Shaving with a knife
- Thread starter Draven
- Start date
bambodoggy
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
It's more likely to do with the shaving techniquie you're using....do you regularly use a cut-throat razor to shave with?
Also, the blade is thicker than a razor so this might effect it and also that the tool itself is heavier and so more unwealdy than a razor. I've managed to shave little bits of my face with a knife (after watching Croc Dundee and wanting to see if it'd work) and I have to say I've never had such a stinging shaving rash! lol
Cheers,
Bam.
Also, the blade is thicker than a razor so this might effect it and also that the tool itself is heavier and so more unwealdy than a razor. I've managed to shave little bits of my face with a knife (after watching Croc Dundee and wanting to see if it'd work) and I have to say I've never had such a stinging shaving rash! lol
Cheers,
Bam.
bambodoggy
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
led said:
Yer, that's true....hadn't thought of that
So add that to the points I made and I think you have your answer mate lol thanks folks!
I have to agree with the stingin bit, even though I didnt get much hair off my face it stung pretty bad...
And nah, I don't use a cutthroat, though I'd like to, just because I'm sick of havin to buy more disposables and electric razors require electricity
I have to agree with the stingin bit, even though I didnt get much hair off my face it stung pretty bad...
And nah, I don't use a cutthroat, though I'd like to, just because I'm sick of havin to buy more disposables and electric razors require electricity
You can shave with a knife - the Razor Edge guy even had one of his daughters shave off his beard with a double bit axe in front of an audience.
That being said it takes a lot of prep to shave with a straight razor let alone a knife. The edge has to be very straight or continuous curved and polished. Properly used a straight razor is used with a diagonal stroke - and ANY uneveness of edge will get you. You also have to hold the skin taut or again you'll get sliced or nicked.
If that doesn't discourage start with the flatter spots of cheeks and leave the throat and chin until after a bit of experience!
That being said it takes a lot of prep to shave with a straight razor let alone a knife. The edge has to be very straight or continuous curved and polished. Properly used a straight razor is used with a diagonal stroke - and ANY uneveness of edge will get you. You also have to hold the skin taut or again you'll get sliced or nicked.
If that doesn't discourage start with the flatter spots of cheeks and leave the throat and chin until after a bit of experience!
It can be done, yes because as Jimbo said, the Razor's Edge dude was in Guiness Book of Records for doing so.
Another factor worth looking into is that generally, a man's facial hair follicle is (supposed to be) stronger than a piece of steel would be if it were the same diameter. Who knows if it's true but it's interesting when facts like that come up.
Adam
Another factor worth looking into is that generally, a man's facial hair follicle is (supposed to be) stronger than a piece of steel would be if it were the same diameter. Who knows if it's true but it's interesting when facts like that come up.
Adam
I've shaved other guys with a knife - and have had other people shave me. It is not easy to shave yourself with a knife. Take a good lather, and heat, to do well.
The hair on your arm is much easier to cut than the pretty tough facial hair. Even getting a straight razor to do a decent shave is a bit of an art form - the blade needs to be super-sharp, and then the prep needs to be right (lots of hot water beforehand, decent lather, and then the right technique).
Even if you could get the knife right, the chances are that the edge will be too sharp (i.e. weak) for normal usage anyhow.
Even if you could get the knife right, the chances are that the edge will be too sharp (i.e. weak) for normal usage anyhow.
Draven said:
Let me first apologise ,in advance, for sounding like a right pr.t, and a squelcher, but, Draven, I can,t really understand just why you need to be doing this.
I can only suppose that its some kind of test, but, of what? alternative uses for Bushcraft tools?, or, do you suppose there just may be Bushcrafting circumstances when you need a shave that much.
They aint really made for it, you know, thats why we have Bics and I am fairly sure that a lot of folk will have trouble enough with them!
Ga,an canny man!
