far as shaving goes I rediscovered double edge shaving with a mug, soap, and brush and have never been happier, cannot understand why I ever switched to the overpriced plastic junk.
 
I use a straight razor to shave occasionally, and also for special occasions. I can get a much closer shave than I can with disposables, but my face gets a little irritated for a few days afterwards.
 
"Bannana boat aloe vera gel? :uhoh:

I believe the old timers would have used HAMMELIS WATER, better known as as Witch Hazel ,an astringent for relief of minor skin irritations due to insect bites, minor cuts, minor scrapes.

Can`t quite picture Clint Eastwood ( the man with no name) in the Spaghetti Westerns- tellin the barber who shaved him "..an when yer done shavin me, slather my face with Bannana Boat Aloe Vera Gel, would ye? ;)
 
I shave with a straight razor and some homemade soap. I use my homemade shave lotion afterward, it's made with a blend of herbs to sooth the skin. I tried one of those disposable razors that look kinda like a wood plane one time, cut myself 4 or 5 times in one shaving session. I've only nicked myself a few times during my entire time if shaving with a straight razor.

As for patch knives, I like to use my Case Barlow knife I keep in the ol' possibles bag or the Case key lime bone Stockman that I carry in my trousers. It's a good, American made knife that goes with me everywhere.
 
razors

Yes, I shave with a straight razor. Shaving is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the shave is close enough that I need to do so only every other day.
Two things are crucial for a nick free shave: one is a very sharp edge and the other is the angle of the blade to the face. It is difficult to get a blade sharp enough without the proper stones.
Though I own a number of straights - from the Civil War era through the 1930s - the smoothest shaves are with the super sharp blades for the Feather AC razors.
For patches....nope, not a straight.
Pete
 
I use a small Mora classic Swedish knife for a patch knife these days. It is inexpensive, comes scary sharp and is easy to maintain.

If you want to try shaving with a straight razor and don't have the knowledge or skill or patience (that's me) to maintain a regular one, there are versions that accept regular commercial razor blades that fit the straight razor frame. Mine does a great job with few nicks. It's a cheap way to try them. There is a ton of information online about techniques, soaps, brushes, etc.

I have had a full beard for almost 40 years so only have to shave my cheeks and trim around the neck. These days I use an old Gillette double edge razor issued to my father-in-law when he went into the Army in 1951. Great, comfortable shave and almost as good as the straight razor. The razor will last for geneartions, the blades are inexpensve, and it does a better job than any of the modern plastic models.

+ 1 for witch hazel and ++ 1 for Old Spice.

Jeff
 
303tom said:
I use a electric razor, SORRY...............
Click to expand...

You use a electric razor on your patches. ;)
Just had to ask. LOL

Going back to the Straights I have, one is only a year old & I use it 90% of the time but I do have one from the 1930's & early 1900's & I agree a good hone with water will keep them sharp & a good strop inbetween shavings will make your razor a pleasure to shave with.

Now my patch knife is a Asbel 3" Necker.
 
I recall way back when I was learning to shave a friend a few doors away, his father used a straight razor, I was lucky dad used a safety razor. Anyway on Jerry's first attempt at shaving using his dad's straight razor without supervision of course, Jerry almost cut his right ear off.
 
Went to a barber many years ago, when you could still go to a barber for a shave, to get rid of my winter beard. Best shave I ever had. He used a straight razor of course and the whole hot towel treatment. It was the best shave I ever had. I use the Gillette Fusion now and a mug and brush for lather. I never did find an electric razor that I liked.
 
When I was stationed in Japan, we had a barber on base that used a straight razor, was the place for a shave just before inspection time.
In the Philippines out in town at the VFW branch there the barber would use a new Gem blade held in his fingers to shave you, I don't think I can hold my breath that long anymore.:D
 
I use an old Gillette double edge razor issued to my father-in-law when he went into the Army in 1951.
Click to expand...
Yah. I have two of my Dad's old Gillettes as well as an older brass DE that he had. Great shaves from all of them. They surely don't work on patches, though.
Pete
 
I still have a Gillette that my Pa gave me, haven't used it though. Everytime I tell myself I'll give it a try carefully I end up realizing that I'm not going to put some futuristic looking wood plane in my face, and use my gold plated M.N. Christensen instead. Something feels morally wrong about just buying something to eventually throw away. Never took to modern stuff like that. But I do like the internet and computers, it's cool to have all that useful information so close at hand.

Now... straight razors and blackpowder are one hell of a combination. Might as well throw in Missouri Meerschaum corncob pipes and ol' fashion pocket knives like Case and such. I collect all those items, I like old fashioned Americana.

~Levi
 
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