The 10 Minute Shave

Learning to shave with a safety razor is like learning to drive. At first you have to think about every little thing, even the tiniest change in course. For shaving, that means it takes a long time at first. As others have noted, that soon changes and the shaves become a lot quicker and the results better, both at the same time. As with driving, it is due to the "muscle memory" effect. For me, it took about three months to get fully up to speed with a safety razor. Just be patient and don't try to rush it or hold yourself to any timetable, and all will be well. You are no different than millions of safety razor users the world over. If they can do it, so can you.

I think you are looking at this all wrong. Why would you want to rush something so enjoyable into a short timeframe where you have to skip steps and accept the substandard shave as "passable"?

My point is, don't short yourself the enjoyment of an awesome shave without a time limit for something that is "passable". If you shave at night during your shower time, you will still be presentable the following day.

Old School,

First, thank you for your service.

I couldn't agree with you more. Wet shaving is a pleasure and hobby for me - not a chore.

Thank you for sharing that an evening shave will be good for the next day. If it can pass a picky military leader then it's good enough for me.

Actually, I enjoy wet shaving so much that I normally shave morning and evening.

Thank you, and your welcome
My evening shave is decompression time from the day's rigors. Since I'm not pressed for time (and am an insomniac) this is when I alot time for shaving. Morning is hectic, I always feel 5 min late, and I have to charge my battery with coffee.
While on AD I was a daily face shaver and usually did a 2 pass WTG and XTG shave. My skin just couldnt take daily ATG shaves. My ATG shave night was Sun night.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder Pete You should try to hold out to 1 shave=24 hours.

If I have to shave before leaving the house, I can complete a DE or SE shave in 5-10 minutes with a familiar razor, a synthetic brush, and an easy shaving soap stick.

That said, I normally shave after I get home from work at night or in the wee hours. That way I have the bathroom to myself and all of the time in the world(it seems.) I really like to thoroughly enjoy my shave during these times. It's time for me to just relax and not think about anything else. After that, I turn out all of the lights and go to bed with all being right in my world.

And, most of the time that's how it works out. That is also how I explain all of the different soaps, razors, and brushes, too. Each provides a different experience in some way and that adds to the shave for me. YMMV!(Of course!)

From experience I can assure you that it gets easier with time.  I can do my normal 3 pass shave in about 10 minutes now after 1 1/2 years DE and SE shaving, it used to take around 20 minutes. I shave 90% of the time with 1912s or a 1914, so my slim or other DE  are even easier.

I also take around 20 minutes right now.  But I don't want to make my shave any faster since I only shave every other day.   When I do shave, I want to enjoy it as long as possible.  

For me it's the getting ready and then clean up after that takes so long. All included takes about 25-30 minutes. I'm a neat freak with my shave stuff. I take apart my razor each time.