Ceeg
I've shaved with my Fallkniven F1 twice. First to try if it's at all possible, and another time just for fun. It wasn't _that_ bad, but I use 2000 grit polishing paper on a mousepad for convex sharpening, so the edge is nicely polished. The words about the shaving rash are true though
It wasn't _that_ bad, but I use 2000 grit polishing paper on a mousepad for convex sharpening, so the edge is nicely polished. The words about the shaving rash are true though lol I understand exactly what you're saying, the only reason that I was wondering was because when I was on Skye I didn't feel like taking a bus to the co-op just to buy some razors and then waiting three hours for the next bus home, so I tried shaving with my knife
Although it didn't work, so I just grew a beard. Ach well! Although the bald patches on my arm were just to see how sharp I could get it with a cheap stone 
Draven said:lol I understand exactly what you're saying, the only reason that I was wondering was because when I was on Skye I didn't feel like taking a bus to the co-op just to buy some razors and then waiting three hours for the next bus home, so I tried shaving with my knife
Heh heh! Also, surely isn't this the ultimate test of your knife sharpness / knife skills? Shaving your own face?!!?
As a sideline, have you tried a double edged razor (ie an old razor blade shaver)? They're fantastically cheap, outlast single edged blades and cause less irritation. I know that this is OT but thought you might like to have a gander....
Im pretty sure the game is all in the edge preparation. I remember as a kid (im 52) in the barbers (only poofs had hairderssers) watching the barber shave my dad etc. You never saw a stone or anything like it, just a fat leather strop wellcoated with jewellers rouge. He would strop it EVERY time he picked it up, even if only to scrape a blokes neck a few times. The blades were hollow ground towards the back of the blade (ie the spine) but tapered almost to a parallel along the edge so they were really quite thin in cross section. This meant that they could keep a fine edge for ages with only honing on the strop (thats a LOT of honing). They were shaving men every day and the edges just never went dull.
So I guess that when we boast that our knives are 'Razor Sharp' we really should stop and ask ourselves if they REALLY are.
So I guess that when we boast that our knives are 'Razor Sharp' we really should stop and ask ourselves if they REALLY are.
Draven,
I use an old Gillette double edge, a badger hair brush a cake of mug soap. I get the closest, comfortable, most satisfying shaves that I've ever had in my life. Really rough, thick facial hair runs in my family so when I first started to shave I tried using cartridge razors, Sensor Excel's, Mach III's etc etc. Unfortunately, after a shave my face would end up looking like raw hamburger with stubble on it. I don't remember what started me on using a DE, but I do remember finding a NIB gold plated Gillette super speed from the late 1940's in one of Nanaimo's local antique stores.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to get at is that if you take the time to learn how to properly use a DE (it calls for a completely different technique) then you'll be rewarded with the best shaves of your life. People look at me like I'm crazy and say things like "Adam, why the h#ll are you using that thing? You're 21, join the twenty first century!". I ignore them because I know better.
Adam
I use an old Gillette double edge, a badger hair brush a cake of mug soap. I get the closest, comfortable, most satisfying shaves that I've ever had in my life. Really rough, thick facial hair runs in my family so when I first started to shave I tried using cartridge razors, Sensor Excel's, Mach III's etc etc. Unfortunately, after a shave my face would end up looking like raw hamburger with stubble on it. I don't remember what started me on using a DE, but I do remember finding a NIB gold plated Gillette super speed from the late 1940's in one of Nanaimo's local antique stores.
Anyway, the point I'm trying to get at is that if you take the time to learn how to properly use a DE (it calls for a completely different technique) then you'll be rewarded with the best shaves of your life. People look at me like I'm crazy and say things like "Adam, why the h#ll are you using that thing? You're 21, join the twenty first century!". I ignore them because I know better.
Adam
addyb said:So...do you guys do this for fun when you're bored or what?
hehehehe
Adam
For a number of years I was part of a minimalist camping group. A knife would do double duty as a razor.
addyb said:So...do you guys do this for fun when you're bored or what?
hehehehe
Adam
It may not be the ultimate sharpness test, but if you will let someone give you a shave with a knife that sharp, it is the ultimate test of ,
a trust
b courage
c friendship
I would be very selective who i let near my face with a sharp knife
