Wet shaving talk

Tedolph You seem to have a burr under your saddle on this topic. I'm not adverse to your thoughts on it compadre, I'm just not signing up to join the lunch mob with a rope for whoever all you want to round up. I'm content to enjoy my happy shaves out on the quiet prairie in simple pleasure and peace where the tumbleweed blows thru. Just an enjoyable hobby for me. But best wishes on your planned stampede of an uprising.

PS : Obviously this was posted as good natured ribbing. Don't expect a back and forth discussion on the topic from me

No problem Dave. I was hoping it would spur discussion about how to turn wet shaving mainstream. A rising tide would float all boats, no?

And yes, I have a bur under my saddle about pretty much everything!

 I'm not adverse to your thoughts on it compadre, I'm just not signing up to join the lunch mob with a rope for whoever all you want to round up. 

I always wanted to be a part of a lunch mob 

My friends are hesitant to try using a razor because they’re worried about getting injured. Plus, they feel that electric shavers can get the job done quickly, even if the experience and efficiency aren’t that great. Since there’s not much to talk about in terms of content or tricks, people don’t want to keep saying the same thing over and over. This might be one reason it’s hard to consistently produce high-quality videos, which in turn leads to fewer subscribers. Brands aren’t eager to get involved because the market is too small. Yet, we’re still seeing similar designs in modern razors.

I have a few thoughts on this post. Back in the day when we wore suits to the office every day, I shaved with an electric. Actually a variety of electrics-foil, rotary and variations. I hated it. Yes, I got something that was acceptable to go the the office. I often had razor burn, and to get something acceptable it took a surprisingly long time (about five minutes). It also required the use of a pre-shave (Williams Lectric shave) so it wasn't that cheap either. I looked forward to my Sunday shaves when I used a disposable BIC single edge stolen from my daughter's bag of disposable razors, and can of Barbasol. I did follow it up with Pinaud Clubman which at that time was still available in drug stores. When she moved out, my supply dried up and I switched to a cartridge for which I had a coupon for a free handle. When that needed to be replaced and I saw the prices, I remembered watching my grandfather shave and I chucked everything for a straight razor.

Anyway, a long lead up to my point. Today, with people only going into the office a few days a week and needing to shave a two or three day beard, an electric is just not going to cut it (heh, heh-see what I did there?). It was bad enough on a 24 hour beard. So, doesn't that naturally lead men back to traditional wet shaving? Beards are great but not so much in the summer.

 I'm not adverse to your thoughts on it compadre, I'm just not signing up to join the lunch mob with a rope for whoever all you want to round up. 

I always wanted to be a part of a lunch mob 

Oops

My friends are hesitant to try using a razor because they’re worried about getting injured. Plus, they feel that electric shavers can get the job done quickly, even if the experience and efficiency aren’t that great. Since there’s not much to talk about in terms of content or tricks, people don’t want to keep saying the same thing over and over. This might be one reason it’s hard to consistently produce high-quality videos, which in turn leads to fewer subscribers. Brands aren’t eager to get involved because the market is too small. Yet, we’re still seeing similar designs in modern razors.

I have a few thoughts on this post.  Back in the day when we wore suits to the office every day, I shaved with an electric.  Actually a variety of electrics-foil, rotary and variations.  I hated it.  Yes, I got something that was acceptable to go the the office.  I often had razor  burn, and to get something acceptable it took a surprisingly long time (about five minutes).  It also required the use of a pre-shave (Williams Lectric shave) so it wasn't that cheap either.  I forward to my Sunday shaves when I used a disposable BIC SE stolen from my  daughter's bag of disposable razors, and can of Barbasol.  I did follow it up with Pinaud Clubman which at that time was still available in drug stores.  When she moved out, my  supply dried up and I switched to a cartridge for which I had a coupon for a free handle.  When that needed to be replaced and I saw the prices, I remembered watching my grandfather shave and I chucked everything for a straight razor.

Anyway, a long lead up to my point.  Today, with people only going into the office a few days a week and needed to shave a two or three day beard, an electric is just not going to cut it (heh, heh-see what I did there?).  It was bad enough on a 24 hour beard.  So, doesn't that naturally lead men back to traditional wet shaving?  Beards are great but not so much in the summer.

I occasionally forget to set an alarm for work. Thankfully, I have a cat that likes to be fed on schedule and Sylvester has saved my butt a couple of times this year already! (Yes, I do thank him with some treats, which probably reinforces the idea that yelling at me the morning is a good way to get treats, instead of what I think I am rewarding him for!!)

But my point is, on those mornings time is of the essence, and I once I only had time for a quick 1 pass/lather, multidirectional shave. And it was great! Sure I had stubble sooner than typical, but the good shave lasted a lot longer than I thought it would. Our forefathers from the previous century, taking a little more time, most likely got excellent, fairly quick, shaves, if the gear was good. And by that, I mean was the blade sharp? My father used DEs until the mid 80s, when he went for cartridges. But I don't ever remember seeing purchases of blades. Barbasol, Foamy, and Afta were staples. But not blades. This discussion makes me think, at least for my father, that he was trying to stretch the blade longevity, and it wasn't comfortable. Same as we all did with cartridges. So today, Dad still believes that the electric is best, even with the friction, since he doesn't have to make lather and a mess at the sink. And he doesn't have to buy more blades and shave cream. 

I can get a great shave with a pass or two of any razor, but I am replacing blades at least weekly. I wonder if some of the cuts and discomfort of the wet shave were due to bad prep (ie, rushing for work) and not replacing your blade frequently enough? 

Just me meandering thoughts this evening!

I’m new to the wet shave world razor wise but I didn’t get into it because there was advertising that said it was cheaper.
I could probably get a closer shave with a cartridge razor currently but I’m getting better at what I want to achieve with my shaving.
For me it’s about the experience, learning, connecting.