(03-26-2016, 10:29 PM)onethinline Wrote: The distinction between a guy who just wants a better-than-cartridges shave and a shaving hobbyist is an important one. A surprising number of guys at my office shave with a brush and DE razor (this in itself is notable, I think). But only a few of them have collected soaps, razors, brushes. I'm certainly the most "hobbyist" among them.
I think that is a very important distinction, and one which is important to keep in mind when promoting traditional wetshaving. There is nothing wrong at all with being a hobbyist, collector or accumulator, but not everyone will want to go beyond the basics.
Quote:To offer my perspective, and this is based on the "conversions" I've seen among friends and coworkers: cartridges, despite being easy to use, have two big drawbacks: skin problems (for many, at least), and cost. What tends to convince guys to try DE shaving, in my experience, is pointing out that a DE shave resolves irritation and bumps, and costs much less after initial investment.
And likely a closer shave for many men with a safety razor. From what I have experienced, that is due to the very large number of double edge blades available vs. relatively few cartridges.
Quote:Guys today simply don't know it's there as a viable alternative.
Then how do we let them know that the alternative exists and provide them with some initial information? Forums are a useful source of information to those just starting out, but most guys won't know to look for them. I discovered wetshaving forums purely by chance, from a post on a non-shaving related forum. Even then, I only clicked on the link in the second post made on the subject and for no particular reason. The Art of Shaving was what really clued me in that there was something more than canned goo and a cartridge razor. Participating on forums is well and good, but won't do much to reach out to the masses. We need to move beyond the forums and into other communication channels to be traditional wetshaving Prometheuses.
How about having an informational post here at DFS that is a summary of traditional wetshaving - what is needed, where to buy it, and the basics of how to use it? it could be a collaborative effort in which the final draft is the post. We could then reference the link to that post as an introduction for the average man. A sheet of paper with "How to get a better shave" and a QR code to the link could be posted on comunity bulletin boards (the cork-backed kind, not the online kind), handed out, etc. If someone wanted to place an ad (usually low cost) in a local free newspaper, that would also work.
Quote:So, the appeal is better, cheaper shaving. That's the core. It helps that we're in a time when many people are attracted to going back to classic, "artisan" ways of doing things. We're more receptive to the idea that an older method can be better. Also, the "cool factor" of shaving with a safety razor, which next to a cartridge seems dangerous and manly (heh), is a real contributor.
Every guy I've talked to who has taken up DE shaving says he enjoys the experience, whereas he used to find it tiresome. That becomes compelling, too. It's like making the argument for cooking at home rather than eating quick take-out food: it's better for you, often less expensive, and much more rewarding. People get that argument.
I think that pretty much sums it up. Ever since the last recession, still lingering to some extent in many places, people have become fed up with poor quality crap sold at inflated prices. The possibility of luxury, high quality, the cool factor and enjoyment, all at a reduced cost, then becomes very appealing.
So now that we know why the average man should join us, what are we going to do about it?
. Congrats to DFS.
However, there is a short summary with a few interesting items. Follow the links. This is about those who do NOT use an electric razor. Quote:
