Why this hobby?

[Rob99]

I truly hated shaving.

Used an electric razor, after that the cartridges. It al gave me irritation

Then I thought that I am gonna use a straigt razor, but my wife (that time) said it wasn’t a good idea. Scared that I’d kill myself shaving.
I’d only should kill myself to get away from her.

But then I’d get rid of her (she is still alive). And I’d buy an straight.

After that, it is all history.
First time shaving was horrible. Took my an hour or so. But then it was irritation free. Was a revellation. After that I’d carried away a bit. Read fora. Looked om ebay and other marketplaces.
And I also was charmed by the way they shaved centuries ago.

Bought some more razors, soaps, DE’s, brushes.
And a cupboard to store and display it.

Now I am looking forward to a shave.

It is much more affordable over the long run than other options.

Well. It isn’t

 

[MPH]

I honestly just started traditional shaving to save money as the carts were so expensive and didn't last long...... I only went on TSR to look for advice on lathering soap as I struggled with this a bit to start with.........

 

[Fidelis]

I got in this hobby, due to my girlfriends were always complaining about my rough stubble (what is true, I have a heavy and wiry stubble, growing easily to a thick beard in little more than one or two weeks, if I don't shave).
Second, I was really, really unsatisfied with the performance and costs and feel of the canned gels and plastic cartridges.
Too often they left my skin dry and feeling unpleasantly.

Just by chance, I stumbled over a youtube video by Geo Fatboy (later Nick Shaves, Paul H., Michael Freedberg and IAMCDB) and I got a lot of interesting information, then I read a lot in the fora.... and.... well the journey began.

About saving money.... well, it depends, I would say. If you are disciplined and get along with one razor (which you should find soon in your journey), one brush, one soap and affordable blades, I'm sure you will save a lot of money over the time.
But if you let yourself get involved in trying stuff again and again, maybe even collect things.... then saving money better shouldn't be your intention

 

[les24preludes]

- I love objects made of metal, and like tinkering with them
- I find the scents of shaving soaps endlessly interesting
- I like the feel of a very sharp blade scraping across my face
- BBS is a challenge and focusses the mind

 

[Tyke121]

- I love objects made of metal, and like tinkering with them
- I find the scents of shaving soaps endlessly interesting
- I like the feel of a very sharp blade scraping across my face
- BBS is a challenge and focusses the mind

Well said to all of your points

 

[Gairdner]

Just like @MntnMan62 , I can be extremely curious and interested in many things old fashioned plus I wanted an alternative to expensive cartridges. I was pointed in the direction of another shaving forum by a late friend where I found a myriad of things that immediately grabbed my attention and held my eye especially DE razors. Having already been faffing around with a shaving brush and ordinary bar soap (Wright's), I found the transition to proper shaving soap/cream quite wonderful but it was a while before I picked up my first DE razor. When I eventually did, I struggled quite a bit for a good length of time but a lined handle EJ DE89L started to yield good results more regularly and felt very natural. I got a Vulfix 404 mixed brush which really improved my lather but shortly afterwards, I disappeared down the acquisition disorder rabbit hole and all thoughts of saving money went straight out the window! Razors, handles, brushes, blades, soaps and creams started to appear as if by magic and I was well and truly gone!

 

[Tyke121]

Just like @MntnMan62 , I can be extremely curious and interested in many things old fashioned plus I wanted an alternative to expensive cartridges. I was pointed in the direction of another shaving forum by a late friend where I found a myriad of things that immediately grabbed my attention and held my eye especially DE razors. Having already been faffing around with a shaving brush and ordinary bar soap (Wright's), I found the transition to proper shaving soap/cream quite wonderful but it was a while before I picked up my first DE razor. When I eventually did, I struggled quite a bit for a good length of time but a lined handle EJ DE89L started to yield good results more regularly and felt very natural. I got a Vulfix 404 mixed brush which really improved my lather but shortly afterwards, I disappeared down the acquisition disorder rabbit hole and all thoughts of saving money went straight out the window! Razors, handles, brushes, blades, soaps and creams started to appear as if by magic and I was well and truly gone!

Start with one of each soon leads to 30 + each